Colton Dach, the forward for the Chicago Blackhawks, returned refreshed after spending the Olympic break at his family home, where he enjoyed much-needed rest. This rejuvenation has given Dach new enthusiasm as he resumes practice with the team, aiming to increase his Colton Dach ice time and secure a stronger role.
During the break, Dach embraced the chance to rest without a fixed schedule.
“I was sleeping by 10, and I woke up at 10 [a.m.],”
he said.
“I was just like, ‘Ahh.’ You don’t have a schedule the next day. You don’t have to go ‘boom, boom, boom.’ You wake up and just sit there and find something to do.”
Upon returning to Chicago for a series of longer practices, Dach felt an energy similar to the start of training camp.
“I texted [Landon Slaggert] and was like, ‘I’m so excited to come to the rink now,’”
he shared.
“It’s good to get that feeling back. It kind of feels like training camp — even the weather was a little bit nicer. You’re driving in with your windows down. You get that energy. Hopefully we can take that into the last [25] games here and really showcase ourselves and make a push.”
Competition and Contract Talks Loom as Season Winds Down
Dach knows he must make the most of this final stretch because his position on the team remains insecure amid increasing competition. The Blackhawks face important roster decisions, focusing initially on unrestricted free agents before turning attention to restricted free agents requiring contract renewals. This smaller group includes Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, Drew Commesso, and Dach himself.
Among these prospects, Dach is the only one not yet to have secured a full-time NHL spot. His ability to maintain or strengthen his current role will be crucial in contract negotiations. So far this season, he has accumulated nine points from three goals and six assists, alongside 184 hits in 52 games—more than double the hits of any other Blackhawk. Coach Jeff Blashill has acknowledged Dach’s reliability in bringing physicality to the ice.
Despite his strengths, inconsistencies in other areas of his game have led to a reduction in ice time, dropping from an average of 14 minutes per game in October to about 11 minutes since. Dach was also a healthy scratch multiple times in January.
“After Christmas, my game dipped a little bit, and that’s where I need to showcase that consistency factor,”
Dach admitted.
“That’s something I’ve been working on the last three years, trying to be consistent, and every year it’s gotten a lot better. [I’m trying to be] more responsible in their eyes, trying to be trustworthy, trying to get a little more ice time.”
Current Lineup and Depth Challenges
During the ongoing February training camp, Dach skates on the fourth line alongside Landon Slaggert and Nick Foligno. However, this arrangement is temporary as Teuvo Teravainen is away at the Olympics and is expected to return with a bronze medal. Teravainen’s comeback will create competition for a roster spot, potentially forcing someone out.
It is worth noting that Dach is still waivers-exempt through next season, while Slaggert will require waivers after one more NHL appearance, adding complexity to lineup decisions.
Before a recent Blackhawks practice, defenseman Alex Vlasic playfully taunted Dach by having him wear Vlasic’s Team USA helmet while avoiding bets on the team’s outcome. Vlasic explained,
“Because I didn’t want to have to do something if we lost.”
Coaching Focus on Skating and Defensive Responsibilities
Coach Jeff Blashill has advised Dach to increase his skating activity, emphasizing the benefits of moving consistently with and without the puck. In a January meeting, Blashill pointed to specific areas for improvement and explained Dach’s potential impact when skating effectively.
“When he skates, he’s a lot to handle, and we just have to get him skating on a more consistent basis,”
Blashill commented.
“If we can get him [in the] habit of moving onto the puck, making sure he’s skating when he gets the puck and skating to disrupt when he doesn’t get the puck, it’ll make him that much better of a player.”
The Blackhawks’ recently revised defensive system now requires wingers like Dach to increase pressure on opponents along the boards, which plays to his physical strengths but demands greater skating engagement.
Dach described the new approach:
“If a guy is running up the wall…I can force him to make a play, put them under pressure. Pucks are going to come loose, and hopefully my feet are pointed up the ice and I can get going.”
The Road Ahead: Opportunity and Necessity for Growth
As the Blackhawks approach the final 25 games of the season, Colton Dach’s ability to regain consistency and adapt to increasing competition will be pivotal. Improving his skating habits and embracing new defensive duties could help solidify his presence on the team.
With contract talks on the horizon and several promising prospects vying for NHL roles, Dach’s performance during this crucial stretch may determine his long-term future with the Hawks and the amount of Colton Dach ice time he can secure.
Alex Vlasic was wearing his Team USA helmet around before Blackhawks practice to gloat.
Then one of the equipment guys decided to make Colton Dach wear it.
There wasn’t a bet, though. Vlasic: “Because I didn’t want to have to do something if we lost.”
pic.twitter.com/10lCTWhXum— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 22, 2026
