NEWSLETTER
Merry Christmas Eve and a Happy Holidays to you all. I hope you are able to spend the day, wherever you are and whoever you are with, in any way that makes you happiest. That’s the spirit of the holiday season to me.
• Also in the spirit of the holiday season, this Blackhawks Christmas Album is ten years old!
• What better way to spend your Christmas Eve than curling up and watching…nothing…
With the cancellation of the @HawaiiBowl, there are no major live U.S. sporting events scheduled for 12/24/21. NFL, NBA, NHL, College Football, Men’s/Women’s College Basketball all dormant this Xmas Eve.
— Announcer Schedules (@announcerskeds) December 24, 2021
• I mean, Christmas movies are an option too.
• Speaking of cancellations, for the second year in-a-row, the Women’s U18 World Championships will be cancelled without the opportunity to reschedule, while the Men’s World Junior Championships plays on without a second thought.
The IIHF is canceling all January events, sources tell ESPN. Could announce as soon as tomorrow.
That includes the cancellation of U18 Women’s Worlds for the second straight year. https://t.co/DSGB3mHDdA
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 24, 2021
• Seems incredibly bogus to the rising Women’s prospects to not even entertain the idea of a postponement. Just outright canceled? Incredibly unfair.
The IIHF has prioritized & held top division men’s events during the pandemic but the top division women’s events – cancelled – again. UNACCEPTABLE. Figure out how to safely play the U18 Worlds this season, just like the U18 men & #WorldJuniors. These players DESERVE to play too. https://t.co/QhDwaPdM4r
— Kendall Coyne Schofield (@KendallCoyne) December 24, 2021
• At the Men’s World Juniors, Team USA lost their pre-tournament game in overtime to Finland after Red Savage (yes, a real player) took a five-minute major late in the game, allowing Finland to score three goals on the unlimited five-minute powerplay, including the overtime winner. But at least the game doesn’t count, right? And at least Drew Commesso wasn’t in net for the blown lead.
Going to have a full rundown of USA's pre-tournament game on Hockey Sense later tonight, but good lesson for this team about how quickly games can flip in an event like this. One major positive for the U.S., Drew Commesso (CHI) as he was very strong in his 40 minutes in net.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 23, 2021
• Commesso will have a major weight on his shoulders, leading Team USA as they defend their 2021 Gold Medal.
Leaman on Drew Commesso (CHI): He's definitely our No. 1. He'll start the opening game against Slovakia.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 23, 2021
• At least he and the rest of the U.S. Junior team team are going to look damn good doing so. Unlike the players who will be heading to the Olympics…
Going to show this to my grandchildren as the difference between right and wrong pic.twitter.com/PNIMcP4Cl6
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 23, 2021
• Speaking of the Olympics, with the NHL not participating, new coaches and team front office personnel are needed. Team Canada already has new faces in those positions, with Team USA expected to name their third leader of the management group for the 2022 Olympic team after the Holiday weekend.
With NHL management teams not available now for the Winter Games, all indications are pointing to Shane Doan being GM of Team Canada…with Claude Julien coaching. USA Hockey is expected to name a new management group on Monday.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) December 23, 2021
• I don’t envy the guy who has to come in and take the seat third in line, and have to do so without NHL players participating in the games.
• With the Olympics out, so is the Olympic break in the NHL schedule. Due to the recent COVID outbreak in the league, 50 games had been postponed over the last two weeks, including three Blackhawks home games. Getting those and the rest of the 50 games rescheduled in the three-week break that was supposed to be for the Olympics is another job I don’t envy…
It's a similar story around the league, creating a spiderweb of conflicts that makes this February rescheduling approach quite a puzzle for the NHL.
New story: https://t.co/s5EgL7rVCv
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 23, 2021
• Good luck.
• You know who could also use some good luck? Patrick Kane. He is shooting at what would be a career-low 7.4% right now this season. His career-low for a full season is a 7.9% shooting-percentage, set last season. That and many more stats like it in this piece from NBC Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis…
No NHL player has had more scoring chances off the rush this season than Alex DeBrincat.
Here are 39 other random #Blackhawks stats entering Christmas break: https://t.co/tvFS62rVzq
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 24, 2021
• Here’s something else fun from the Blackhawks, Alex DeBrincat and his new wife Lyndsey played a mini version of the Newlywed Game. In which, we learn if the Cat cries during movies?
Cat is a picky eater? 🧐 His words, not ours.@Helzberg | 💍 pic.twitter.com/BU8IH8ULer
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 23, 2021
• Fun stuff.
• Speaking of getting to know someone new, the Blackhawks have been going through a major audition period this season looking for who will be replacing Pat Foley as the new play-by-play voice of the team. It’s not going to be an easy task, and it’s been awkward to not have Foley calling as many games as he wants to in his final year behind the mic. Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times has more on the process of replacing a legend.
An inside look at the #Blackhawks rebuilding year in the broadcast booth as they audition candidates to replace Pat Foley – https://t.co/Cbiqq0hVyJ pic.twitter.com/ahIdV40xty
— Jeff Agrest (@jeffreya22) December 23, 2021
• In all honesty, because of my baby girl, most games are watched in my house with the volume so low, I can’t hear the broadcast. But from what I gather online, you all equally dislike everyone not named Pat Foley this year.
• Here’s how the Stanley Cup Playoffs would look if the postseason started today:
Which of these first round #StanleyCup matchups would you be most excited to see? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eQFGZxHHn5
— NHL (@NHL) December 24, 2021
• Favorite matchup – Avalanche vs. Golden Knights. Least favorite – Predators vs. Blues, obviously.
• Here’s something from ESPN and Emily Kaplan about positive fan interactions on the ice this season.
hockey players 🤝 fan interaction
A story of generosity we told on The Point today. pic.twitter.com/cyZZ6Vj4ar
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 23, 2021
• I love seeing the pregame interactions between fans and players. Gives fans a sense that their on-ice heroes are actually accessible people.
• Anyone need help wrapping gifts?
Anyone need any last minute help wrapping presents? 😅 pic.twitter.com/NrVeCgIMqD
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 24, 2021
• I’m no better at it than these guys, so I’ll leave the judgement on their wrapping skills to you.
• That will do it for today. Again, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from myself and the entire Bleacher Nation crew!
• Enjoy the holidays.
