Connor and Sid, Rocky Patch, Keeping the Dagger, Gopher Moore, Babcock Drama, and other Blackhawks Bullets

Good morning and happy THERE WILL BE HOCKEY PLAYERS ON THE ICE Day to those who are celebrating (in all caps, like me). Connor Bedard will not be on the ice at Fifth Third Arena late Wednesday morning when the Blackhawks’ prospects begin skating before this weekend’s Tom Kurver’s Prospect Showcase because he was in Vegas on Tuesday (more below). It’s exciting to finally have hockey players hitting the ice to begin a new year — indeed, a new era — for the Chicago Blackhawks.

  • Connor: Meet Sid. Sid: Meet Connor. These two will be on the ice in Pittsburgh on Oct. 10 when the Blackhawks begin their 2022-23 season and Bedard begins his NHL journey. Pretty cool seeing them together doing some media stuff on Tuesday. There is a Rocky patch on Bedard’s right shoulder for the late Blackhawks’ owner and chairman (see the small screen on the right).
  • This photo represents a lot for Blackhawks fans and hockey in the macro. Crosby is one of the elder statesmen in the game; Bedard represents the future. It seems fitting that Bedard will begin his NHL career against a player he’s looked up to growing up in the game. We’ll see if this footage is used by ESPN during their pregame on Opening Night. I hope so!
  • You can see the ROCKY patch on Bedard’s chest a lot more clearly in this shot. And yes, Connor Bedard is him.
  • Bedard was asked about playing in this weekend’s Tom Kurver’s Showcase and reiterated that he’s just one of the guys. I will be very interested to see if Bedard plays in both games or just one, and how much they use him. Obviously his health is paramount to the entire weekend.
  • Not one of the guys this week/weekend but certainly one of the players to be excited about in the Blackhawks’ pipeline, Oliver Moore shared a first look at him in his new Golden Gophers colors on Instagram.
  • It’s now officially official: Danny Wirtz is the chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks. He moved into a role of more prominence when he was named the CEO three years ago, but the passing of his father, Rocky, made the official top title his.
  • Danny and Jamie Faulkner made the rounds with local podcasts this week and chatted about a lot of stuff, from the plan to set up the jersey retirement announcement for Chris Chelios to anticipating their centennial celebration in a couple years and their excitement for the arrival of Bedard. The guys at NBC Sports Chicago asked them a question some have discussed on social media: is it time for a new goal song? Their answer was an emphatic no.
  • The Colorado Avalanche added veteran forward Tomáš Tatar on a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Tuesday.
  • Well, this is… something. The “new and improved” Mike Babcock, who was run out of Toronto for reportedly bullying his players, is back in the news for taking “drastic steps” with his new roster in Columbus. Aaron Portzline has the organization is looking into this report (see the comments from Babs and Boone Jenner below). There is going to be a microscope on Babcock as he gets back behind the bench in Columbus this season because of how — and why — his job in Toronto ended.
  • Babcock and Boone Jenner released statements contradicting the depiction of the events as presented a few hours later. Other players have shared statements supporting Babcock since the comments were made on Tuesday morning.
  • The Bruins released their list of the 100 most legendary players in their franchise history on Tuesday. There are a few notable former Blackhawks (yes, including Bobby Orr) on there. This is a pretty cool graphic that would be a great poster in any fans’ collection in Boston. And I would love it if the Blackhawks did something similar in a couple years when they celebrate 100 years.
  • Sadly, it continues to appear that Carey Price’s NHL career is over.
  • The sale of the Ottawa Senators is expected to be finalized with the vote from the Board of Governors soon, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
  • Yeah, I don’t get this. The Thrashers didn’t work and they had a run when hockey was supposed to be growing and now you’re telling me another — a third! — attempt to get hockey in Atlanta might happen? Hard pass. If you feel the need to add a team in the Eastern Conference, how about Hartford? Québec City?
  • Finally, Pete Crow-Armstrong got his first start in center for the Cubs last night in Denver and HE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Two web gems! His glove was as good as advertised.
  • written by

    Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the and is the author of three books about the Blackhawks: (Triumph Books),💎"100 Things Blackhawks Fa💯ns Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/ꦍInstagram/Threads at @The1Tab

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