Three Weeks To Bedard, Draft Attributes, Contention Timeline, Crawford’s HOF Case, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Happy Three Weeks Until the Blackhawks Draft Connor Bedard Day to those who celebrate! Three weeks from today, the 2023 NHL Draft — a draft that we’ve been talking about and waiting for since Bedard was 14 years old — begins in Nashville. With their lottery win, the Blackhawks get to make a historic selection of a player who has been rightfully tabbed a “generational talent.” This is worth getting excited about, fans.

  • The Blackhawks have a whole lot of picks after No. 1 overall this summer. Yesterday, the team dropped this video on Twitter and, while it’s only 43 seconds long, there are a few things that are very telling. Listen to the elements of players’ games that they’re discussing. Words that have consistently come up time and time again over the past year and a half since Kyle Davidson became the general manager like SPEED and ENERGY and COMPETE are all over the place. It’s subtle, but these are the things they’ve been looking for and will continue to look for in prospects.
  • At The Athletic this morning, Scott Powers and Dom Luszczyszyn have an interesting exercise in projecting when trying to answer the question we’re all asking: how far are the Blackhawks from actually contending again? They use some analysis to look at what contenders have and what pieces the Blackhawks lack that keeps them from being in that conversation. Bedard changes a lot in these equations, but Davidson and his front office and scouts have work to do to fill in around the their new superstar. How quickly Kevin Korchinski develops — and if he reaches his No. 1 defenseman projected ceiling — is a big factor as well.
  • One element they don’t touch on much but has to be considered is how and when Davidson weaponizes his cap space to add to the roster in an effort to win rather than stockpiling assets to build for the future. Next summer’s free agent class could be loaded, and Davidson has said previously that he has purposefully staggered his draft capital so, when the time is right, he can move picks to bring back impact players via trade. This is a good read.
  • Before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the crew at NHL Network considered the Hall of Fame resume of former Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford. They don’t think he’s HOF worthy, which seems to be the consensus. However, when we learned Carey Price’s career is likely over last August, I compared Crawford to Price and the numbers might surprise you — still. I’m not sure if I would put him in the Hall, but he was one helluva goaltender for the Blackhawks.
  • Yesterday the Flyers, Kings and Blue Jackets kicked off the summer trade market with a fairly surprising blockbuster deal. As the Stanley Cup Final continues, the trade buzz will increase; we’re three weeks from the NHL Draft and less than four from free agency opening. One team looking to dump salary is the Islanders, and Josh Bailey has been floated in rumors around Chicago for a while as a way for the Blackhawks to add more draft assets while helping a team dump money. The Kings paid a second round pick for a couple meh prospects and cap flexibility yesterday.
  • On Tuesday morning, the IceHogs announced Kale Howarth, all 6-foot-5 of him, is coming back for another season. The winger appeared in 31 games with two assists and 18 penalty minutes for the IceHogs this past season.
  • Since we’re all about prospects right now, let’s stay there and consider what some possible future Cubs are doing right now. That’s a lot more fun than spending time and/or energy on the performance of the big league roster these day…
  • 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

    Blackhawks at Kings – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    Okay, so here's the set up for tonight's final game of the 2023-24 NHL regular season -- and, with the latest start time on the slate, this is indeed the actual, final game of the entire regular season. And the...

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    Blackhawks 4, Kings 5 (OT) — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

    If we paid attention to my pregame notes, you'll know that fans and members of the Kings' organization were going to be keeping an eye on the Ducks-Golden Knights score as their own game progressed. LA dominated the first period,...

    Lukas Reichel Will Play for Rockford, Not Germany

    Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was asked before the regular season finale if forward Lukas Reichel would play for Germany at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, or if he was headed to Rockford to join the IceHogs for their playoffs....

    OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Former “Coyotes” Franchise Moving to Utah

    On Thursday afternoon, the NHL made it official: the Arizona Coyotes are no more. The league's Board of Governors voted to approve the franchise relocating to Salt Lake City, effective immediately. The franchise will be owned and controlled by Smith...

    You Can Buy IceHogs Playoff Tickets Starting Friday!

    Hey Blackhawks fans! Wanna see playoff hockey with some players who might be part of the future in Chicago? The IceHogs are heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs, and some tickets go on sale Friday morning! The final schedule for...

    Bedard’s Expectations, Dickinson’s Selke Case, Farewell Arizona, Records Made & Missed, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Welcome to the final day of the 2023-24 NHL season, hockey fans! The Blackhawks visit the LA Kings to close the books on their campaign tonight. Gotta love a 9:30 puck drop against a team that's beat the Hawks soundly...

    The Blackhawks Hosted Winter Classic at Wrigley Field will be on Dec. 31

    Before Wednesday night’s games on TNT, the NHL announced the Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Blues will be played on Dec. 31, a change from its traditional New Year’s Day slot. The puck will drop shortly after 4 PM...

    Connor Murphy Named Blackhawks Nominee for the King Clancy Trophy

    On Wednesday morning, the NHL announced the 32 team nominees for the 2023-24 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution...

    History Tonight? Korchinski’s Season, Lots of Prospect Notes, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    If you're a hockey addict who will watch non-Blackhawks games like me, and you maybe possibly want to see a little history on Wednesday evening, might I suggest tuning into the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning game at...

    Latest News

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

    The Cincinnati Reds (9-9), with Nick Lodolo on the hill, host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) who will hand the ball to Tyler Anderson, at 6:40 PM ET on Friday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

    Kings vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

    How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    Quinn Priester takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) when they host starter Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

    Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) host George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch San Diego play Toronto.When is...

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

    Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-11) host Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.Find out how to watch the San Francisco-Arizona matchup below.When is Giants vs. Diamondbacks and when...

    Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) versus Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (10-8), with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Find out how to watch the Los...

    Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...

    more blackhawks news