Blackhawks Reportedly Headed Towards Kyle Davidson Extension
The Chicago Blackhawks have an important off-season looming in 2026. The summer will be headlined by negotiations with franchise star Connor Bedard, and underscored by tough decisions with veteran free agents Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, and Jason Dickinson. With so many negotiations on the horizon, Chicago appears to be moving towards an extension with general manager Kyle Davidson, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Davidson has pulled the Blackhawks together enough to take a confident step forward in the last year. They sold off veteran defender Seth Jones to acquire high-potential goaltender Spencer Knight at last year’s Trade Deadline, then awarded lofty extensions to 2024-25 leading goal-scorer Ryan Donato, top prospect Frank Nazar, and Knight.
The moves have afforded Chicago a real platform to work from. Nazar has tied Bedard for the team-lead in scoring, with both players boasting two goals and six points through the team’s first five games. Knight has also matched the bell, with an impressive .920 save percentage through his first three games. The improvements they bring to the lineup, and continued growth from Bedard, has led Chicago to a 2-2-1 record to start the year — the club’s best record through their first five games since 2022-23.
Even better, Chicago has secured Nazar and Knight through 2029 for a combined $12.43MM cap hit each season. That’s a true steal for a top scorer and starting goaltender, especially with the salary cap expected to grow by $18MM before 2028. That price, complemented by a cheap deal for Alex Vlasic ($4.6MM annual cap hit), could provide Chicago with the rare chance to spend lavishly while they pull out of a rebuild. It also provides the chance to pay Bedard the king’s ransom he’ll surely be owed, after posting the fifth-most points from a teenager since 2000 and seeming set for another big year this season.
But news of an extension for Davidson won’t thrill all. He’s overseen a 107-187-34 record since stepping up as Chicago’s GM in 2021. Davidson has overseen 10 first-round picks for the Blackhawks, though only four of those players are on the NHL roster early into the season. How Chicago will grow when star prospects like Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil Jr., and Sacha Boisvert break into the pros will be what defines the next era of Blackhawks hockey. But, the uncertainty around each of them will likely limit Davidson’s potential extension to only a few years – providing Chicago a chance to change course if their heap of top prospects don’t pan out.
Then again, those odds seem slim. Frondell leads all U21 players in the SHL in scoring, with seven goals and nine points in 11 games. He’s long been an international star of his age group, who seems well-set for success in the NHL. Chicago has also received plenty of positives from young defenders Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Wyatt Kaiser – who seem to be offering the star offense, reliable two-way-play, and stout defense needed to structure the blue-line. Success from other prospects like Oliver Moore, Kevin Korchinski, Mason West, and Marek Vanacker would only serve as icing on the cake of what appears to be a growing push from Chicago’s young core.
The Blackhawks expressed confidence in Davidson earlier this month. Team owner Danny Wirtz told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times that, “Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on.” That statement seems to suggest that the Blackhawks’ brass are okay bearing through a couple more difficult seasons, with eyes on a big boom a few years away. It seems that confidence will lead to Chicago cementing Davidson’s overseer role sooner rather than later.
Short-Term Absences: Raymond, Foligno, Samuelsson
At least for now, the Red Wings are exhaling that the news isn’t worse regarding the health of star winger Lucas Raymond. He won’t play tonight but is only considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the team announced. Raymond left Monday’s win over the Maple Leafs midway through the second period after taking a cross-check into the boards from Toronto defenseman Chris Tanev (video via B/R Open Ice). There was initial fear and speculation that he may have sustained something as serious as a collarbone fracture, but he was back on the ice for morning skate today, according to the team’s Daniella Bruce. He might not even miss a full week, considering there’s been no injured reserve placement. Through two and a half appearances, Raymond had scored twice and added an assist with a +3 rating in what’s otherwise been an iffy start at even strength for Detroit’s top line of him, Dylan Larkin, and rookie Emmitt Finnie.
More short-term absences of note from around the league:
- The Blackhawks announced that captain Nick Foligno will be taking a “brief” leave of absence and will miss tonight’s game against the Blues. He’s stepping away to be with his family as his daughter undergoes a follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. All of us at PHR send our best wishes to the Foligno family. You can visit their foundation for heart health, The Heart’s Playbook, at this link.
- Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Senators, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550. His absence shouldn’t last much longer, though. He skated on his own today and could be an option to play this weekend, head coach Lindy Ruff said. Samuelsson remains on the active roster after departing last weekend’s loss to the Bruins early. He’s only missed one game so far.
Davidson Gets Vote Of Confidence From Ownership
- It has been nearly four years since the Blackhawks promoted Kyle Davidson to GM with the team posting a 107-187-35 record with him at the helm. Despite their struggles, team owner Danny Wirtz gave Davidson a vote of confidence in an interview with Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, saying that “Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on”. Chicago has been stockpiling draft picks and prospects for several years now in the hope that a contender can emerge from this group and it appears Davidson will have a long leash from ownership to see if that will happen down the road.
Dickinson Day-To-Day With Upper-Body Injury
- Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson will miss tonight’s game against Montreal due to an upper-body injury, relays WGN’s Charlie Roumeliotis (Twitter link). Head coach Jeff Blashill noted that the veteran is listed as day-to-day but could miss a week. The injury occurred partway through Thursday’s loss to Boston. Dickinson had a tough year last season, notching just seven goals and nine assists in 59 games after setting new career highs in goals (22) and points (35) the year before. Now in a contract year, this minor setback isn’t a great way to start it.
Blackhawks Reassign Ethan Del Mastro
The Blackhawks have assigned defenseman Ethan Del Mastro to AHL Rockford, the team announced this morning. There’s no corresponding transaction yet, but freeing up a roster spot may indicate winger Landon Slaggert could soon be ready to come off injured reserve.
Del Mastro, 22, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the fourth round in 2021 and made his big league debut three years later. The shutdown lefty enjoyed much more offensive success in his first pro season than anyone imagined, recording a 7-30–37 scoring line in 67 games for Rockford in 2023-24 in addition to his two-game, late-season NHL call-up. After his first taste of play with the Blackhawks, which saw him record two hits and a shot attempt while averaging 18:35 per game, he was sent back to Rockford to begin the 2024-25 campaign.
While his offense dried up, Del Mastro’s steady defensive play earned him a longer look in NHL minutes last year. Chicago first recalled him in January, and he spent the vast majority of the balance of the season up with the big club. He finished the season with a 2-4–6 scoring line in 24 appearances with a -3 rating, 21 blocks, and 40 hits while averaging 18:19 per contest. He didn’t see any special teams usage, but his even-strength possession impacts were promising, controlling 47.4% of shot attempts and 44.7% of expected goals – not impressive on their own but strong considering Chicago’s woeful possession control and Del Mastro’s defense-oriented deployment.
That showing led the Blackhawks to include him on their opening night roster earlier this week. He played their first game of the season against the Panthers on Tuesday, but was the odd man out when No. 1 defender Alex Vlasic was ready to return to the lineup last night after missing a game with a lower-body injury. Still with room to develop, Chicago would rather have Del Mastro playing regular minutes in Rockford than have him sit in Chicago’s press box. Del Mastro still has another season left to go until he’ll require waivers to head to the minors.
As for Slaggert, he started the year on IR after sustaining a minor hip injury in the preseason. It looked like opening night was a possibility for him initially, but he hasn’t been able to go yet. He’s eligible for activation before tomorrow’s game against the Canadiens.
Injury Notes: Girgensons, Vlasic, Strome
Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper was asked by Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times if Zemgus Girgensons could be considered week-to-week, and Cooper confirmed Encina’s suspicions, saying it is “probably a semi-safe assessment of where he’s at right now”.
The 31-year-old Latvian forward was injured in Saturday’s preseason tilt vs Florida, a game which caught the league’s attention with over 300 penalty minutes combined between the rivals. The Lightning actually faced fines and a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the festivities that occurred throughout the game.
Girgensons will miss his first regular season game as a Bolt, having appeared in all 82 games last season, netting 6 points in a largely shutdown role.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Chicago Head Coach Jeff Blashill says Alex Vlasic is all set to play tomorrow, as confirmed by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. Vlasic was absent in the 2025-26 NHL season opener due to a lower-body injury, as the Blackhawks fell to Florida. Having broken out last season with 30 points, the Blackhawks will be glad to welcome the young Illinois native back to the lineup.
