Lineup Adjustments in Buffalo, Junior Producers, Canucks Make a Trade, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Patrick Kane Blackhawks

Happy sports equinox weekend folks! Monday is not only Halloween, but it will also be just the 29th time in history that the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB all play on the same day (the World Series isn’t playing on Sunday this year because they’re scared of the NFL). So yeah, Monday could be a fun day. But the Blackhawks have two games to play before we wake up on Monday, so let’s dig in to what’s up on Saturday morning.

  • Did you know Patrick Kane is from Buffalo?
  • I’m only partially kidding. Every time the Blackhawks have played in Buffalo for the past 16 years there have been a flurry of tweets and stories reminding us that Kane grew up there. While I won’t have to deny Ryan Miller trade rumors this year like I did back in the day, there are some in the Sabres’ community/fandom that wouldn’t mind 88 going home if/when he opens himself up to a trade.
  • Chicago was able to bring Boris Katchouk back from IR for the weekend; he had been out since Oct. 2 because of an ankle sprain. Ironically, Tyler Johnson suffering an ankle sprain created roster space for Katchouk.
  • So how/when/where/why would Katchouk find space in the lineup? It looks like he’s headed to the fourth line tonight.
  • I was interested to see the Blackhawks are going to bump Philipp Kurashev up to the second line tonight (at least to start). The Blackhawks’ lines were rolling so well before Tyler got hurt, and then inserting Reese Johnson saw him score a goal against Edmonton. The third line of Kurashev-Dickinson-Lafferty was such a spark for the team… but Katchouk isn’t a top-six guy and head coach Luke Richardson isn’t going to try to force it in his first game of the regular season. Jujhar Khaira got the bump against Edmonton but he’s getting a night off in Buffalo.
  • Another guy who is fighting to stay in the lineup every night is Caleb Jones, whose up and down season last year made him receiving a qualifying offer a bit of a surprise this past summer. Even though his brother is the top defenseman in Chicago, Caleb has never been able to establish himself as an every night guy in the NHL in Edmonton or here last year. Richardson has complimented Caleb’s game recently, but with Filip Roos waiting to get back into the mix he knows the pressure is on.
  • Richardson talked about what Arvid Söderblom brings to the blue paint in his first start this weekend. I really liked what he showed in his preseason start — so much that my preseason prediction was that Söderblom, not Petr Mrazek or Alex Stalock, would lead the Blackhawks in goalie wins this season. Saturday is his first opportunity to pick up a win.
  • Kevin Korchinski looked great in the preseason in Chicago, so many of us hoped he put up big numbers once he was assigned back to junior. Well, so far so good. Korchinski has 13 points in seven games with Seattle in the WHL. Here’s his 12th assist of the season from last night:
  • Next Saturday, I’m co-hosting a road watch party! If you enjoy cigars, bourbon and hockey, this might be a fun one for you to attend. I’ll be at Ultimate Cigar Lounge in Villa Park with the folks from Oliva Cigars for the matinee against the Jets. Feel free to join us for a fun afternoon!
  • The Canucks and Canes made a deal on Friday. Defenseman Ethan Bear is headed to Vancouver. Pederson, 25, was traded to Carolina with Brent Burns this summer. He has not appeared in an NHL game.
  • Colton Dach hasn’t returned to the lineup for Kelowna yet, but there’s another player on that roster who is increasingly interesting to me. Andrew Cristall is a 2023 draft-eligible forward who has a lot of high-end skill. He isn’t in the conversation for a top-five pick; many consider him a mid-first to early-second round option. Cristall scored the OT GWG for the Rockets last night and now has nine goals and nine assists in 11 games.
  • Paul Ludwinski picked up his fifth assist of the season last night. He has six points in six games since returning to the Kingston lineup from concussion protocol in Chicago.
  • Finally, DeMar DeRozan joined a pretty impressive club last night. The Bulls’ star scored his 20,000th career point against his former coach/team from San Antonio. Congrats, DeMar!
  • 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

    World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

    Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

    Points Galore at World Championship, Toews Stories, Toronto Drama, OT Oilers, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The World Championships got started with a bang on Friday morning. Germany, without Lukas Reichel (who still wasn't on their roster), beat Slovakia 6-4. Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland rolled to a 5-2 win over Norway. Kurashev picked up an assist...

    Connor Bedard Scored Twice in His World Championship Debut!

    After finishing his Calder Trophy-caliber rookie season with the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard decided to jump right back on the ice and do his best to help Canada win gold at the World Championship. Notice the lack of the word "Junior"...

    Blackhawks Fans Guide to the IIHF World Championship

    While we're watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Blackhawks, there are a few guys from the NHL roster this season competing for a championship of their own. The IIHF World Championship is taking place in Czechia from May 10-26....

    NHL Mock Draft Roundup: More Projected Picks for Blackhawks Fans to Consider

    The day after the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery I did a quick wrap of some updated mock drafts from around the interwebs to see who folks were projecting the Blackhawks to select. We've had a few more drop recently, so...

    World Championships Begin, Demidov vs Levshunov, Unbeatable Rangers, Wild Selling, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The IIHF World Championship begins this morning with Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland facing Norway in Game 1 of the tournament. That game begins at 9:20 AM CT. On Friday morning the lines for the game posted and Kurashev...

    UPDATE: Stadium to Partner With Standard Media Group to Build Blackhawks, Bulls & White Sox TV Network

    Over the weekend I shared a news story from Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers at The Athletic that detailed the formation of the new regional sports network (RSN) that would eventually be the home for Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...

    Utah’s NHL Franchise Reveals List Of 20 Potential New Names

    If you were hoping to find out what the artist formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes / Utah's new NHL franchise's nickname could be, you might want to brace for disappointment. This week, ownership of the newest NHL franchise --...

    Luke Richardson is Suddenly One of the Longest-Tenured Head Coaches in the NHL

    When the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe on Thursday morning, it didn't surprise most people. But one aspect of the move certainly got my attention. The Leafs installed Keefe as their head coach on November 20, 2019, which made...

    Slaggert’s Path, Fight Night in Florida, Comeback Canucks, Keefe Out, College Decisions, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    This year's NHL Draft Lottery was the first time since 2010 that no team moved up. Which was surprising, and a win for the Blackhawks. Ben Pope shared this nugget, which is also interesting. The Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko...

    Latest News

    Mavericks vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks are slight 1.5-point favorites heading into Game 4 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center on Monday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The Mavericks hold...

    NHL Playoffs Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – May 13

    With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...

    Oilers vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks on May 14 at 9:30 PM ET, and have been made -218 favorites, with the away team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best...

    How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

    How to Watch Angels vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) host Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

    Mariners vs. Royals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Seattle Mariners (22-19), with George Kirby on the mound, host the Kansas City Royals (25-17) who will hand the ball to Brady Singer, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup...

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Jordan Montgomery takes the ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) when they host starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

    Padres vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Diego Padres (22-21), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, host the Colorado Rockies (12-28) who will hand the ball to Dakota Hudson, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out how to...

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

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) at 9:45 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-San Francisco matchup in...

    Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...

    more blackhawks news