Benn’s Dirty Play, Dallas Blown Out, Chicago Offseason Thoughts, Kaiser Honored, and Other Blackhawks Bullets
It’s sweep night in south Florida as the Panthers look to show their Hurricane shutters are Carolina-proof. Can they avoid overtime like they did in Game 3 or will this one require extra time again? We’ll find out this evening.
- The biggest story in last night’s blowout, shutout win for the Vegas Golden Knights was the ridiculous, dirty, dangerous play by Dallas captain Jamie Benn. His slash of Mark Stone in the head/neck area cost his team a five-minute major penalty and he got a the showers early. Big time quitter vibes on this play. And his team followed his lead by showing little effort. In my opinion, Benn should have to watch Game 4 from the press box for this. There’s no place for this in hockey, much less at this time of year.
- After the game, Benn compounded this selfish play by not talking to the media. As a captain, that’s just unacceptable. Especially when your team is now down 3-0 in the conference final. And there’s plenty of conversation on social media about him not answering for the play.
- Dallas fans threw trash on the ice last night as their team fell apart, which is equally embarrassing. On Wednesday morning the organization apologized for its fans being as classless as their captain last night.
- But let’s not take anything away from Vegas going into Dallas and absolutely breaking the Stars. Adin Hill was superb in net for the Golden Knights, posting one of the more impressive shutouts in recent memory.
- It’s really quiet for the Blackhawks right now, but that’s to be expected when you aren’t in the playoffs and the draft lottery was a few weeks ago. Maybe a couple of the guys will run into LeBron on the golf course this weekend? I kid (sort of), but Scott Powers threw down a few odds and ends on Tuesday, and a couple pieces were noteworthy.
- As I’ve said about a thousand times (especially on Facebook), Powers also notes that neither Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane is coming back next season. Sorry kids.
- “The Blackhawks aren’t optimistic about their chances to move up from their second first-round pick at No. 19.” Powers notes the best option — maybe the only option — to get into the top 15 would be Vancouver at No. 11, and that would come with them dumping salary. I mentioned them when I wrote about a few options for the Hawks to trade up previously.
- “The Blackhawks really like Ryan Leonard.” I mentioned him as a prospect the Blackhawks might target if they can make a deal to move up.
- And, finally: “The Blackhawks are ready to listen to any team that wants to offload a contract this offseason. If it could bring the Blackhawks a high draft pick and/or a quality prospect, they’ll explore the possibility.” We already know the Blackhawks are open for business in burying money for assets (see Zaitsev, Nikita). But the inclusion of a quality prospect here is a nice change. I’d like to see the Hawks look to grab some guys who might need a change of scenary.
- Last night the hockey program at Minnesota-Duluth handed out some hardware. Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser was named their MVP for the season. Congrats!
- My guy David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period Magazine broke the news on Tuesday that the NHL is going to run back-to-back Stadium Series games in New Jersey at the home of the Jets and Giants. Coming this February: Devils vs. Flyers and Islanders vs. Rangers — both outdoors. I love the idea and the teams involved should make this a good couple days/nights for some puck.
- It was rumored over the weekend but made official on Tuesday. The Calgary Flames introduced Craig Conroy as their new general manager, and also made the addition of former GM Dave Nonis to their front office group a reality as well. Now he can split his time in the office between draft prep and finding a new head coach.
- Finally, let’s take a moment to enjoy the ridiculous hot streak Christopher Morel is on right now for the Cubs. It seems like every time the ball touches his bat it’s landing 400+ feet away.
