Blackhawks F Oliver Moore looks for
more growth after positive response to healthy scratch
[October 29, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — In Oliver Moore's 70th NHL game, the promising
forward made an ill-advised pass in Chicago's offensive zone that
led to a tying goal for Montreal.
In Moore's 71st game, he was all over the ice in a big win for the
Blackhawks.
That's how it's going at the moment in Chicago, where the team's
youngest players are still learning on the job. Moore was a healthy
scratch for Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Florida, but he returned to the
lineup Tuesday night and played quite well in a 2-1 victory over the
Los Angeles Kings.
“I didn’t expect anything less,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He
actually was playing good hockey. I felt it was a moment where him
and our team needed to make sure we learn these lessons about not
beating ourselves. But he’s played good hockey, so it’s not like he
went through a stretch where he hadn’t been playing well. He stepped
right back in and did a good job.”
Moore, a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, is a key figure for
Chicago as it tries to find the other side of years of rebuilding.
The 21-year-old Minnesota native signed a $21.25 million, five-year
contract in September.
Losers of eight of their first 12 games, the Blackhawks are looking
for more offense once again. They are averaging 2.17 goals, ranking
No. 31 in the NHL going into Wednesday's action. They averaged just
2.56 goals last season.
Moore has elite speed and athleticism, but he is still working on
finishing his scoring opportunities. He has two goals and one assist
in 11 games after he had five goals and 14 assists in 51 games all
of last season.
Facing Montreal on Friday, he tried to make a backhand pass from the
corner to Ryan Greene in the middle. It was intercepted by Owen
Beck, who started a rush that led to Jake Evans' tying score in the
first period of the Canadiens' 4-1 win.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Blackhawks center Oliver Moore (11) battles with Winnipeg
Jets center Adam Lowry (17) during a face-off during the second
period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Harry Figiel)
That wasn't the only reason Blashill decided to
bench Moore for the matchup with the Panthers, but it was an example
of the type of miscue that happens too often with the Blackhawks.
“You watch the game and it makes you remember why you want to be out
there,” Moore said. “But in my game, I have areas where I have to
improve. I have to play more winning hockey, and there were examples
the coaching staff showed me where I wasn’t. There was a message
there. It’s on me to learn and grow from it.”
Like so many NHL prospects, Moore is walking the line between making
the most of his natural ability and the risky plays that put his
teammates in tough spots.
“I know I have an identity that I want to play to,” he said. “I
think I’ve found that. But it’s just reminding myself of that.
That’ll make hockey feel like a little bit less thinking and more
just flowing and playing. You want to get to that point, and I’m
definitely working toward there.”
Playing on a line with Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane, Moore was one
of Chicago's best players against Los Angeles. The trio was on the
ice when Wyatt Kaiser scored the game-winning goal 7:17 into the
third period.
“I know it’s tough when you’re that young and you’re kind of all
around the lineup and you’ve got a different role,” Kane said when
asked about Moore after the win, “but yeah, he’s got a lot of
potential and I thought he was great tonight.”
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