News Blackhawks Team Notes

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Quiet Days, Bedard’s Shot, Rinzel Hype, Big Night in Rockford, Lardis Honored, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Alrighty, Blackhawks fans. We’re starting to get into the time of the hockey season where it’s a little fewer and further between when looking around for nuggets and notes to get our day started. The Blackhawks were off on Monday after skating for seven consecutive days. We’ve got 11 games left in the Blackhawks season. There were no prospects in action on Monday; we’re waiting for the OHL Playoffs and Road to the Frozen Four to both get started on Thursday.

• Here’s some talk from this morning’s DFO Rundown podcast during which the guys talked about which team has more potential: the Blackhawks or Sharks. They don’t agree, but I like the way Frank Seravalli puts some perspective on what he calls the most miserable season in the NHL by a wide margin. A reminder: it isn’t all about the here and now for the Blackhawks. It’s still about what’s coming.

Chicago Blackhawks | San Jose Sharks

Who has more potential?

Listen Herehttps://t.co/sktSktTeBu

DFO Rundown | @JasonGregor, @frank_seravalli pic.twitter.com/o0dKB2IQPR

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) March 25, 2025

• If there’s anything you’d like me to dig into or discuss here, feel free to jump into the comments and offer up some suggestions.

• Some really good analysis on Connor Bedard‘s shot finding it’s way home, and how it might help him defy analytical models. Solid stuff from Ben Pope.

Connor Bedard's goal yesterday showed how his elite hands and shot allow him to defy xG models.

Even while struggling analytically, more goals like that could be the key to breaking even where it counts.

New Blackhawks story: https://t.co/t3lDj7uXNY

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 24, 2025​

• Seravalli has made the Brock Faber comp for Sam Rinzel a few times now — not specifically in style of play, but regarding the impact Rinzel could have on the Blackhawks’ blue line when he arrives. He doubled down on it again on Monday, adding that Rinzel joining Alex Vlasic and Artyom Levshunov (and others) on the back end for the Blackhawks could quickly become a ridiculously good situation for Chicago. They do note that there are too many bodies for the number of available jobs, and it is always a good idea to have some veteran presence in the group. Trades are going to happen at some point.

• The encouraging part of his dialogue is that more people who actually pay attention and don’t just repeat the cliche talking point that the Blackhawks are bad because of their record are taking note of the youngsters coming along.

"Sam Rinzel, different style player, can be [to the Blackhawks] what Brock Faber is to the Minnesota Wild." – Frank Seravalli

Presented by: bet365 (@bet365ca)#bet365 #NeverOrdinaryhttps://t.co/PaBRd5mvyj | USE CODE: NATION

DFO Rundown | @frank_seravalli, @JasonGregor pic.twitter.com/daLRfHsE2R

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) March 24, 2025​

• With that being said, I want to take a moment to talk about Kevin Korchinski. I still feel like he’s getting lost in the shuffle because the Blackhawks are intentionally allowing him to mature in Rockford this season. Since the start of March (nine games), Korchinski has one goal and three assists and is plus-seven. He has put 16 shots on net and been credited with multiple shots in seven of those nine games.

• Korchinski and the IceHogs host the Wolves tonight. Rockford is two points back of Chicago for fourth in the Central Division; they have a 12-point lead on Iowa, so their spot in the playoffs appears to be relatively safe at this point (the top five in the Central get into the dance). Still, moving up the ladder is better than backing into the postseason. Big game tonight.

Huuuuge rival game tonight

@BMOCenter
@FloHockey: https://t.co/4VE2owyGLT
https://t.co/MwZUWhTimw
https://t.co/xqCKGKHVJW
🎟 https://t.co/NSONdSEzC7

Tonight's game will also be locally broadcast on 19.2 The365.#GoHogs | @RoofersLocal11 pic.twitter.com/Y818GBISVK

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 25, 2025​

• The OHL announced its regular season award winners on Monday. Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis won the Jim Mahon Trophy as the league’s top-scoring right winger after posting a league-leading 71 goals and 46 assists. The Eddie Powers Trophy, presented to the league’s top scorer, went to Michael Misa — a likely Blackhawks target at the top of the 2025 NHL Draft — after he produced a CHL-leading 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) and a plus-45 rating over 65 games.

Recording 71 goals and 117 points, #Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis of the @BulldogsOHL claims the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the #OHL's Top-Scoring Right Winger.

READ : https://t.co/ZuUN72219n pic.twitter.com/94GR8NhIOy

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 24, 2025​

• A couple injury updates that will impact upcoming Blackhawks opponents. The Blackhawks host the Golden Knights on Friday night and Vegas might be down two significant players. According to general manager Kelly McCrimmon on the Vegas Insiders show, Tomas Hertl didn’t go on their three-game trip and is still being evaluated. Defenseman Shea Theodore is day-today and might return during their trip. The game in Chicago is the second of their three games on the itinerary.

• Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel told reporters on Monday that Gabriel Vilardi will be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He indicated the start of the playoffs is TBD for Vilardi, which sucks for the Jets, who are currently the top seed in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks host the Jets in their home finale on April 12.

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• Brad Keller is making a little noise for the Cubs right now. Could he be a bullpen weapon this year?

• The Bears signed a corner / special teams ace on Monday.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-lardis-honored-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Injury Updates: Dickinson’s Season is Over

After the Blackhawks practice on Tuesday, interim head coach Anders Sorensen shared that a wrist injury has ended Jason Dickinson‘s 2024-25 season.

Dickinson suffered the injury fighting Jake Neighbours after he dangerously put Alec Martinez into the boards in St. Louis on Saturday.

Sorensen also shared that Martinez is day-to-day and Colton Dach (elbow) is still working his way back. Sorensen wouldn’t say Dach’s season is over.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...wks-injury-updates-dickinsons-season-is-over/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Picture Day, TV Change, Lottery News, Mock Top Ten, Ovechkin 5 Away, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

It was picture day for the Blackhawks on Tuesday, which is why they practiced at the United Center. The team shared some fun, candid shots from behind the scenes on the ol’ social channels. At least it looks like the boys are still having plenty of fun.

photo day, but our players are behind the camera pic.twitter.com/GU3sApPoL7

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 25, 2025​

• Hey, no complaining about not being able to watch the game tonight! The Blackhawks and Devils will air on CHSN and TNT/truTV/MAX tonight. Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times tweeted yesterday that “the NHL lifted the previously scheduled blackout in the market, so it will air on CHSN and TNT.“

midweek matchup in Chicago

tune in on @NHL_On_TNT, @truTV, & @SportsonMax pic.twitter.com/Tg2dzjyKl1

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 25, 2025​

• We noted yesterday that the unfortunate news from the Blackhawks’ practice at the United Center was that Jason Dickinson‘s season is over. Two significant injuries majorly impacted the second half of his season, which is frustrating for the player. Dickinson earned votes for the Selke Trophy last year and will be missed at center for a team that struggles in the faceoff circle.

• Joe Veleno, your table is ready…

• TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported on Tuesday that the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery will be held on either May 5 or 6, depending on the playoff schedule. So go ahead and plan your social life accordingly…

• The IceHogs lost a tough one to the Wolves last night, 5-4 in a shootout. However, both Kevin Korchinski and newcomer Aku Räty had two assists each for Rockford in the game. Here’s a short-handed goal from Jackson Cates from early in the first period with assists from both Korchinski and Räty.

Jackson Cates shorty gives us 2 goals & Kevin Korchinski 2 assists https://t.co/cPoImYTBif pic.twitter.com/KK7t10Ix1T

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 26, 2025

• Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff took a look at some drafted players in the upcoming NCAA tournament who could impact the Frozen Four. Blackhawks prospect and Denver forward Aidan Thompson received a mention, but Minnesota defenseman Sam Rinzel made his top ten list. Here’s what he had to say about Rinzel:

Rinzel is having a fantastic sophomore season – and if he has his way, he’ll make it last a few more days. The 6-foot-4 defender has obvious size, but he also has 31 points in 39 games. The fact he has 10 goals while playing all situations and dealing with tough matchups for Minnesota is remarkable. He’s a minute-muncher, playing more than 22 minutes a night in most games (his season high was 30:29 in mid-December). Defensively, Rinzel is smart, and he’s much better with the puck than scouts gave him credit for ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft. Rinzel should have little issue developing into a serviceable NHL defenseman quite soon.

With the NCAA's men's hockey tournament coming up, I took a look at 10 NHL prospects you need to keep a close eye on.

From #GoHabsGo's Jacob Fowler to #ALLCAPS' Ryan Leonard and #Smashville's Aiden Fink, there's a lot to keep an eye on this weekend:https://t.co/fGJ0zAlDzy

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) March 25, 2025​

• Ellis joined the guys on Daily Faceoff Live on Tuesday and provided a mock of the first ten picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Here’s how his top ten played out. I like it.

• The Washington Capitals locked up defenseman Jakob Chychrun with an eight-year, $72 million contract extension ($9M AAV).

• We now know who will be the next President and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Now let’s see if Mr. Dinsmore can do anything about getting Steve Larmer inducted…

Hockey Hall of Fame Chair, Lanny McDonald announces new President and CEO after 5-month search. Jamie Dinsmore will assume the role as of July 1, 2025 replacing Jeff Denomme who was President since 1998. https://t.co/3kBjC8Ktrs pic.twitter.com/10508ubkLT

— Kelly Masse (@KellyHockeyHall) March 25, 2025​

• Alex Ovechkin scored again last night. He’s now five goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. The Blackhawks visit the Capitals on Friday, April 4.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 36th goal of the season and the 889th of his career to move within six goals of passing Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/iTw1V31JpG

— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) March 26, 2025

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• Cam Smith made the Astros’ roster to start the season and the way they informed him of the decision hit me square in the soul. Beautiful moment.

• Ladies and gentlemen, the Chicago Bulls are on an actual, legitimate heater right now.

• Russell Wilson is signing with the… New York Giants?

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...ovechkin-5-away-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks 3, Devils 5 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

“Please allow me to introduce myself… I’m a man of wealth and taste.” The Blackhawks and Devils might have had dinner reservations after the early puck drop because the first period flew by. In the span of 27 seconds in the first, the Blackhawks allowed an even strength goal, took a penalty and allowed a power play goal (three seconds into the Devils’ advantage). The Hawks scored seven seconds into their power play in the first and took a 2-1 deficit to the first intermission. Shots were only 7-5 favoring the visitors after 20 minutes.

“Made damn sure that Pilate… washed his hands and sealed his fate,” The teams swapped goals early in the second period and then it appeared the Blackhawks had tied the game at three on a Ryan Donato redirect. A review determined he tipped it with a high stick, taking the goal off the board. An absolute horsesh** power play for New Jersey wound up with another goal because of course (see my thoughts with video of the play in question in the takeaways below).

“So if you meet me, have some courtesy… have some sympathy, and some taste.” The third period felt a lot like two teams accepted the outcome after 40 minutes and were ready to get to those dinner reservations. The Blackhawks made it interesting late in the period when they pulled the goalie with four minutes left, but another empty net goal sealed the deal for the Devils.

Star 1: Tyler Bertuzzi​

This first period marker on the power play gives Bertuzzi 20 goals for the season.

#Blackhawks are on the board on the power play

Tyler Bertuzzi
Ryan Donato, Artyom Levshunov

pic.twitter.com/cu5zXouHf9

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 26, 2025

Star 2: Frank Nazar​

Nazar scored this goal to cut the lead to one late in the third period.

#Blackhawks within one

Frank Nazar
Artyom Levshunov, Connor Bedard

pic.twitter.com/wiB2lNr3mC

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 27, 2025

Star 3: Artyom Levshunov​

Levshunov was freelancing like crazy in the first period. And watching Wyatt Kaiser try to figure where he was going and what he was doing defensively was as entertaining as it was uncomfortable. Levshunov was feeling it, clearly, but he was also chasing a lot and his partner was left to figure out the rest. He picked up a second assist on Nazar’s goal late in the third and would have had a third if Donato’s goal counted.

Key Takeaways​

• If you want a video to present to the league when asking WTF Connor Bedard has to do to get a call, I present Simon Nemec crosschecking the crap out of him nowhere near the puck. And the only penalty called here was on Landon Slaggert for coming to Bedard’s defense.

The only penalty here was on the #Blackhawks Slaggert

pic.twitter.com/bqwXYNXCqh

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) March 27, 2025

• The reaction from the Blackhawks coaches to the only penalty being called on this play being on Slaggert: crickets. Even Eddie Olczyk in the TNT booth appalled the Chicago bench did nothing about being the side that was left short-handed in this situation. That’s not good enough. If/When your highest profile player is getting roughed up and never gets a call, someone has to say something. I can tell you without question Luke Richardson wouldn’t have put his hands in his pockets and turned his attention the penalty kill immediately…

Here’s Ilya Mikheyev‘s goal from the second period:

#Blackhawks back within one

Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teravainen, Nick Foligno

pic.twitter.com/vF7XB6oTlW

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 27, 2025

• The first goal for New Jersey was simply a gorgeous play Luke Hughes. He made another nice play for a second assist on their second goal… and a third assist on the Devils’ fourth goal. Because he’s good at the hockeys.

• Bedard picked up an assist on the Nazar goal.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...ckhawks-3-devils-5-three-stars-key-takeaways/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Call Up Kevin Korchinski

I included in my bullets this morning a report from Frank Seravalli on the Blackhawks’ pregame show on Wednesday in which he said the Blackhawks were going to call up defenseman Kevin Korchinski “soon” to gets some run in the NHL.

That “soon” is today. The Blackhawks have recalled Korchinski to the NHL with ten games left in the regular season.

HI KEVIN@Enterprise | ➡︎ https://t.co/PfTx0KlINF pic.twitter.com/TGsXKpq2FH

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 27, 2025

Korchinski has already appeared in nine NHL games with the Hawks this season. He has 27 points in 54 games for Rockford and represented the IceHogs in the AHL All-Star events, where he was named the MVP.

It’s noteworthy that Korchinski was not recalled on an emergency basis, so the Blackhawks have used all four of their call-ups since the trade deadline. They sent down and called back Ethan Del Mastro and Colton Dach to make them eligible for the AHL playoffs on the deadline day and recalled Artyom Levshunov previously.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/03/27/blackhawks-call-up-kevin-korchinski/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

UMass Stuns Minnesota, Decision Time for Blackhawks Prospects Rinzel and Moore

If you stayed up late enough to watch the late game on the NCAA hockey schedule on Thursday night, you saw an incredibly frustrating night implode for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. And that means it’s now time for a couple important Blackhawks prospects to make decisions about their futures.

Blackhawks prospects Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel both had a primary assist in the 5-4 overtime loss. They will now both of the option of turning pro, and could potentially play in the NHL as soon as Sunday.

Rinzel was named the Big Ten’s Defenseman of the Year and Moore helped lead USA Hockey to a second consecutive gold medal at the World Junior Championship this season. A lot of people would love to see them at the UC as soon as possible. And, now, the clock is ticking for either/both of them to sign and join the Blackhawks in the NHL.

(Again, I have heard some buzz lately that Moore could return for a junior season. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with the Blackhawks here.)

Minnesota took a 3-1 lead to the third period. But the Gophers’ starting goaltender, Liam Souliere, had an equipment issue and the refs wouldn’t give him time to fix it; they forced Minnesota to put in their backup. Nathan Airey came in and the wheels started to come off for Minnesota. The next thing you know, the game is tied at three. And then UMass had a 4-3 lead.

