NEWSLETTER
There’s nowhere we can reasonably, responsibly start our collective Wednesday morning than with an exhale and head shake at the should-have-been heroics from Patrick Kane last night. He was on the ice for 25:01 in a game for which some wondered if he would even dress. He was dynamic the entire night and set up Tyler Johnson for the 6-on-4 power play goal in the final minute to send the game to overtime. And then he went full Steve Larmer/Marian Hossa with the slapper for the win as the clock expired. Sadly, the officials ruled that the clock had actually expired before the goal happened — even though the television replay appeared to have 0.1 on the clock. But man… what an incredible scene last night!
- Here’s what head coach Luke Richardson had to say about the potentially magic moment after the game:
- And here’s what Tyler Johnson, the game’s No. 1 star who scored the game-tying PPG and the shootout winner, had to say about him being the “hero” last night:
- I know I mentioned him in my three stars last night, but Cole Guttman continues to impress in his first run in the NHL. Players around him, including Tyler Johnson after the game, continue to talk about his composure and the maturity in his game. Because of missing bodies, he’s been asked to center the Blackhawks’ second line already and he’s been not just holding his own but making things happen offensively. His speed is apparent on almost every shift, as it his Hockey IQ.
- Here’s your Wednesday morning bottom-of-the-standings update:
- A couple health updates from before Tuesday’s game. MacKenzie Entwistle was placed on IR with a wrist injury that head coach Luke Richardson said was the same wrist that was previously an issue but this is a different injury. Reese Johnson was placed on concussion protocol as well, which is why Brett Seney was in the lineup against Vegas.
- Richardson also said forward Jujhar Khaira has been progressing with his back injury and will join the team on the road trip. He might draw into the lineup soon, which is good news with the injuries piling up and the trade deadline less than two weeks away.
- While we’re discussing health, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was on the pregame show on NBCSN last night. Here’s what he had to say about a potential return to the ice from Jonathan Toews this season. I think we’re all in the same camp: the Captain needs to get himself physically right, whether that involved hockey or not. If he can come back to the ice, I’m sure the reception he gets will be incredible.
- It will be very interesting to see if Kane dresses in Dallas tonight. And I say that respectfully, especially given what he’s done the last three games. The Stars have been rumored to be interested in 88 since the draft last summer, and — if he’s leaving at some point and they’re a potential partner — keeping him healthy at this point in the season is paramount.
- Davidson was asked about Kane (of course). And he said… nothing. No decision from Kane, no exchange of team lists. Nada. Zero. Now back to your regularly scheduled waiting.
- Speaking of trading players, here’s which teams had scouts at the United Center last night:
- You might notice Tampa Bay has been at all five games for which we have the scouts in attendance. Which is interesting when you remember the Blackhawks already own their first and second-round picks in 2023 and 2024. Maybe they were there to regret not signing Guttman last night?
- I went back and added the other four games (including the Hawks in Toronto courtesy my guy David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period) for those who might be interested in which teams have consistently been watching Chicago over the past few weeks. Of five games, the Rangers have been at all four in Chicago. Tampa has been at all five.
- In prospects news/highlights, a Blackhawks’ defenseman had a huge offensive night for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL last night. No, it wasn’t Kevin Korchinski. It was Nolan Allan, who scored the goal below and added three assists for a career-high-tying four-point night. Seattle is going to be a problem for anyone and everyone down the stretch this season; they’re loaded with NHL talent including Korchinski, Allan and Colton Dach.
- Tough news in Nashville last night and now this morning. Ryan Johansen needed help off the ice last night and is apparently having surgery today. If the Preds weren’t already selling, this might be the catalyst that forces their front office to turn the page from this season.
- Finally, the Bulls aren’t doing much to get the fans excited these days but signing Patrick Beverley yesterday might bring in some of the intensity they’ve been lacking this season.
