News Blackhawks Team Notes

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Rinzel Breakdown, Stronger Moore, a Frondell Goal, Kantserov Gets an A, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I want to start with a really good video breakdown from David St-Louis at Elite Prospects of Blackhawks defenseman Sam Rinzel. Again, I’m going to continue coming back to the talking point that prospects develop on different timelines and some players can meet/exceed projections faster than others. I think Rinzel is quickly emerging as a prospect that many felt was a reach/lottery ticket when he was drafted and, now, might be a top-pair defenseman in his early-20s. This is a solid in-depth look at how well he played early in his NHL career.

• We’ll stay with former Gophers and check out Oliver Moore making an appearance at the NHLPA Upper Deck Rookie Showcase on Wednesday. It looks like his first hockey cards will have him wearing the Blackhawks’ iconic home red sweater.

• Scott Powers spoke with Moore at the Showcase and published a nice piece at The Athletic. He reportedly got his weight up to 195 and saw increasing strength as a big need after his nine-game run with the Blackhawks to end the regular season last year. I like what he had to say about being focused on making the NHL club out of camp, but understanding the process.

“I think I definitely want to just focus on my own path,” Moore said. “I think everyone’s unique and different, but seeing how [Frank Nazar] did it last year, I think it’s cool to see that. You know, you just play your game, you focus on what you can control and things usually work out for you. And whatever that may be for me this year, I think it’s good. It’s definitely a good learning lesson that you can learn from guys like that, to see it works out either way. Just play your game and believe in yourself. And I think that’s what he did so well, but he continues to do well.”

• Here’s a great look at why so many scouts loved Anton Frondell‘s hammer of a shot going into the draft this summer. He scored with a rocket here in Djurgårdens’ game on Wednesday.

• Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov was named an assistant captain for his KHL club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk. One of the other guys wearing an A is Luke Johnson — a fifth-round pick by the Blackhawks back in 2013.

️ В новый сезон – с новым составом лидеров!

Капитан: Алексей Маклюков
Ассистенты: Люк Джонсон, Владимир Ткачёв, Роман Канцеров, Егор Яковлев.#Металлург #Магнитогорск #ММК #Братьяпоогню pic.twitter.com/pwoodTKEXb

— ХК «Металлург» (@MetallurgMgn) September 3, 2025

• How about some Lukas Reichel content from the NHL European Player Tour? My guys David Pagnotta and Dennis Bernstein from The Fourth Period chatted about the Olympics (in this clip) with Reichel while they were in Italy. Good stuff (with a link to the full interview).

• Blackhawks goalie prospect Adam Gajan got the graphic treatment from Minnesota-Duluth with his number — 30 — being the number of days left until their season gets going.

Sophomore goaltender Adam Gajan returns to the Bulldogs for year two in No. 30! 30 days left until Bulldog hockey! pic.twitter.com/ye7zdEGjoc

— UMD Men's Hockey (@UMDMensHockey) September 3, 2025

• We got our first look at Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert from Boston University on their social channels from Practice No. 1 on Wednesday.

• Finally, the Montreal Canadiens showed off the new look for their center ice this season. Thoughts?

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• The Cubs are promoting Jaxon Wiggins to Triple-A!

• The Bears got creative and created $8M in additional cap space.

• There’s a potentially big scandal brewing with the LA Clippers (the NBA is investigating).

Our sister site @4for4football is running an NFL Survivor Pool with Splash.

I'm in it. And you should be, too.

Why?

$500,000!!!

Only a $50 buy-in! Feel free to try to beat me.

PLAY – https://t.co/ab7Qj4E2t1 pic.twitter.com/idrCMocvBu

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 3, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...serov-gets-an-a-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Hall of Fame: Steve Larmer, Duncan Keith Voted In As First Class

On Friday morning, just in time for single game tickets to go on sale, the Chicago Blackhawks announced the first two inducted members of the team’s new Hall of Fame. Defenseman Duncan Keith and forward Steve Larmer have been voted in!

The inaugural Blackhawks Hall of Fame class will be honored during a special Hall of Fame game on April 11 against the St. Louis Blues.



“We are beyond proud to announce the inaugural Blackhawks Hall of Fame class will include Steve Larmer and Duncan Keith,” Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in the team’s release. “The incredible participation we saw from Blackhawks fans, Alumni and media is a testament to the lasting influence that each of these individuals have had on our storied franchise.”

As a reminder, all of the players whose numbers have been previously retired will also automatically be inducted in the new Blackhawks Hall of Fame. That list is Glenn Hall (#1), Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson (#3), Chris Chelios (#7), Bobby Hull (#9), Denis Savard (#18), Stan Mikita (#21), Tony Esposito (#35) and Marian Hossa (#81).

