With the vast majority of the Wild’s and Blackhawks’ NHL lineups on the ice, the Hawks’ 3-2 preseason loss Friday offered a sneak peek of what they might look like this season.
Unsurprisingly, they looked slightly better than in the past few seasons but still a step below a playoff bubble team.
Coach Jeff Blashill called the Hawks’ forechecking and offensive-zone play their best of the preseason, but he identified a few defensive things to clean up, particularly a need for cleaner and stronger breakouts.
The Hawks’ revamped high-pressure penalty kill endured a rough night, allowing three goals on four opportunities. Blashill and captain Nick Foligno expressed optimism, however, about the rate at which the Hawks are learning their array of new systems, even if they’re not perfect yet.
‘‘I feel more comfortable moving forward,’’ Blashill said. ‘‘It looks a little more natural. Guys are able to do it without thinking quite as much. If you go from the . . . first exhibition game to now, I think we’ve come light-years in the structural play of our game.’’
Blackhawks produce a ton of chances with the net empty but can’t get a goal pic.twitter.com/kaaHU1OC4L
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) October 4, 2025
The Hawks have one preseason game left — Saturday against the Blues — but most of their NHL guys won’t be in the lineup for that. Friday was their closest thing to a dress rehearsal for opening night Tuesday at the Panthers.
‘‘Not to be rude, but the other [preseason] games feel like they’re chaos a lot of times,’’ Foligno said. ‘‘This game felt like two teams that are down to the numbers — NHL teams. It was a nice game to get in before Tuesday.’’
Notably, forwards Lukas Reichel, Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene sat out. Instead, Foligno, Colton Dach and Sam Lafferty made up the fourth line. That’s an indication of where the Hawks’ forward battle stands.
It seems increasingly possible that Moore and Greene might start the season in Rockford, in accordance with the Hawks’ ultra-patient developmental philosophy. Reichel’s future, meanwhile, remains unclear.
Slaggert’s catch-up
Forward Landon Slaggert missed a week of training camp after pulling a muscle near his hip, then falling ill while rehabbing that muscle. It was a ‘‘double whammy’’ of ailments.
He’s back now, but he’s playing catch-up in terms of learning Blashill’s new systems — particularly on the penalty kill — and getting reaccustomed to physical contact, which isn’t something players experience much during offseason training.
He skated with Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev on Friday and will play again Saturday.
European standouts
Forward prospect Roman Kantserov has torched the Kontinental Hockey League during the opening weeks of the season, with 10 points in his first 11 games. Only one NHL-affiliated prospect in Russia has outscored him so far.
Kantserov, a second-round pick in 2023 who elevated his stock with a stellar 2024-25 season, is expected to sign with the Hawks next summer and might compete for a top-six role immediately.
Forward prospect Anton Frondell, the No. 3 overall pick in June, also has burst out of the gates, notching five points in his first eight games in the Swedish Hockey League.
Frondell scored a highlight-reel lacrosse goal Thursday, so he’s clearly feeling confident. He also is expected to jump to the NHL next summer, and he’s even more likely to fill a top-six role immediately.
Vlasic update
The Hawks are losing confidence that defenseman Alex Vlasic, who is recovering from a leg wound, will be cleared for the opener Tuesday. Vlasic hasn’t resumed skating yet. It’s still possible he could return in time, but they might be without him for a game or two.