NEWSLETTER
Another exciting weekend of playoff hockey is in the books. The Tampa Bay Lightning erased a two-goal deficit on Sunday afternoon and won their first game of the series on home ice, making the series 2-1 in favor of the Rangers. Tonight, the Avalanche can start the offseason for the Edmonton Oilers with a fourth straight win. Both teams will be short-handed for the game thanks to an injury and a suspension. The game begins at 7 PM CT on TNT.
• On Monday morning, Jeff Marek of SportsNet appeared on NHL Network Radio on Sirius/XM to talk about a wide range of topics. The Blackhawks came up, and he echoed the comments from his colleague Elliotte Friedman over the weekend. Marek used the phrase “aggressively listening” when discussing about Chicago’s approach to the current trade market.
• He also wondered when/if general manager Kyle Davidson will have a conversation with Patrick Kane and/or Jonathan Toews about their no-trade clause(s). We wrote about this mindset over the weekend when Friedman’s report aired.
Report: The Blackhawks Are “Willing to Listen” on Trade Proposals for Almost Everyonehttps://t.co/pyofjOt40f pic.twitter.com/8f50vpWzrq
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 5, 2022
• Over the weekend, Smaht Scouting dropped a three-round mock draft for this summer’s NHL Draft. Which is nice because most mock drafts are limited to the first round and, well, the Blackhawks don’t have a pick in the first this year. Chicago does have five picks between the second and third rounds, however. The analysts at Smaht Scouting have the Hawks using four of their five picks on defensemen… which we highly doubt will happen. But take a look at their overall mock.
https://twitter.com/smahtscouting/status/1533608676849860612?s=27&t=Qi_7nsZSEWS2PMOkFX7MUA
• If you missed the voice of Eddie Olczyk on the broadcast this weekend, he was busy being honored. Edzo has become a tireless advocate for cancer research and prevention since his own battle, and was in Chicago to be receive a prestigious award. We, too, love Edzo and are thrilled for him and pray for continued health for him and his family.
What an incredible evening to watch Eddie Olczyk receive an award from the @NorthwesternDHF for his courage and battle against colon cancer. Love you Edzo. What a great team that you worked with from Northwestern. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Xbz614qjdY
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) June 5, 2022
• Mark Lazerus of The Athletic broke down the similarities between Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar and Duncan Keith when Keith was in his prime with the Blackhawks. It’s a terrific read and worth a few minutes of your time.
NEW: Cale Makar is the best defenseman in the world.
Duncan Keith was once the best defenseman in the world.
How does Current Makar stack up against Prime Keith? Let's break it down.
"They're both ridiculous."
My story: https://t.co/FTAIMT1VaP
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 5, 2022
• The big hit of the weekend will impact both teams when Colorado tries to send Edmonton to the golf course this evening. Evander Kane boarded Nazem Kadri. Kadri left the ice in pain and did not return; Kane received a five-minute major penalty. Kadri reportedly left the arena after the game with his arm in a cast. On Sunday, the NHL Dept. of Player Safety banned Kane from Game Four of the series. Neither player will be on the ice tonight.
Edmonton’s Evander Kane has been suspended for one game for Boarding Colorado’s Nazem Kadri. https://t.co/1zUiUo0LZb
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) June 5, 2022
• So who wins tonight? Vote in our Twitter poll!
No Kadri. No Kane. Who ya got tonight?
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 6, 2022
• The Blackhawks don’t appear to be looking to spend big this offseason. But rumors are swirling that the Cubs might be willing to break the bank this winter.
The #Cubs are "guaranteed" to land one of Turner, Bogaerts, or Correa? So says one GM: https://t.co/D5PVR8zNGo pic.twitter.com/bLhtl2zhcl
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 6, 2022