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Duncan Keith: Blackhawks Hall of Famer​

Keith appeared in 1,192 regular-season games and another 135 playoff contests over 16 years with the Blackhawks. He won the Norris Trophy twice, the Conn Smythe in 2015, two Olympic gold medals and three Stanley Cup championships while a member of the Blackhawks. He will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year as well.

Steve Larmer: Blackhawks Hall of Famer​

Larmer appeared in 891 regular-season games and another 107 playoff contests over 13 years with the Blackhawks. He won the Calder Trophy in 1983. If you’ve been here or read my work elsewhere over the past two decades, you already know how I feel about Larmer’s contributions to the Chicago Blackhawks. Hopefully after the Centennial season the franchise puts both 2 and 28 in the rafters where they belong.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/09/05/blackhawks-hall-of-fame-larmer-keith/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Centennial Cards, a Frondell Comp, Allan’s Value, Tickets on Sale, Schedules, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Frank Nazar made an appearance on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast on Thursday. Our old friend Colby Cohen was talking about his time in Chicago and hoping the Blackhawks can get back to their glory days. Nazar’s confident response: “We will.” Absolutely love his swagger. He’s going to be a leader in the room for a long time.

Old friend @ColbyCohen36 hopes the #Blackhawks will get back to their glory days.

Frank Nazar: “We will.” pic.twitter.com/q61MUFkhcs

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 4, 2025

• I want to take a quick minute to bring up a name that I think many Blackhawks fans and onlookers/outside analysts might be sleeping on. Nolan Allan has quietly been a solid pro for a couple years. He plays a physical, shutdown game on the back end and is willing to block shots and tries to put guys into the second row of the seats. He has played both sides as well. I like his game a lot and think he’s an NHL player. I’m interested to see how he fits into the depth chart this season with the Blackhawks depth on the left side of the blue line.

• Speaking of which, today is Sept. 5 and Wyatt Kaiser still doesn’t have a contract signed.

• Also noteworthy: it’s Friday morning and we still don’t have the Blackhawks’ roster for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. We got the rosters for the Wild and Blues on Tuesday…

• I know I’ve been hard on Byron Bader for walking back his Nazar comp pretty significantly before he turned pro, but his latest model compares Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell to Panthers captain Sacha Barkov. We heard/read that a decent amount before the draft. It’s an interesting thing to consider.

Not only do Anton Frondell and Aleksander Barkov have the same model statistical profile, they have the same body type and use their body to bull their way into opportunities, like few can.

They'll differ in how they produce. Barkov has a bit more finesse and set up to him and… pic.twitter.com/NSWolybUZX

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) September 4, 2025

• Hey, single game tickets for the Blackhawks’ Centennial season went on (pre)sale on Thursday. They go on sale to the public at 10 AM CT today!

• How about this for the Blackhawks’ Centennial season?!? Upper Deck released a limited edition series of Blackhawks cards for this season! Each box ($49.99) contains the complete 100-card base set featuring legendary Blackhawks players, as well as 5 parallel or insert cards. Pretty good looking set with some great autographs!

View this post on Instagram​

A post shared by Upper Deck (@upperdecksports)​

• Corey Pronman at The Athletic ranked the rebuilding teams in the NHL with regards to how soon they’ll contend again. He put the Blackhawks fourth behind the Sharks, Mammoth and Ducks. Y’all can read his thoughts on the Blackhawks and the others he considered.

New post @TheAthleticNHL:

Ranking the rebuilding NHL teams closest to contendinghttps://t.co/rHPHp0KtfA

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) September 4, 2025

• Pronman isn’t very high on him, but my guy Charlie Roumeliotis thinks Sam Rinzel is going to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year! Good stuff here from Charlie.

My bold #Blackhawks prediction for 2025-26 season: Sam Rinzel takes home Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookie https://t.co/MNxNvIjIB8

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 4, 2025

• A schedule update for the IceHogs: they announced yesterday that their January 6, 2026 game against the Manitoba Moose has been moved to Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 PM.

• If you’re hoping to keep up with Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert this season, Boston University announced the times for their home schedule.

• Defenseman Marco Scandella officially retired. He spent most of his 14-year career in the Central Division with Minnesota or St. Louis.

• Finally, Minnesota-Duluth announced on Thursday that they are retiring No. 29 for Brett Hull. The only Hull who didn’t play for the Blackhawks, I will die on the hill that the Sabres got robbed. The end.

There will never be another No. 29 — because it's hanging in the rafters where it belongs. Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull will forever rep 29. 29 days! ️ pic.twitter.com/6WAwM11zY8

— UMD Men's Hockey (@UMDMensHockey) September 4, 2025

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• New season, new coaches, new responsibilities for the Bears’ wide receivers.

• Cade Horton is special.

