Chris Chelios, whose number being retired this past season saw Patrick Kane dramatically end the game in overtime with a goal against his former team in his first game at the United Center because of course it did, jumped on the radio on Friday and said he hopes 88 is back with the Blackhawks next season.
Would it be a blast to watch Kane and Connor Bedard play together? Absolutely. Do the Blackhawks need a right wing? Sure. Has it ever felt like the organization wants this as much as the fans do? No. I’ve written about this a fair amount and talked about it on radio shows and podcasts. I understand the why behind the Blackhawks moving on from Kane and Jonathan Toews. It hurts, but I get it. And I’m not sure that even one of the few players who would be considered for a Mount Rushmore of USA Hockey with Kaner advocating for a return would change that reality.
Rockford played Game 3 of their first-round series in Grand Rapids last night and it was exciting! Drew Commesso set a new Rockford postseason record with 19 saves in the first period, but the IceHogs needed two goals in 60 seconds late in the third period to tie the game at three and force overtime. Unfortunately, Grand Rapids won the game 8:12 into OT and took a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 is in Rockford on Sunday!
Before the game, the IceHogs announced three prospects — Nick Lardis, Martin Misiak and Alex Pharand — have been released from the ATOs. So their seasons are over. All three were 2023 draft picks.
There’s a lot of buzz on the interwebs about the state of affairs in Los Angeles right now, so I thought I’d jump into that in our Saturday morning thoughts. Eric Stephens at The Athletic wrote about it. As did David Pagnotta at The Fourth Period. As have others since the Kings were eliminated by the Oilers earlier this week. And most of the analysis points to two core issues: goaltending and center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
When I wrote about some potential trade targets for the Blackhawks this week, two of the pending RFAs I identified as guys who might be able to help the Hawks’ top six were Kings: right wing Arthur Kaliyev and center Alex Turcotte. They’re both former high picks who haven’t been able to establish themselves in roles with the Kings and might be expendable this summer. And the Blackhawks could have interest in either/both of them.
The biggest issue is Dubois’ underwhelming season after the Kings paid a ransom to get him out of Winnipeg and then the bag he received once he arrived in LA. As Stephens wrote: “undoing the Dubois mess should be the highest of priorities. The contract, and his lack of production and impact for the money he’s making, threatens the Kings’ future.”
What makes all of this even more intriguing is the timeline IF the Kings wanted to buy out Dubois, who has seven years left on his contract at an $8.5M cap hit (ouch), the timing of the playoffs become enormously important. The buyout period begins the later of June 15 or 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final ends. Dubois turns 26 on June 24. If the Kings can buy him out before his birthday, they’ll only be on the hook for one-third of his salary instead of the two-thirds it would require after he blows out the candles. That’s an enormous difference — especially when a buyout would have him on the Kings’ books for 14(!!) more years.
If the Kings are looking to move money off their books, the Blackhawks could be a trade partner. So let’s keep an eye on things as they evolve in LA.
Side note: if the Kings have to walk away from UFA RHD Matt Roy this summer, I would be interested if the term is right. He doesn’t turn 30 until March 1 of next year and plays the game in a way that would compliment Chicago’s young LHD.
Ian Mendes at The Athletic went there. With Arizona relocating to Utah, what could the NHL do about the league’s divisions? Is realignment possible? I read his proposal and I’ve gotta be honest: I LOVE IT. Four four-team divisions in the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Blackhawks’ division in the proposed realignment is still in the Western Conference, but the other three teams are St. Louis, Minnesota and Detroit. SIGN ME UP. Rivalries for days. Embrace the hate, folks. Let’s go!
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery is Tuesday night. The Blackhawks reminded us of the numbers that won them Bedard last year.
The coaching situation in Pittsburgh took a turn on Friday. The club has previously denied the Devils from speaking with head coach Mike Sullivan about their opening, but they fired his No. 1 assistant, Todd Reirden. Does that make this a likely divorce looking at some point in the near future? Hmm…
Vancouver and Nashville tried their best to cure insomnia last night. In the end, former Blackhawks forward Pius Suter scored the only goal of the night and the Canucks advanced to face the Oilers in the second round. And the goaltender who wasn’t supposed to play in the series but got forced into action set a new club record. Not bad!
Finally, hell yes! The Cubs are getting their Opening Day starter back on Monday against the Padres. Let’s Go!
NEWSLETTER
