Sometimes a writer will go into an offseason exercise with a formula you just have to admit has flaws. On Friday morning, published a piece that ranks NHL teams based on their on-ice improvement from last season. They ranked the Blackhawks 23rd in the league. I know! I was looking for them near the top of the list but I kept scrolling and scrolling… This was not including draft picks, though. And writer Dom Luszczyszyn began his comments about the Blackhawks by noting Chicago would have been top five in the league had he included Connor Bedard in the formula. He also knocks the additions of Corey Perry and Nick Folignoꦉ because of their matching $4 million cap hits, but acknowledged theꦐy were brought in for their off-ice presence as much as what they might bring on the ice.
I will counter with this (and you’ve read this from me previously): if you consider Perry and Foligno are going to replace two players from a list of Boris Katchouk, Reese Johnson, David Gust, Jujhar Khaira, MacKenzie Entwistle, Austin Wagner, Anders Bjork, etc, in the active lineup most nights — that upgrade is significant on the ice as well. Both players are capable of 12-15 goals.
I will also note the trade of Alex Nylander for Sam Lafferty barely moved the needle for anyone (even writers and fans in Chicago), but Lafferty developed into a player teams wanted at this past trade deadline. So let’s not write off Ryan Donato as simply a “nice depth piece.”
Today is the last chance for Blackhawks prospects to make a strong impression on USA Hockey’s coaching staff for this winter’s World Junior Championship. Two games are on the schedule. Let’s see if the boys can stay hot! Frank Nazar has been terrific, and Oliver Moore, Gavin Hayes and Sam Rinzel have also played well. It would be awesome if all four made the roster this year for the WJC tournament.
Earlier this week I talked about Blackhawks legend Dave Bolland picking up pickleball. Well, PBX also announced Patrick Sharp is going to play… when he can find free time from his responsibilities in the Flyers’ front office. Who wants to play doubles with me against Bolland and Sharp? Be advised: I need someone with a significantly better head of hair than mine if Sharpie’s going to be on the other side.
I would love for Chicago to host the World Junior Championships at some point. We’ve had the Frozen Four in the past decade (2017 — Denver won it that year) and are well overdue for an NHL All-Star Game (it’s been three decades, folks). I know we’ve been fortunate to have an abundance of outdoor games and the NHL Draft was here, but let’s get the WJC in town! With that being said, Seattle hosting the event would be great for the continued growth of the game in that city/region.
This is a tough blow for the Penguins as they try to get back into the postseason this year. Jake Guentzel is an important forward for them, and the team announced Friday that he had ankle surgery and will miss 12 weeks. By my math (counts on fingers and toes) that would have him being re-evaluated — not back in the lineup — after the first month of the regular season is in the books.
The Capitals handed Tom Wilson a seven-year extension on Friday morning. At $6.5 million AAV. Which is wild because Wilson turns 30 in March. Enforcers don’t age well, so having him locked-up at that number through his mid-30s is a bold strategy. Let’s see if it pays off.
The Mega Millions jackpot is ridiculous tonight. Are you in? And, if you win, would you consider becoming an owner of a sports team? I asked a couple questions on Twitter yesterday. I didn’t include the Blackhawks because I didn’t have enough available options in the major league portion of the polls, but the IceHogs? Maybe?
Last night the Bears checked one of their significant remaining boxes for the offseason, adding a really good pass rusher who was somehow still available on the open market. This is fabulous news!
Finally, since I love to talk about the Blackhawks winning trades a couple years after they took place (cough, Korchinski for DeBrincat, cough), let’s collectively enjoy this ridiculous catch from the kid the Cubs got from the Mets for two months of Javy Baez. I can’t wait to see him in center at Wrigley (next year?).
