NEWSLETTER
We’ve got more Marc-André Fleury rumors this morning! If the Blackhawks can get Fleury on board, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem like a landing spot that could work for all parties involved, and the Blackhawks could end up with a first-rounder out of the deal.
• Read more about it all right here:
Toronto Could Be a Perfect Landing Spot for Blackhawks Goaltender Marc-André Fleuryhttps://t.co/W4Y2EVjK5v pic.twitter.com/iPjx2IJp1F
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 8, 2022
• Well, it’s official: The NHL notified the KHL that it has severed all ties and communication with Russia’s top hockey league.
NEWS: The #NHL notified the KHL on Monday that it has officially severed all ties and communication with Russia's top hockey league.
The MOU between the leagues has been suspended, which will make signing Russian free agents a little trickier. Details:https://t.co/bakATNVPTk
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 8, 2022
• In a Monday memo sent to NHL GMs, the NHL advised teams to “immediately cease all dealings [direct or indirect] with the KHL and KHL Clubs [and all representatives of both], as well as with player agents who are based in and continue to do business in Russia.” This will impact, among other things, the ability of NHL teams to sign Russian free agents.
• Frank Seravalli described the situation like this: “In order to sign a player from the KHL, the interested NHL team must inquire with Central Registry to inquire if the last information available from the KHL demonstrates that the player is on an expiring KHL contract, and teams must produce “independent written evidence demonstrating that the player is entirely free of any and all potentially conflicting contractual obligations in the KHL for 2022-23 and beyond.”
• This might affect the Blackhawks’ rumored pursuit of Andrei Kuzmenko:
Rumor Roundup: Blackhawks Not Alone on Kuzmenko, Big Sale in Philadelphia? Rangers on Lehkonen, Offers for Chychrun, Morehttps://t.co/EZR9rKGwsA pic.twitter.com/BjK79y46wk
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 26, 2022
• Here’s some of what we had to say on Kuzmenko when he was first brought up:
This season with SKA St. Petersburg, Kuzmenko is second in the KHL in scoring with 20 goals and 33 assists, good for 53 points (and second only to Vadim Shipachyov, who has 67 points with Dynamo Moskva). Both players will be heading to the Olympics with Team Russia in a few weeks after being named to the non-NHL version of the roster.
Chicago has found success in previous years in the European free agent market, most notably with Artemiy Panarin. They have also found quality players like Michal Kempny, Jan Rutta, David Kämpf, Erik Gustafsson, and Dominik Kahun in previous years. The 25-year-old Kuzmenko is not likely to be the “next Panarin,” but his offensive ability has garnered attention from a number of NHL clubs and could be on the radar for a Blackhawks team that will be in-flux and looking for offensive options for the future.
• The Blackhawks have dropped a line of retro Starter apparel that will have Millennials feeling all sorts of ways today. My original thought was, TAKE MY MONEY!!! That is until I opened the link and laid eyes on the cost. Let me just say this … YIKES! Unless you’ve got $185 laying around for a jacket.
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1501226571340062720?s=20&t=XohEbWAGQuup99TGPEguog
• If you’re looking for something to listen to today, George Ofman interviews the legendary Pat Foley in the latest episode of his podcast:
A mentor of mine interviews one of my broadcast heroes. I can’t wait to listen to @georgeofman’s interview with the legend Pat Foley. Give it a listen wherever you get your podcasts. #Blackhawks https://t.co/Haq5ykRo8t
— Jay Zawaski (@jayzawaski) March 8, 2022
• We’re going to need some of that Aaron Rodgers money if we’re looking to buy some of that new Blackhawks Starter swag!
The Green Bay Packers Are Making Aaron Rodgers the Highest Paid Player in NFL Historyhttps://t.co/URH92XqGZ6 pic.twitter.com/JJ6KaWrHgp
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 8, 2022
• Eli takes a look at how drastically the loss of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso has impacted the Bulls, and spoiler alert … it’s a lot!
Feels like a timely share.
Not all the Bulls' woes can be chalked up to the absence of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, but it's undoubtedly a factor.
Took a look at just how drastically some things have changed since both left the floor ⬇️https://t.co/AIv4um8Yxd
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) March 8, 2022
• The Ducks are in town tonight:
Blackhawks Weekly Preview: Ducks, Bruins, and Senators — March 7-13https://t.co/AicGWxaW6e
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 7, 2022
