Toews’ Legacy, Unhappy Stamkos, Blue Line Options, Center Depth, Blues’ New Captain, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

One. More. Day. That’s all we’ve got left until training camp opens, Blackhawks fans! Have you reserved your spot to watch the guys take the ice during training camp? Let me know in the comments if/when you’re going to be there!

  • When Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson announced the team will go without a captain this season, he made it abundantly clear that the coaches and front office respect and honor the legacy of Jonathan Toews. The longest-tenured captain in Chicago sports history leaves a legacy that will be hard to follow, no matter who you are. The organization made the hard choice to move on from Toews and Patrick Kane because they want the next generation to build their room and allow their leadership to grow organically, and I’ve said before that I understand and can appreciate that. But showing respect to 19 means a lot — to the player, other players around the league and the fans. So stick tap to them for noting his legacy played a role in leaving the C vacant this year.
  • Speaking of captains… Steven Stamkos apparently isn’t happy as Tampa opens camp. This is… something. We’ll keep an eye on one of the great scorers of his generation in the final year of his contract.
  • I asked Kyle Davidson about the plan with the Blackhawks’ left-handed heavy group of young defensemen coming into the new season. We’ve already seen Nolan Allan skate on his off-side with Kevin Korchinski both in Seattle at times last season and with him again during this past weekend’s prospect showcase. We’ve also seen Wyatt Kaiser skate on his off-side some as well. And Ethan Del Mastro has done it in the past. Davidson said they aren’t married to any specific prospects playing certain roles this season and will continue to experiment with players. They will continue to put players in a position to succeed and won’t force anything to the detriment of their development, but there is clearly an opportunity for some young guys to take the puck and skate with it (if you will) if that’s something they show they can do well consistently.
  • From Elliotte Friedman’s written “32 Thoughts” column yesterday:
  • One exec who watched Connor Bedard’s prospect-game-debut hat trick: “Whatev🗹er the betting sites are setting as his over-under (for goals) — I’m taking the over.”

  • The Blackhawks could have dynamic playmakers at center on their top two lines to start the regular season. As we discussed yesterday, Davidson told us they see Lukas Reichel as a center to begin his full-time NHL career this season — and he will be in the NHL to stay moving forward. Davidson was very complimentary of Reichel’s development in Rockford. With Bedard, Reichel and Jason Dickinson as the projected top three centers, the Blackhawks are in a good place down the middle.
  • The Canucks made a deal yesterday, sending forward Tanner Pearson and a third-round pick in 2025 to Montreal for goaltender Casey DeSmith. The move saves Vancouver money — remember when they gave the Blackhawks a second-round pick to get Jason Dickinson‘s money off the books around this time last year — and gets them a more proven goaltender. Montreal continues hoarding picks.
  • Tough start to camp for the reigning Eastern Conference champions in Florida.
  • St. Louis named Brayden Schenn their new captain yesterday.
  • The Bruins named Brad Marchand their new captain on Wednesday morning.
  • //twitter.com/NHL/status/1704502518623948980

  • Finally, I’m all sorts of ready for big moments from young players on the ice this season. Last night we got a glorious moment from a young bat in the Cubs’ lineup and I’m here for it!
  • 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 Black🌺hawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy💛 Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

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