Blackhawks Youngsters Look to Prove Themselves in Stretch Run

Frank Nazar, Ryan Greene, and Sam Rinzel aim to build on late-season momentum

Feb. 27, 2026 at 11:40pm

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As the Chicago Blackhawks look to finish the season strong, several of their young players are motivated to prove their worth and build momentum heading into the offseason. Second-year forward Frank Nazar hopes to replicate the team's encouraging finish to last season, while rookie forward Ryan Greene aims to solidify his spot on Connor Bedard's wing, and defenseman Sam Rinzel looks to regain the form he showed at the end of last year after a roller-coaster campaign.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks are in a rebuilding phase, and strong performances from their young core players down the stretch could provide a much-needed boost of optimism and a glimpse of the team's future potential. These players' ability to take steps forward will be crucial as the organization looks to accelerate its path back to contention.

The details

Nazar, 22, remembers how the Blackhawks' strong finish to last season changed the entire mood of the offseason, and he's hoping to capture that same energy. Rookie forward Ryan Greene, also 22, is looking to prove he's not just a temporary option on Bedard's wing but a legitimate top-six NHL player. Meanwhile, 21-year-old defenseman Sam Rinzel hopes to demonstrate he can at least climb back to the peak he reached at the end of last season after a more inconsistent campaign this year.

  • The Blackhawks went 4-1-1 in their last six games of the 2024-25 season.
  • The Blackhawks' final 25 games of the 2025-26 season will be crucial for their young players to prove themselves.

The players

Frank Nazar

A 22-year-old second-year forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who is looking to build on the team's strong finish to last season.

Ryan Greene

A 22-year-old rookie forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who is aiming to solidify his spot on Connor Bedard's wing and prove he's a legitimate top-six NHL player.

Sam Rinzel

A 21-year-old rookie defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks who is hoping to regain the form he showed at the end of last season after a more inconsistent campaign this year.

Connor Bedard

The star rookie center for the Chicago Blackhawks who has been centering the team's top line.

Jeff Blashill

The head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

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What they’re saying

“[We were] having fun, [creating] a lot of optimism coming into the year, and look at the start we had, right? That has a lot of things to do with it. Obviously, everyone wants to have a great end of the season. But when the sun comes out and you get to play hockey while it's nice out in Chicago, that's the best time.”

— Frank Nazar, Blackhawks forward (suntimes.com)

“What I'm focusing on right now is to play the rest of the year the right way and take steps forward, as a group, to become a great hockey team. It might not happen this year, but if we make steps right now...then coming into next year, we'll be even better.”

— Frank Nazar, Blackhawks forward (suntimes.com)

“The more [Ryan] can prove he's a guy that can add value to that line, the better off he is, especially as we continue to the future. There will be different options that we'll have, and he wants to...show he's the best option.”

— Jeff Blashill, Blackhawks head coach (suntimes.com)

“If the first half didn't go the way I want, I want to make sure to have a strong second half, so that's fully what I'm focused on. It doesn't have to be a big leap. [I want to] just keep playing smart, playing how I know how to play.”

— Sam Rinzel, Blackhawks defenseman (suntimes.com)

What’s next

The Blackhawks will face a tough test on Saturday when they take on the Colorado Avalanche, one of the top teams in the NHL. How the young players perform in that game and throughout the final stretch of the season will be crucial in determining their roles and the team's direction heading into the offseason.

The takeaway

The Blackhawks' young core is determined to use the final 25 games of the season to prove their worth and build momentum for the future. Strong performances from players like Nazar, Greene, and Rinzel could provide a much-needed boost of optimism for the organization as it looks to accelerate its rebuilding process.