NEWSLETTER
The biggest news before the game on Sunday was the update on the condition of Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. And it wasn’t ideal news. He’s still dealing with the symptoms of long-COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome that cost him a full season. We’re hoping for the best for Toews, and general manager Kyle Davidson said before the game they hope he can join the team for games before the end of the season.
- The game last night set up for another big Toronto win, right? When you consider the Blackhawks are expected to be active sellers before the deadline and we’re less than two weeks away from the cutoff, I expected a full press box. And we got it; when you include Toronto’s (three) scouts, there were 16 teams — half the league — represented. It was a busy night upstairs at the UC.
- And my oh my did the scouts get to see a game! The largest crowd at the United Center since the Blackhawks retired Marian Hossa’s number watched a throwback performance from Patrick Kane, Cole Guttman‘s first NHL goal and another win (and an assist!) from Jaxson Stauber. Max Domi, whose name is going to continue drawing interest — ironically more now that Toews is off the market and Ryan O’Reilly has been traded — had a four-point night as well.
- On their “32 Thoughts” Podcast on Monday morning, Elliotte Friedman gushes about Kane’s performance last night. “He manipulated the game to his advantage. It was vintage Kane in so many ways.” And, my personal favorite: “Patrick Kane fired up the rumor mill.”
- By the way, in case you hadn’t heard, Kane owns Toronto.
- If you look at the image at the top of this story, you’ll see that the first teammate waiting to celebrate Guttman’s first goal with him was defenseman Ian Mitchell. The two were teammates at Denver when Guttman arrived on campus and have enjoyed playing together again as professionals when given the chance. After the game Guttman told the media it was special that it was Mitchell who was there on the ice with him after such a huge moment in his career. I’m sure DU’s fans are thrilled, too.
- When Guttman arrived in Mitchell’s arms to celebrate his first career goal, my mind raced back to this story I wrote all the way back in August when he signed with the Blackhawks about the long lineage of Pioneers matriculating their way to Chicago.
- Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune pointed out to Kane after the game that he became the first player to reach 700 total points at the United Center last night. Pretty cool benchmark.
- On Saturday night, the Seattle Thunderbirds roasted the Victoria Royals 8-1. Kevin Korchinski had four assists in the game, which was obviously a big night for him. He now has seven goals and 48 assists in 39 games.
- But, for me, the bigger news from this game came on Seattle’s sixth goal off the stick of Lucas Ciona. The primary assist on the play: No. 34 — Colton Dach. In his first action after being out with a shoulder injury suffered at the World Juniors, Dach is back on the ice and picked up a point in his return. He’s had a really tough season with multiple concussions and the shoulder so I’m hoping he can stay on the ice and have a productive end of the season. Seattle’s a wagon so he’s going to get the opportunity to play some meaningful postseason games.
- Before the Blackhawks played the Leafs, the Chicago Fire Dept. played the Chicago Police Dept. at the UC. It’s always a really cool event and I knew at least one guy on the ice for the fire side of the house. A special afternoon with really good hockey from Chicago’s finest.
- In closing, since Kane’s dangles were filthy last night, let’s get dirty on the diamond. This is a fun stat and I look forward to more of it this year.