- The Anaheim Ducks announced today that dependable center Ryan Strome will miss the team’s upcoming road trip due to an upper-body injury, which was previously under wraps. The 32-year-old veteran has only missed three regular season games in his first three seasons with the Ducks, twice being an all-82-game player. Strome has flashed remarkable consistency, netting 41 points exactly in each campaign. Based on the Ducks’ statement, he is set to miss games in Seattle and San Jose, but perhaps could return for the home opener against Pittsburgh next Tuesday.
Blackhawks Recall Ryan Greene, Place Two On IR
The Chicago Blackhawks appear to have their opening night roster in place ahead of tonight’s action against the Florida Panthers. Earlier today, the Blackhawks announced that they’ve recalled Ryan Greene from their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. In a separate transaction, the team has placed forwards Landon Slaggert and Joey Anderson on the injured reserve.
Greene, 21, is coming off an impressive three-year run with the NCAA’s Boston University Terriers. Drafted by the Blackhawks with the 57th overall selection of the 2022 NHL Draft, he’s become one of the several up-and-coming forward prospects that the organization boasts.
During his time with the Terriers, Greene scored 34 goals and recorded 105 points in 118 games, achieving a +24 rating. He earned the program’s captaincy in his final season. After losing the National Championship to the Western Michigan University Broncos last season, Greene signed his entry-level deal with the Blackhawks and made his NHL debut one day later.
Unfortunately, Greene’s inclusion on Chicago’s opening night roster comes with less positive news. Slaggert, 23, who’s another forward prospect coming from the NCAA ranks, will begin the year on the injured reserve due to a lower-body injury.
In late September, there was an expectation that Slaggert might start the year on time with the Blackhawks. However, as he became more involved in the team’s practices and scrimmages, he may have re-aggravated something. He scored 10 goals and 25 points in 39 games for the IceHogs last year, with another two goals and six points in 33 appearances with Chicago.
Meanwhile, Anderson will join Slaggert on the Blackhawks’ IR. Although Anderson lacks significant prospect value and mainly serves as a depth player, he has spent the last four years with Chicago after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season.
Signed to a modest $800K salary for this season before being eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, Anderson wasn’t a lock to make the Blackhawks’ opening night roster regardless of his lower-body injury. This is likely why Chicago has designated him as an injured non-roster player to start the campaign. He spent much of last season with Rockford, tallying 17 goals and 27 points in 33 games.
Training Camp Cuts: 10/5/25
With final rosters due Monday evening, teams are down to their final few rounds of cuts. We’re keeping tabs on all of today’s demotions here as clubs near their final 23-man roster to open the season:
Chicago Blackhawks (per team announcement)
D Nolan Allan (to AHL Rockford)
F Ryan Greene (to AHL Rockford)
D Taige Harding (to AHL Rockford)
F Gavin Hayes (to AHL Rockford)
D Kevin Korchinski (to AHL Rockford)
F Paul Ludwinski (to AHL Rockford)
F Martin Misiak (to AHL Rockford)
F Oliver Moore (to AHL Rockford)
F Samuel Savoie (to AHL Rockford)
F Aidan Thompson (to AHL Rockford)
F Dominic Toninato (to AHL Rockford)
D Cavan Fitzgerald (released from PTO to AHL Rockford)
F Brett Seney (released from PTO to AHL Rockford)
G Mitchell Weeks (released from PTO to AHL Rockford)
D Ty Henry (to OHL Erie)
Dallas Stars (per team announcement)
F Justin Hryckowian (to AHL Texas)
F Cameron Hughes (to AHL Texas)
F Arttu Hyry (to AHL Texas)
D Vladislav Kolyachonok (to AHL Texas)
Minnesota Wild (per team announcement)
F Hunter Haight (to AHL Iowa)
D Matt Kiersted (to AHL Iowa)
Montreal Canadiens (per team announcement)
F Owen Beck (to AHL Laval)
F Florian Xhekaj (to AHL Laval)
D Adam Engstrom (to AHL Laval)
New Jersey Devils (per team announcement)
D Ethan Edwards (to AHL Utica)
D Mikael Diotte (to AHL Utica)
D Topias Vilen (to AHL Utica)
Ottawa Senators (per team announcement)
F Stephen Halliday (to AHL Belleville)
San Jose Sharks (per team announcement)
