Connor Bedard, F:The 17-year-old was the No. 1 pick in 2023 NHL Draft and is expected to help speed up the Blackhawks rebuild. Bedard led the Western Hockey League with 71 goals, 143 points, 360 shots on goal and 2.51 points per game in 57 regular-season games with Regina last season. … Taylor Hall, F:The 31-year-old was acquired with forward Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins on June 26 for defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. Hall, who will likely play with Bedard, had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 61 regular-season games and eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Bruins last season. … Nick Foligno, F:The 35-year-old, acquired with Hall from Boston, had 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 60 regular-season games and three points (goal, two assists) in six playoff games for the Bruins. He signed a one-year contract June 27 and will provide a physical game as well as a veteran presence. …Corey Perry, F: The 38-year-old was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 29 for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and signed a one-year contract the next day. Another veteran with a physical presence, Perry had 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 81 regular-season games and five points (two goals, three assists) in six playoff games for the Lightning last season. …Ryan Donato, F: The 27-year-old signed a two-year contract July 1. He had 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 71 regular-season games for the Seattle Kraken last season and two assists in 14 playoff games.