- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Illness Bug Hits Chicago Blackhawks Again, Sidelining Top-Six Forward
Jason Dickinson's exit due to illness raises concerns about a potential repeat of the team's January struggles with the flu.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Chicago Blackhawks are facing a concerning situation as an illness bug has resurfaced, sidelining top-six forward Jason Dickinson. This comes as a harsh reminder of the team's struggles in January when multiple key players, including star center Connor Bedard and goaltender Spencer Knight, were impacted by a similar outbreak that disrupted the team's systems and structure.
Why it matters
The Blackhawks cannot afford another wave of illness that derails their season. Bedard's production is crucial to the team's offense, while Knight has been carrying a heavy load in net. Dickinson's absence also creates a significant hole, as he is a key contributor in all situations. The team needs to contain the spread of illness to avoid a repeat of the January struggles that led to automatic losses.
The details
In Thursday's game, Dickinson left due to illness, raising alarms about the potential for the illness bug to resurface. Back in January, the team was hit hard, with Bedard even being scratched for a game due to illness. Spencer Knight also missed time as the bug worked its way through the locker room. When key players like the team's top center and starting goalie are impacted, it significantly affects the Blackhawks' systems and structure.
- On Thursday, Jason Dickinson left the game due to illness.
- In January, the Blackhawks dealt with an illness outbreak that sidelined multiple players, including Connor Bedard and Spencer Knight.
The players
Jason Dickinson
A top-six forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who left Thursday's game due to illness.
Connor Bedard
The star center for the Chicago Blackhawks who was previously sidelined by illness in January.
Spencer Knight
The starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks who also missed time due to illness in January.
What’s next
The Blackhawks will need to closely monitor the situation and take proactive measures to contain the spread of illness within the team. They will also need to ensure that key players like Bedard and Knight are able to recover fully and return to the lineup as soon as possible.
The takeaway
The Blackhawks' recent bout with illness serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a promising season can be derailed by the spread of illness within a team. The organization must be vigilant in its efforts to protect the health and availability of its top players, as their production and presence are crucial to the team's success.
