Even with all of the good performances the Chicago Blackhawks got throughout the season, some players really struggled to find their game. We already looked at players who solidified their roster spot with strong performances this year. Therefore, let’s dive into the 2025-26 season one final time and take a look at players who struggled to find their footing and may not be a part of the Hawks’ rebuild long-term.
Blackhawks Stock Watch: Who Struggled to Cement Their Spot
One of the biggest problems with the Hawks was the lack of depth scoring the team got. Most of the scoring load was on the shoulders of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Tyler Bertuzzi. Some rookies stepped in and did a nice job, like Anton Frondell, but other players failed to step up and provide the Hawks with secondary scoring. Let’s dive into the list of who failed to meet expectations and may be out the door soon.
1. Andre Burakovsky
Burakovsky actually started the season really well, playing alongside Bedard. The Hawks were lingering around the Stanley Cup Playoff line, and Burakovsky’s 29 points in 38 games were a large reason why. However, after the Hawks’ four-game win streak to kick-off 2026, Burakovsky’s production came crashing down as the team slipped out of playoff contention. Through his final 37 games, Burakovsky scored just one goal and collected only three assists. Additionally, the trust from Jeff Blashill and the coaching staff also waned. His ice time decreased towards the end of the year, even failing to reach ten minutes of ice time in a few instances.
Credit Image: © Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via ZUMA Press Wire
What makes Burakovsky’s plummeting production so disappointing is that he was brought in for veteran scoring and to be a running mate for Bedard. In the second half of the season, he failed to do so in a big way. Burakovsky has one year left on his deal, but it would not be surprising to see him in a different jersey next season.
2. Kevin Korchinski
We have to note that Korchinski is just 21 years of age, so his development as a player is nowhere near complete. However, the disappointing part of Korchinski’s season was how he failed to take the reins on Chicago’s blueline when opportunities presented themselves. Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel both struggled at points, while Levshunov and Matt Grzelcyk battled injuries to end the season. He got in the lineup to end the season in late March and early April, but failed to do much. Known for his offensive prowess, Korchinski netted just two assists on the season, and his ice time was limited.
At this point, many of the Hawks’ young blueliners have earned their spots for next season, so it feels like Korchinski has been phased out of general manager Kyle Davidson’s plans. As a restricted free agent, he may receive an offer from Davidson, but he could also be used in a trade package. Either way, Korchinski’s path to regular minutes on the Hawks’ blue line seems unclear.
3. Arvid Soderblom
Soderblom clocked his third-straight season as the Hawks’ backup goaltender and failed to record a save percentage above .900. With Spencer Knight emerging as the team’s go-to netminder, Soderblom’s workload was reduced to 26 games, but his numbers did not show any improvement. Among goaltenders with 15 or more games played in the NHL, his -4 goals saved above expected ranked 46th out of 70. What aided Soderblom this season was a couple of very strong performances. He stopped 45 of 46 shots in a win against the Detroit Red Wings in November. Additionally, he made 44 saves on 47 Islander shots and notching a 22-save shutout in Utah in March. Outside of these performances, he struggled to give the Hawks much in the net.
The issue for Soderblom is who is waiting in the wings for the Hawks in net. Drew Commesso started three games and played well. He pitched a 36-save shutout and stopped 23 Utah shots, earning wins in both contests. He will be fighting for the backup position. Additionally, the Hawks have Adam Gajan in the system as well, who should be full-time in Rockford next season. Soderblom has one more year left on his contract, so he may be in the organization for his final year, but expect Commesso to compete for the backup job.
4. Ryan Donato
Donato’s spot on next year’s roster is all but guaranteed. The only issue was that he failed to get close to the career-high goal and point totals he reached in 2024-25. Last season, he had netted 31 goals and registered 62 points. The career highs earned the winger a four-year contract, in which he has three years remaining. This season, Donato dipped back down to his career averages, netting 15 goals and 30 points. He was an effective player, especially playing with Ilya Mikheyev and Jason Dickinson before Dickinson’s departure. As we mentioned, Donato is going to be on the roster next year, but the Hawks would love to see some more secondary scoring from the veteran.
Main Honourable Mention is Artyom Levshunov
While still a very young defender, Levshunov struggled at times and seemed to get in his own way at points. He also battled injury, which kept him out of the lineup for the end of the season. While not in jeopardy of losing his roster spot, expect a much-needed bounce-back next season.
For Kyle Davidson, now should be go-time to get this team back into playoff contention. The guys on the team want to win, while fans in the Windy City are starved for playoff hockey again. The players we mentioned here either need a big bounce-back next year or may have played themselves off the roster. Look for the Hawks to have a busy off-season as our focus shifts to getting back into playoff contention.
“we want to win here”
head to our YouTube channel to watch Connor’s full end of season media 📺 https://t.co/tAfiWco6Wl pic.twitter.com/q3OEr9UNvP
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 16, 2026
Main Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
