The Chicago Blackhawks went into the Olympic break on a tough note, with two wins in their last eight games. However, amidst the tough stretches, there are encouraging signs. With the team still focusing on development, many players have burst onto the scene this season.
With that being said, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, here are three players Blackhawks’ fans have fallen in love with in 2025-26, outside of the givens: Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.
3. Spencer Knight
Even though goaltender Spencer Knight only played in 15 games with Chicago last season after being traded from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones trade, it became clear that there was potential for him to be their number one goalie. So much so that general manager Kyle Davidson gave him a three-year, $17.5 million contract in September.
In 39 starts this season, he has a 16-16-7 record with a 2.62 GAA (Goals-Against Average) and a .908 SV% (Save percentage). His wins, GAA, and SV% are all top 20 amongst goalies in the NHL. He is tied for fifth in shutouts (3), and his high-danger SV% is 10th-best (.843)
Despite some of the team’s struggles on offense, which is seventh worst in the NHL, (2.65 goals per game), Knight and the defense have done a respectable job keeping games close. The Blackhawks goals-against per game is 13th in the league (3.16).
Knight hasn’t had many “off” nights this season and has been a constant. Head coach Jeff Blashill has praised his calmness, and his teammates think just as highly of him. Back in December, when Jason Dickinson was asked about Bedard and the Olympics, he started his answer with, “Yeah, I think it goes without saying, Connor is the most valuable player on our team, maybe next to Knighty. Knighty’s been playing lights out for us…”
There is always going to be positions of need, but the one area that’s not of concern for the Blackhawks is the goaltender, and fans love how Knight commands the net, and look forward to his starts.
2. Ryan Greene
There is always something about the “underdog” stories we hear every season and 22-year-old Ryan Greene is that. Considering he wasn’t even supposed to make the opening night roster and was supposed to start with the Rockford IceHogs; he has now become one of the team’s most noteworthy players. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Blackhawks line that has spent the most time together this season has been Connor Bedard, Andre Burakovsky, and Greene, which has been a first line trio (22 games).
Looking back to when I spoke to Greene at the beginning of the season, he said, “I think for me, I need to be a defensive player, for sure. I need to be playing a bottom-six role. I need to be someone that’s playing a 200-foot game and is reliable and is detailed. So that’s what I’ve been trying to do, and it’s something that I think I can add to this team.”
It’s been cool for fans to see the growth in a four-month period, from discussing a bottom-six role, to being a staple on the top line with Bedard. He has a 45.5% faceoff percentage, and he has been relied on a lot, especially when Bedard and Frank Nazar were out with injuries.
On top of that, his 13 assists are tied for 13th among NHL rookies. His seven goals are 21st, and his 20 points are 16th. His 20 points are ninth on the Blackhawks.
Overall, Greene has been a pleasant surprise on the Blackhawks. Despite a controversial move of being a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Feb. 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he will be someone to watch after the break. Fans have loved seeing his ascension on the team, and witnessing the fans’ response to his healthy scratch also shows his favor.
1. Wyatt Kaiser
Speaking of pleasant surprises, how about defenseman Wyatt Kaiser? He was a player where he and the Blackhawks didn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension until before training camp. But the two-year, $3.4 million deal has been a steal on all fronts.
He is fourth best on the team in ice-time (19:10 minutes), leads the defense in goals (5), and has 12 points this season. He has had a fantastic season, whether it has been his partnership with Artyom Levshunov, the fact that he has been effective on both ends of the ice, and it’s his overall game. Like Knight, it’s been rare to see him have an “off” night, and his emergence this season has even garnered a hashtag on X, #wkfc, also known as the “Wyatt Kaiser Fan Club.”
Head coach Jeff Blashill praised Kaiser’s play on Jan. 27, mentioning he had been playing his best hockey of the year. Which makes the fact that he suffered a lower-body injury against Columbus on Feb. 4 a tough pill to swallow. But there is good news. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, “From what it sounds like, the injury isn’t as bad as the Blackhawks initially feared. We’ll soon see what that means for a timeline.” (from ‘What’s the next phase of Blackhawks’ rebuild? Mailbag- The Athletic – 2/11/2026).
Related: Blackhawks’ Ryan Donato’s Contributions Still Felt Despite Lower Production
Davidson knew Kaiser had potential, which was a reason for re-signing him, and fans have loved to see how he has blossomed this season on defense, including making their penalty kill dangerous, and being another bright spot for the blue line’s future.
Some honorable mentions of players who have also stood out include Louis Crevier, Oliver Moore, Tyler Bertuzzi, among others.
When the Blackhawks resume their games on Feb. 26, it will be interesting to see who will arise in the final stretch of the regular season.