Minnesota’s bench felt like there were a few missed calls in regulation that didn’t go their way. After they wanted a tripping call as UMass took the lead, Minnesota came back and scored the game-tying goal. Moore was credited with an assist on that goal from Jimmy Snuggerud.

In overtime, Minnesota felt like there was another missed tripping call. UMass took the puck after that no call and immediately went down and scored the game-winning goal.

It was a heartbreaking loss for sure. We’ll see if either/both of the Blackhawks prospects sign in the coming days and we get to see them before the end of the NHL regular season.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...me-for-blackhawks-prospects-rinzel-and-moore/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Rockford Mafia, Korchinski, Crevier, NCAA and OHL Playoff Updates, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I asked a poorly worded question of Frank Nazar after a game earlier this year that resulted in a running joke about the “Rockford Mafia” in the Blackhawks’ room this season. But it’s undeniable at this point that the youth movement is taking over the NHL roster.

Of the players expected to play for the Blackhawks in tonight’s game against the Golden Knights, six skaters — Nazar, Landon Slaggert, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov — have appeared in a game for the IceHogs this season. And that’s with two more, Colton Dach (hurt) and Louis Crevier (scratch?) watching from the press box. A freshly recalled Korchinski talked about the IceHogs in the room after his first practice back in the NHL on Thursday (shoutout to Phil Thompson for the video).

“It feels kind of like Rockford up here.”

—Kevin Korchinski on having several former IceHogs teammates for his recall to the Chicago Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/7X4kuXFrxI

— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) March 27, 2025

• Here’s what interim head coach Anders Sorensen had to say about Korchinski’s development this year on Thursday afternoon:

• Speaking of Crevier, really good story on him from Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday. He isn’t perfect; he also isn’t a finished product. But the fact that he’s carved out a role in the NHL at this point in his career is really impressive when you consider where his pro journey started.

Louis Crevier waited an excruciating *seven hours* at a 2020 draft watch party before the Blackhawks picked him.

"I’ll remember that day for a long time."

Now, against all odds, the 188th pick has become an NHL regular.

New feature: https://t.co/zFrD7fKGtQ

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 27, 2025​

• Another note since we’re talking about all of these young guys on the NHL roster and there are still people sliding into the comments here and on social media to complain about the Blackhawks taking on Shea Weber’s contract. What do all of these prospects/young players have in common? They’re on their entry-level contracts, which means all of their cap hits are under $1 million. If the Blackhawks are going to have between 6-8 players making around $1 million against the cap for the next 1-5 years as the next wave(s) of prospects come up, they still need to get to the floor. I would rather have Weber’s contract helping out than a terrible deal with too much term that eats a spot on the active roste.

• Because it bears repeating: No. The Blackhawks should not entertain the idea of bringing Torts in as the next permanent head coach. That’s a hard pass, folks.

Hey, it's the 28th of the month! Which means it's a great time to remind the #Blackhawks that they need to #Retire28

(Sorry, Colton Dach… y'all need a new number) pic.twitter.com/wmHKoim9Hr

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 28, 2025​

Blackhawks Prospect Playoff Updates — NCAA​

• In the NCAA playoffs’ first day, Boston University finished strong to blow out Ohio State — though the Buckeyes outplayed the Terriers by a wide margin in the first period. After the two teams scored three goals in 42 seconds late in the second period (and Ohio State missed taking a 4-3 lead by one tenth of a second at the end of the period), BU scored five unanswered goals in the third to win 8-3. Blackhawks prospect Ryan Greene had two assists and won 7 of 13 faceoffs in the game. Boston University will play Cornell on Saturday after they upset Michigan State.

• In the late game — laaaate because Western Michigan went into a second overtime to beat Minnesota State — the Gophers faced a tough UMass squad. Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore each had a primary assist, but their seasons ended in heartbreak in overtime. Now, we’ll have to wait to see if they sign and report to the Blackhawks in the coming days.

UMass Stuns Minnesota, Decision Time for #Blackhawks Prospects Rinzel and Moore https://t.co/KJD9CnHEyT

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 28, 2025​

• On the Road to the Frozen Four, we’ve got one game to watch this afternoon. Aidan Thompson and the defending champion Denver Pioneers take on John Mustard, Taige Harding and Providence at 4:30 PM CT on ESPN+.

Blackhawks Prospect Playoff Updates — OHL​

• Last night was also the first night of the OHL playoffs, and the Blackhawks had some players in action there as well. Erie and Saginaw were tied at zero for 24 minutes… and then the Otters scored seven goals in a little under 10 minutes of game time. Saginaw fought back, scoring the game’s final four goals in an 8-5 Erie victory. Martin Misiak scored the seventh goal for Erie.

• In the other OHL game of note for Blackhawks fans last night, AJ Spellacy had one assist and won 8 of 17 faceoffs as Windsor also had a huge offensive night. They beat the Soo Greyhounds 7-3.

• There are three games to keep an eye on tonight in the OHL and they all start at 7 PM CT. Jack Pridham and Kitchener host Flint, Nick Lardis, Marek Vanacker and Brantford host North Bay and Alex Pharand and Subury visit Kingston.

• Finally, mad respect for Alex Ovechkin. He’s on his way to making history, within smelling distance of one of the most prestigious records in the sport. But last night was the last time he played against a goaltender he’s seen in so many incredible battles of the years, and he made sure his teammates showed some respect to Marc-André Fleury. Ovi skated over and called a few guys back out to the ice who were half way to the room.

Legend recognize legend

Alex Ovechkin brought the Capitals back onto the ice to shake hands with Marc-André Fleury in their last matchup pic.twitter.com/UMnhZ2pptM

— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2025

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• Josh Giddey hit a half-court buzzer beater to finish off a wild sequence in the closing seconds to beat the Lakers last night at the United Center.

• Hey! We’re hosting our first Cubs watch party of the new year! Save the date.

• I absolutely slid into the Bears group chat hyped about a new mock draft on ESPN.com yesterday. It would be a Bears fan’s dream!

Holy crap this photo https://t.co/gNPip48Pa3

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 28, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...playoff-updates-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks 3, Golden Knights 5 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

There was a really good crowd at the United Center tonight right from the jump — and that was before Ed Belfour handled the goal horn to get the game started. After a loud anthem, the Blackhawks came out and limited the Golden Knights to five shots on net in the opening 20 minutes (and that’s with the Blackhawks only blocking one shot in the period).

And then the second period started (with the Blackhawks short-handed). The Hawks gave up two goals — and their lead — in 52 seconds early in the second. Which sucks, right?

Then Ryan Donato scored twice in 15 seconds — yes, I said 15 seconds! — to complete a hat trick, give him 28 goals for the season and give the Blackhawks the lead back. Can I get a hell yeah?

Unfortunately, Vegas tied the game 2:06 into the third period and, once again, we had a ballgame on our hands. With a little more than three minutes left, Vegas took a 4-3 lead with a power play goal from Pavel Dorofeyev. The Blackhawks pulled Spencer Knight for an offensive zone faceoffs with 108 seconds left in regulation.

Star 1: Ryan Donato​

Donato was buzzing in the first period; he was the only Blackhawks skater credited with more than one shot on net (the Blackhawks had six as a team). He collected his own rebound and scored the game’s first goal. And then he went off and score twice in short order to give the Blackhawks the lead back in the second period.

Donato is the second Blackhawks player with three consecutive multi-point games this season, joining Teuvo Teräväinen. And this was the first hat trick of his NHL career.

#Blackhawks score first

Ryan Donato
Ethan Del Mastro, Ilya Mikheyev

pic.twitter.com/mCLdvmvt2H

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 29, 2025

Ryan Donato’s second of the night for the #Blackhawks

Ryan Donato
Joe Veleno, Wyatt Kaiser

pic.twitter.com/CvzdtZ0vTl

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 29, 2025

Ryan Donato’s THIRD of the night gives the #Blackhawks the lead!

