Kane’s Still Top Ten, Lots of Prospect Talk, One Halifax of a Day, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

With the World Juniors in the rear view mirror, we’re back in a bit of a holding pattern waiting for hockey on the ice. The next action for us to watch will be the Blackhawks’ prospects facing Minnesota’s next generation the second weekend in September. So, for now, we start looking ahead to the 2022-23 season and beyond.

  • On Sunday night, NHL Network dropped their rankings of the top 20 wings in the NHL right now. Patrick Kane came in tenth in the league. Somewhat surprisingly, our old friend Alex DeBrincat only ranked 17th on their list.
  • Here’s what they had to say about 88:
  • Kane, who was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017, led the Blackhawks in points for the seventh straight time last season, when he had 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists), and averaged 21:49 of ice time in 78 games. Few players have been more dominant over the past decade as the 33-year-old right wing; he’s scored at least 20 goals 14 times and at least 30 five times. A three-time Cup winner (2010, 2013, 2015), Kane leads the NHL in assists since entering the League in 2007-08 (750), is third in points (1,180) and fourth in goals (430).

  • The good folks at The Athletic are rolling out their rankings of organization’s prospects in the NHL this week. Thus far, Corey Pronman has revealed teams ranked No. 25-32.
  • Good news for Blackhawks fans: the St. Louis Blues come in at 29th overall. We’re very interested to see where the Blackhawks rank now.
  • Last September, the Blackhawks ranked 23rd in Pronman’s eyes. After selling this summer and adding a handful of new players through the draft — including three first-round selections — how their ranking improves will speak volumes about how outsides view the work GM Kyle Davidson did in his first draft class.
  • Kirby Dach, Lukas Reichel, Ian Mitchell and Philipp Kurashev were the top four prospects in Pronman’s Blackhawks-specific rankings last year. Dach is no longer with the organization and Kurashev will graduate after playing a full season in the NHL.
  • While we’re on the subject of prospects, Scott Wheeler dropped an expansive notebook from the World Juniors at The Athletic on Sunday night. And he commented on a number of the Blackhawks’ prospects. Here are Wheeler’s comments about the Blackhawks’ players in the WJC.
  • Ethan Del Mastro (Canada): “Late add after Daemon Hunt got injured. Scratched in opener but placed on the second pairing in Game 2 and he didn’t leave it. Did his job playing off of the offensively-gifted Lukas Cormier. Put some kids on the seat of their pants (including some big boys). Separated players from pucks with ease.”
  • Landon Slaggert (USA): “Pushed pace. Looked strong out there through his skating. Did some little things on that top line, like setting some important screens and getting sticks on tips. Made some plays. Did it all, really. I was impressed.”
  • Dominic James (USA): “Like his instincts and reads offensively and defensively. Puts himself in sound position and then reacts from there, rather than chasing. Comes up with little interceptions and disruptions because of it. Generating good speed in straight lines and using it to hunt pucks. Not noticeable offensively, though.”
  • Wyatt Kaiser (USA): “Got beat one-on-one flatfooted a couple of times. Skating can look a little frantic but he can really get from A to B. Active. Gets his shots on target, whether that’s lobbing them through traffic or stepping into a more attacking wrister. Strong over pucks/in physical engagements. All of that is good. There’s a hitch, though: he was really very hectic throughout, rushing into fires and trying to do too much. There were a few times where I found myself thinking ‘What is he doing?'”
  • Victor Stjernborg (Sweden): “Good on PK. Noticeable on the cycle buzzing around the offensive zone with his hurried and strong crossovers.”
  • Nathan MacKinnon had himself a day with the Stanley Cup in Halifax this weekend.
  • Finally, we love talking prospects whether it’s hockey or baseball, and the Cubs promoted one of their hot young players last night. We’ve got that news covered to start your Monday.
  • 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 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...

    Happy Birthday Luke, Bag Skate Monday, Bedard vs. Faber, Saturday Cartoons, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson is celebrating a birthday today. He's celebrating his Korchinski year; today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday, Luke! Hope you get a win tonight so you can celebrate with some wine. There have been...

    Latest News

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-226) in a season-opening matchup with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on ARID, live from Chase Field.Arizona's Zac Gallen...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the Boston Red Sox. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on NESN, live from T-Mobile Park.Luis Castillo...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians begin their season as -156 favorites in a road tilt against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Shane Bieber gets the start, and he'll go against Oakland's Alex Wood.Guardians vs. Athletics...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

    more blackhawks news