NEWSLETTER
After what felt like being shot out of a cannon last week, the NHL offseason has started to slow down to a crawl. A number of free agent signings are still being made, but a majority of them are players who are NHL/AHL tweeners or rookies getting entry-level deals. But for the Blackhawks, this week has started off with some great visuals and some potentially positive news.
• First, the visuals. For the first time since being traded to Chicago, Marc-André Fleury put on the Blackhawks sweater.
First look at Marc-Andre Fleury wearing his #29 #Blackhawks sweater pic.twitter.com/jIaG7no7uq
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) August 2, 2021
• He’ll be wearing No. 29, which was most recently worn by Madison Bowey and probably most famously worn by Bryan Bickell. Fleury has worn No. 29 for all three teams he has played for in his career.
• With the No. 29 sweater taken, as well as the No. 4 (Seth Jones), and No. 19 (Jonathan Toews, obviously), that leaves fellow newest-Blackhawk Jake McCabe without one of his former numbers from Juniors, College, or the NHL available to him…
The people would like to know when Jake McCabe’s # will be available
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 2, 2021
• Hey, the people want to know!
• Yesterday was also the first time we heard from Blackhawks President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Stan Bowman since prior to the NHL Entry Draft. Bowman’s media availability touched on a number of topics including the trade for Fleury, what Chicago still has left to do this offseason, and Jonathan Toews’ health/playing status, among other things.
Stan Bowman Speaks: Adding Marc-Andre Fleury, Salary Cap Space, Offseason Moves, Morehttps://t.co/in9Xz29ZMM
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 2, 2021
• That “among other things” includes the latest developments in the sexual abuse/assault lawsuits and allegations against the team and former vide coach Brad Aldrich. In an internal memo sent from Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, it was revealed that the findings of the independent review being done by the law firm of Jenner and Block would be made public.
Report: Blackhawks Plan To Make Independent Review Findings Public https://t.co/kUfKEChkXa
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 2, 2021
• In the memo sent by Wirtz, he states that the organization “will promptly implement changes to address the findings and shortcomings of our organization,” regarding what the independent review may or may not uncover in their investigation. To which Bowman said he would cooperate with…
Stan Bowman on Danny Wirtz pledging to make the internal review's findings public: "I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation and I think Danny was very clear on the direction the organization is taking."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) August 2, 2021
• The optimist in me wants to believe that there will be some good and some justice coming from the Jenner and Block independent review and the findings being made public. The cynic in me believes that the only reason the Blackhawks are now saying that the findings will be made public is because they already have a sense of what Jenner and Block have uncovered and are comfortable with sharing those findings, because they are likely not damaging or not damaging enough. I don’t know what part of me I want to believe more.
• This has truly been a wild summer for the Blackhawks. But not just the Blackhawks, but for the entire scope of Chicago sports. Needless to say, this has been a year to remember for us at Bleacher Nation…
Been a wild year for Chicago acquisitions.@BN_Bears get Justin Fields@BN_Bulls get Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic@BN_Blackhawks get Seth Jones and Fleury@BN_WhiteSox get Craig Kimbrel
And, of course, @BleacherNation Cubs fans get this opportunity to tweet something snarky.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) August 2, 2021
• Oh yeah, and BN_WhiteSox is coming…👀
• Ending with some nice dog content, take a look as this snapshot from newest Blackhawk, and two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tyler Johnson with his dog Riesling and the Stanley Cup…
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1422302486627508230?s=20
• Adorable.
• That will do it for today. Enjoy your Tuesday!
• A reminder: I will be going live on the Bleacher Nation Blackhawks Twitter page (@ BN_Blackhawks) this afternoon, around 12:30 p.m. CT, to talk about this offseason for Chicago. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about the Blackhawks to dissect and I hope that maybe it can help provide some clarity for you as fans during a weird and confusing summer with this team. I hope to take some questions from people who tune in as well. See you then!
