The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up early this time, sharing a sneak peek at their offseason preparation from the gym floor.

In a clip shared on Instagram by the team, a glimpse of players working through a session that includes an assault bike and dumbbell lunges is shown with the caption: "Early bird gets the [worm struck out] gains."

The Blackhawks enter this offseason coming off a rebuilding 2025-26 campaign that ended without a playoff berth, but with a young core the organization believes is turning a corner.

Currently, the team does not have a formal captain, and the spot has been vacant since Nick Foligno was traded away in March. In his absence, 20-year-old forward Connor Bedard has worn an alternate captain's "A" and emerged as the team's clear on-ice leader.

Head coach Jeff Blashill fully advocates for Bedard, saying he earned the post through sheer commitment, and Foligno also credited the maturity Bedard has shown at such a young age.

The few glimpses of the team working out showcase dumbbell lunges, which are important for balance and single-leg strength, as well as an assault bike that mimics the repeated high-intensity bursts of a shift.

Strength and conditioning sessions like this build the foundation of their training camp, which opens ahead of Chicago's regular-season opener, tentatively slated for late September as part of an expanded 84-game 2026-27 schedule, the first time the league has played that many games since 1993-94.

Blackhawks building toward a bounce-back after a tough year

The Chicago Blackhawks are working through the sting of last season, reminding everyone that setbacks are not step backs.

The Blackhawks wrapped up 2025-26 with a 29-39-14 record, finishing last in the Central Division and missing the playoffs once again. Thirty-four one-goal defeats were the difference-maker.

But the season carried real growth for the team. Especially for Connor Bedard, last season was a huge leap forward. Frank Nazar signed a contract extension, and Anton Frondell stood out in everyone's eyes.

That foundation is why the front office and coaching staff see this summer's conditioning work as preparation for a real step forward, not just another rebuilding year.

Do you think Connor Bedard is ready to lead the Blackhawks back into the playoffs this season? Drop your predictions in the comments.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore