Another Way the Cubs Tried to Upgrade Their Catching, a Massive Trade That Didn’t Happen, WBC Underway, and Other Cubs Bullets

The Cubs are playing Team Canada today as they ramp up for their World Baseball Classic pool play, and I *REALLY* hope Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie, who is on Team Canada, is given a chance to start against his organization.

  • We now have an advanced stat metric for catcher blocking, available via Statcast. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great start (read more about it here). And, yes, it looks like it’s another area where the Cubs upgraded defensively:

  • So, basically the Cubs’ new catching tandem would’ve been a solid upgrade in 2020-21, but rates out as what would’ve been a significant upgrade in 2022. Some important context here is that although the differences between a very good blocking catcher and a very poor blocking catcher are huge in terms of raw number of blocks/misses, they do not translate to a huge number of runs saved. The rough estimate is that the Cubs could see upgrade of about 5-ish runs based on blocking, assuming health for Gomes and Barnhart. In turn, that translates to about a half of a win. That’s not nothing, especially for one very specific skill upgrade.

  • (Also, that doesn’t account for the possibility that having a top-tier blocking catcher behind the plate could, in some situations, impact the pitch calls and the pitchers’ confidence in really burying one to try to get a swing and miss. You never know.)

  • So, based on the defensive things we can quantify, you’re looking at a solid bump in blocking value, a huge bump in framing value, and a slight downgrade in arm strength. The biggest difference – if the Cubs are going to be proven right in their decision to remake their catcher position – is going to have to come from those “soft factors,” including game-management, pitcher preparation, etc. That’ll be a lot harder to evaluate, but I suppose the best clues will come from the pitcher comments throughout the year and whether there are more and more surprisingly impressive performance/results from pitchers we weren’t necessarily expecting.

  • A new piece at The Athletic today gets even more quotes on the new catchers, and you’ll continue to sense the theme: nobody is going to say a cross word about Willson Contreras, who necessarily had to focus a lot on his offense because he was so good at it and it produced so much value; but the way these pitchers and coaches talk about Gomes and Barnhart is fundamentally different. It’s just not the kind of stuff we would have heard in years past.

  • Example: โ€œWith both Yan and Tucker, weโ€™re pretty spoiled here,โ€ Jameson Taillon told The Athletic. โ€œThey care about their pitchers. They do their research. They do their homework. What Iโ€™ve already noticed is that they have kind of a plan going in, but they also watch the game and see what youโ€™re feeling, talk to you in the dugout. Itโ€™s just that nonstop communication. It takes a lot off my plate when those guys are doing their homework. I donโ€™t really love thinking out there. I like just making pitches and following them. Theyโ€™re already earning my trust.โ€

  • Good lord … can you even IMAGINE if this trade had happened, and all the fallout that would’ve come in the years after:

  • The butterfly wings on that thing are tremendous, right down to a question on whether Jason Heyward would’ve ever wound up with the Cubs. A really wild one? If Heyward is traded to the Yankees, that means he’s never traded to the Cardinals for Shelby Miller. Which, in turn, means Miller is never traded to the Diamondbacks as part of the Dansby Swanson deal. Which means the trajectory of Swanson’s career is completely altered, and maybe he never breaks out, much less ever winds up signing with the Cubs.

  • Missed this one – most of the split-screen demonstrations this spring have been about the pitch clock, but this is ALSO a good demonstration of how important PitchCom has become, especially with runners on second:

  • The World Baseball Classic got underway last night, with the Netherlands taking down Cuba in the opening game:

  • Meanwhile, Panama-Chinese Taipei just got underway early this morning, with a RAUCUS atmosphere:

  • Incredible sliders, better name:

  • This would be an awful revelation if it winds up being true (though it’s hard to see how you could ever really know for sure):

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

Let’s Look at the Cubs Payroll and Roster Implications of Signing Alex Bregman

Based on some scattered quotes from ownership โ€” as well as where Jed Hoyer's front office wound up last season โ€” our initial expectation for the Cubs 2025 payroll was right around the first tier of the luxury tax threshold (up to $241M this year). But then, around mid-winter, those expectations changed. Supported by their cost-saving activity in free agency and especially trade, some new reporting/speculating led us to believe that...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just a vibes check that was based on nothing at all. Because, according to Bob Nightengale, nothing has changed: https://bsky.app/profile/bnightengale.bsky.social/post/3lhjifjffys2d Although we don't know exactly where the other involved parties are...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

Another Ranking Places the Cubs’ Farm System Close to the Middle of the Pack Going Into 2025

