Windy City Benders Podcast

The Chicago Blackhawks are back… and boy, it doesn’t feel like it.

Jarom and Tanner break down the first three games of the season and try to figure out just what is going on with this team. From a lack of effort from the players, to coaching struggles and everything in between, this is certainly not the start anyone had hoped for.

Can the Hawks turn things around, or are there bigger concerns brewing in Chicago?

All that and more on this week’s episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Hockey season is officially here, but before we kick off the 2026-27 season, we have to preview the Chicago Blackhawks!

The guys take a look at the Hawks’ roster and break down how they see each player fitting into the lineup. They also dive deep into their expectations for this team, what could go right, what could go wrong, and where they think the Blackhawks will ultimately finish.

And, of course, they wrap things up with their final predictions before the season gets underway!

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

It’s our final division preview as we wrap things up with the Central Division! While we’re skipping the Blackhawks, we take a look at the other seven teams in the division and what to expect heading into the new season.

Is this still the Avalanche’s division to lose? Is the Stars’ window closing faster than they had hoped? Is it all or nothing for the Wild if they can’t get Quinn Hughes to sign?

All this and so much more in this week’s episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Preview season makes its way out West as the guys make a stop in the Pacific Division!

Last year, it seemed like this was a division that nobody wanted to win, earning the title of the NHL’s “pillow fight.” Can the Sharks continue to improve and make the playoffs? Will the hiring of Mike Babcock finally bring Connor McDavid and the Oilers their long-awaited Stanley Cup? And will Vancouver and Calgary be as bad as many are projecting?

The guys break down all eight teams and make their picks for how the Pacific Division will shake out!

Check out this and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

It’s Week Two of preview season, and the guys wrap up their look at the Eastern Conference with a stop in the Metropolitan Division! Last season saw several of these teams come up just short of playoff hockey, so could the Metro be one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL this year?

Can the Hurricanes repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? How will Matthew Schaefer follow up his unbelievable rookie season? Can the Rangers get back on track? And will Columbus finally get over the hump?

The guys break it all down and make their predictions for the Metropolitan Division on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Atlantic Division Preview  ~ Episode 380

Hockey season is almost here, and that means it’s time for season previews! The guys kick things off by taking a trip through the Atlantic Division and breaking down what could be one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL.

Can the Buffalo Sabres build off last season’s magical run and repeat as division champions? Is the young Montreal Canadiens team ready to take the next step and become a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference? And after missing the playoffs last season, can the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs bounce back?

The guys break down each team, make their predictions, and discuss who they think will rise to the top and who could be left watching the playoffs from home.

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The guys are back with a short one this week as they get ready for preview season! Before those episodes begin, they take one last look at the latest Blackhawks prospect rankings — and this time, it’s from someone who definitely knows what he’s talking about.

The guys dive into Steven Ellis’ top 10 Blackhawks prospects and discuss his rankings, the players who stood out, and which prospects they’re most excited to watch heading into the new season. With Chicago’s prospect pool now ranked No. 1 in the NHL by Ellis, there’s plenty to be excited about for the future.

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The guys are back after a week off, and boy, are we officially in August because Chicago Blackhawks news is getting pretty thin!

The guys kick things off by discussing the Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro contract situations and whether there should be any concern that both RFAs remain unsigned this late into the summer. With both defensemen facing important seasons ahead, the guys break down what their next contracts could look like and what role they could have with the Blackhawks this season. They also take a look around the NHL at some of the other unsigned RFAs and discuss what those players could ultimately sign for — and whether there could still be a few offer sheets lurking out there.

Next up, the guys dive into Corey Pronman’s latest prospect pool rankings for The Athletic and, well… they have some thoughts. How does Chicago’s prospect pool stack up against the rest of the NHL, and why do these rankings feel absolutely brutal — not just for the Blackhawks, but for plenty of teams around the league?

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The dog days of summer are here, and while the NHL offseason feels like it's dragging on, that isn't stopping the guys from talking Chicago Blackhawks hockey.

First up, they break down everything from last week's Upper Deck Rookie Showcase, where Roman Kantserov quickly became a favorite among the Chicago media. They discuss his comments about Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane, Spencer Knight, and why so many people are excited about what he could bring to the organization.

Next, the conversation shifts to Sacha Boisvert and what the best development path is for the talented prospect. Should he begin the season with the Blackhawks, or would spending time in Rockford better prepare him for long-term success?

The guys also dive into the newly released Blackhawks promotional schedule, including the highly anticipated Centennial Game and the excitement of seeing Patrick Kane back in a Blackhawks Centennial jersey.

Finally, Tanner wraps things up by breaking down the results of The Athletic's Blackhawks fan survey, highlighting several responses that may surprise even the most die-hard fans.

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

What's old is new again—Patrick Kane is officially back with the Chicago Blackhawks!

The guys break down Kane's new two-year contract and discuss what his return means, not only on the ice but in the locker room and for the city of Chicago as a whole. They dive into how the Blackhawks' forward lines could shake out, who stands to benefit the most from playing alongside No. 88, and what the team's leadership group could look like heading into the 2026-27 season.

To wrap things up, the guys set realistic expectations for the Blackhawks this season, debate where they could finish in the standings, and discuss whether this team is finally ready to take the next step towards playoff hockey.

All that and more on the latest episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast!

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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.

#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast