
The Chicago Blackhawks' forward group has become younger as the 2025-26 season progressed, with several new players joining the roster. Eight of the twelve forwards in the lineup are now 23 years old or younger.
Jack’s Daily: Forward Grades; Oilers & Bruins Stay Alive; Lindsay Finalists
The Chicago Blackhawks forward group in 2025-26 only got younger as the season progressed.
Ryan Greene joined Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar on the opening-night roster, and then Oliver Moore and Nick Lardis received NHL call-ups before the calendar reached 2026. After Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno were traded at the deadline, roster spots became available for Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert to sign their entry-level contracts.
For the home stretch of the regular season, eight of the 12 forwards consistently in the lineup were 23 years old or younger. Check out Chicago Hockey Now’s grades for all eight players based on their respective performances this year.
Also in Blackhawks news, one former first-round pick is now only one win away from reaching the league’s Championship Series.
Around the league, the Bruins and Oilers fought off elimination to live another day, the three Ted Lindsay finalists were announced, while the Wild earned a massive road win in .
The average age of the forwards is significantly lower, with eight out of twelve being 23 years old or younger.
Ryan Greene, Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, and Nick Lardis are among the new forwards added to the roster.
Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno were traded at the deadline, creating roster spots for new players.
The performance of the young forwards has been evaluated, with grades provided for all eight players based on their contributions this year.

The Kentucky Derby feels different this year without D. Wayne Lukas.
Jalen Reed hopes to revive his career at Michigan after injury struggles.
Could Billy Donovan be Kentucky's coach by 2027?
2027 Virginia OL Carter Jones includes Tennessee in his top four schools!

Jannik Sinner: 'Rafa está jugando un tenis increíble y es uno de los rivales del futuro'
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Hockey Now: What grades do young forwards like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, and Nick Lardis deserve for the 2025-26 regular season as a whole? Here’s Part 2 of CHN’s Blackhawks Season Report Cards.
More CHN: ICYMI — Part 1 featured eight goaltenders and two defensemen from the Blackhawks 2025-26 roster. Find out what grades Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Spencer Knight earned this year.
In OHL news, Marek Vanacker, Parker Holmes, and the Brantford Bulldogs defeated the Barrie Colts 6-1 in Game 4 on Tuesday to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Championship. The Bulldogs are only one win away from reaching the OHL Finals. Vanacker tallied a primary assist on the game-winning goal and now has 17 points (7G, 10A) in 12 playoff games.
The Athletic: The Blackhawks stout penalty kill earned a shoutout, as Sean McIndoe shared one specific stat where each NHL team shined in the 2025-26 season.
Boston Hockey Now: In the first NHL playoff game on Tuesday, the Boston Bruins spoiled the party in Buffalo by defeating the Sabres 2-1 in overtime in Game 5 stay alive and force the series back to TD Garden. David Pastrnak was the overtime hero, scoring his second goal of the series.
NHL.com: In the second game of the night, the Minnesota Wild earned a key 4-2 road win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the first-round series. Kirill Kaprizov scored the empty-netter and tallied two assists, while Mats Zuccarello scored in his return from injury. The Wild are on the verge of winning their first Stanley Cup Playoff series since 2015.
Sportsnet: Just like the Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers also kept their season alive with a 4-1 victory at home in Game 5 over the Anaheim Ducks. Edmonton raced out of the gates with three goals in the first period. Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard each had multi-point efforts.
TSN: Speaking of McDavid, he was named as one of three finalists for the 2025-26 Ted Lindsay Award on Tuesday. The award is presented annually to “the Most Outstanding Player in the NHL,” as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.
San Jose Hockey Now: Joining McDavid as one of the three finalists for the Lindsay Award is none other than young San Jose Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini. The winner will be announced later this summer.
Colorado Hockey Now: Despite leading the NHL with 53 goals and 97 even-strength points, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon was not named as one of the three finalists for the Lindsay Award.
More NHL.com: Ahead of a crucial Game 5 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, former Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman participated fully at practice on Tuesday. Hedman’s status for the remainder of the series is still up in the air, but he’s getting closer to his return.
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X:
The post Jack’s Daily: Forward Grades; Oilers & Bruins Stay Alive; Lindsay Finalists appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now.