Yes, the rumors are indeed true. The Blackhawks made a massive change at Fifth Third Arena. The team’s logo is no longer on the floor with reporters and players dancing around it so they don’t step on it. It’s now on the ceiling in big, bright lights. I love it. It’s a great look. And it makes life a lot easier for everyone.
I remember cat𝄹ching Pierre McGu﷽ire during the first media availability in the room at the United Center before the start of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final and keeping him from stepping on it there. This makes life a lot easier for everyone.
A few more odds and ends from the Blackhawks’ skate on Friday:
Kevin Korchinski put on 6-7 pounds this summer. He said he focused on added smart muscle mass and staying “athletic” with his build. He looks noticeably more physically mature on the ice early. Head coach Luke Richardson said they’re still working with Korchinski on positioning and understanding just how fast he is on the ice; his speed can get him out of some bad situations, but can also create problems for him. Richardson also said they’re working on him with being more confident to stay inside the offensive zone and play the body more consistently.
Ethan Del Mastro is also in the group of young defensemen competing for an NHL roster spot. He said he worked on his speed game over the summer; skating faster and making decisions quicker. His brief taste of the NHL last season gave him some clarity on what elements of his game needed to get some work this summer to be ready for the next level, but he didn’t make any significant changes to his summer work.
Del Mastro also noted that, for a lot of the guys coming in from the junior ranks, this is their second, third or fourth training camp. So there’s more familiarity both with the facilities and also each other. I noticed a lot more comfortable room this year than in previous camps. Guys like Del Mastro and Wyatt Kaiser just look more confident and comfortable in the room.
Tyler Bertuzzi said he’s getting settled in Chicago. He got here a few weeks ago and is still wandering around looking for good food. But he does not like deep dish pizza. He prefers… “normal” pizza. I’ll be interested to see if, when the Blackhawks start juggling lines, if he ever gets back together with Andreas Athanasiou. They’ve been teammates all the way back to their AHL days in the Detroit system and had some good times together in the past.
Right now, Ryan Donato and Joey Anderson have been skating on what is effectively a “fifth” line with Landon Slaggert in camp. With the veteran additions, it’s going to be fascinating to see how either fits on the NHL roster and where they slide in. Donato has been centering that line.
It’s unfortunate that Artyom Levshunov can’t be out there right now. Connor Bedard said he still sees him grinding away in the weight room, and he’s still watching and learning from the practices. It sounds like he’s chomping at the bit to get back on the ice. GM Kyle Davidson said he’s still about four weeks away. He got hurt blocking a shot in practice this summer before training camp.
Davidson also said that goaltender Laurent Brossoit got hurt training this summer. That injury happened after he signed.
Bedard, Davidson and Richardson have all talked about having a healthy Taylor Hall in camp ready to go. Remember: he missed the start of camp last year with a nagging injury and then had a shoulder issue before tearing his ACL last year. He could be an important piece of the lineup this year if he can stay healthy. He looks strong and fast so far.
In the prospects not in camp ranks, Minnesota sophomore defenseman Sam Rinzel was named to the preseason All-Big Ten First Team on Friday.
For those who were wondering where former play-by-play voice of the IceHogs Mike Folta was headed when he abruptly announced he was leaving Rockford earlier this week, he’s going to be the new radio voice of the newest team in the league in Utah.
Dylan Guenther got a really nice new contract on Friday.
Finally, this was *chef’s kiss*.
