NEWSLETTER
Two days are in the books. Now moving into the weekend and onto day three for the Chicago Blackhawks at training camp. It’s still way way way too early to start making any assumptions about any players for the Blackhawks, but who cares about that logic and reasoning right?
• In case you missed it, take in the sights and sounds from training camp day two.
Sights and Sounds: Day Two of Blackhawks Training Camphttps://t.co/EF3FrGiJKT
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 24, 2021
• Marc-André Fleury, Seth Jones, and Jeremy Colliton spoke after practice, and Patrick Kane was a common topic between the three.
Fleury, Jones, and Colliton Speak: COVID Protocols, Nicknames, Facing Patrick Kane, and Morehttps://t.co/zbnDs2LWNL
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 24, 2021
• Seth Jones also talked yesterday about getting his No. 4 with the Blackhawks. Previously worn by Niklas Hjalmarsson, the Blackhawks were hesitant to give Jones the number because of the history with it from the now-retired former Blackhawk. Jones is going to be around for a while in Chicago, so he could make the No. 4 his own, but until then, it’s Hjalmarsson’s.
It's Hjalmarsson's number until Jones wins 3 Cups in Chicago, too. https://t.co/JEVdQK8T6I
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 24, 2021
• Or Bobby Orr’s, if you really want to be difficult.
• Lines and pairings so far through two days in training camp with the ‘A’ group have been consistent. Here’s how they have lined up so far this week:
Blackhawks lines:
DeBrincat-Johnson-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Hagel
Reichel-Dach-Kurashev
Connolly-Strome-Khaira
*CarpenterMcCabe-Seth Jones
Stillman-Murphy
De Haan-Kalynuk
Caleb Jones-Beaudin— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 24, 2021
• The DeBrincat-Johnson-Kane line has a lot of skill, obviously, but if you ask me it’s a line combination that is too small to be your “top” line. I’d like to see Kirby Dach play with Kane and DeBrincat on his wings, if you are going to package Kane and DeBrincat together this season. Also looking like a package this season is Jonathan Toews with Dominik Kubalík. I don’t hate that trio with Brandon Hagel involved as well. Reichel and Kurashev getting a look early together is something to watch too. Notably among the forwards, Adam Gaudette, Alex Nylander, and Henrik Borgström are working with the ‘B’ Group so far in camp.
• Defensively, I have no problems with how the top-eight have lined-up so far. Jake McCabe and Seth Jones as your top pair gives old teammates, from way back in the day, a chance to play together again. Surprised to see Riley Stillman in the second-pair, but again, it’s not enough to lose your mind over it. Wyatt Kalynuk is getting a chance in the top-six rotation first over Caleb Jones and Nicolas Beaudin, it appears.
• In three weeks, the NHL season starts and the newest edition of EA Sports’ NHL franchise is released. We’ve been seeing more and more trickle out about NHL22 over the last few days. One thing is clear from the ratings and rankings that have come out so far: Patrick Kane’s hands are the best in the game.
Patrick Kane Has the Best Puck Skills in NHL22 https://t.co/IQeTrlUVo2
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 24, 2021
• But who is surprised by that, right?
• According to a report, Blackhawks 2021 second-round draft pick Colton Dach is looking for a trade from his WHL club.
Report: Blackhawks Prospect Colton Dach Looking For Trade From Saskatoon Bladeshttps://t.co/GbIRiHlt8a
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 24, 2021
• Dach, and his older brother Kirby, both played with the Saskatoon Blades in the Junior careers, but the younger Dach is now looking for a change of scenery. Colton is currently with the Blackhawks in training camp.
• An update to the investigation into former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich in his time at the University of Miami (Ohio).
Ex-Blackhawks coach Bradley Aldrich assaulted 2 men at Miami University, investigation concludes https://t.co/GwoqJDcSuP pic.twitter.com/by9xyCf3lU
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 24, 2021
• The school’s internal investigation says they acted accordingly in their handling of the sexual assault allegations brought against Aldrich while he was with the school. The investigation also showed no evidence of Aldrich providing any references during his job interview process, which included the alleged positive reference for employment from the Blackhawks.
• After cross-checking became a clear problem in the NHL last season, and especially in the postseason, the league is addressing the issue ahead of the 2021-22 season.
2021-22 Rule Interpretation: Rule 59 – Cross-checking
For the 2021-22 season there will be a tighter standard of enforcement for Rule 59 – Cross-checking.
Find more in the NHL Video Rulebook: https://t.co/HJ93BdTp5f pic.twitter.com/H95yTcr4M3
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 24, 2021
• Good. But how long will this “crack-down” last?
• Want some good news? At the end of his media availability with the Flyers, head coach Alain Vigneault says that Oskar Lindblom is still cancer-free!
AV ends his press conference with the best type of news. @oskarlindblom remains cancer-free following his latest scan. 🧡🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/W0FKiYIzv7
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 24, 2021
• More uplifting content: Following Jonathan Drouin’s interview with TSN where he talked about why he was absent from the Canadiens late last season, his Montreal teammate Josh Anderson spoke about why that was important and that he has Drouin’s back.
Asked Josh Anderson what he took from Jonathan Drouin speaking up about his anxiety and insomnia issues. Quite an answer from him: pic.twitter.com/0urgq3US7Q
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) September 24, 2021
• We need more of this outlook on mental health in sports.
• More uplifting content, hitting the triple! In the WHL, we have the first female linesperson in the league’s history as referee Alex Clarke worked a preseason game last night between the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors.
The WHL is pleased to congratulate Alex Clarke, who is set to become the first female linesperson in WHL history.
DETAILS 📰 | https://t.co/mX0oNRGdrz pic.twitter.com/kM0pyD43s4
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 24, 2021
• Love to see it.
• Ending on a high-note with four, FOUR, feel-good content posts in-a-row. You know how you get the really cool shots during NHL media days? Sometimes they go like this:
"You said to snow you guys." 🤷♂️
Zach Hyman: understands the assignment. ✅#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/bKr1n61qHR
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 24, 2021
• Sacrificing for the craft. Hey, Zach Hyman was just doing what they asked.
• A reminder, the Blackhawks practice today and are off tomorrow. They probably want to have the day free to watch Justin Fields, too.
Fields Day: BEARS at BROWNS – September 26, 2021https://t.co/B0uZZj2uyA
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 24, 2021
• That will do it for today. Hope you all enjoy your Saturday!