• The NBA will reportedly change its all-star game format… again.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-sale-schedules-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Love for Larmer, Kaiser? Price Traded, IceHogs Promos, McDavid’s Contract, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Selfishly, I wanted to open up our Saturday with a couple more thoughts on the Blackhawks announcing the newest members of their team Hall of Fame on Friday. In the two decades I’ve been writing about the Blackhawks I’ve been banging the drum for Steve Larmer to get two pieces of recognition that I feel he’s earned: his number 28 retired by the Blackhawks and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Over the years I’ve been writing about the Blackhawks here at Bleacher Nation, I’ve written about Larmer a lot because of that lack of recognition. We celebrated aspects of his career with my 28 on 28 series. I shared a lot of Larmer-related content in a thread on Twitter yesterday in celebration of him being named to the Blackhawks’ Hall of Fame.

Larmer being voted into the Blackhawks Hall of Fame on the first-ever ballot by the fans, media and Blackhawks alumni feels like a long overdue piece of appreciation for what he meant to the organization. Here’s hoping the folks in Toronto follow suit sometime soon.

• One of the trades that some felt might be a key to opening up some movement around the league finally happened late on Friday. The Montreal Canadiens traded Carey Price’s contract — but not to the Chicago Blackhawks. They sent it to San Jose, and received a fifth-round pick and 22-year-old RHD Gannon Laroque. Laroque was originally a fourth-round pick by the Sharks in 2021.

• Trading Price’s contract now gives the Canadiens roughly $4.56M in available cap space. The Sharks now have just over $9.2M in cap space.

The Canadiens acquire defenseman Gannon Laroque from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for goaltender Carey Price and a fifth-round pick in 2026.

News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/hnwKBe7FE0

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 5, 2025

• A quick note for those who are already making their broad proclamations about NHL rosters and starting their player previews for the Blackhawks: the final rosters need to be cap compliant and at no more than 23 players at 4 PM CT on October 6. We’re a full month away from that deadline. And I think there will be some creative movement around the league in the month between now and then.

• Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff wrote about the six remaining restricted free agents in the NHL. You can cross Calgary center Connor Zary off the list; he signed a three-year deal with a $3.775M AAV on Friday afternoon. Here’s what he wrote about Blackhawks defenesman Wyatt Kaiser:

Kaiser played 57 games with the Blackhawks last season, putting up eight points. He found himself hovering around the 20-minute mark a bit more often as the season wore on and generally handled the extra responsibility well. There is some decent upside, and he played well with some of Chicago’s other young defenders. He’s good defensively, and he looked more confident rushing the puck later in the season. But with Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov set for full-time duty this year, and Ethan Del Mastro clamoring for one of the final roster spots, that leaves Kaiser potentially on the outside looking in. If all goes well, he’d be a good fit alongside Levshunov on the second-pairing – but could Kevin Korchinski be in the running there, too?

Breaking down the six remaining NHL restricted free agents https://t.co/Rxp8Dn0Xss

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) September 5, 2025

• How about some glamour shots of Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore from the NHLPA Upper Deck Rookie Showcase?

• The Rockford IceHogs released their promotional schedule on Friday morning. Lots of good stuff in there, including a Blackhawks Centennial Celebration on Feb. 14 and 15. Their Ring of Honor Induction will take place on Feb. 6, and there will be Drew Commesso bobbleheads on Feb. 21. Good month of action while the NHL is watching the Winter Olympics! IceHogs single-game tickets go on sale next Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 AM CT.

We present to you, the long-awaited 2025-26 promo schedule

Check it out >> https://t.co/mtavI9lRnG pic.twitter.com/xuZYttxWWy

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) September 5, 2025

• The talk around Connor McDavid’s lack of a contract extension is going to continue to dominate the league-wide chatter until there’s either a resolution or the regular season begins. If you’ve listened to or read what McDavid and Oilers GM Stan Bowman have said, every indication is that those inside that organization are the least worried parties on the planet. Which is fine… to an extent. Once camps open, the questions are going to be about McDavid every day to him, his teammates and coaches and the Edmonton brass until there’s an answer. And it sounds like the player isn’t in any rush to do something — and the regular season isn’t an arbitrary deadline anyone negotiating is worried about.

"I've put everything I have into my career. You only get one chance to do it and to do it right. And that leads to taking your time with it."

Connor McDavid on contract talks with the Oilers. pic.twitter.com/hMynLDOVvA

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 5, 2025

• I already mentioned one Minnesota-Duluth product (Kaiser). Another (now-former Blackhawks prospect) that still hasn’t signed is Dominic James, who opted to not sign with Chicago. I’m slightly surprised and disappointed he hasn’t found a home yet.

• Mark Divver reported former Boston University goalie coach Brian Daccord has joined Detroit Red Wings as their Director of Goaltending and Scouting Development. He coached Commesso at BU.

• We’re getting into PTO season for unsigned veteran free agents. The New Jersey Devils announced they have signed Kevin Rooney, Luke Glendening, Adam Scheel and Georgi Romanov to PTOs. And the Minnesota Wild are bringing in Brett Leason for a tryout.

