We’re going to get to the point that the daily updates and rumors surrounding the Blackhawks are going to get to be almost overwhelming. Head coach Luke Richardson admitted general manager Kyle Davidson’s phone was busy after the Canucks traded Bo Horvat to the Islanders before the All-Star Game, and that won’t likely change. Hope he’s got a good charger… in his office, car, home, mobile, etc. Keep that puppy alive, GMKD!
Before we jump into some newsworthy bullets, it sounds like Jonathan Toews is a no-go for tonight against the Ducks. He hasn’t been at the first two practices since the break because of a non-COVID illness.
This really shouldn’t shock anyone because we’ve been talking about it for months, but Patrick Kane acknowledged that his agent has been contacted by a few teams to gauge interest in a potential deal before the trade deadline. No decision has been made yet, but 88 is still in demand despite rumors flying that teams and other players are aware he isn’t 100 percent right now.
Let’s start the news with a few updates from the Blackhawks organization from Monday. Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner provided answers to a few topics of note for fans, including plans for the team’s Pride Night, ticket prices and the future of the television broadcast.
According to Blackhawks brass, 84 percent of the team’s season tickets will either stay at the same price or see a cost decrease. Seems smart given the team is where it is in the standings. I appreciate tickets staying put for another year. But let’s not use that as an excuse to not spend money on the roster.
Speaking of ticket prices, even without Toews being in the lineup tonight there are only five remaining home games between now and the trade deadline. Will you make your way to the United Center to see what might be one of the final games that these two icons are skating for the Blackhawks?
Faulkner also spoke about the rest of the organization preparing for multiple scenarios with the futures of Toews and Kane playing out.
“How [Kane and Toews are] treated throughout the process, that’s going to be important to us,” business president Jaime Faulkner said. “They’re still on our team today; they’re still contributing in big ways. How do we continue to honor that with our fan base?
“If they make decisions to leave, if things happen down the road, how do we make sure our fans get to say thank you, get to say goodbye? [How do we] celebrate if they stay? We need to be prepared for that. We’re trying to be as gracious as possible. They are the Blackhawks’ identity right now.”
Chris Vosters is going to be back on TV next season as the play-by-play guy. Who’s with him? We’ll see. This season has seen a revolving group of folks join him in the booth as he tries his best to perform the unenviable task of replacing Pat Foley. Is he perfect? No. Is he Foley? No. Is he working hard to get better? Absolutely. I would rather have some continuity than another open tryout and make the broadcast booth feel like the roster. And Vosters is trying to appeal to a younger generation… the kids of the generation that grew up listening to Foley (me).
Danny Wirtz said the team will meet with the team on Wednesday to discuss the organization’s plan for its Pride Night, which is scheduled for March 26. A number of teams have had issues with their Pride Nights, from Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov opting out of the pre-game skate to the Rangers changing course at the last minute and not wearing the Pride Night-specific warm-up jerseys. It’s good that the Blackhawks are trying to be aligned before the night to avoid confusion… but shouldn’t they wait to have this meeting until after the trade deadline?
Max Domi told me Sunday that the beach was everything he needed to get himself right — physically and mentally. He wiped the slate clean, got away from the ice for a week and is not feeling rejuvenated for a second half push.
We got a new college poll on Monday. The top four stayed the same, but Michigan’s strong weekend gave them a jump into the five spot — at the expense of St. Cloud State.
Blackhawks prospect and Boston University alum Alex Vlasic dropped by his old dressing room last night to help hype his former team up for the Beanpot. Unfortunately, BU lost 3-1 last night.
BU goaltender and Blackhawks prospect Drew Commesso made this ridiculous save to keep the game close in the second period, though.
Finally, the Bears have a boatload of cap space to play with this year. Like the Blackhawks in the coming years, they have plenty of holes to fill with that money. The good news is the front office has apparently recognized the three-decades-old problem with the offensive line and is going to look to fix it (again).
NEWSLETTER
