NEWSLETTER
More quiet days for Blackhawks fans mean more playoff hockey viewing without too much of a vested interest. Thankfully, there are some former Blackhawks in play, so we can cheer for guys we used to know (Tyler Motte) and question plays by others (Brandon Hagel).
It was an eventful weekend, so let’s get this new week started in style.
• We’ll open with happy birthday wishes to former Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell, who turns 43 today. Campbell had a terrific career and is now one of GM Kyle Davidson’s inner circle.
• The Hawks announced Monday morning that the club has signed Swedish defenseman Filip Roos to a two-year, entry-level contract. The addition of Roos gives the Blackhawks 14 defensemen under contract next year.
The #Blackhawks Have Signed Defenseman Filip Rooshttps://t.co/TYC2gegNNh pic.twitter.com/8gw39COLFC
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) May 23, 2022
• Former Blackhawk Tyler Motte scored a pretty backhand goal into an empty net to secure the big home victory for the Rangers on Sunday.
MOTTER APPRECIATION POST pic.twitter.com/cWiTMv34i0
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 22, 2022
• The first questionable hit we saw on Sunday came from our old friend, Brandon Hagel. Hagel was initially assessed a major penalty, but review cut it back to only a minor penalty for this hit on Eetu Luostarinen. Keith Jones and Eddie Olczyk were on the call and they were both surprised Hagel only received a minor; Olczyk went as far as to say a suspension was in play.
Hagel gets a major penalty, but after review it's reduced to a minor for crosschecking Luostarinen pic.twitter.com/mK00ubQQmX
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 22, 2022
• The second questionable hit was delivered by Milan Lucic. He got more than just a piece of Edmonton netminder Mike Smith, who left the ice for a few minutes for concussion protocol. Unlike Hagel, Lucic got a major and the showers. And unlike the Hagel play, Smith returned to the ice a few minutes later.
Milan Lucic was given a five minute major along with a game misconduct for this incident.
Mike Smith left the game for concussion protocol but quickly returned in the third period. pic.twitter.com/6Ym9mVemy8
— ESPN (@espn) May 23, 2022
• Meanwhile, Connor McDavid is playing on a level we haven’t seen in generations. With all due respect to Ovechkin, Crosby, Kane and others over the past 20 years, nobody has put up numbers like McJesus is this postseason.
Connor McDavid has 2-7-9 in his first 3GP vs the Flames in this series….
And has:
G: 6
A: 17
P: 23
+/-: +16In 10 Playoff Games.
We are watching the World’s BEST player at the absolute height of his powers! pic.twitter.com/wh6Y4TDVSP
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) May 23, 2022
• Last week, Sportico reported that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to receive a contract extension when the Board of Governors meets in New York during the Stanley Cup Final. Bettman’s six-year contract expires at the end of this season, but with revenues climbing and owners around the league happy with the financial state of the league, it’s understandable that Bettman would get a few more years. Bettman will celebrate his 70th birthday on June 2.
• He’s no Anthony Rizzo out of the bullpen, that’s for damn sure.
So-Called Hall of Famer Yadi Molina Performs Horribly in Pitching Debut – https://t.co/j6pT5ucrAH (via BN)
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 22, 2022