F Cameron Lund (to AHL San Jose)
F Quentin Musty (to AHL San Jose)
F Colin White (to AHL San Jose)
Seattle Kraken (per team announcement)
F Oscar Fisker Molgaard (to AHL Coachella)
F Ville Ottavainen ( to AHL Coachella)
St. Louis Blues (per team announcement)
F Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (to AHL Springfield)
F Dalibor Dvorsky (to AHL Springfield)
F Otto Stenberg (to AHL Springfield)
D Leo Loof (to AHL Springfield)
D Theo Lindstein (to AHL Springfield)
Vancouver Canucks (per team announcement)
D Victor Mancini (to AHL Abbotsford)
D Tom Willander (to AHL Abbotsford)
Chicago Blackhawks To Sign Matt Grzelcyk
The Chicago Blackhawks will be signing defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year NHL contract, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Grzelcyk, who is repped by Quartexx’s Sean Coffey, had been with the Blackhawks for their preseason and training camp on a PTO. He has now earned a deal to remain there on a full-time basis. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the deal is worth $1MM over its one-year term. The Blackhawks have now officially confirmed the signing.
Grzelcyk played in three preseason contests for the Blackhawks, though he did not register a point. It was somewhat surprising to see Grzelcyk sign a PTO in Chicago, as his performance in 2024-25 suggested he would not have an issue finding another NHL contract.
In the summer of 2024 Grzelcyk signed a one-year, $2.75MM deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that was coming off of the least productive season of his NHL career, one in which he scored just 11 points in 63 games.
So after a season in which Grzelcyk found his way onto the Penguins’ power play and scored a career-high 40 points in 82 games, it was generally believed that Grzelcyk would have no issue finding an NHL deal for 2025-26. But that proved not to be the case, as Grzelcyk lingered on the open market and settled for a PTO with the Blackhawks
Perhaps the 2023 free agency of Erik Gustafsson can be pointed to when evaluating why Grzelcyk had such a difficult time on the open market, despite his 40 points of production. Like Grzelcyk, Gustafsson is also an offensively-oriented defenseman without penalty-killing ability or much shutdown value. And like Grzelcyk, Gustafsson entered his unrestricted free agency in 2023 coming off of a season where he produced quite well – 42 points in 70 games.
But just as Grzelcyk experienced this past summer, offers for Gustafsson were softer than some may have expected, and he chose to sign a one-year, $825K contract with the New York Rangers, a far lower number than most expected for a blueliner with his production. We even noted in our coverage at the time our surprise at the relatively low cost of the contract despite Gustafsson’s production.
Of course, things ended up working out for Gustafsson as he parlayed a 31-point season with the Rangers (one that included a deep playoff run) into a two-year, $2MM AAV deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Although a similar long playoff run is highly unlikely for the Blackhawks, Grzelcyk will likely be hoping that he can continue to follow Gustafsson’s trajectory and have a strong year that prompts stronger leaguewide interest next summer.
Grzelcyk will be competing with some talented young defensemen in Chicago for a spot on the team’s power play, and 2022 first-rounder Sam Rinzel appears to be, at this stage, his most significant barrier to obtaining the role of first-unit puck distributor. But the path to at least a second-unit deployment is far clearer, which means this is a somewhat ideal situation for Grzelcyk. And seeing as this contract is just for one year at a limited cap hit, strong performance for the still-rebuilding Blackhawks could, later in the season, even earn the veteran blueliner a trade to a contender in need of defensive reinforcement.
Photos courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Blackhawks Recall 11 Players
- The Blackhawks announced that they’ve recalled more than half a lineup from Rockford for their preseason finale. Returning from AHL Rockford are goalie Mitchell Weeks, defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald, Taige Harding, and Kevin Korchinski, plus forwards Gavin Hayes, Paul Ludwinski, Martin Misiak, Samuel Savoie, Brett Seney, Aidan Thompson, and Dominic Toninato.