Happy Labor Day, folks! Hope you have the day off today, and if you don’t (I’ve been there before) hopefully you can get a chance to read this and get some enjoyment out of our Blackhawks coverage. It’s why we’re here, right?
• You waited patiently and now it’s here! Yesterday we dropped the 2021 Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Pyramid…
It’s Here! The 2021 Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Pyramidhttps://t.co/7XUr7BW3uI
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 5, 2021
• I hope you enjoyed it and from the lack of people yelling at me about it, I think I did a pretty good job getting it right. That, or no one was paying attention. Either way, if you haven’t read the post or watched the video, you can find it here!
• And going from the Pyramid style of ranking to the dreaded numerical style of ranking, the NHL Network released their latest batch of the Top 50 Players right now in the NHL. In numbers 31-40, we get another Blackhawks addition to the list…
OK, let’s hear what you have to say! #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/gAb42Ei3sL
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 5, 2021
• Another offseason acquisition joins Seth Jones in representing Chicago on this list before even playing a game for the Blackhawks as Marc-André Fleury lands at No. 37. So far on NHL Network’s Top 50 list, Fleury, Jones, and Alex DeBrincat have made appearances and I would assume the only other Blackhawks player that will be included is Patrick Kane. Just a matter of time before we see where he lands on this illustrious list.
• Milestone watch for Marc-André Fleury early this season as he looks to become the third goalie in NHL history to reach 500 wins.
How many starts will it take for 🌺 to get to 500 wins? pic.twitter.com/OBwfAdspah
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 5, 2021
• I say it takes him 14 starts in 2021-22 to reach win No. 500. Book it.
• Speaking of Seth Jones, he and his brother (and the rest of his family, I assume) took a trip out to Vail, Colorado (a favorite of the Quenneville family, too) for one last summer trip before the season starts. Even though it was a vacation, good to see the Jones brothers getting their work in, wearing their new Blackhawks digs…
Caleb and Seth looking good in their #Blackhawks gear 👍🏻
(📸 IG: seth_jones) pic.twitter.com/YOOhyshOzh— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 5, 2021
• Do kids these days still call clothes “digs” or am I just aging myself?
• From future Blackhawks to former Blackhawks, Dominik Kahun has signed a three-year deal with SC Bern in Switzerland following a three-year NHL stint that started in Chicago in 2018-19.
NATIONAL LEAGUE | Three years a Bear – Dominik Kahun signs with SC Bern #SCB #LetsGoOilers https://t.co/hR1hd2oSbG
— swisshockeynews.ch (@SwissHockeyNews) September 6, 2021
• Kind of crazy that a player like Kahun couldn’t get an NHL contract for this upcoming season. He isn’t a bad player and could play a decent bit part on most third-lines in the league.
• Take a quick look at the developments at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, the home of the IceHogs, as their renovations continue ahead of the 2021-22 AHL season!
We have a 🆕 floor at the BMO!
Over 11 miles of piping and 312 cubic yards of concrete have been assembled for our new rink. pic.twitter.com/xTqRdAZt2X
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) September 5, 2021
• Can’t wait to get back and watch the Pesky Pigs™ at the BMO!
• Speaking of being pesky, Hurricanes GM Don Waddell and his newest player, Jesperi Kotkaniemi addressed the media following Carolina signing the 21-year-old to a one-year, $6.1M offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens.
Waddell says he thought it was 50-50 Habs would match or not match. Says Canes should have no cap issues. Says Jake Gardiner will have hip surgery and will go on LTIR
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) September 5, 2021
• We all knew it was a gamble for the LOL’s, but the Hurricanes apparently should be fine financially after the overpayment for Kotkaniemi. Also, tough to see Jake Gardiner continue to deal with injuries.
"I told my mom I'm going to give that for her Christmas gift." – Jesperi Kotkaniemi on what he will do with his $20 signing bonus.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 5, 2021
• Part of the Kotkaniemi offer sheet was a $20 signing bonus, to stick it to the Canadiens that the Hurricanes didn’t forget about the Sebastian Aho offer sheet attempt two years ago. Aho wears No. 20. At least Kotkaniemi had a plan for that signing bonus.
Canes GM Don Waddell, smiling, says "it was a group effort" in giving Kotkaniemi a $20 signing bonus.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 5, 2021
“It certainly was not revenge.” – Don Waddell.
Says the release and the social media stuff was marketing and no more.
“They had some fun with it.”
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 5, 2021
• Oh sure, it wasn’t about revenge. Not at all. 😉
KK on how the Canadiens handled his development: "It could have been better."
— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) September 5, 2021
• Now that the dust has settled on the offer sheet and we can move on with our lives, it appears that Kotkaniemi was ready for a change of scenery and good for the kid to get that change of scenery with a $6.1M pay day. Secure the bag, as the kids say. See? I’m not too old, I know the lingo!
• That will do it for today. Have yourselves a good Monday!
• Be sure to send in your Monday Mailbag questions for tomorrow’s segment following the holiday.
Hope you all enjoy your Labor Day today.
Because of the holiday, the #BNHawksMailbag will be pushed to tomorrow. But still send me your #Blackhawks questions here and we'll get them answered tomorrow!— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 6, 2021
• Hope you all enjoy Labor Day, which is also the last day to wear white for some reason, so enjoy that too.