Congratulations, Blackhawks fans. We’ve made it to the last day of August. Tomorrow begins September, which means we’re in the month in which NHL player report to camp and it’s that much closer to go time. And how much more excited could we be in Chicago than right now with the pending arrival of Connor Bedard? We’ve heard about him for years, the Blackhawks won the lottery and drafted him, and we’re starting to see little glimpses of him working out with and against other NHL players. This slo-mo clip from the BioSteel Camp yesterday made my heart skip a beat. I can’t wait for hockey to be back.
Bedard was asked about “the other Connor” — McDavid — on Wednesday. And, again, he was respectful and spoke about the greatness of Edmonton’s annual MVP candidate. Being able to work around and learn from the absolute best in the game is going to make an impact on the beginning of Bedard’s career without question. He’s been around some of these guys in the past but now it’s real. He’s going to play against McDavid and MacKinnon and Tavares this season. He’s a pro now. And the fact that he can play at a level already that makes him dangerous at a camp like the BioSteel Camp this week is amazing when you consider the caliber of players on the ice (and in the gym).
When Bedard faces some of these guys, he’ll be doing it in front of a national television audience in the US. The NHL announced its national television schedule on Wednesday and the Chicago Blackhawks will appear from coast-to-coast 13 times between ESPN and TNT. We’ve got the full slate of games (and a couple schedule changes) for you.
Scott Powers dumped some really good stuff into his latest edition of yesterday. A couple points grabbed my attention. First, he brought up the importance of Nick Foligno for the Blackhawks this season. I’ve talked about him a few times, including my defense of his contract yesterday when it was called a “bad deal” by one of Powers’ colleagues at The Athletic. If you’re not going to have Jonathan Toews in the room, there aren’t many better leaders in the game today than Foligno. He’s universally respected and is one of the good guys who gets it. This quote from Bedard is exactly why I am 100 percent on board with Kyle Davidson paying Foligno what it took to get him to Chicago.
“I’ve heard from every single person that has mentioned him that [Foligno is] one of the best🌠 people you’ll ever meet. I’m excited for that. I think it’s good for me to have those guys who have been in the league so long and experienced kind of everything, just learn from them and have them to kind of help with things.”
Powers also reports the Rockford IceHogs have hired Matt Smith as their goalie development coach, replacing Peter Aubry (who left for a gig at the University of Nebraska-Omaha). Smith, 33, was previously the goalie coach for the Soo Greyhounds and Guelph Storm of the OHL.
How about some future/maybe Blackhawks (IceHogs) on the ice together in South Bend? The Bjorks and Slaggerts got family photos taken at Notre Dame. Love this!
Sadly, Carl Hagelin called it a career on Wednesday. He was a terrific player who was an important part of the Penguins’ success. The University of Michigan product would be a solid addition to any coaching staff if that’s a path he wants to pursue. Wishing the best on a hopefully healthy retirement.
Finally, nothing but respect for the “old guys” who still get it done. And yesterday Kyle Hendricks took the ball and did his thing in a huge game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