The tale is not as old as time, but it's as old as this prospects rankings season goes: the Chicago Cubs' farm system stepped way back over the last year, for reasons good and bad, and now ranks as closer to average than anything near elite. The latest iteration of that story comes from Baseball America, which ranked the Cubs' farm system 15th in baseball heading into 2025: "15. Chicago...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

Bader and PCA, Pham and Pirates, No Festa Forever, Brasier and Berti, Rays Stadium, and Other Cubs Bullets

Kinda thought I would wake up to an Alex Bregman decision. It had that vibe last night, but nothing doing yet. Instead, we got Pete Alonso signing, which I suppose is not nothing. But I'm about ready for "the offseason" to wrap up so I can get my brain zoned in on Spring Training, which officially starts in just a few days ... The signings continue at the margins of...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
MLB Rumors and Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso Re-Signing with the Mets, Did NOT Get Paaaaid

The Pete Alonso free agency closes up back where it started, and where most thought it would end: he's going back to the New York Mets. And, boy, he did NOT get paaaaaid: In total, Pete Alonso's deal will guarantee him $54 million over two years, sources tell ESPN.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 6, 2025 Hey, maybe Alonso - 30 and with some signs of decline - will put together...

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

The Cubs Have a New Full-time Backup to Jon Sciambi on Marquee (And I’m Very Here For It!)

Alternate title: The Cubs are promoting top broadcasting prospect Alex Cohen! Maybe it's not the breaking news those of us on social media are pining for tonight, but it makes me happy nonetheless! According to Jeff Agrest at The Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs will have a new, full-time play-by-play announcer backing up Boog Sciambi on Marquee Sports Netowork. And it's someone a lot of us really love: Alex Cohen! Most...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Alex Bregman

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: A Couple Pundits Guess the Cubs Are the Favorite

Take these only for what it's worth, as we're all able to do some speculating. But Jon Heyman is inarguably plugged in, and Matt Spiegel does hear things. So there might be some meat underneath. A little. Don't go too far with it. But I'm obsessing, so I'm sharing. First, Jon Heyman would peg the Cubs as the favorites on Alex Bregman right now if he had to choose: Jon...

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

The 2025 Cubs Spring Training Broadcast Schedule Is Here

Although most of the team is already at camp, the Chicago Cubs are the first organization to require pitchers and catchers to report (this Sunday, February 9). Eleven short days after that, the Cubs will play their first Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. And one day after that, they will play their first Spring Training game at Sloan Park, which will also be broadcast on Marquee Sports...

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Chicago Cubs
Michael Cerami
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

The Latest Set of Playoff Odds Are Not NEARLY As Bullish on the 2025 Cubs

When the 2025 PECOTA projections were released on Monday, we were relatively overwhelmed by the forecasted rosiness of the Cubs playoff odds and projected record. According to PECOTA, the Cubs won't just be the best team in the NL Central, they'll be the best team in the NL Central by over 10 wins. They're even projected to finish with the third-best record in MLB overall. Even after a glowing set...

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Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

Nico Hoerner is Throwing!

Great news today, spotted by Rich Biesterfeld out in Arizona, where Nico Hoerner is playing catch. Weโ€™ve got Nico Hoerner playing catch today at Cubs Camp! pic.twitter.com/VIccpz38U6— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 5, 2025 We had no idea on a precise timeline for Hoerner, but seeing him on the field, doing work, and making throws with some intent on February 5 seems like a very good sign. Hoerner, 27,ย dealt with a...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025
jalen carter eagles super bowl

Jalen Carter vs. Patrick Mahomes, Tyrique vs. Terell, Warren, Old Faces in New Places, and Other Bears Bullets

Day 32 of the Chicago Bears offseason. I made my best chocolate chip cookie recipe yesterday for what is turning into a weekly hang with friends. However, I skipped a step. And yet, the cookies were well-received. Perhaps I've unlocked a secret to making one of my most popular recipes even better. Jalen Carter has a plan for Patrick Mahomes. "One thing is to sack him," said the Philadelphia Eagles...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 06, 2025
bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron Caleb Williams

Shane Waldron Has Reportedly Found a Soft Landing With the Jacksonville Jaguars

Former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has found a new place of employment. Three months after being dismissed as the Bears' offensive play-caller, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars have scooped up Waldron to work on new head coach Liam Coen's staff. And while this isn't the Bears-to-Jaguars story that we were looking forward to seeing this morning, I suppose it will have to suffice:...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
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Feb 05, 2025
2024 Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Football Team Names Matthew Stafford