Ryan Donato
Ilya Mikheyev, Connor Bedard

pic.twitter.com/0lMpRkj2Xx

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 29, 2025

Star 2: Wyatt Kaiser​

Kaiser is playing like a guy who doesn’t want to be a healthy scratch if/when Sam Rinzel signs his ELC. He was playing a fast, physical, confident game tonight. Really liked what he brought to the ice.

Star 3: Ethan Del Mastro​

Hit that video above one more time and check the stretch pass from Del Mastro to spring Donato on the breakaway. I’m going to be so bold as to say that was Seabrook-esque. Love it. Del Mastro was also credited with one shot on net, one hit and one takeaway in the first period.

Key Takeaways​

• Ilya Mikheyev had assists on two of Donato’s goals, giving him 14 assists and 31 points this season. His career high is 32 points.

• Kevin Korchinski skated a team-high 7:46 in the first period. He was skating well, but took a chance and tried for a poke check on the play that ultimately ended with Vegas’ second goal in the second period. Learning moments will still happen, folks, and that was one for Korchinski. He finished the night with two shots on goal, one block and one hit.

• At the end of the second period, five of the six Blackhawks defensemen had skated between 13-14 minutes (all under 14). The only one under 13 minutes: Alex Vlasic. Man… if the Hawks can spread the ice time like that for a while? (Oh, and they’re doing it against a really good Vegas team.) Here’s the ice time thru 40 minutes:

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...golden-knights-5-three-stars-key-takeaways-2/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Draft Picks Already Impacting NHL Roster (and More to Come!)

Since taking over as the permanent general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, Kyle Davidson has overseen three NHL draft classes: 2022, 2023 and 2024 (thus far). With two more top prospects joining the list on Saturday, the Blackhawks have already signed 13 players selected by Davidson’s regime.

All 13 signed players were among the 21 players Davidson drafted in the first three rounds of his three draft classes. Of the remaining seven players selected by the Blackhawks in the first three rounds, five played college hockey this year (two — Ryan Greene and Aidan Thompson — are still actively playing in the NCAA tournament and could sign soon) and another (Jack Pridham) is heading to college next year.

What’s more, with Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel slated to make their NHL debuts against Utah on Sunday, they will make seven of the eight first-round picks under Davidson to appear in an NHL game already. The only first-round pick to not appear in an NHL game before the end of this season: Sacha Boisvert, who is among the group playing college hockey.

Here’s how Davidson’s three draft classes stack up with which prospects have signed.

2022 Blackhawks Draft Class​

1 – 7 — Kevin Korchinski – signed
1 – 13 — Frank Nazar – signed
1 – 25 — Sam Rinzel – signed
2 – 39 — Paul Ludwinski – signed
2 – 57 — Ryan Greene
3 – 66 — Gavin Hayes – signed
3 – 81 — Samuel Savoie – signed
3 – 90 — Aidan Thompson
6 – 173 — Dominic James
6 – 188 — Nils Juntorp – traded
7 – 199 — Riku Tohila

2023 Blackhawks Draft Class​

1 – 1 — Connor Bedard – signed
1 – 19 — Oliver Moore – signed
2 – 35 — Adam Gajan
2 – 44 — Roman Kantserov
2 – 55 — Martin Misiak – signed
3 – 67 — Nick Lardis – signed
3 – 93 — Jiri Felcman
4 – 99 — Alex Pharand
5 – 131 — Marcel Marcel – AHL contract
6 – 167 — Milton Oscarson
7 – 195 — Janne Peltonen

2024 Blackhawks Draft Class​

1 – 2 — Artyom Levshunov – signed
1 – 18 — Sacha Boisvert
1 – 27 — Marek Vanacker – signed
3 – 67 — John Mustard
3 – 72 — AJ Spellacy – signed
3 – 92 — Jack Pridham
5 – 138 — Joel Svensson
6 – 1363 — Ty Henry

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...lready-impacting-nhl-roster-and-more-to-come/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

OFFICIAL: Blackhawks Sign Sam Rinzel, Oliver Moore

There it is: the Blackhawks have signed both of their Minnesota prospects. Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel are both signing entry-level contracts and will make their NHL debuts in the coming days (Frank Seravalli is reporting on Sunday against Utah!).

welcome to Chicago, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel

Moore and Rinzel agree to terms ➡︎ https://t.co/GMF2tvn0kI pic.twitter.com/Wu1F14fatt

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 29, 2025

Moore, the 19th overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, was part of the first group to win back-to-back World Junior Championship gold for USA Hockey. He produced 33 points in 38 games as a sophomore after putting up 33 points in 39 games as a freshman. He was named to Big Ten All-Rookie Team.

The #blackhawks signed ‘23 #19 pick F Oliver Moore to 3 year ELC starting now

Yr 1 830K Base, 95K signing bonus, 25K GP bonus
Yr 2 855/95/600K A Bonus
Yr 3 855/95/600K

Cap hit $942K, AAV $1.34M

Rep’d by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/USJP8JY9E1

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 29, 2025

Rinzel, the 25th overall selection in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, was named the Big Ten’s Defenseman of the Year. Rinzel was one of the most productive defensemen in the country this season, scoring 10 goals with 22 assists in 40 games. His development curve has been incredibly impressive since he was drafted as a project and looks like an impact player soon in the NHL.

The #blackhawks are signing ‘22 #25 pick D Sam Rinzel to 3 year ELC starting now

Yr 1 830K Base, 95K signing bonus, 25K GP bonus
Yr 2 855/95/500K A Bonus
Yr 3 855/95/750K

Cap hit $942K, AAV $1.363M

Rep’d @VeritasHockey

1st on signing @frank_seravallihttps://t.co/1NuiruQdUR

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 29, 2025

Scott Powers is reporting Moore could be in the Blackhawks’ lineup as soon as Sunday when the Blackhawks host Utah.

#Blackhawks possible blue line next year:

Vlasic (6-6) – Levshunov (6-2)
Del Mastro (6-4) – Rinzel (6-5)
Korchinski (6-1) – Murphy (6-4)

Ages next year?

24 – 20
22 – 21
21 – 32

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) March 29, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/03/29/blackhawks-signing-sam-rinzel-oliver-moore/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks vs Utah — Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Well, this game got a whole lot more attention from Blackhawks fans on Saturday morning when the team signed top prospects Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel — and announced they’ll make their NHL debuts this afternoon! As you can see in their new photos, Moore will wear the same No. 11 he did at Minnesota and Rinzel will move to No. 6… which was last “officially” assigned to Blackhawks legend Shea Weber.

Note: Connor Murphy didn’t skate on Saturday (maintenance) so we’ll have to update the lineup with the defensive pairs after interim head coach Anders Sorensen talks to the media this afternoon before the game. But expect both Moore and Rinzel to be in the lineup.

Broadcast Info​

Puck Drop: 3:00 PM CT
TV / Streaming: Chicago Sports Network (if/where available)
Radio: WGN 720 AM

Expected Lineups​

Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Donato — Connor Bedard — Frank Nazar
Teuvo Teräväinen — Nick Foligno — Ilya Mikheyev
Oliver Moore — Joe Veleno — Tyler Bertuzzi
Landon Slaggert — Lukas Reichel — Pat Maroon

Alex Vlasic — Artyom Levshunov
Kevin Korchinski — Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser — Sam Rinzel

Arvid Söderblom

Utah Hockey Club

Clayton Keller — Logan Cooley — Dylan Guenther
Nick Schmaltz — Barrett Hayton — Kailer Yamamoto
Lawson Crouse — Jack McBain — Shane Doan’s son
Alex Kerfoot — Kevin Stenlund — Nick Bjugstad

Mikhail Sergachev — John Marino
Ian Cole — Sean Durzi
Olli Maatta — Michael Kesselring

Karel Vejmelka

Injury Report​

Chicago Blackhawks​

• Laurent Brossoit (knee) is on IR. Jason Dickinson‘s season is over (wrist). Colton Dach (left elbow), Alec Martinez (hip) are out.

