The Blackhawks announced a few roster moves before practice on Wednesday, including sending center Frank Nazar to Rockford. The fact that Nazar was in the IceHogs’ lineup for a late-morning preseason game means he was informed of the decision after practice on Tuesday and got a head start on the trip past Woodfield Mall to the greater Rockford area.
After the Blackhawks skated we asked about the message to Nazar, and head coach Luke Richardson was pretty simple: it’s about experience. They want Nazar to get top line minutes, top power play and penalty kill work and be able to be a dynamic forward every night without struggling against the best in the world.
- Before we even had a chance to speak with Richardson, Nazar showed that he understands the assignment. He scored the IceHogs’ first goal of the game yesterday. Rockford won 4-3 on an Ethan Del Mastro power play goal in the third period. Nazar had an assist on the GWG.
- We also asked about the message to Kevin Korchinski, who was also assigned to Rockford on Wednesday. It’s pretty much the same thing they said to Nazar… and Wyatt Kaiser the year before… and Alex Vlasic the year before that. The Cliff Notes: go there, we’re going to coach you up and let you do everything possible on the ice to get as much experience as possible and show us you’re ready to come back. And, when you’re ready, we’re waiting.
- Because some of the comments and replies on social media have appeared to believe that Korchinski’s performance in his final preseason game with the Blackhawks was the reason for his demotion: nope. They want him to get all of the work he can without the pressure of the NHL.
- You know how I wrote about the issues/struggles of Lukas Reichel and Andreas Athanasiou before practice on Wednesday? Well, when the team came out to skate, they were wearing green jerseys — read: on the fifth line — and the bottom nine forwards had a very different look. I like it. The trouble is… what do you do with AA and Reichel if this is your best 12?
- While we don’t know yet how many Blackhawks prospects will be playing college hockey in 2027-28, we do know the Frozen Four will be in Chicago! The NCAA announced the Frozen Four is returning to Chicago in three seasons. St. Louis is hosting the event in 2025 and Las Vegas in 2026. Chicago last hosted the event in 2017, when a (now Bruins head coach) Jim Montgomery-led Denver Pioneers team beat Minnesota-Duluth for the championship. Current Blackhawks forward Joey Anderson was on that Minnesota-Duluth team (and I covered the games).
- If you’re looking for something to watch on Saturday and don’t get CHSN yet but do have a way to find OHL games, AJ Spellacy and the Windsor Spitfires will visit Nick Lardis and the Brantford Bulldogs in an early regular-season game.
- I present the next tweet from Ben Pope without additional comment:
- Richardson said he’s been encouraged by Taylor Hall‘s work this preseason yesterday after practice. Ben Pope shared that Hall is going to be on a load management program this season to keep his body right for the long haul of the 82-game regular season. Keep this in mind when we don’t see him taking line rushes in a practice or he might get a healthy scratch every once in a while this year.
- Yesterday I shared some thoughts on any potential Blackhawks pursuit of Jeremy Swayman as the staring contest between the Bruins and their top goalie continues. The plot thickened on Wednesday when the Bruins claimed goalie Jiri Patera off waivers.
- Finally, as a Hinsdale Central grad I am here for ALL of the Matas Buzelis content. And his swagger is magnificent.