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Folignos Give Back, Trade Board Updates, a Beauty From Rinzel, and Other Blackhawks Bullets
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...uty-from-rinzel-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/
Yesterday we looked at how three Blackhawks prospects/young players now rank in a 2022 re-draft. It was encouraging to say the least; two of the three are now top-ten players from their class in the eyes of Scott Wheeler.
Whenever we jump into that exercise, there are other conversations that pop up in which we try to compare where players were drafted and how their development compares. For example, I had one in my DMs on Twitter pointing to the development curves of Lukas Reichel and Oliver Moore with the two being drafted in similar spots in their respective drafts. I once again want to caution that, while doing that can make for some spirited conversation, we need to employ context when considering development timelines for prospects and players.
In the coming years, I’m sure there will be some deep-dive studies into how the pandemic shutting down the CHL (and other leagues) affected the timeline for a lot of young players — specifically players who were drafted between 2019-21. Some players turned pro prematurely. Isaak Phillips was a great example of that reality.
The other reality we need to keep in mind in these conversations is how the NCAA ranks are quickly turning into a path to professional hockey that some organizations are starting to prefer over junior hockey. Moore playing two years in the Big Ten — and being part of two gold medal-winning World Junior teams for the US — gave him a robust collection of experience before turning pro. He still has development to come, but simply comparing his trajectory now to Reichel’s three years ago in a vacuum leaves a lot to be desired.
- Speaking of Reichel, his name popped back up in the summer trade winds. David Pagnotta at The Fourth Period updated their Summer Trade Watch List earlier this week. Current Blackhawks Connor Murphy ranked 13th and Reichel ranked 23rd overall. However, neither has teams listed as being reportedly interested.
- It’s noteworthy that the Blackhawks are among the teams reportedly interested in Penguins winger Rickard Rakell and Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues.
- I love brothers who compete against each other in everything, but when they can do it to help improve others’ lives it’s even better. If you’ve somehow missed it since he arrived, Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is one of the most active players in the league when it comes to community engagement. And the foundation he and his family started after losing their mother to cancer, the Janis Foligno Foundation, has done incredible things for those battling cancer. It looks like Nick and Marcus were at it again in Sudbury recently.
- How about a Sam Rinzel highlight from Da Beauty League last night?
Mason ShawSam Rinzel#daBL2025 | @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/8GwPSjw560
— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 23, 2025
- How about a Wyatt Kaiser highlight from Da Beauty League last night?
- Four our Canadian readers/viewers, Prime Video announced the schedule for Monday Night Hockey on Wednesday. The Blackhawks make zero appearances.
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- What are the latest Cubs-related rumors from the increasingly warming stove?
- Caleb Williams has some big goals for himself and the Bears this season.
- The Bulls want Coby White to be around for “a long time.”
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...uty-from-rinzel-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/