Utah Hockey Club

• Robert Bortuzzo is on IR. Connor Ingram and Liam O’Brien are out.

What to Watch For​

• Oliver Moore.

• Sam Rinzel.

• The rest of the young Blackhawks. And Donato’s push to 30 goals.

Get Caught Up​

#Blackhawks Signing Sam Rinzel, Oliver Moorehttps://t.co/ZEBC7di8th

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 29, 2025

#Blackhawks power-play units:

PP1: Bedard, Teravainen, Donato (bumper), Bertuzzi (net front), Levshunov

PP2: Nazar, Reichel, Maroon, Korchinski, Rinzel pic.twitter.com/90nj0Wbv0j

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 29, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...vs-utah-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread-2/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks 2, Utah 5 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The first period came and went without a score. After taking their bucketless rookie laps before the game, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel took the ice and looked as comfortable as possible playing in their first NHL games. Rinzel was on the second power play unit (with Kevin Korchinski). At the end of 20 minutes, they were each credited with two shots on goal — tied for the team high.

It took more than eight minutes into the second period for either team to score, and it was Utah that got on the board first. That lead lasted less than three minutes before the Blackhawks tied the game. Chicago took a 2-1 lead but then allowed two goals in 31 seconds late in the period to find themselves chasing again.

Utah extended their lead to two 11 minutes into the third period. Two minutes later they scored again and it was a three-goal deficit with seven minutes to play.

Star 1: Sam Rinzel​

Rinzel led all defenseman, skating 13:47 thru two periods with a team-high four shots on net and two hits. During many of his shifts, Rinzel was arguably the dangerous offensive threat on the ice in red. He was really impressive this evening.

What a sequence for Sam Rinzel. The spin move at the blue line!? Two high quality shots!! pic.twitter.com/7X8Y5YzJ3k

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) March 30, 2025

Star 2: Frank Nazar​

Nazar was once again buzzing all over the ice. He had a breakaway change get rejected and had a couple other good looks at the net. He attacked as frequently as any Blackhawks forward in the game and won better than half of his faceoff attempts.

Star 3: Ryan Donato​

Donato scored his 29th goal of the year cleaning up the loose change left behind on a really good attack from Connor Bedard. He continues to be in the right place at the right time and make it count.

#Blackhawks take a 2-1 lead

Ryan Donato
Connor Bedard

pic.twitter.com/KmA3alRgXX

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 30, 2025

Key Takeaways​

• Way too much passing from the established NHL guys — including Bedard. Creating chances like the one Donato cashed in aren’t hard when you have as much speed and skill as the Blackhawks do right now… unless you don’t shoot the puck.

• Here’s Joe Veleno‘s goal from the second period (assists to Artyom Levshunov and Nick Foligno):

#Blackhawks tie the game at one

Joe Veleno
Artyom Levshunov, Nick Foligno

pic.twitter.com/AjS9jEGB5P

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 30, 2025

• Four Blackhawks put a team-high two shots on goal in the first period: Moore, Rinzel, Nazar and Bedard. The three Blackhawks tied for the team lead with four shots on goal after two periods: Bedard, Nazar and Rinzel.

• Moore skated 4:35 with two shots on goal in the first period. Rinzel skated 6:26 with two shots on goal and one hit in the first. They were two of four Blackhawks skaters with Corsi For and Shots For percentages over 50 percent in the first period at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick). They did not look overwhelmed, scared or in any way worried. The other two skaters over 50 percent in both: Bedard and Wyatt Kaiser.

• I thought Landon Slaggert had a very good game. He was always around the puck. The numbers for his line were ugly at 5-on-5 but I liked his game.

• In the middle stages of the second period, Alex Vlasic went into the boards hard and appeared to be in a lot of pain on the ice. He hopped to his feet and was able to get to the room and returned before the end of the period, however.

• Arvid Söderblom wasn’t great.

• With all of the new speed and skill on the roster, I noted in the middle of the third period that Lukas Reichel was a ghost. For most of his career in Chicago he’s been the best/fastest skater. That isn’t the case any more, and there really doesn’t appear to be anything special happening there. Reichel put one shot on net and didn’t mark anything else in the box score except going 0-1 in the faceoff circle. His best moment came on a power play rush with two minutes left in regulation and the Hawks chasing three goals.

• Jack McBain got all of Rinzel behind the Blackhawks’ net late in the second period and then got a big piece of Kaiser a second later. So Pat Maroon turned on the dance music and dropped his gloves. Here’s the fight.

Jack McBain puts a big hit on Sam Rinzel so Pat Maroon jumps in and drops the gloves pic.twitter.com/wC489zkF08

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) March 30, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...ckhawks-2-utah-5-three-stars-key-takeaways-2/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Prospect Sacha Boisvert Enters the Transfer Portal

Big news in the college world on Monday morning involving one of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. Sacha Boisvert, one of the Blackhawks’ first-round picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, has entered the transfer portal and intends to leave North Dakota.

Boisvert was named the NCHC Rookie of the Year after leading North Dakota with 18 goals and 32 points in 37 games. He is reportedly one of three North Dakota forwards to enter the transfer portal.

This news comes the day after North Dakota named Dane Jackson their new permanent head coach on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see where Boisvert lands and if the Blackhawks have any influence in the decision. Obviously the Blackhawks have ties to a number of universities in recent drafts and with their current NHL roster, especially in the Big Ten. The Blackhawks had five Big Ten products — Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State), Frank Nazar (Michigan), Landon Slaggert (Notre Dame) and Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel (Minnesota) — in their lineup on Sunday.

The Blackhawks have also had multiple players/prospects at Boston University (Ryan Greene is one of their current captains, Alex Vlasic went there and Jack Pridham will be there next year) and Providence (John Mustard, Taige Harding and Connor Kelley were there this year) in Hockey East and Minnesota-Duluth (Wyatt Kaiser and Dominic James) in the NCHC.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...ct-sacha-boisvert-enters-the-transfer-portal/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

It’s OK to be Optimistic About the Blackhawks (Really, I Promise, It Is!)

This June will mark ten years since the third championship of the Blackhawks’ dynasty team was won (even if you wouldn’t know if from the complete absence of mentions from the organization this year).

If we don’t count the COVID bubble — which most people don’t — as an actual playoff appearance, it’s been eight years since the Blackhawks qualified for the postseason. And that 2015 Stanley Cup championship is the last time the Chicago Blackhawks made it past the first round of the playoffs.

It’s been a minute since the Blackhawks were the top of the heap in the NHL.

There have been moments where we felt like the Blackhawks could become a thing again. Artemi Panarin’s arrival and Patrick Kane’s MVP season were fun. Alex DeBrincat eventually replacing Panarin on Kane’s wing and the chemistry those two developed was exciting. Having high picks in the draft and using them on players like Kirby Dach got the fan base’s attention.

None of it got the Blackhawks anywhere closer to a championship.

For years, Blackhawks fans have been sold on the idea prospects were going to change the trajectory of the franchise. Well, when there were fans to sell an idea. A reminder: when Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook began their NHL careers in October of 2005, the Blackhawks averaged the second-lowest attendance in the NHL (under 14,000 per game). There were a lot of nights that the Hawks didn’t get to a fifth digit on the butts in seats. There weren’t a lot of Blackhawks fans in this fine city.

So when we were told that Kane and Jonathan Toews were going to change everything, there was understandable skepticism. But they showed up and looked the part. And the ship started to change direction. And people started to show up — but the Blackhawks still averaged under 17,000 per night during the rookie season for 19 and 88. And that number went up as the season went on and the two youngsters showed they belonged.

