NEWSLETTER
I’d like to open this Saturday morning’s bullets with a huge thank you to Patrick for covering the Blackhawks’ beat for me while I was in Cooperstown helping coach my son’s baseball team. It was a great week that came to an emotional end for the kids — and the parents. I wrote about the trip and the team yesterday. Now, let’s talk some puck.
- A report out of Minnesota on Friday afternoon indicates the Blackhawks will be adding another assistant coach in the near future. Derek Plante was in Chicago previously; he was a player development coach for the Blackhawks from 2015-2020 before returning to Minnesota-Duluth for the past two years.
- Plante, 51, would have coached Blackhawks prospects Wyatt Kaiser and Dominic James had he stayed at UMD. But it appears he’ll be heading to Chicago to help the NHL club that drafted those two players. Kaiser and James are among the 13 Blackhawks prospects who will be playing NCAA hockey this season.
- There was a lot of chatter on Friday about the future of Patrick Kane. Mark Lazerus of The Athletic said the organization isn’t shopping him, but Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported there were teams circling with clear interest. So what gives? Patrick broke it down.
- So what do we make of these reports? Here’s reality: the Blackhawks are clearly selling, and Kaner is still an elite forward who’s entering a walk-year with a team trying to be bad. So of course teams are going to want him. But Kyle Davidson has also said he likes the idea of both Kane and Jonathan Toews at least starting the season with their young group. We’re going to get a lot of conflicting rumors about the future of any/every veteran on the Blackhawks’ roster in the coming months so buckle up.
- The San Jose Sharks will honor former Blackhawks defenseman and Hall of Famer Doug Wilson when Chicago visits their barn on Oct. 15.
- One player who finally got a new contract and address is defenseman John Klingberg, who is taking his talents to southern California. He signed a one-year deal with the Ducks on Friday.
- Dallas lost Klingberg, but still have some contracts to write before they entertain a deal for Kane. They’re an aging roster that probably should go for it (or blow it up), so it makes sense they would be linked to Kane’s potential availability. But… in the division? Say it ain’t so!
- The New York Islanders were hoping to get lucky in the lottery. No, not the 2023 draft lottery (though that might be possible, too). They bought 25,000 Mega Millions tickets with hopes of benefitting their charity. We like it (but I’m still here because I didn’t win, either).
- Another major trade that shook up the NHL saw one of the key pieces introduce himself to his new fans on Friday. Jonathan Huberdeau is headed to Calgary after the blockbuster deal that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.
- Finally, we’re closing in on the BN Blogathon. Please consider contributing to Make-A-Wish and help us make some dreams come true for kids.
