The Chicago Blackhawks open at Utah Mammoth without Connor Bedard, while Utah debuts a retooled roster with Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth meet on October 2 in a Central Division clash that will set the tone for both teams’ 2026-27 campaigns. Chicago enters the season without star center Connor Bedard, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery, while Utah debuts a significantly upgraded roster after adding Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee. With Bedard sidelined and Utah’s new pieces integrating, the Mammoth hold a clear edge on paper — but Chicago’s veteran additions, headlined by Patrick Kane’s return, make this a compelling early-season test.
Chicago Blackhawks: Life Without Bedard
The Blackhawks open the season 8th in the Central Division, a reflection of the daunting task ahead without their franchise center. Bedard, who signed a five-year, $75 million extension this offseason, underwent surgery on his left shoulder and is expected to miss the start of the season. That absence puts immediate pressure on the rest of the forward group to generate offense and run the power play without its primary engine.
Patrick Kane’s return to Chicago on a two-year, $8 million AAV deal gives the Blackhawks a proven playmaker and a familiar face for the locker room. Kane, who became an NHL superstar in Chicago, was recruited by Bedard before the injury, and his veteran presence will be critical as the team navigates the early schedule. The Blackhawks’ depth will be tested, and their goaltending will need to be sharp against a deep Central Division.
Utah Mammoth: New-Look Roster Ready to Contend
The Mammoth enter the season 4th in the Central Division, coming off a Western Conference playoff appearance. Their offseason was defined by aggressive moves: they acquired center Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers and added Islanders captain Anders Lee in free agency, giving the forward group a serious injection of scoring and leadership. They also locked up defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million extension, solidifying the blue line for the long term.
In a notable transaction, Utah matched the New Jersey Devils’ offer sheet for restricted free agent Barrett Hayton, signing him to a one-year, $4.775 million deal. Hayton cannot be traded for a year, signaling the team’s commitment to him as a core piece. With Trocheck and Lee joining Hayton and a Marino-anchored defense, the Mammoth look poised to build on last season’s playoff run.
Head-to-Head: Key Matchups
The Blackhawks will need to find secondary scoring without Bedard, and Kane will be the focal point of the attack. Utah’s new-look forward group, led by Trocheck and Lee, will test Chicago’s defensive structure. The Mammoth’s blue line, anchored by Marino, should be a challenge for a Blackhawks offense that is already missing its best playmaker.
Special teams could be decisive. Chicago’s power play will be without its top threat, while Utah’s added depth could give them an edge on the man advantage. The Blackhawks’ goaltending will need to be exceptional to keep pace.
- Chicago’s offense without Bedard: Can Kane and the supporting cast generate enough scoring?
- Utah’s new additions: How quickly will Trocheck and Lee mesh with Hayton?
- Central Division positioning: Both teams are looking to avoid an early-season hole.
Prediction
This matchup pits a Blackhawks team in transition against a Mammoth squad that has clearly upgraded its roster. Utah’s depth and home-ice advantage should prove too much for a Chicago team missing its best player. Expect the Mammoth to control the pace and come away with a 4-2 victory, but the Blackhawks’ veteran leadership could keep it closer than expected.
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