After the game last night, both Nick Foligno and head coach Luke Richardson went out of their way to compliment the performance of Arvid Söderblom. So I wanted to start this morning’s thoughts with some love for him because his name was absent from my postgame comments last night.
The Blackhawks believe Söderblom is ready to be an NHL goaltender, but some out there have questioned if he’s got the game to succeed at the top level. Which is understandable; the 24-year-old netminder comes into his first full NHL season with a 2-12-2 record and a career .889 save percentage. But every skater who’s back from last year said they probably owed him a few wins. The numbers on the back of a hockey card frequently don’t tell a complete story.
Söderblom stopped 25 of 27 in regulation last night. He weathered a strong start from the Wild — during which Richardson admitted postgame that the Hawks started flat — and then stood tall when Minnesota poured it on in a third period that saw the visitors out-shoot the Hawks 8-1 in a comeback effort. He’s going to get a long look this year to potentially be a No. 1 in the NHL and last night was a great place to start the year.
The Blackhawks coaching staff still has some tough decisions to make about the final spots on their opening night roster. And there’s been a fierce, competitive battle for a final forward spot. Reese Johnson has done everything they’ve asked him to do this camp: he’s won faceoffs, been hard to play against, made smart plays and had no problem being the muscle on the ice when things get a little out of whack. His work on penalty killing has been good the entire preseason as well. Last night he might have made a strong enough statement to win that last roster spot. To me, he’s the guy. Charlie Roumeliotis wrote a nice piece about him wanting to be part of the now — and the future — in Chicago.
"I truly believe I can help the team win and push for playoff spots and hopefully win championships in the future."
Reese Johnson, as shown tonight, is quite literally fighting for roster spot with : — Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis)
Last night is going to be a game film that Connor Bedard undoubtedly studies between now and the start of the regular season. It was his first game against a mostly NHL lineup and there were a number of coaching moments on the tape. He skated heavy minutes again and was better in the faceoff circle, which is good. But Minnesota’s a good team and they appeared to be committed to blocking his shot as often as possible — which, by the mid-point of the game looked like it made Bedard thoughtful about looking to set up others.
Bedard's stat line tonight: 23:16 ice time 7 shot attempts 2 shots on goal 0 points 49.7% xG ratio 5-of-10 on faceoffs
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST)
Well, Messi was a no-show but the Chicago Fire had four Blackhawks in the seats anyway on Wednesday night. Did they not have the navy in Seth’s size? C’mon boys let’s match!
Petr Mrazek, Philipp Kurashev, Seth Jones and Jason Dickinson attended the Chicago Fire vs. Miami game last night — but did not get to see Messi…
(Photo by ) — Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST)
The University of Michigan kicks off their season against Providence this weekend, which will have three Blackhawks prospects on the ice (Frank Nazar for UM and Taige Harding and Connor Kelley for Providence). That game is one of 21(!!!) games featuring Blackhawks prospects in the Big Ten that will air on either the Big Ten Network (20) or FS1 (one) this coming NCAA season. Absolutely love it! Put this one in your saved folder!
Prospects Will Be On or 21 Times This Season!
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks)
Speaking of television, the Arizona Coyotes apparently found a way to air their games locally after their RSN partner backed out of their deal on Wednesday. They announced Thursday they’ll have 81 games on television in the local markets. That’s good… especially for all of those former Chicagoans living in the desert who will want to watch the Hawks when they’re in town.
One day after regional partner cut ties with , they have a new television partner in the Valley: ABC15 will carry 81 of 82 games free over the air. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli)
It looks like we’re a few short years away from the Flames having a new barn in Calgary. This is great news if you hate hearing about the catwalk every time the Blackhawks are up there.
Calgary’s mayor says the preliminary deal announced in April for a new $1.2B events centre and entertainment district has been finalized, including a new arena for the Flames opening in 2027.
So, four more years of that knee-buckling media catwalk 😱: — TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey)
ESPN reported last night that the NHL updated and clarified its guidance regarding theme nights, including PRIDE nights, for the coming season. Apparently there was some confusion with wording on the initial memo sent to clubs.
Players and teams are allowed to “celebrate and support” specialty causes, the league source said. Teams are also allowed to host the groups at games while players have the freedom to wear “whatever they want” as long as it falls within the guidelines of each team’s respective dress code.
NEWS: The NHL sent an updated memo to teams Thursday clarifying what they can do this season with special initiatives such as Pride Night.
A source told ESPN that several teams sought clarity as the first memo was deemed to be confusing and restrictive. — Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark)
The Blackhawks paid respects and offered a moment of silence for Dick Butkus. The great Bears linebacker sadly passed away yesterday.
take a moment of siꦚlence for 51 & pay respects
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab)
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Butkus on a number of occasions. He was one of the most feared players on the field in the history of the game — some might argue he’s the most feared to ever play the game. Off the field and in retirement, he couldn’t have been more of the opposite. He was a kind, warm-hearted gentlemen with a sharp, self-deprecating sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family. RIP 51.
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 Fans Should Know & Do Befor🐼e They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find ꦕhim on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at ꧑@The1Tab
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