World Juniors Roll On, Korchinski Signs, Defensive Questions in Chicago, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks provided us with some news on Wednesday with the signing of their first pick from this summer’s draft class. And the action at the World Juniors continues today with Canada taking the ice at 5 PM CT and the United States getting back at it in the nightcap at 9 PM CT. So get your coffee ready for another late night of watching Blackhawks prospects.

  • In World Juniors action on Wednesday, Sweden won an exciting game against Switzerland, taking a three-goal lead with two quick goals early in the third period. But the Swiss came back with two quick goals of their own later in the period and the final ten minutes were tight. Sweden hung on to win 3-2.
  • Blackhawks prospect Victor Stjernborg skated 15:38, which ranked second among forwards for Sweden. He was credited with one shot on net — which came on a nice short-handed opportunity.
  • Blackhawks defense prospect Ethan Del Mastro was a healthy scratch for Canada, which was expected. But Connor Bedard reminded fans why teams like the Blackhawks are actively trying to position themselves to win the NHL Draft Lottery next spring.
  • Kevin Korchinski signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The Blackhawks shared this photo of Korchinski signing his first professional contract.
  • We wrote about how Korchinski and GM Kyle Davidson will forever be tied together — from the trade to get the seventh overall pick to him being Davidson’s first draft pick as general manager and, now, the first pick from his regime to sign.
  • Apparently Dominic James is the funny guy on the USA squad at the World Juniors.
  • On Wednesday, TSN dropped the latest from Travis Yost’s series ranking roster depth across the NHL. This piece looked at the blue line.
  • Thus far in the series, the Blackhawks have either been at the bottom or, in the case of right wing, near the top (thanks, in large part, to Patrick Kane). Even with a few veterans returning, the Blackhawks ranked near the bottom again here. Yost put the Hawks in his fourth tier (“Underperform”).
  • Yost’s notes about the Blackhawks were simple: “The Seth Jones contract has officially started, so there’s that.”
  • Our hearts broke and we’re mourning with the Edmonton Oilers after the team announced the passing of one of their biggest fans. Ben Stelter, the six-year-old who became a familiar face encouraging his heroes to win games and the Oilers to “Play La Bamba, baby” sadly lost his battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with his family. As a father, I can’t fathom the pain of losing a child so this one hit me especially hard.
  • Finally, happy Field of Dreams Day to Cubs (and Reds) fans.
  • written by

    Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

    more blackhawks news

    Blackhawks 0, Senators 2 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

    Remember when the Blackhawks went to California for three games and started each game like they had 45 minutes of hockey to start caring? And dug a deep hole in each game that they were only able to escape from...

    Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

    These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

    Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

    28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

    We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

    The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

    NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

    It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

    We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

    Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

    Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

    Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

    The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

    Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

    Latest News

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    more blackhawks news