
Blackhawks’ Rebuild Gains Momentum as Fans Anticipate Playoff Return by 2028
The Chicago Blackhawks are reshaping their roster through trades and youth promotion, sparking optimism that a postseason berth could arrive by the 2027‑28 season.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Scott Wheeler across Hockey.

The Chicago Blackhawks are reshaping their roster through trades and youth promotion, sparking optimism that a postseason berth could arrive by the 2027‑28 season.

Seven NHL franchises find themselves entrenched in what analysts call the league’s “mushy middle” – a tier where playoff contention is possible but a genuine championship run remains out of reach for the next three to four seasons.

The latest off‑season transfers see a Russian veteran back in the KHL, a Latvian prospect heading to the ECHL, and a North American netminder making the jump to the UK.

The Wild must answer pressing questions about their top line, power play and goaltending as they prepare for a compressed opening stretch.

At 20 years old, the fourth‑best center on the top‑100 prospect list is set to become a key piece of Boston’s roster in the coming seasons.

The Athletic’s senior prospect analyst Scott Wheeler has released his latest top‑100 list of NHL prospects, featuring two Boston Bruins first‑rounders whose college performances signal a promising future for the franchise

A 2023 first‑round pick, Charlie Stramel ranks No. 94 in Scott Wheeler’s top‑100 NHL draft prospects and is preparing for his professional debut after a standout senior year at Michigan State University.

Two first-round picks from the Columbus Blue Jackets crack the top 60 of The Athletic's 100‑player prospect rankings, highlighting their rapid development and offensive upside.

After a promising draft season and solid KHL numbers, goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov is focused on improvement and a future with CSKA Moskva.

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler ranks three Montreal prospects among his top 100, highlighting Hage's centre potential, Zharovsky's KHL scoring and Reinbacher's defensive upside.

The Edmonton Oilers are poised to add a difference‑maker before the deadline, targeting players like Matt Poitras, Arthur Kaliyev and Conor Geekie while leveraging cap space and assets.

The Athletic's NHL Top 20 prospect goalie rankings place Augustine at No. 3 and Sebastian Cossa at No. 4, while Michal Postava enters the mix as a potential backup, prompting a series of moves that could redefine Detroit's netminding future.

The Detroit Red Wings are reconfiguring their goaltending depth, promoting Trey Augustine to a top‑three prospect while reshaping the roster with Utah Mammoth acquisitions and veteran hedge signings.

An overview of Drew Commesso’s development, his standout stats, and the potential opening on the Blackhawks’ depth chart.

The Minnesota Wild are positioning themselves to acquire Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings, leveraging a strong draft capital and a favorable market environment despite a depleted prospect pool.

A second‑round pick’s combination of skill and work ethic could reshape his role on the power play, but refinement is required.

A deep dive into Gabe Perreault’s rise, his impressive statistical surge, and the optimism surrounding his future with the New York Rangers.

The Blue Jackets’ 2025 draft pick, Pyotr Andreyanov, brings a 6‑foot‑2 frame, elite statistics from Russian leagues, and high expectations for a future role in Columbus.

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler has placed Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sergei Murashov at No. 8 among NHL goalie prospects, highlighting his 2.20 goals‑against average and four shutouts in the AHL.

The Athletic's recent top‑20 ranking highlights Jacob Fowler's breakout season, his NHL call‑up, and the Montreal Canadiens' plans for a new era between the pipes.

From Skellefteå’s rinks to Manitoba’s AHL arena, 21‑year‑old Elias Salomonsson is carving a path toward a potential third‑pairing spot in Winnipeg. Expert rankings and fan anticipation hint at a promising future.

Recent analysis from leading hockey outlets has turned a critical eye on the Seattle Kraken, spotlighting player descriptions, strategic concerns, and the mounting pressure on head coach Lane Lambert as the franchise looks toward a more promising future.

The Detroit Red Wings' 2023 draft class is being re‑evaluated as four selections climb into first‑round territory, and Patrick Kane's surprise return to the Blackhawks adds a new layer of intrigue to the league.

The Calgary Flames' draft pipeline is emerging as a cornerstone of their rebuild, with seven prospects cracking The Athletic's Top 100 list and a clear ambition to dodge the NHL Draft Lottery.