NEWSLETTER
Yesterday was a grind, but it was a good day overall. The Chicago Blackhawks did exactly what they had to do at the NHL Trade Deadline and then went out and did exactly what they had to do against the Columbus Blue Jackets. A win-win-win day for Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks organization. You don’t see that all too often.
• For the Trade Deadline, the Blackhawks have all season preached about investing in the long-term future and young players in their system. When push came to shove in the final two weeks leading up to and including yesterday, Chicago did just what they said they would do and built-up their future prospect pool or talent and draft capital.
• For a detailed look at every trade from yesterday, you can find them individually here:
⇒ Matthew Highmore for Adam Gaudette
⇒ Mattias Janmark to Vegas Golden Knights
⇒ Carl Söderberg to Colorado Avalanche
⇒ Madison Bowey to Colorado Avalanche
• In the grand scheme of things, I was very happy with the moves made by the organization leading up to and including yesterday. They took a bunch of players without futures in the organization and added a load of maybes. It’s not much, but it’s better than moving pieces of the puzzle that you need for the short AND long term plans in Chicago.
• Lucas Wallmark, Mattias Janmark and Carl Söderberg all came to Chicago for the purpose of helping them short-term and then moving at the deadline. They played their roles perfectly. Thank you, to them.
• It’s not all fun and games, though, when it comes to the trade deadline. These are not just faceless commodities that are being thrown around, they are people. People with lives and friends and family who are all affected by what happens leading ups to the trade deadline. It’s fun for us in the media and for fans, but it’s a nightmare for players and coaches alike.
• Jeremy Colliton explained it after the win last night:
A very heartfelt quote from Jeremey Colliton on the emotions of deadline day: "You’re talking about lives and friendships. Those are the guys you go to war with and then all of a sudden, they're not there." pic.twitter.com/xhNc9jgg22
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 13, 2021
• If you need a real-life example, look at Anthony Mantha’s trade from the Red Wings, a team he had played with for six seasons and was in the first year of a four-year extension with Detroit.
he and his partner have been posting about their ongoing home renovation project for six months, NEVER TRUST A GM https://t.co/eyLHBYwqih pic.twitter.com/ba6VnLyO0X
— momo (@mlrich4) April 12, 2021
• That sucks.
• Onto the game last night, because the NHL schedules a full slate of games on the most frenzied day of their regular season schedule.
• Chicago NEEDED two points last night. After the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars went to the shootout on Sunday, the Blackhawks’ gap between them and the Predators was widening, while the gap between them and the Stars was shrinking.
• The Blackhawks gave up the game’s first goal, again, but fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the game. Eventually take a 3-2 lead in the third period, thanks to Brett Connolly scoring his first goal with the Blackhawks in his team debut.
https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1381778406589730817?s=20
• Connolly is a former 20-goal scorer in the NHL, but things were not working out for him in Florida. He has a year left on his deal after this season and while he will be exposed in this summer’s expansion draft, he might have a serviceable future with the Blackhawks beyond this season. Time will tell.
• Unfortunately, the 3-2 lead last night didn’t last long thanks to Patrik Laine deciding to just do it all himself.
Patrik Laine. What a goal. pic.twitter.com/1L3FgQIeU6
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 13, 2021
• Laine has a knack for scoring against the Blackhawks this season. He has four goals in his last three games against Chicago on February 23rd, April 10th, and last night. In 22 games between February 25th and April 8th, Laine has just one goal.
• Thankfully the Blackhawks held on to get to overtime and then Brandon Hagel found the game-winner.
https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1381814702997700608?s=20
• The game showed glimpses into a possible future where guys like Hagel and Kirby Dach and Philipp Kurashev can be key pieces to the offensive attack for the Blackhawks for years to come.
Brandon Hagel, Kirby Dach and Wyatt Kalynuk, who are all age 23 or younger, factored on the @NHLBlackhawks’ overtime goal on Monday.#NHLStats: https://t.co/j8Ork43mMo pic.twitter.com/Xr23iJfyNR
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 13, 2021
• The win was the sixth this season against the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving the Blackhawks a 6-2-0 record and winning the season series against Columbus. They also pulled back to a two-point gap between them and fourth-place Nashville in the Central Division playoff race.
Jeremy Colliton: "It was a gritty effort. Think a bunch of guys really dug deep, played hard and played well and paid a price." #Blackhawks
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 13, 2021
• It wasn’t without consequence. though.
Jeremy Colliton said Adam Boqvist is dealing with concussion symptoms. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 13, 2021
• Adam Boqvist left the game early in the first period after taking a puck to the face. He did not return to the game. Later we found out that he is experiencing concussion symptoms.
Another look at Zac Dalpe's backhand shot hitting Adam Boqvist in the face. #Blackhawks #CBJ pic.twitter.com/oGrvta8Lri
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) April 12, 2021
• Boqvist has a history of concussions in his short career so far, so hopefully he can make a full recovery without issue.
• Finally, one point from the game that will spark debate across the league is the Max Domi and Connor Murphy incident.
https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1381769434726084614?s=20
• What is he even doing?
https://twitter.com/HockeyHoundShow/status/1381788032618135557?s=20
• The only one who should be embarrassed is you, you clown.
• Domi has a history of dumbassery and it’s in his bloodlines, too. But this isn’t 1980’s hockey and you can’t sucker someone just because you’re in a bad mood. Domi was assessed two minor penalties on the play and a 10-minute misconduct. I suspect the league will not take anymore action against him for the play, but that stuff needs to stop. Whether it’s the referees having to call the game right so the players don’t have to police themselves, or the culture of fighting in the league needs to change, I’m not sure. All I know is that I didn’t see any reason for going after Murphy, given was Domi said.
• Anyway, enjoy your Tuesday! Blackhawks are off today and tomorrow before heading to Detroit to take on the Red Wings for the final two-game set of the season.