Since then, we’ve been told a lot of prospects were going to hit. Hell, I’ve been one of those who have been excited about the potential of guys like Dylan Olsen and Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin and (as painful as it is for me to say) Ian Mitchell. The guys who did hit? Traded away before they did much for the Blackhawks. The guys we were told would be the new faces? Too many never hit.

This isn’t exclusively a Blackhawks issue in Chicago.

How many quarterbacks have the Bears cycled thru? There’s still cynicism about Caleb Williams’ future because we’ve heard it before.

The Cubs won a World Series in 2016 but my grandma lived a long, wonderful life and didn’t get to see that. She spent her whole life being told it was going to be next year. And it feels like we’re back in a cycle of “prove it and then I’ll believe it” with the Cubs.

The Bulls? They were great with the greatest player the game has ever seen. Since then? Great moments, for sure. But injuries blew out any hopes of getting back to the top of the mountain for them, too.

How many rebuilds have the White Sox sold us on? They felt like there were close to doing something before they brought Tony LaRussa back from his display at the Field Museum to manage the team.

Chicago has seen this whole song and dance about drafting a winner before. Though it worked for the Blackhawks and Cubs, this is absolutely a What Have You Done For Me Lately city. It’s been almost a full decade since either of those building projects paid dividends.

Which is what made me want to write this today.

Sunday night, the Blackhawks lost a game. They made some mistakes that cost them goals and another team that isn’t in the playoff picture beat them soundly.

But there was a palpable excitement in the building. Two young players made their NHL debuts and were noticeably good. Sam Rinzel looked like he belonged skating 20 minutes per night from his first shift in the NHL. Oliver Moore didn’t look timid or out of place against NHL competition whatsoever. They looked like NHL players.

When Kyle Davidson took over as the general manager of the Blackhawks, he told us he was going to tear this thing down to the studs and rebuild from scratch. And he’s done precisely that, painfully trading away players a lot of fans liked and moving on from the two centerpieces of the last time this method paid off for the organization, Kane and Toews.

It’s been three long, hard NHL seasons since he started tearing it down. And we’ve watched as the Blackhawks hoarded draft picks like guys in their 40s buying baseball cards during the pandemic.

Every summer, we’ve read national analysts give the Blackhawks a good draft grade and talk about how impressed they are with the talent and (especially) the speed the Blackhawks are collecting in the pipeline.

But that Chicago skepticism remains.

Show me.

I noted in my Monday morning bullets that we have now seen 12 players make their NHL debut over the past two seasons. The Blackhawks skated five defensemen who were 23 and under on Sunday night. And they dressed five forwards who haven’t celebrated their 23rd birthday yet.

And, though there are learning moments and mistakes that are made by every one of these young players, most of them have looked like they belong in the NHL almost immediately after getting the call. Some of them look like they could become difference makers. And a few look like they might even become stars in the league.

The Blackhawks looked fast last night. Did they always know where to go and what to do? Not always. That will come with experience.

They moved the puck quickly. Decisively? Not always. That will come with experience. On target? Not always. That will come with experience.

When the first wave of the Blackhawks’ dynasty made their starts in the NHL 20 — yes, twenty — years ago, they did it in front of a half-empty and apathetic building. Their mistakes happened without social media to over-scrutinize and micro manage every shift. And without fans watching their every move.

That generation of Blackhawks turned the United Center into a place to be when there was an NHL game on the calendar. This rebuild project does not have the luxury of doing it quietly and nearly anonymously because of the success of those great, future Hall of Fame players.

But I’m here to get on my soap box and preach that it is actually okay to be excited about Blackhawks hockey again.

The playoffs aren’t going to happen this year, and they might (probably won’t) not next year. But the early returns on Davidson’s drafting has been impressive. And, unlike so many prospects over the years, these guys look like legitimate NHL-caliber players who can make a significant impact and help the organization climb back to the championship mix.

The project isn’t done. The building is not complete. There are more prospects to come up and develop and make their mistakes and learn in front of us in the NHL. But it’s really is okay to not be immediately dismissive of where things are going with the Blackhawks. Maybe, just maybe, the front office knows that its doing. And maybe, just maybe, this rebuild is going to make the Blackhawks something special once again.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...-about-the-blackhawks-really-i-promise-it-is/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Sign Defenseman Taige Harding

On Tuesday morning the Blackhawks announced the team has agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with left-handed defenseman Taige Harding.

everyone say hi Taige!

Harding agrees to terms ➡︎ https://t.co/3qprfsNgMh pic.twitter.com/G3ztbXoPlg

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 1, 2025​

Harding, 23, will join the IceHogs on an ATO for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. His ELC runs through the 2026-27 season and carries a $867,500 salary cap hit. The Blackhawks selected Harding in the third round (No. 91 overall) in the 2021 NHL draft and recently completed his senior season at Providence.

And for those on the “the Blackhawks need more size in the system” train…

For reference:

Bears EDGE Austin Booker: 6-6, 245#Blackhawks LHD prospect Taige Harding: 6-7, 235

— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) March 28, 2025​

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/04/01/blackhawks-sign-defenseman-taige-harding/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Murphy on Rinzel, Another New Line, Slaggert’s Approach, Vanacker the Hero, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I talked to Connor Murphy, the only Blackhawks defenseman over the age of 23 in the last game, what his first impressions were of Sam Rinzel from the bench. Murphy noted that he and Alex Vlasic are the only defensemen in the lineup right now who were on the ice for Opening Night. He told me that he liked how much Rinzel was communicating and how well he moved the puck.

“I thought he was really smooth and confident,” Murphy told me. “It was impressive. Some of the moves he was making, getting himself in scoring chances and getting involved in the play a lot. And for a big guy, he’s still young. He skates really well and he’s patient with the puck. It’s not easy to do that when you’re under fire in your first game and with a lot of nerves and excitement. It’s great to see that that’s his foundation and then he’ll be able to build on that. I think that’s really promising.”

• College Hockey News named their 2024-25 All-CHN Teams on Tuesday, and the Blackhawks were once again very well represented. Rinzel was named to the First Team and Sacha Boisvert, who is currently in the transfer portal, was named to the All Rookie Team.

• We saw a new line at practice on Tuesday. Oliver Moore is getting some run at center between Landon Slaggert and Lukas Reichel. After the skate interim head coach Anders Sorensen pointed out that Moore primarily played center at Minnesota this season so they want to put him there to get some experience. And he chuckled when asked what he hopes to see from that line. “Speed.” They’ll need some lines with giddyup tonight against the Avalanche.

• I really like the perspective from Slaggert in this piece from Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times. He’s always smiling and appears to be having the time of his life whenever he’s on the ice. While his stat line for the season in the NHL isn’t loaded, he’s always around the puck. I can see a lot of the things that have made Ryan Donato a success this season being things Slaggert could eventually do for this team. But doing those things require working on those areas of his game, and he knows what he needs to work on this summer.

Landon Slaggert is disappointed the Blackhawks' season is ending.

"I wish we had more time to keep going and keep improving."

But he's excited about his offseason plan. New story diving into his summer goals:https://t.co/SdiW9YZ2hm

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 1, 2025​

• The Blackhawks signed massive defenseman Taige Harding on Tuesday morning to a contract that begins next season, and he signed an ATO with Rockford for the rest of this season. Harding reported to the IceHogs already in time for practice yesterday and we got a look at him on the ice with his new teammates.

6’7 LHD defenseman Taige Harding breaks up a 2-on-1 with the long reach

He joins the IceHogs practice after signing his ELC with the @NHLBlackhawks https://t.co/sgck7skejV pic.twitter.com/xkYTRYxIlY

— Dana Grey (@DanaGrey0) April 1, 2025​

• Scott Powers unloaded his Blackhawks notebook on Tuesday morning. He mentioned the Blackhawks making an effort to sign Harding, which happened after he posted the piece. Two other prospects notes that stood out:

• “[Aidan] Thompson hadn’t made a decision on what he’ll do after the season and they’ll discuss it with the University of Denver once the season ends.” I will note that Thompson shares an agent — Kevin Magnuson — with Frank Nazar.

