Blackhawks

The Blackhawks re-signed prospect goalie Drew Commesso to a two-year contract with an $875,000 salary-cap hit. Commesso, who earned his first NHL wins in 2026, will compete with Arvid Soderblom for the backup role, while Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, and Ethan Del Mastro remain as restricted free agents.

The Blackhawks signed veteran forward Cole Smith and defenseman Ian Cole during NHL free agency, adding playoff experience and physicality. Smith replaces Ilya Mikheyev, who joined the Lightning, and Cole complements the team's defensive corps. Both players bring depth but offer mixed offensive contributions compared to their predecessors.

The Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Sabres in exchange for the 4th and 45th overall draft picks and defenseman Louis Crevier. Byram, a 25-year-old left-handed shot, joins the team with one year remaining on his contract and is expected to sign a long-term extension. The trade aims to strengthen Chicago's defense after years of rebuilding, though it weakens their right-side depth and draft capital.

Ivar Stenberg, a Swedish forward projected as the Blackhawks' fourth overall draft pick, believes he is ready for the NHL immediately, citing his confidence gained from playing alongside Lucas Raymond at the world championships. Stenberg's strong performance in the Swedish Hockey League and international tournaments has positioned him as a well-rounded playmaking winger for the Hawks.

The Blackhawks traded prospect Jack Pridham's rights to the Lightning for a 2027 third-round pick due to expiring NHL draft rights after Pridham decommitted from Boston University. Pridham, a 2024 third-round pick, would have re-entered the 2026 draft if untraded, while the Lightning offers a clearer NHL path. A similar situation occurred with prospect Dominic James, who signed with the Lightning after his Blackhawks rights expired.