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NHL caught handing Original Six organization a massive disadvantage to Start the 2025-26 season
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Chicago Blackhawks have a tough schedule to start the 2025-26 NHL season. Here's what fans can expect in the first weeks of action.
After an exciting end to the 2024-25 season, where a lot of young prospects played their first NHL games and interesting summer acquisitions such as Anton Frondell, fans can be excited for what's coming in Chicago.
Under a brand-new coaching staff, the 2025-26 season could be the start of something great, but the NHL didn't make things easy for the Hawks.
Indeed, the Hawks will have a tough schedule to start the season, with 11 away games in their first 17 of the season.
For a team loaded with young talent and still developing its identity, this stretch could be a defining one.
Here's what awaits the team in the first 17 games of the season:
Tue, Oct 7 - at Florida Panthers (Season opener)
Thu, Oct 9 - at Boston Bruins
Sat, Oct 11 - vs Montreal Canadiens (Home opener)
Mon, Oct 13 - vs Utah HC
Wed, Oct 15 - at St. Louis Blues
Fri, Oct 17 - vs Vancouver Canucks
Sun, Oct 19 - vs Anaheim Ducks
Thu, Oct 23 - at Tampa Bay Lightning (Blashill's first game back in Tampa)
Sat, Oct 25 - vs Los Angeles Kings
Tue, Oct 28 - vs Ottawa Senators
Thu, Oct 30 - at Winnipeg Jets
Sat, Nov 1 - at Edmonton Oilers
Mon, Nov 3 - at Seattle Kraken
Thu, Nov 5 - at Vancouver Canucks
Fri, Nov 7 - at Calgary Flames
Sun, Nov 9 - at Detroit Red Wings (Blashill vs. former team)
Tue, Nov 11 - vs New Jersey Devils
Thu, Oct 9 - at Boston Bruins
Sat, Oct 11 - vs Montreal Canadiens (Home opener)
Mon, Oct 13 - vs Utah HC
Wed, Oct 15 - at St. Louis Blues
Fri, Oct 17 - vs Vancouver Canucks
Sun, Oct 19 - vs Anaheim Ducks
Thu, Oct 23 - at Tampa Bay Lightning (Blashill's first game back in Tampa)
Sat, Oct 25 - vs Los Angeles Kings
Tue, Oct 28 - vs Ottawa Senators
Thu, Oct 30 - at Winnipeg Jets
Sat, Nov 1 - at Edmonton Oilers
Mon, Nov 3 - at Seattle Kraken
Thu, Nov 5 - at Vancouver Canucks
Fri, Nov 7 - at Calgary Flames
Sun, Nov 9 - at Detroit Red Wings (Blashill vs. former team)
Tue, Nov 11 - vs New Jersey Devils
It all starts on October 7th with a road game against the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.
October 23 will also be a date to circle for head coach Jeff Blashill. That night marks his first return to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning since joining Chicago. Blashill worked for the past three years with the Lightning as an assistant coach.
Just over two weeks later, on November 9, Blashill will coach his first game against his former club, the Detroit Red Wings, in a Sunday matinee at Little Caesars Arena.
Let's not forget that a few months later, Jonathan Toews as a member of the Winnipeg Jets.
There's still over two months left in the offseason, but excitement is already in the air for the next season. Fans are hoping that, in spite of the tough schedule, the Hawks will have a strong start to the season.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 18 | 594 ANSWERS NHL caught handing Original Six organization a massive disadvantage to Start the 2025-26 season Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks will win the season opener against the Florida Panthers on October 17th? | ||
| Yes | 163 | 27.4 % |
| No | 431 | 72.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
