Dach Disappears, Korchinski and Guttman Shine, Michigan’s Coach Talks About the New Year, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Sep 17, 2022

The Blackhawks’ prospects took the ice in actual game action against the Wild prospects on Friday night. Minnesota won 5-2, out-scoring the Blackhawks’ youngsters 5-0 over the final two periods.

The biggest news from the night was the disappearance of Colton Dach. He started the game on Chicago’s top line with Lukas Reichel and Gavin Hayes and that line was electric literally immediately. Dach got the Hawks on the board just 23 seconds into the first period.

Here's a look at the Colton Dach goal that opened the scoring. Blocked a shot then scored a wrister from an awkward angle 23 seconds into the game. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/SYrF7rJWl6— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 17, 2022

However, Dach never came out of the second period and did not return. He was reportedly out with some sort of upper-body issue, but the only thing coach Anders Sorensen would say after the game is that he’ll be evaluated further on Saturday. Sorensen did say he didn’t see anything specific happen that cause the issue, but didn’t elaborate further.

So the Blackhawks were down to 11 forwards for the final 40 minutes. About six minutes into the second period, Reichel was boarded and took some time to get back to his feet. He left the ice and didn’t return for the final 14 minutes of the period, leaving the Hawks down to ten forwards.

And that’s when Minnesota hit the gas. They ramped up the physical play and kept skating and tied the game by the end of the second period. They then scored three unanswered in the third period even though Reichel returned for the final frame.

Kevin Korchinski made it painfully obvious why the Blackhawks’ front office was so high on him heading into the draft. He had another gear on the ice that nobody — on either roster — could match. His instincts were impressive as well. And he took away space with his speed well on the defensive side of the rink. He skated with Alex Vlasic most of the night and was very complimentary of his partner in the locker room after the game.

Sorensen raved about Korchinski again after the game, but also had a lot of positive things to say about Cole Guttman again. He called Guttman a “winner,” noting his college championship at Denver last year. He scored Chicago’s second (and final) goal.

Watching Guttman, I definitely get a Tyler Johnson vibe. He doesn’t blow you away initially, but he’s always in the right place at the right time and makes the right, smart play. When the Blackhawks’ front office talked about filling the organization with players that play the game “the right way,” it’s clear Guttman is the kind of guy they’re targeting.

Ethan Del Mastro and Filip Roos spent a lot of time on the ice together and I liked how they communicated. Del Mastro definitely has a good sense of how to use his size as an advantage on both ends of the ice and handles the puck well. He’s also not afraid to mix it up.

When the Blackhawks were down to three centers with Reichel out, a lot fell into the laps of Guttman and Paul Ludwinski. I really liked Ludwinski’s game. He can skate and plays with an edge. Sorensen also spoke highly of Sam Savoie again as well, going as far as making an Andrew Shaw comparison.

Ludwinski, who played in Chicago on Friday night, will head back to Kingston after this weekend. On Friday, the Frontenacs announced the addition of longtime NHL head coach Jacques Martin to their front office as a senior advisor. He’ll work with their staff to get players like Ludwinski ready for the professional ranks. Having a mind that has 17 years of NHL coaching experience on the organization could be a good thing.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

We are pleased to announce the addition of longtime NHL head coach Jacques Martin to Kingston’s Hockey Operations Management Team. Martin will assume the role of Senior Advisor effective immediately.

Details: https://t.co/aZ0zwW3WtY pic.twitter.com/KRPUKfCgs6— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) September 16, 2022

There was a Blackhawks jersey in a performance at the United Center on Friday night. Kid Cudi rocked a Hawks sweater during his set. Love to see it.

Thank you @KidCudi for an incredible night in Chicago! 🔥

P.S. The custom @NHLBlackhawks jersey! *Chef’s Kiss* pic.twitter.com/vBxPTVsZkI
— United Center (@UnitedCenter) September 17, 2022

Michigan’s interim head coach Brandon Naurato joined the College Hockey News podcast this week to talk about taking over a job in some turmoil in Ann Arbor with a loaded roster that includes Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar.

He said there has been great bonding between the freshman class — which includes Nazar and Adam Fantilli (checks 2023 draft notes) — and the upperclassmen and the returning players are raving about the new guys.

Even with significant losses in Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson to the NHL, the Wolverines return a loaded roster and have a dozen incoming freshmen (again, including Nazar and Fantilli). He said they’re among the youngest teams in college hockey this year.

He had great things to say about Fantilli, noting his high compete level (again, checks draft notes).

He said Michigan “isn’t Kentucky basketball” — meaning they aren’t recruiting one-and-done players. And they want to be the best program to develop players, and view their competition as the AHL as much as other college programs. Which, again, answers part of the why the Blackhawks like players at Michigan question. And it also speaks to the timeline for Nazar, who might not sign after just one season. Luke Hughes went back, so it wouldn’t be crazy to think Nazar could spend multiple seasons at Michigan despite being the No. 13 overall pick.

Naurato also spoke about how much Michigan utilizes analytics — another reason the Blackhawks likely view this as a program they can trust to develop prospects. It could also inform their decisions in the draft next year (cough, Fantilli, cough).

Give this half hour episode a listen. It’s very good.

New Podcast with new @umichhockey coach @BrandonNaurato … Just one month on the job, we discuss a variety of topics as we head into the new season. And there are lots of topics to discuss.

Listen/subscribe:https://t.co/PK8BAbCh9b pic.twitter.com/sphGWAkfvk— College Hockey News (@chnews) September 16, 2022

We’ll close today’s bullets with some exciting prospect news from the diamond.

THE SOUTH BEND CUBS ARE GOING TO THE MIDWEST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES!!! https://t.co/KjwwRWknrN
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 17, 2022

written by

Tab Bamford

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

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