Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Ryan Greene – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks finished their 2025-26 campaign 31st in the league, with a record of 29-39-14 and 72 points. It was an improvement from last season’s totals of 25-46-11 (61 points), but the organization had more progress in mind when they embarked on this campaign. The good news is the Blackhawks finished with more wins and more points than the previous season. They also feel they’ve taken positive strides in the growth and development of a plethora of young players, who could be a big part of a more successful future.

In this summer series, we’ll hand out individual grades to every player on the team. Today we highlight rookie forward Ryan Greene.

Greene’s Season Stats 

12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points, minus-14 in 81 games played. Average time on ice (ATOI) of 16:45 minutes

44.2 Corsi For Percentage (at Even Strength) (CF%), 37 blocked shots, 50 hits, 21 takeaways, 51 giveaways, 14 penalty minutes

42.7 Faceoff Percentage (FO%)

Contract Status: Entry-Level Contract (ELC) runs through the 2026-27 season, $950,000 cap hit

Season Overview

Did anyone have it on their bingo card that rookie Greene would play on the top line with Connor Bedard for the majority of the season?! After all, he was considered more of a depth forward in training camp. But he proved he could handle a top-six role, and he looked pretty darn good playing alongside arguably one of the best players in the world.

Greene was originally sent down to the Rockford IceHogs out of training camp. But he was recalled later that day when the team realized Landon Slaggert wouldn’t be able to play right away due to an injury.  The second-round pick (57^th overall) from the 2022 Draft started the season on the fourth line. But his strong two-way play and ability to win faceoffs impressed head coach Jeff Blashill. Not only that; he built some chemistry with Bedard, who was often double shifting on Greene’s line.

By the end of October, Greene was playing wing on the top line alongside Bedard and Andre Burakovsky. He wasn’t flashy, but he was making it work. He also showed he could contribute consistently playing either center or wing. As Coach Blashill said on Jan. 7,

He’s a very capable center, and I think a good center. He’s definitely a good faceoff guy. I think the one thing with him is his versatility. He doesn’t look any necessarily better or worse at center than wing. So that’s a positive thing, to be able to then move him to different lines. Some guys play exponentially better when they play center. Ryan kind of plays the same regardless of playing center or wing.  

But this didn’t just come naturally. The 22-year-old had to work hard to improve and therefore earn this continued deployment. Blashill stressed that Greene needed to skate more and win more battles, and that sometimes he was guilty of reaching too much. Nevertheless, in late February after a practice Greene admitted he was proud of his accomplishments so far.

Yeah, I think just sticking with it. I mean, obviously was on the bubble there, and then got to stay up. And I feel like I took advantage of the opportunity in front of me. Just haven’t looked back since.

Ya gotta hand it to Greene for making a really strong case for himself to be Bedard’s sidekick. Blashill played him in other positions throughout the season, but he always seemed to go back to Greene on the top line with Bedard.

One other knock on Greene was that despite all the chances he got, he seemed to have trouble finishing. Time after time again he had prime opportunities to score, but he would miss the net, or the goaltender would stop it. The good news is Greene broke through with three goals in the last three games of the season, one in each contest. Perhaps he’s finally finding his affinity for finding the back of the net.

GREENER GOALS IN BACK👏TO👏BACK👏TO👏BACK GAMES 💚 pic.twitter.com/SpNT24Hwg4

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 16, 2026

Greene’s impressive rookie campaign earned him Biggest Surprise/Most Improved honors in our THW season player awards. With the emergence of other skilled players (Nick Lardis, Anton Frondell, Oliver Moore) throughout the season, not to mention top prospect Roman Kantserov likely joining the team in 2026-27, will Greene play on the top line with Bedard next season? Perhaps, perhaps not. It might make more sense for him to be the depth player he was touted to be at the beginning of the campaign. Regardless, Greene should be super proud of his accomplishments this past season.  

Quotable Quote

Coach Blashill on Greene ahead of the game versus the St. Louis Blues on Apr. 11,

He’s got a pretty good consistency about him defensively. With Greener, you don’t get any; and this is a coaching term, you don’t get any “batsh!t crazy”. You kind of always know what he’s going to do.

Greene’s Final Grade: B+

Greene exceeded expectations this season, establishing himself as a versatile, two-way player that can be deployed in the top-six, but also make an impact as a depth player. He was smart, reliable and consistent. He also seemed to get more proficient at scoring by the end of the season. Greene’s off to a solid start to his NHL career, and should offer the coaching staff and the Blackhawks plenty of options moving forward.