The Blackhawks have Sunday off so we can all collectively Bear Down (Connor Bedard told us he’s riding with Caleb Williams and Co. today). On Saturday, Bedard’s “team” scrimmaged against Nick Foligno‘s “team” in two fast, physical “periods.” Three young players whose stock is rising over the first three days of camp showed very well in the scrimmage on Saturday. Appropriately, all three share their draft position in common.
- Nick Lardis, a third-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2023, has really impressed me so far. He isn’t listed as being a very big guy, but he’s had no concerns going into the corners to battle with guys like Connor Murphy. You can tell his shot is legit, but he’s experimenting a little to see what he can get away with against NHL players that has worked for him in junior thus far. He’s headed back to Brantford for what could be a big junior season and said he’s totally healthy after a wrist injury derailed his season last year. He still managed to score 29 goals in 37 regular-season games. I’m increasingly excited about his game.
- Foligno’s team won the Blackhawks’ scrimmage 2-0. The second goal came from the second player who has impressed me, Landon Slaggert, who has had a really good first three days in camp. I spoke with Slaggert on Saturday about how his first pro camp feels (remember, as a college player he was never able to skate in a preseason training camp before now). He said getting into 16 games to finish the 2023-24 season gave him the confidence he belongs in the NHL. But he knows he has work to do. Note: Slaggert was a third-round pick in 2020.
- Here’s the goal Slaggert scored in the Blackhawks scrimmage on Saturday:
- The third player who has impressed me started holding my attention last week. I’ve been watching Blackhawks 2024 third-round pick AJ Spellacy a lot over the first three days of camp. We’ve talked a pretty good amount here about how he’s still relatively young as a full-time hockey player (he was a high level, D1 football recruit). His football mentality shows on the ice; he’s a heat-seeking missile on the ice. After a really good showing in the prospect camp and showcase last week, I was interested to see how his game translated against NHL players this week.
- He hasn’t been been shy about playing his physical game this week. On Saturday, he had a couple moments with Isaak Phillips. We asked him about it after the practice and he said he got put on his wallet once so he had to return the favor. I noticed every time he got engaged in some physical play along the boards he had a huge smile on his face. He’s a project, but I think he’s going to win over a lot of Blackhawks fans quickly.
- For what it’s worth, I’ve liked a lot of what I’ve seen from Phillips on the back end. If the Blackhawks coaches are seeing what I’m seeing, he’s made a good impression and is working to win a roster spot in the NHL in a couple weeks.
- Lukas Reichel also talked with the media on Saturday. To say this is a big camp for Reichel might be the understatement of the preseason. He got a prove-it deal this summer and he still really needs to prove he belongs in the NHL. The guy we saw late in the 2022-23 season who was playing confidently needs to show up and stay put for the duration this year. Can he do it? Sure. But everyone — from the front office to the coaches — have been clear Reichel is the one who ultimately has to do it. Remember: he would need to clear waivers to get sent to Rockford now.
- Here’s what Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said about Reichel thus far in camp on Saturday:
“He’s been confident,” Richardson said. “He’s come up and had some good conversations with me where before he tried to be under the radar and slide through the day and just not confident. He’s definitely got more confident in his personality off the ice, and it’s showing on the ice.”
- A few other young players who need to show it in camp: Kevin Korchinski is still learning. He can still fly and I’ve liked the offensive instincts he’s shown. The defense is still a work-in-progress. Has he lost a roster spot already? Not after three days. But he has work to do.
- On the other hand, I think Wyatt Kaiser has looked steady, mature and confident. The guy we saw when he came back up last year. The same can be said about Ethan Del Mastro. The Blackhawks’ coaches are going to have some tough decisions to make on the back end, which is great. And Rockford is going to be stacked.
- A tough blow for a young player in LA camp who, like Reichel is in show-me time in his young career. Arthur Kaliyev got hurt and is going to miss a good amount of time.
- The Oilers announced a bunch of front office moves on Saturday. If the name Dominik Zrim rings a bell, he was one of the founders of CapFriendly.
- Finally, the question we’re all asking on Sunday morning. Can the Bears protect Caleb Williams enough that he can do work?