Hearing the #mnwild are bringing in former Caps and Ducks right wing Brett Leason on a PTO. Right-shot who can kill penalties. Will bring more competition in camp for a bottom-six role.

220 career games, 25 goals, 54 points

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 5, 2025

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• Good news from Jameson Taillon’s rehab start

• What to expect from Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson in Week 1

• If the Chicago Sky want to join in on Angel Reese’s success, they must listen

Sign up on the Bleacher Nation Fantasy app in the App Store and get a 50% deposit match up to $100! #fantasyfootball #NFL #Chargers #Chiefs #Mahomes #Kelce pic.twitter.com/KQXm9fqSG3

— Bleacher Nation Fantasy (@BN_Fantasy_) September 5, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...re-mcdavid-talk-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Remembering Ken Dryden, Fantasy Hockey Rankings, Trade Deadline Date, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

We learned late on Friday night/early on Saturday morning that legendary Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden passed away. Dryden was a magnificent goalie, earning a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame while only playing for eight years. Of course, during those eight seasons he won the Vezina five times, the Stanley Cup six times, the Calder Trophy and the Conn Smythe. Not bad.

Many remember Dryden as the color voice of the Miracle on Ice game in 1980 when the United States beat Russia. More will remember Dryden for two books he wrote. “The Game” led many to fall in love with the game. “Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador, and the Future of Hockey” was a call to action regarding brain trauma. Both are incredibly important reads for hockey fans and players.

NHL Network mourns the passing of six-time Stanley Cup Champion, Montreal Canadiens legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Dryden. pic.twitter.com/MvNue2ue0M

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 6, 2025

There were a lot of personal messages about Dryden, on and off the ice, on social media on Saturday. I wanted to share a couple.

One was this tweet from agent Allan Walsh:

I was 9 years old and mailed Ken Dryden a long letter to a law firm in Toronto where he was articling. I shared how much I missed him playing with the Canadiens and the team wasn’t the same without him. I begged him to come back. A few days later, I received this reply from him. pic.twitter.com/I5E6bfL2Eh

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) September 6, 2025

The other was from Kevin Magnuson, also an agent (representing Frank Nazar, among others). But he is also the son of Blackhawks Hall of Famer Keith Magnuson, who shared a unique relationship with Dryden dating back to playing each other in college when college hockey wasn’t anywhere close to being as widely accepted as a path to the NHL as it is today.

In victory and defeat, my Dad had the utmost respect for Ken Dryden as they competed on the biggest stage multiple times- battled in the 1969 NCAA finals where @DU_Hockey beat Cornell and in two Stanley Cup Finals in ‘71 and ‘73 where Ken’s @CanadiensMTL prevailed over the… https://t.co/jh8OOuLsXl

— Kevin Magnuson (@kevinmags27) September 6, 2025

• Pierre LeBrun reported the 2026 NHL trade deadline has been set for Friday, March 6. The Blackhawks host Vancouver that night.

• Scott Wheeler at The Athletic posted his dynasty fantasy hockey rankings of the top 100 players under-25 for keeper leagues. He has five Blackhawks in his top 100, one of whom hasn’t played an NHL game yet.

• Wheeler has Connor Bedard at No. 1 — yes, in front of Macklin Celebrini (and Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes and Matvei Michkov for that matter). Frank Nazar checks in at No. 49 on his list, Anton Frondell at No. 58 and Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel back-to-back at Nos. 68 and 69.

My annual fantasy hockey dynasty rankings are out.

The top 100 players 25-and-under for keeper leagues https://t.co/kMexeoFoDg pic.twitter.com/cJeIe7FrwJ

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 6, 2025

• Ben Pope from the Sun-Times joined the DFO Fantasy Show for Daily Faceoff to provide a fantasy hockey preview for this year’s Blackhawks roster.

• Finally, this made me chuckle. Bring back the good ol’ days when visiting players had these types of experiences, please!

.@ShaneOBrien55 remembers the first time he saw Vince Vaughn in the crowd at the United Center during the old #Canucks #Blackhawks battles

Presented by @kitseyecare

Use Promo Code: CURFEW at https://t.co/FvYTB792mO and your first pair of prescription glasses are FREE! pic.twitter.com/SAy3sQBfad

— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) September 5, 2025

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• We shouldn’t be surprised that Ian Happ is doing what he always does: producing.

• Who was on the Bears’ final injury report for Week One?

• Billy Donovan got some support from the Bulls at his induction ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Week One is here, and that means it's time to join the $500,000 survivor pool (someone in the contest will literally win half-a-million dollars). Jump on your chance while you still can: https://t.co/JZt9DkDpST pic.twitter.com/071qX9JteN

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 7, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...e-deadline-date-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/