The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to sign Russian sensation Roman Kantserov and add him to their NHL roster ahead of the 2026–27 season after missing out on the first pick in the draft lottery.

With this latest development, the right winger could become a potential future linemate for the Blackhawks’ alternate captain and top-line center, Connor Bedard.

After selecting Kantserov in the second round (44th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft as a teenager, Chicago decided against bringing him to the States immediately and adding him to the roster.

Instead, they chose to let him continue his development by honoring his contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia for three seasons.

Following Magnitogorsk’s loss to Ak Bars in the KHL semi-finals on 3 May 2026, changes to the roster were expected. In a recent social media post on Friday, the club announced that Kantserov’s contract had been terminated after he decided “to continue his career in the NHL Chicago Blackhawks system”.

This will allow the Blackhawks to sign the Russian forward to an entry-level contract. With the No. 4 pick in the draft already at their disposal, they could also add further depth to their roster.

Notably, Kantserov played in the KHL in his native country for three consecutive seasons with Magnitogorsk following his selection by the Blackhawks in the summer of 2023.

Over the past couple of seasons, the youngster has become a formidable offensive force in the KHL. He led the goal-scoring charts during the 2025–26 regular season with 36 goals, while also contributing 28 assists for a total of 64 points in 63 games.

That made Kantserov the first 21-year-old to top the KHL goal-scoring charts since Kirill Kaprizov did so in the 2018–19 season. His goal and points totals were also the highest in league history for a player aged 23 or younger.

Jeff Blashill praises Roman Kantserov as a player capable of making an immediate impact

Jeff Blashill, the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, spoke about Roman Kantserov in an interview after the team finished eighth and bottom of the Central Division with a 29–39–14 record, totaling 72 points. He was quick to point out that Kantserov would “make an immediate impact if he chooses to come over” to the NHL.

Blashill also referred to the Russian player’s “great give-and-go game”, which he believes is a vital quality for anyone playing alongside Connor Bedard. Now that Kantserov looks likely to join the Blackhawks, he could slot into the top six alongside Bedard on the wing, with fellow rookie Nick Lardis on the opposite flank on the first forward line.

This could be an option if fellow rookie and two-way center Anton Frondell continues in his dual role.

Moreover, while Kantserov is not the tallest player at only 5ft 9in, he possesses attributes such as exceptional physical strength, explosive skating, a low center of gravity, quick hands, and a sharp release. These qualities could help compensate for his relative lack of reach on the ice compared with many of the league’s top players.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Sahil Prashar