NEWSLETTER
Back at it again on Monday, as the Blackhawks get back to the ice for day four of training camp. Hopefully, that bit of good news can brighten your spirits after whatever the hell that Bears game was yesterday.
• After having three groups of skaters for the first three days of training camp, the Blackhawks are going to condense to two groups for the remainder of camp. With a number of Junior players skating with the club in camp, and the CHL league preseasons coming to a close, you can expect a number of the 63 players in camp to be released to their other clubs soon.
Colliton said they'll combine into 2 practice groups starting Monday, after tomorrow's off-day, but that they'll keep a "big group" in camp.
No updates on Colton Dach or Alec Regula's apparent injuries.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 25, 2021
• As of early Monday morning, there are still no updates on Mike Hardman, who was placed in COVID protocol on Friday morning ahead of the second day of camp. Also, no updates to Colton Dach or Alec Regula, who left practice on Saturday. Kevin Lankinen was on the ice Monday after being put in COVID protocol on Friday and Collin Delia, who missed Saturday’s practice, was also back on the ice ahead of Monday’s practice.
• The Blackhawks defensive core went through a number of considerable changes this summer. Gone are Duncan Keith, Adam Boqvist, and Nikita Zadorov, and in came Seth and Caleb Jones, as well as Jake McCabe. The “new look” defense should *finally* be in the mold that Jeremy Colliton wants it to be: mobile, aggressive, and quick in transition. More from Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times…
Will Jeremy Colliton's much-debated ~system~ finally click with the Blackhawks' reconstructed defense?
He certainly believes so: "The size and mobility of our back end [will] allow us to be more aggressive in the ‘D’ zone."
New story: https://t.co/Ogq3gatXf8
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 26, 2021
• Speaking of defense, the Browns’ defense had a Fields day against the Bears yesterday afternoon. Nine (!!) sacks against rookie Justin Fields in an effort that should see people lose their jobs in Chicago.
They're All Out of Excuses: BROWNS 26, BEARS 6 https://t.co/i7vS4NjFWf
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 26, 2021
• With the efforts of the Wisconsin Badgers and the Bears this weekend, I’ll need as much hockey content as I can get to ease my pain.
• We knew the Blackhawks were done with getting player representation on the NHL Network Top 50 Players right now list after Patrick Kane was listed at No. 11, but the Top 10 still needed to be released. And it was on Sunday:
The list is FINAL! Presenting the Top 50 Players in the @NHL. #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/y8c0Ggg4F3
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 26, 2021
• Argue amongst yourselves.
• Something we can all agree on, it’s awesome seeing the Fleury Family assimilating to Chicago so well. Now if they really want a treat, they can see some postseason baseball in a few weeks at Guaranteed Rate Field (Michael: Well, you’re fired, Mario.)
Fleury fam are officially Chicagoans 🌭⚾️ pic.twitter.com/43ROtdDM0z
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 26, 2021
• But hey, can’t argue with having your first (I think) experience at Wrigley.
• On Sunday in Ukraine, there was an absolutely disgusting, racist incident on the ice in a UHL game between HC Kremenchuk and HC Donbass. Andrei Deniskin of Kremenchuk made comments and a racist gesture towards Arizona Coyotes prospect and Donbass defenseman Jalen Smerek, who is Black.
Absolutely disgraceful incident in a Ukrainian Hockey League game today. https://t.co/NWQb8HvDw5
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 26, 2021
• Deniskin is facing disciplinary action from the league and issued an “apology” on social media later on Sunday afternoon.
“A gesture that some might consider as an insult in racial affiliation” pic.twitter.com/aZPEzzPws8
— Catherine Silverman (@catmsilverman) September 26, 2021
• The hockey world was emphatically supportive of Smerek after news and video of the incident circulated online.
There are no words to describe how disgusting and disrespectful this is. https://t.co/29qWmA2GGv
— Black Girl Hockey Club (@BlackGirlHockey) September 26, 2021
this cretin should be banned for life. end of story https://t.co/hccZxMv7rj
— Igor Larionov II (@Igor_LarionovII) September 26, 2021
Respect to @jalen_smereck. The sport is better because of you. I’ve got your back, and I know a lot of other hockey fans do too.
— JT Brown (@JTBrown23) September 26, 2021
Am I surprised? No. This is still a huge issue in this game. Can’t wait to hear this punishment, a lot on the line for the future of this game. https://t.co/DX86RzbeCJ
— Anthony Duclair (@aduclair10) September 27, 2021
• It’s an inexcusable, low-life move. The IIHF has tons of eyes on them now as the whole hockey world saw exactly what happened. The discipline handed down cannot be a slap on the wrist if the game wants to truly be “for everyone.”
• Here is the IIHF’s first statement on the matter from Monay morning:
This a direct assault on the ideals and values of our game, and we will ensure that all necessary ethics violation investigations occur to ensure that this behaviour is sanctioned appropriately. 2/2
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) September 27, 2021
• Palate cleanser: A black and white film about NHL players with jobs in the offseason, including the Bentley brothers (Max and Doug) former Blackhawks from my Grandpa’s era of hockey.
A look back at how NHL players spent their Summers in 1951. credit: Library & Archives of Canada. pic.twitter.com/JnePHK5Ryj
— Old Canada Series (@oldcanadaseries) September 26, 2021
• Imagine if Jonathan Toews had to run a sporting goods shop in the summer, or Sidney Crosby was an offseason farmer. What a world.
•. Speaking of Jonathan Toews, the Captain is back and assuming his rightful role this season, flanked by alternate captains Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat to make up the leadership group for the 2021-22
The #Blackhawks leadership group for the 2021-22 #NHL season will include three players, according to the team’s official player headshots.
Captain: Jonathan Toews
Alternate captains: Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane(s/t @toewsfordays) pic.twitter.com/mQJ5x8cA0w
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) September 27, 2021
• Back to the present, the Seattle Kraken played their first game ever as a franchise on Sunday night, playing a preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks in Spokane, Washington.
let’s go, boys 👊 pic.twitter.com/UEgsFzQLNK
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 27, 2021
• A bit of bar trivia that could earn you a free beer one day, who scored the first ever Seattle Kraken goal? Answer: Riley Sheahan.
Riley Sheahan scores the first Seattle Kraken goal to cut the Canucks' lead in half #SEAKraken pic.twitter.com/xCm37FFYRj
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) September 27, 2021
• NHL hockey is alive in the Evergreen State after their first win as a franchise.
• That will do it for today. Hope you all have a great Monday ahead of you!
• Oh, by the way, I’m heading down to training camp today! If you have any players you want pictures or videos or my expert eye-test breakdowns of, let me know! And if you’re at camp today, come say hi 👋
