By Salem Chicago News Staff
CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks on Monday announced their 23-player opening night roster for the 2026-27 NHL season, featuring 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.
The finalized roster includes the return of forward Patrick Kane, who signed a two-year contract in July, along with key acquisitions defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway, both acquired in a June trade with Buffalo.
The forward group also includes Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Donato, Roman Kantserov, Andrew Mangiapane, Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen. Prospects Anton Frondell, Ryan Greene, Nick Lardis and Cole Smith round out the 13-player group.
The defensive corps features Byram, Ian Cole, Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt Kaiser, Kevin Korchinski, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel and Alex Vlasic. Korchinski signed a two-year contract on Aug. 29.
Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom will handle goaltending duties.
Notably absent from the opening night roster is forward Connor Bedard, who will start the season with an injured/non-roster designation due to an upper-body injury. Bedard, who signed a five-year contract extension in July, underwent successful surgery in early July. Defenseman Ryan Ellis will remain on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
The Blackhawks loaned forwards Landon Slaggert and Dominic Toninato to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Earlier roster moves during training camp sent forward Dillon Boucher, goaltender Drew Commesso and defenseman Connor Mackey to Rockford.
The roster reflects the franchise’s ongoing rebuild, highlighted by the offseason additions of Byram, who signed a six-year extension on July 1, and Kane’s return to Chicago.
The Blackhawks open the 2026-27 season Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena at 9:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Source: NHL.com – Blackhawks News
