Preseason Game Day, Talkin’ Kids, Beer Me! DJ Rebuild, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Blackhawks Goose Island

It’s Game Night in Chicago! The St. Louis Blues are visiting the United Center for the first preseason game of the new-look Blackhawks. Are you excited?

  • Patrick and I have been very intentional with what we’ve focused a lot of our preseason writing on thus far. It’s been pretty prospect heavy early in camp because, well, that seems to be where a lot of the focus is for fans and the front office alike. Here’s a quick list of the young players we’ve featured so far in camp:
  • Ian Mitchell (injured)
  • Isaak Phillips
  • Alec Regula
  • Alex Vlasic
  • Lukas Reichel
  • Josiah Slavin
  • If there are prospects you want to read about or get to know better, let us know in the comments below! We plan on keeping the next generation(s) of Blackhawks a regular part of our coverage this year.
  • It appears Regula and Vlasic are in the mix for a spot on the blue line to open the regular season with Jake McCabe (and, sadly, Mitchell) missing for the first couple months of the season. As Scott Powers noted in his roster projections on Monday at The Athletic:
  • “[Regula] finished last season with the Blackhawks and has management’s confidence… My guess is Alex Vlasic makes the team, too. The Blackhawks would prefer if Vlasic spent a lot of this season in Rockford developing, but the situation is what it is and his NHL stay may only be as long as McCabe is out.”

  • We discussed the Blackhawks’ power play after getting a good look at what might be the first unit in practice on Monday. Head coach Luke Richardson also spoke about the penalty kill and holy moly it sounds like the Hawks have a coaching staff with a clue this year! What a fun, nice departure from the Colliton Era!
  • Speaking of the power play, we’re crossing our fingers the Blackhawks get ONE power play goal from a defenseman this year. We’re setting our hopes at just one because that would be more than they got from the blue line last year. Seth Jones would be a good candidate to change that story.
  • Beer me! The Hawks beer collaboration with Goose Island is officially available. I love the design of the cases and cans and can’t wait to try it.
  • And beer me Richardson did! He started his Monday media availability with a handout of the new beverage.
  • One of the Blackhawks’ summer additions, Cole Guttman, was the captain of the University of Denver team that won the national championship earlier this year. We found out what their championship rings look like on Monday. I wonder if the Hawks will bring him with to Denver to pick his up in a couple weeks on Opening Night or if Guttman’s hardware is in the mail…
  • Jack Johnson is also waiting for a ring. It will be easier for him to get his from the Avs that night, though.
  • If you’re headed to the United Center this year, get ready for the sounds of DJ Steve Smooth, who apparently will be the house music guy for the coming season. He also handles the musical selections for the Cubs, so Chicago fans should be used to him being the soundtrack to a rebuild by now.
  • Michigan’s social took a lap with Adam Fantilli on Monday. Yes, we’re paying attention to the likely top-3 pick in next year’s draft (and you should, too).
  • Finally, this is a great question regarding the voting for baseball’s hall of fame. What do you think?
  • 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 Kings – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    Okay, so here's the set up for tonight's final game of the 2023-24 NHL regular season -- and, with the latest start time on the slate, this is indeed the actual, final game of the entire regular season. And the...

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    Blackhawks 4, Kings 5 (OT) — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

    If we paid attention to my pregame notes, you'll know that fans and members of the Kings' organization were going to be keeping an eye on the Ducks-Golden Knights score as their own game progressed. LA dominated the first period,...

    Lukas Reichel Will Play for Rockford, Not Germany

    Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was asked before the regular season finale if forward Lukas Reichel would play for Germany at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, or if he was headed to Rockford to join the IceHogs for their playoffs....

    OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Former “Coyotes” Franchise Moving to Utah

    On Thursday afternoon, the NHL made it official: the Arizona Coyotes are no more. The league's Board of Governors voted to approve the franchise relocating to Salt Lake City, effective immediately. The franchise will be owned and controlled by Smith...

    You Can Buy IceHogs Playoff Tickets Starting Friday!

    Hey Blackhawks fans! Wanna see playoff hockey with some players who might be part of the future in Chicago? The IceHogs are heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs, and some tickets go on sale Friday morning! The final schedule for...

    Bedard’s Expectations, Dickinson’s Selke Case, Farewell Arizona, Records Made & Missed, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Welcome to the final day of the 2023-24 NHL season, hockey fans! The Blackhawks visit the LA Kings to close the books on their campaign tonight. Gotta love a 9:30 puck drop against a team that's beat the Hawks soundly...

    The Blackhawks Hosted Winter Classic at Wrigley Field will be on Dec. 31

    Before Wednesday night’s games on TNT, the NHL announced the Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Blues will be played on Dec. 31, a change from its traditional New Year’s Day slot. The puck will drop shortly after 4 PM...

    Connor Murphy Named Blackhawks Nominee for the King Clancy Trophy

    On Wednesday morning, the NHL announced the 32 team nominees for the 2023-24 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution...

    History Tonight? Korchinski’s Season, Lots of Prospect Notes, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    If you're a hockey addict who will watch non-Blackhawks games like me, and you maybe possibly want to see a little history on Wednesday evening, might I suggest tuning into the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning game at...

    Latest News

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

    Pirates vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Quinn Priester will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) when they host starter Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you...

    Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday at 9:40 PM ET, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) face George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at PETCO Park.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Diego play...

    Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

    Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) when they host starting pitcher Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (10-8) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...

    St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals Starting...

    Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET...

    more blackhawks news