NEWSLETTER
How many Halloween jokes can you make about the Blackhawks’ performance last night? Costumes weren’t necessary for the team to put out a scary, haunting product in a game that started late enough that I regretted the coffee I made by the middle of the second period. This team looked so good in Vegas and then scored right out of the gate. It felt like a potential turning point in the right direction for the season. And then [fart noise] the next 59 minutes of the game happened.
- BREAKING: Connor Bedard is the youngest player in NHL history to own more than 10 youngest player in NHL history records. I’m kidding, but it seems like every game there’s something random that the deep-dive stat folks are finding for which to give him the honorary “record.”
- I tweeted this last night, but it bears repeating again this morning. Imagine this passing on the Blackhawks’ top power play unit. The Blackhawks currently rank 31st in the NHL on the advantage at a pathetic 9.1 percent conversion rate. This isn’t a fully direct shot at Seth Jones, but Kevin Korchinski‘s the better passer already. And he’s a better skater. Jones is too deliberate on the top unit. And if we’re going full throttle into the future, let’s get that party started with the two teenagers on the PP together. I want to see them execute this stuff during a 5-on-4.
- I will add this because it needs to be said: even after last night’s craptastic performance, the Blackhawks’ penalty kill ranks seventh in the NHL at 86.7 percent. And Jones is averaging a team-leading 2:53 per night on the PK. For as much junk as people give him about his defense, he’s been really good killing penalties so far this season. Why not let him focus his energy there and save a few seconds for him at even strength by giving the kid some power play responsibility?
- After nine pointless games, we have another voice on the beat ready to jump ship on the Center Lukas Reichel Experience. Ironically, he’s been getting better almost every night at the dot — on a team that sucks at winning faceoffs. The Blackhawks actually need him taking faceoffs right now. But the kid’s confidence looked absolutely shot last night. He gets into the high-danger areas and looks like he’s trying to figure out how to read Schedule B for his 1040 in time to file his personal income taxes instead of just letting the damn thing rip. I feel for the kid because he’s trying — too hard. If moving him to the wing opens up his game, giddyup. But that means the organization as a whole needs to figure out what comes next at center.
- The new USA Hockey men’s college poll dropped on Monday and Minnesota fell after their weekend sweep at the hands of now-No. 5 Wisconsin. The Blackhawks still have prospects at Nos. 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 14 (though Dominic James is injured).
- Here’s the updated USCHO poll:
- I’m always conflicted that it often takes tragedy for people to have hard conversations about things that make a lot of sense. The hockey world is still heartbroken from the passing of Adam Johnson over the weekend after an awful accident on the ice. Now, hockey players, teams, players and their parents are considering how necessary protective clothing should be in the game. Because Evander Kane getting cut on the wrist — a scary, potentially fatal injury in an NHL game — wasn’t enough last year. I would be shocked if players don’t make permanent changes to their game wardrobes now. It’s sad this was the required catalyst to make that decision.
- Finally, Halloween is also the NFL’s trade deadline. And it sounds like the Bears have an unhappy corner who wants more money than they’re willing to pay him, so he wants out. Which sucks because he’s a good one. Let’s see how today plays out — make sure you follow our coverage of the Bears and the rest of the NFL all day.
