NEWSLETTER
Contrary to the title of this article, it is not about music.
Happy Fourth of July from Bleacher Nation! Hope you all are having a fun and safe holiday weekend with no Stanley Cup Final hockey to watch. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are providing a lot for us to talk about already this summer.
• They would also like to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July!
Happy #4thofJuly, Blackhawks fans! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5gDPLDBJKW
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 4, 2021
• As you can imagine, the replies are not about the Fourth of July celebration.
• While the Blackhawks continue to be at the center of a lot of interesting storylines this offseason, the one that looms largest over the organization, and will continue to until we reach its conclusion, are the allegations and lawsuits levied against the team and former video coach Brad Aldrich, stemming from incidents in 2010 involving Aldrich and two former players.
• We have heard from a lot of different people, named and unnamed, regarding what allegedly happened in 2010, who knew about it, and who did anything or nothing about it. The legal process must play out, and we hope that there is a right and just outcome, but questions will remain regarding the culture of the franchise and the sport on a larger scale once this is all said and done. Which could bleed into the 2021-22 season.
• We’ll continue to keep on top of any news regarding the lawsuits and allegations.
• We will also continue to keep up with all the developing storylines and rumors with the Blackhawks this summer as it seems the team is likely to go through some major changes prior to the 2021-22 season beginning.
Rumor Roundup: Not Trading for Eichel, Keith Looking to Move Closer to Home, Zadorov Contract Talks, Morehttps://t.co/TSej0iDNin
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) July 3, 2021
• Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, the Seattle Expansion Draft, the NHL Entry Draft, trades, free agency, and everything in-between, we’ll keep you posted! It’s going to be an interesting month of July…
• Today is the Fourth of July, so in the spirit of all things “America,” let’s relive some of the greatest moments in Blackhawks history that were provided by American players.
• Prior to Patrick Kane and Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick had a stake to the claim of being the best U.S.-born player in his NHL career. His time with the Blackhawks is always treasured as Chicago was consistently one of the best teams in the league through the late-80’s and early-90’s, although they never won the Stanley Cup.
May 20, 1992 – @Jeremy_Roenick scores in overtime to give the #Blackhawks a 4-3 win over the Oilers and a 3-0 series lead in the conference finals. This was the Hawks’ 10th consecutive win in the ‘92 playoffs.
pic.twitter.com/lLLj4r6H6A— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) May 20, 2021
• Part of those early-90’s dominant Blackhawks teams was defenseman Chris Chelios. A bumpy past with the Blackhawks has since been smoothed-over, for most, and Chelios remains one of the most iconic U.S.-born players in NHL history.
May 27, 1995 – The second game in a row Chris Chelios scores in overtime, #Blackhawks sweep the Canucks and advance to the Western Conference finals.
pic.twitter.com/eCmsrBYVEv— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) May 27, 2021
• I mean, come on, you knew this was coming…
Patrick Kane's overtime goal to win the 2010 Stanley Cup has been named the @NHL Goal of the Decade.
Catch the All-Decade Team special on Friday 6:30PM ET on NBCSN! pic.twitter.com/7feX9tym97
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) January 23, 2020
• What other U.S.-born player has two of the most iconic goals in the Stanley Cup Final over the last 20-30 years? No one but Patrick Kane.
The Blackhawks and Lightning have some recent history, meeting in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
Patrick Kane secured the victory and the Stanley Cup. 🏆
Catch the #Blackhawks vs. the Lightning on Wednesday on NBCSN for #NHLFaceoff. pic.twitter.com/34D76RHwtC
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) January 12, 2021
• Kane could retire right now, he won’t of course, and could be considered the best U.S.-born player ever, even though he wouldn’t statistically be the best. Some of his best hockey may still be ahead of him as he continues to be one of the top forwards in the NHL still at the age of 32.
• The only thing that could strengthen Kane’s case as the best U.S.-born player ever would be helping the United States to an Olympic Gold Medal. He was part of the 2010 Silver Medal team and has a few Bronze Medals to his name as well, but an Olympic Gold would put his American legacy over the top.
• Unfortunately, it seems like Kane, or any other NHL players participating in the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics, is becoming less likely as the games approach.
'This might be the last chance I get:' With “time running out,” NHL players concerned about Olympic participation. Our story, with IHF weighing in on why they’re remaining positive. “The window is still open.” https://t.co/JwvKwKXyBE
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 29, 2021
• Speaking ahead of the Stanley Cup Final last week, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly were less than encouraging when it came to the idea of sending players to the Winter Games, something we haven’t seen with NHL players since the 2014 Olympics.
• As someone who LOVES international competitions like the Winter Olympics, World Junior Championships, or even the World Cup of Hockey, not seeing the best players in the world competing is selling the events short. No offense to the player who represented the U.S. at the 2018 Olympics, but it was not the same. And gee, wouldn’t have guessed that Russian professional players would win a tournament filled with minor-league level players.
• The league and the international committees (IOC, IIHF) need to get something right and make NHL players in the 2022 Winter Olympics work.
• In other Blackhawks news this week, the team is adding to their scouting and player development department with the addition of Karilyn Pilch.
https://twitter.com/TheBostonPride/status/1411427046601994244?s=20
• Pilch has served as the General Manager for the Boston Pride in the NWHL for the past two seasons, guiding the Pride to the 2021 Isobel Cup Championship this past season. Pilch will be joining Chicago in a scouting and player personnel role.
• And finally, if you’ve been keeping up with former Blackhawks defenseman Stephen Johns and his rollerblading trip across the country, you’ll have seen hime come across plenty of characters and people to join him on his #MentalMiles journey. Sean Shapiro of The Athletic chronicles Johns’ journey, what it has meant to him and how he hopes it will continue to grow as a movement, and his time with fellow 2020 Bill Masterton Trophy Finalist Bobby Ryan after the two met for the first time in Idaho.
Stephen Johns is nearing the end of his #MentalMiles journey across the country, but it's just the start of a movement to hopefully change hockey culture. On the importance of stories like Johns and Bobby Ryan, mental health, and knowing you aren't alone https://t.co/PoEFEHhi3n pic.twitter.com/6ajECimHTY
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) July 4, 2021
• Just some good guys out for a skate.
• That will do it for today. Again, have a Happy Fourth of July from us at Bleacher Nation!
Hope you all have a safe and happy #FourthofJuly ! pic.twitter.com/61nwhz2GTw
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) July 4, 2021
• REMINDER: Be sure to send in your questions for Monday’s Mailbag segment! Use the hashtag #BNHawksMailbag on Twitter or send them to Mario.tirabassi at bleacher nation dot com.