• “The Blackhawks will have no issue still burning the first year of Ryan Greene’s” ELC whenever his NCAA tournament ends.

20 thoughts on the Blackhawks https://t.co/EbXfRgXQCn

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 1, 2025

• In the OHL playoffs last night, Jack Pridham was credited with six shots on net but Kitchener was shutout 2-0 at Flint.

• Alex Pharand didn’t factor in the scoring as Sudbury lost 4-2 on home ice to Kingston.

• Martin Misiak had the primary assist on both Erie goals but the Otters lost 3-2 on home ice to Saginaw. He now has seven points (four goals, three assists) in his first three playoff games.

• In the fourth game featuring Blackhawks prospects, Brantford needed overtime to win 4-3 at North Bay. The hero in overtime: Marek Vanacker. He scored the second and fourth goals for the Bulldogs (both below) to earn the huge win. Nick Lardis had the second assist on the OT GWG.

Ewwwwww#BFD7 | #Blackhawks | #OHLPlayoffs https://t.co/xRn9yg1xfB pic.twitter.com/FoKdF0lnly

— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) April 2, 2025

VAN THE MAN!#BFD7 | #Blackhawks | #OHLPlayoffs https://t.co/xPreGK7A4Q pic.twitter.com/54nnjiswc3

— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) April 2, 2025

• Windsor visits Sault Ste. Marie tonight in Game 4 of their series. AJ Spellacy didn’t play in Game 3 so we’ll see if he’s available this evening.

MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter

• Seiya Suzuki hit an absolute bomb in the first inning last night.

• We got an update on the Bears’ stadium plans from president Kevin Warren.

• Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis (aka The Hinsdale Hammer) is a dude. He keeps showing flashes on both ends of the court.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...nacker-the-hero-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks vs Avalanche — Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Blackhawks host the Colorado Avalanche in our last late start game of the season (thanks, Turner). Expect the puck to drop somewhere around 8:50ish tonight. The Avs are seemingly comfortably in the third seed in the Central Division and are playing quite well. The Blackhawks are seemingly comfortably in the second seed in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery.

Any time you can watch MacKinnon and Makar it’s fun. Let’s see how the young Blackhawks matchup with one of the fastest teams in the league. This is a nice benchmark game against a team the Hawks are trying to emulate in their rebuild.

Broadcast Info​

Puck Drop: 8:30(ish) PM CT
TV / Streaming: TNT / truTV / MAX
Radio: WGN 720 AM

Expected Lineups​

Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Donato — Connor Bedard — Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teräväinen — Frank Nazar — Tyler Bertuzzi
Landon Slaggert — Oliver Moore — Lukas Reichel
Pat Maroon — Joe Veleno — Nick Foligno

Alex Vlasic — Sam Rinzel
Ethan Del Mastro — Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser — Artyom Levshunov

Spencer Knight

Colorado Avalanche

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta — Charlie Coyle — Ross Colton
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinksi
Keaton Middleton — Erik Johnson

Scott Wedgewood

Injury Report​

Chicago Blackhawks​

• Laurent Brossoit (knee) is on IR. Jason Dickinson‘s season is over (wrist). Colton Dach (left elbow), Alec Martinez (hip) are out.

Colorado Avalanche

• Tucker Poolman and Gabriel Landeskog are on IR. Josh Manson and Joel Kiviranta.

What to Watch For​

• I’ll be watching the new-look third line of Slaggert-Moore-Reichel tonight. The folks that have begged for Reichel to get a line with some speed have their wish granted.

• I’m also going to keep my eyes on Rinzel tonight. He looked really good in his first game in the NHL. It looks like he’s going to start with Vlasic tonight on the top pair. Could that be a tandem for the next 4-6 years?

• Let’s see Nazar get and finish a breakaway or two tonight. He’s due.

Get Caught Up​

Sorensen said he wants to give Oliver Moore a shot at center since he played center all year for Minnesota.

“There’s a lot of pace on that line. So we want to see them together and see how it goes.” https://t.co/H4JIqb7baj

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 1, 2025

#Blackhawks working on their power-play breakouts before practice after a rough performance in that area on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/B5wZ2pAVs7

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 1, 2025

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...alanche-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread-4/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Bedard Context, Foligno’s Buy-In, Coaching Search, Prospects Honored, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I want to open up our off day with a really intelligent discussion of where Connor Bedard is on his career path. Paul Pidutti at Daily Faceoff was one of the analysts who was really inflating Bedard’s tires before the season began, saying his “generational talent” could see him into 100-point territory. But he also put caveats on those comments back in the preseason that there were a lot of factors that go into that level of individual success.

As we’ve all seen, many of those factors have played out in a not-great to worst-case-scenario impact this season for Bedard. A coaching change, multiple slumps and constant changes of linemates have seen his production stay flat, if not slide the wrong direction this year. So when I saw Pidutti circle back with some analysis of the “disappointing sophomore season” Bedard is having, it got my attention.

This is a really good look at how Bedard might not be the “next Crosby/McDavid” because of the pages in the first two chapters of his career, but that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually become a superstar who produces at an incredibly high level. He cites Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Hughes as some good career comps at this point. I strongly encourage giving this a read.

#Blackhawks Connor Bedard's sophomore season has underwhelmed. The good news? He doesn't need to become the next McDavid overnight.

Today @DailyFaceoff: exploring the unpaved path to stardom for the 19-year-old phenom.https://t.co/YQK6SWMVWl

— Paul Pidutti (@AdjustedHockey) April 2, 2025​

• Really good column here from Mark Lazerus at The Athletic on Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno. He took on the unenviable task of wearing the C in Chicago after Jonathan Toews seriously, and continues to be committed to the process. He’s in a unique situation where he knows the Blackhawks return to relevance is likely going to come after his time here is over. But he’s still all-in. If he’s going to be an NHL coach at some point, he’s starting his resume now with the Blackhawks.

“I’d love to be here to reap the benefits, but it’s not about me at this point."

Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno could have spent his twilight years Cup-chasing. Instead, he's obsessively planting seeds in a garden he'll never get to see.

My column: https://t.co/6VXKR0UqYO

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 2, 2025​

• Jeff Marek at Daily Faceoff wrote a piece about the upcoming summer coaching searches around the NHL. And he focuses his piece on some names who might get the call to be first-time head coaches in the league with their next gig. A number of NCAA coaches are brought up who could be interesting, but his final few sentences got my attention for obvious reasons:

And then there’s David Carle, the winning machine. I’m told it would take a lot to get him to leave a great setup with Denver, but is there a team out there ready to make his accountant happy and bring in one of the best coaches in college hockey? Maybe a team loaded with young prospects. Could the Chicago Blackhawks make sense here?

• NHL Central Scouting will convene their end-of-season meeting today to put together the final rankings of the top North American skaters and goalies eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. Some good comments in this piece from Mike G. Morreale at NHL.com before those meetings take place about the top players in the draft — especially the forwards who would figure to immediately follow Matthew Schaefer in the final rankings (read: likely Blackhawks targets) — and a few sleepers.

2025 @NHL Draft: 5 questions entering NHL Central Scouting final meetings in Toronto https://t.co/chTfSgTcbP

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) April 2, 2025​

• The NHL and NHLPA broke bread on Tuesday and got to work on the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Everything appears to be in a very good place for this to get done fairly smoothly in the coming months. With the news that the league has a massive new TV deal in Canada, the money will be bigger that the two sides are splitting. And, with the next three salary cap figures already agreed to, it feels like the path is clear for the two sides to make it happen. This is great for the game.

