Windy City Benders Podcast

The Chicago Blackhawks wrapped up the road portion of their season on a much more encouraging note compared to last year, and the improvement is starting to feel real. The guys dive into why this season should be viewed as a success when it comes to growth—whether it’s the structure, the competitiveness, or the way younger players are handling bigger roles. It’s not about the standings right now, it’s about building something sustainable, and you can see that foundation starting to take shape heading into next season.A big part of the conversation centers around Kevin Korchinski and the noticeable shift in how fans are talking about him. Earlier in his development, the criticism was loud, but now that people are seeing the progression, the tone has changed. That leads into a broader discussion about patience—especially when it comes to a prospect like Artyom Levshunov. Development isn’t always linear, and the Korchinski experience should serve as a reminder that young defensemen, in particular, take time.They also get into what the team should do with André Burakovsky and whether he fits into the long-term vision or if it makes more sense to move on. It’s one of those decisions that could signal how aggressive the front office plans to be this offseason.To close things out, the guys zoom out and look ahead to the playoffs across the league. With the postseason around the corner, there’s plenty to be excited about—even outside of Chicago—as the next wave of contenders and storylines begins to take shape.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

Title: End Of Season Woes ~ Episode 360It was a rough week for the Chicago Blackhawks and the guys are back to discuss what went down and even though things seem really bad this just might be what is best for this team to take that next step in this rebuild.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The guys are back to break down another week of Chicago Blackhawks hockey, and it was almost like Groundhog Day as the team once again went 1-1-1. They dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly from last week’s games, but overall still come away with plenty of positives.Switching gears, the big news out of Chicago was the arrival of third overall pick Anton Frondell. The conversation turns to what expectations should look like for the young forward over the final 12 games of the season, and what his addition means for the roster at this stage.The future of this team continues to be the show’s favorite topic, as the guys check in on the rest of the prospect pool during Tanner’s Farm Report. They wrap things up by floating the idea of sending an offer sheet to a division rival RFA—and why now might be the perfect time to take that kind of swing.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The guys are back to break down another week of Blackhawks hockey, and there’s finally a real sense of momentum building.They dive into the strides the team is making and how it’s starting to turn heads around the league — including André Tourigny of the Utah Mammoth — as the Hawks continue to show growth in key areas.Former captain Nick Foligno returns to the United Center, and the guys reflect on the lasting impact he had in a short time. From leadership to setting the tone for the younger core, his influence on the culture is still being felt.Looking ahead, they break down what fans should expect next season and why there’s real reason for excitement. This rebuild isn’t just theoretical anymore — it’s starting to take shape in a way that should have Hawks fans on the edge of their seats.To wrap things up, they talk about the newest name in the mix, Sacha Boisvert, and why the criticism surrounding him just doesn’t hold up — especially when there’s little evidence to support it.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and once again Kyle Davidson delivered a masterclass in roster management. The guys break down the moves he made and what clues they give us about how the team could be built heading into the summer.They also dive into Frank Nazar’s recent hot streak, take a closer look at Connor Bedard and how he stacks up against other former first-overall picks through their first 200 NHL games, and discuss whether Drew Commesso is making a strong case to be the team’s backup goaltender next season.To wrap things up, Tanner explains his new “ideal” draft lottery finish and why it might be the best possible outcome for the future of the franchise or at lease most entertaining for us Hawks Fans.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

With the Trade Deadline here, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They’re not buyers — but they also don’t have much left to sell.The guys break down the Connor Murphy trade and why it was a strong, forward-thinking move for this team. From asset management to long-term roster flexibility, they explain how this deal fits the bigger picture.They also dive into who else could potentially be moved before the deadline and what that signals about the organization’s direction.Then the focus shifts to the future. With confirmation that youth will be a priority next season, the rebuild is clearly still in motion. The guys discuss why the commitment to developing young talent matters, what it means for the roster construction ahead, and why fans need to take a breath, trust the process, and understand that sustainable success doesn’t happen overnight.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

USA Hockey is back on top of the world.Both the Men’s and Women’s teams take down Canada to capture Olympic gold, and the guys break down both championship performances. They dive into what it means for the Men’s team to win their first gold medal in 46 years, and why—regardless of the political climate—they’re proud of what this group accomplished on the ice.Then it’s back to Chicago as the Hawks return to action. The crew previews the upcoming four-game road trip, discusses Gavin McKenna landing on draft boards, and highlights what to watch for over the final 25 games of the season.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The Olympic break rolls on, but the crew is back with another episode of WCBPodcast!In this edition, the guys dive into new information surrounding Chicago Blackhawks season tickets, including details about a still-to-be-announced event that fans may soon be hearing more about. They also break down potential trade scenarios as the roster freeze nears its end and the NHL trade deadline quickly approaches.Shifting to international play, they discuss the Olympic hockey tournament and why it has lived up to the hype — highlighting standout performances and the overall intensity of the competition.To close things out, the episode wraps with a fun Olympic jersey draft, as each host selects their favorite international sweaters.A packed episode blending Blackhawks updates, trade speculation, and Olympic excitement.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The next era of the Windy City Benders Podcast is here! We’re excited to announce that we’ve officially joined the Inside The Rink Podcast Network to help take the show to the next level. As one of the top sources for hockey news, it only makes sense to call Inside The Rink home. Be sure to check out insidetherink.com for all your hockey coverage.In this episode, the guys break down the Frank Seravalli bombshell from last Friday regarding the conditions tied to the first-round pick the Blackhawks received from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones trade. Tanner offers a glass-half-full perspective, explaining how, with a little luck, that pick could still end up as high as 10th overall for Chicago.The conversation then shifts to a preview of the upcoming Men’s Olympic Hockey Tournament. The crew discusses pool winners, medal predictions, and potential individual award winners. They wrap things up by taking a closer look at Team USA — evaluating the roster, expectations, and who could emerge as the hero for the Stars and Stripes.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

Hawks are limping into the Olympic Break and the guys are back talking about the last week worth of games, dive into Connor Murphy most likely being dealt but questioning if they might not be the best move, Gavin Mckenna news, and so much more! Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

What looked like a weekend headed for disaster turned into a surprisingly solid stretch of Blackhawks hockey. The guys are back to break down all the action against the Hurricanes, Lightning, and Panthers, before looking ahead at the remaining schedule leading into the Olympic break. Jarom dives into the numbers to show how this team is improving, even if they still aren’t quite ready to be taken seriously as a playoff contender. They also react to TSN’s Face of the Franchise poll, and wrap things up with Tanner’s Farm Report.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

It was a rough week for the Hawks with lots of lows but despite the way the games went there was lots to be celebrated including the return of Blackhawks legends to the United Center. The guys talked about how good it was to see Toews back at the Madhouse and getting all the love he deserved and then some, they discuss what the trade deadline could look like for the Hawks and if they should take a shot at any Jason Robertson type players, and they wrap things up with Tanners Farm Report!Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The Flu Bug has hit the Blackhawks this past week and while things could have been much worse they still came out with a .500 record. The guys break down the games, talk about Korchinski’s timeline with the Hawks, Commesso’s readiness to make the jump next season and much more. Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

Just when we thought this team couldn’t sink any lower, they totally redeemed themselves. After last weeks episode talking about vets not doing their job and rookies maybe needing more time in the AHL, they come out and prove us wrong. The guys recap the 3-0-1 week, discuss Connor Bedard being snubbed from Team Canada, and wrap things up with a mega Farm Report from Tanner. Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast