Slaggert’s Path, Fight Night in Florida, Comeback Canucks, Keefe Out, College Decisions, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Landon Slaggert Chicago Blackhawks

This year’s NHL Draft Lottery was the first time since 2010 that no team moved up. Which was surprising, and a win for the Blackhawks. Ben Pope shared this nugget, which is also interesting. The Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko second overall in 2019 and then Alexis Lafrenière at No. 1 in 2020.

  • This is a terrific read from Andrew McGuinness, who was part of the PHWA’s mentorship program this year. He wrote about Landon Slaggert‘s path from Notre Dame to the United Center this season.
  • If you didn’t catch the Florida Panthers beating the Boston Bruins — literally and on the scoreboard — last night, their 6-1 final wasn’t what most people are talking about. There was plenty of dance music to be had on the ice in beautiful Sunrise last night, including this well choreographed number from David Pastrňák and Matthew Tkachuk. Florida trailed 1-0 at the first intermission but scored the next six goals on the night.
  • The Vancouver Canucks employed the worst case scenario script last night and got away with it (somehow). They took a penalty for too many men on the ice 40 seconds into the game, giving the Oilers’ power play unit an eeeearly opportunity to improve on their historically good start to the playoffs. And Edmonton scored on the advantage. The Oilers led 4-1 at 13 minutes into the second period, but the Canucks scored four unanswered — including three in the third period — to escape with the huge Game 1 comeback win.
  • Remember back before the playoffs got rolling when I wrote about a few “identity” players the Blackhawks could/should target in free agency, and I included Vancouver wing Dakota Joshua? Well, his price tag is escalating by the day right now. He scored and added two assists last night to give him 7 points — and 33 hits and 7 blocked shots — in 7 games in the postseason.
  • On Thursday morning, the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Blackhawks announced a three-year extension with the Indy Fuel to serve as the organization’s ECHL affiliate. Rockford also shared a fun group of photos from their first-year players. I can’t stop enjoying Louis Crevier showing off his new smile.
  • This was an interesting conversation with our old friend Colby Cohen at the Daily Faceoff. With Macklin Celebrini going to San Jose, and the assumption that he’s going to sign and go straight to the NHL next year, does Will Smith — the Sharks’ first pick (No. 4) last year — join him? And, if Smith leaves, does the rest of Boston College’s ridiculous top line follow suit and go pro as well? It’s hard to imagine there’s a lot left for Smith, Ryan Leonard (Caps) and Gabriel Perreault (Rangers) after they put up 71, 60 and 60 points, respectively, in their freshman seasons. It’s worth noting that Cutter Gauthier, who was also on that wagon of a team, already signed with Anaheim and made the jump at the end of the regular season.
  • The NHL announced the three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, the MVP as voted on by the Players Association. The finalists: Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and Auston Matthews.
  • Matthews, who led the league with 69 goals and is a Selke finalist but didn’t make the top three for the Hart Trophy, will have a new head coach next season. The Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe on Thursday morning.
  • I mentioned this yesterday, but the Ottawa Senators had to make a decision on Wednesday regarding their first-round pick (No. 7). The Sens have to give up their first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026 as a result of failing to properly inform the Golden Knights of winger Evgenii Dadonov’s no-trade clause in a July 2021 trade. They have decided to stay at No. 7 this year and make another decision in 12 months. Feels like a no-brainer, but what happens if they’re still in the top ten in a year or two and win the lottery?
  • Speaking of unfortunate contractual circumstances, I finally got a chance to watch the “Saving Sakic” documentary on ESPN+ yesterday. It’s really good. Fascinating trip back to the late-90s before the cap world where big market teams could bully the little/broke guys to get what they wanted. I do not remember Harrison Ford being an important part in the Avalanche keeping Joe Sakic in Denver after the Rangers handed him one of the most ridiculous offer sheets in NHL history (I might put it on top of that list), but here we are. Recommended.
  • The AHL made a big announcement on Wednesday. They’ll have more continuity in leadership as league President and CEO Scott Howson agreed on a deal to stay in his role. This is great news for the league’s growth and health overall.
  • Finally, this Pacers-Knicks series has all sorts of 90s vibes, from the small market team complaining about getting hosed (they have a point) to the vitriol from the fans at Madison Square Garden being directed at… Reggie Miller.
  • 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

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