NHL-NHLPA officially began CBA extension talks Tuesday. Gary Bettman had said at the GM meetings a few weeks ago that talks would begin this week, and they indeed have.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 2, 2025​

• Blackhawks prospect Victor Söderström has reportedly won the Börje Salming Trophy as the the top defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League. His rights were acquired from Utah at the trade deadline. He recorded 37 points in 49 regular-season games for Brynäs.

• How about some more footage of newly signed defenseman Taige Harding skating with the IceHogs? Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune was in Rockford and provided this clip. And, yes, he’s big.

So kind of the IceHogs to give Taige Harding a jersey with his number on it this time (just kidding). pic.twitter.com/WulSknjMgd

— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 2, 2025​

• Before we get to the OHL playoff action from last night and set you up for this evening, each team’s nominee for the Red Tilson Trophy — OHL Most Outstanding Player — were named on Wednesday. One Blackhawks prospect, Brantford’s Nick Lardis, is among the team representatives. Have to think Lardis and (potential future teammate) Michael Misa have really good chances of winning after their historic offensive seasons.

Who you voting for?

Presenting the 2024-25 nominees for the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the #OHL's Most Outstanding Player as voted by the League's accredited writers and broadcasters pic.twitter.com/vbps67YMQO

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 2, 2025​

• In the OHL playoffs, Windsor played at Sault Ste. Marie last night but AJ Spellacy was a scratch again.

• Tonight is a full slate of OHL postseason action for the Blackhawks prospects. Nick Lardis, Marek Vanacker and Brantford are at North Bay at 7 PM CT. Jack Pridham and Kitchener are at Flint at 7 PM CT. Martin Misiak, Ty Henry and Erie host Saginaw at 7 PM CT. And Alex Pharand and Sudbury host Kingston in the “late game” at 7:05 PM CT.

MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter

• Like Hansel, Seiya Suzuki is so hot right now.

• What does the future look like for the Bears at left tackle?

• The Bulls have clinched a play-in for the third-straight season. But is it different this time?

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...ospects-honored-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

Blackhawks Defensemen Learning From Mistakes is Part of the Process

When Blackhawks interim head coach Anders Sorensen announced Ethan Del Mastro would return to the lineup in place of Kevin Korchinski on Wednesday night, there were lots of fans complaining about the coach taking a young player out of the lineup.

There were other fans happily pointing out that “Korchinski isn’t ready” for the NHL yet. Almost celebrating him being a healthy scratch for a night against a good, veteran Colorado Avalanche team. He got bodied by Utah a few times in noticeable spots and fans were quick to point out he needs to add muscle.

The last few games, there have been a lot of questions about the power play and Artyom Levshunov struggling with quarterbacking the top unit. There was plenty of talk about whether the Blackhawks should send Levshunov back to Rockford before burning the first year of his contract for non-financial reasons. That ship has sailed.

After recent games, when the folks at Hockey Stat Cards post their GameScore Impact Cards, the tendency of many is to start at the bottom and work their way up. Last night, Sam Rinzel found himself near the bottom of the chart (though at least my eye test wouldn’t necessarily agree).

If we want to hyperfocus on individual moments and specific game performances, it’s easy to make a mountain out of the flaws of each of the Blackhawks’ young defensemen.

We need to remember something very, very simple: this is about learning. This is part of the process. The Blackhawks organization knows that. And they’re evaluating everything on the blue line right now.

Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

While many have also been quick to point out their opinions about Sorensen’s job as an NHL head coach, his roots are in player development. He’s also readily admitted that he speaks with the front office about his lineup and situational use with the front office daily. What he says is from that perspective. When Sorensen talks about his young defensemen, he points out the good and the bad. And he’s been fairly pointed with some of his comments recently.

• Postgame on Del Mastro returning to the lineup against the Avs on Wednesday night:

“I thought it was good. He handled it well. It’s not easy coming in and out as a young player. And to come up against a team like that I thought he did well.”

• Postgame on Rinzel after his NHL debut against Utah:

“His mentality of attacking off the blue line or just advancing pucks with his feet, those are attributes that — at this level — are really positive. To see that [in] a first game, that was pretty impressive.”

• On where Levshunov needs to improve before Wednesday’s game:

“The reaction to transition. If we’re on offense, how quickly do we get back and react on defense? Where are the threats coming from? And keep working in his gaps. He’s a good skater; we have to get him holding his gaps even more.”

• On what they’re looking for from Korchinski (before he was a healthy scratch Wednesday night):

“He’s calmed down, quieted down a little bit defensively… Still room for improvement, for sure. We want him to be able to utilize his positive attributes: his skating and his offensive abilities and finding more touches in those areas that we can get him involved. That’s the biggest thing.”

We need to keep in mind that Korchinski is 20, and he’s two games into his second recall this season. He has played 54 AHL games and 87 NHL games in his career.

We need to keep in mind that Levshunov is 19, and he’s 11 games into his NHL career. He appeared in 50 games in the AHL before making the move up to the NHL.

We need to keep in mind that Del Mastro is 22, and he’s appeared in 25 NHL games in his career. He has appeared in 111 AHL games since turning pro.

And we need to keep in mind that Rinzel is 20, and his college career ended one week ago tonight. He has played two professional games.

For the sake of this conversation I will point out that Duncan Keith was 22 when he made his NHL debut. After he was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NHL Draft, he appeared in 15 games at Michigan State, 37 games for Kelowna in the WHL and 154 games over two full seasons for Norfolk when they were the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate.

Keith became one of the better defensemen of his generation. He’s headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame. And he’s undoubtedly on the Mt. Rushmore of defensemen in Blackhawks history.

When he got to the NHL, it wasn’t pretty every night. He and Brent Seabrook had their bumps in the road. But they grew up together. And became cornerstones of the dynasty together.

Right now, we’re living thru the process with these young defensemen. Just because one of the young guys is a healthy scratch or has a less than stellar performance doesn’t mean they aren’t going to become a good player. Or that they should be traded this summer. It’s all just part of their individual journey.

The goal — and hope — is that the collection of young defensemen who are just now beginning their NHL journeys together will eventually get to the same place in their careers that Keith and Seabrook enjoyed. But it takes time to get to that level.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...earning-from-mistakes-is-part-of-the-process/

 

[Chicago Blackhawks]

WIN Two Club Tickets to the Blackhawks’ Home Finale!

Thanks to our newest partner, Ivy Hall, we are excited to give away TWO pairs of tickets to the Blackhawks’ home finale for the 2024-25 season on April 12 against the Winnipeg Jets.

Here’s what you’ll win:

• 2 Tickets to the BMO Club (all you can eat & drink)
• Parking Pass
• Signed copy of The Future: Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks’ New Era

Oh, and I will personally deliver the signed copy of the book!

And it’s so incredibly easy to win! All you have to do is click the link below, enter your email, and click send. That’s it! No purchase(s) necessary.

Two (2) winners will be announced on 4/10!

ENTER HERE​

* Must be 21 and over, located in the state of Illinois. Terms and conditions apply

More about our new partner at Ivy Hall:​

• Not only do they have the best prices in town, but they also have a best-in-state Charter Club Loyalty program. It’s free, and they give away concert tickets, have exclusive events, and special deals.
• Ivy Hall was the first Social Equity Dispensary to open in Illinois back in November 2022, and has ten locations (eight in the Chicagoland area, one in Peoria, and one in Edwardsville)
• They’ve hosted meet and greets with Jim McMahon, Ric Flair, and more. Plus they hold the record for the World’s Largest Infused Pizza. Lol.
• And they love sports and fitness – golf, perhaps, in particular: some days you walk into Ivy Hall and putt a golf ball at check out for an additional cannabis product for a penny!
• Ivy Hall is also a minority-majority-owned business, AND a veteran-owned business.

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/blac...o-club-tickets-to-the-blackhawks-home-finale/