The NFL is Sending the Rams to Play a “Home” Game in Australia in 2026

The NFL's global reach is extending out to the land down under. ESPN league insider Adam Schefter reports the Los Angeles Rams will be the designated home team when they play in Australia in 2026: As the designated home team in Australia in 2026, the Rams will play their game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). https://t.co/2WApFU2woI— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 5, 2025 When I first saw the news from...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
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Feb 05, 2025

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Terell Smith

The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season of Terell Smith. Terell Smith's 2024 Snapshot Ryan Poles' tenure as Chicago Bears general manager has been one full of extremes. The trade that resulted in DJ Moore, Caleb Williams,...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
trey smith bears chiefs super bowl

All Eyes Are On Trey Smith at the Super Bowl

There are many reasons to tune in to watch Super Bowl LIX, but Trey Smith is at the top of my list. The Kansas City Chiefs starting right guard is a player to keep tabs on in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. I have had my eyes on Smith as a possible target for a Chicago Bears team seeking to upgrade the offensive line this offseason for quite some...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
josh Blackwell bears packers

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Josh Blackwell

The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season of Josh Blackwell. Josh Blackwell's 2024 Snapshot Josh Blackwell's 2024 season will best be remembered for his punt return touchdown in Week 18's victory over the Green Bay Packers at...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Kevin warren, Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson, George mccaskey Bears

Kevin Warren Was *THE* Difference Maker in Ben Johnson Coming to the Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren deserves a fist bump for his efforts in the team's landing of new head coach Ben Johnson. In an interview with the CHGO squad at the Super Bowl LIX site, ESPN's Courtney Cronin sheds some light on how important Bears President Kevin Warren was to the team's successful pursuit of hiring Ben Johnson as its new head coach: How much impact do you think Kevin...

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Chicago Bears
Patrick K. Flowers
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Ryan Bates Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 Exit Interviews: Ryan Bates

The nightmare that was the 2024 Chicago Bears season is over. Before the transactional period starts and the roster changes begin, we will recap the seasons of most of the 53-man roster. Next up: We're looking at the 2024 season of offensive lineman Ryan Bates. Ryan Bates' 2024 Snapshot We recently discussed the 2024 season of Coleman Shelton, who, whether you believe he was serviceable (passable?) or not, was a...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Jaquan brisker bears safety

Jaquan Brisker Says He is Cleared to Return to Football Action

The 2025 NFL regular season won't kick off until September. Preseason games will not take place until August. And it won't be until July when training camps begin opening their doors around the league. But offseason workout programs begin in April. Perhaps when those start taking place, we'll see Jaquan Brisker's return to organized football activities. 2025 NFL IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Brisker, who will be entering his fourth year...

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Chicago Bears
Luis C. Medina
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Rams vs Eagles Sunday Night Football Saquon Barkley NFL Notes

Saquon Confirms Bears Rumors, Doors Opening For Cunningham? and Other Wednesday Bullets

Day 31 of the Chicago Bears offseason. Happy Hump Day! Saquon Barkley says he was "pretty damn close to signing with the Bears last offseason, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. If you'll recall, the Bears were viewed as one of the "priority suitors" in a Saquon sweepstakes and it was even a thing during the offseason version of "Hard Knocks" with the Giants. Heck, we'd been discussing...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
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Feb 06, 2025

Deadline Day(!), Please Keep Making Moves, Lonzo Ball Stays, Buzelis’ First Start, and Other Bulls Bullets

*walks into bunker, turns on megaphone, blares air horn* UP AND AT 'EM, CADETS! MAN YOUR STATIONS, CADETS! SOUND THE ALARM! TURN ON SHAMS CHARANIA'S NOTIFICATIONS! TRADE DEADLINE DAY IS HERE! While I've done no research to back this up, I still feel confident declaring this the craziest NBA trade deadline ever. We have had multiple All-Star players on the move, headlined by a Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
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Feb 06, 2025

Sounds Like Nikola Vucevic is An Option For the Warriors Even After Jimmy Butler Trade

Buckle up and hold onto your hats! It's deadline day, everybody! We have about five hours remaining until the NBA trade deadline at 2:00 PM central time. The biggest moves have likely come and gone with Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Davis all having been dealt. However, the Chicago Bulls still have Nikola Vucevic and a few more pieces to potentially ship off,...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025

NOT DONE YET: Lakers Trade a HAUL to Hornets for Big Man Mark Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers have made another big move ahead of the NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Lakers have acquired 23-year-old center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. The towering big man heads to the West Coast in exchange for a sizable package of Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick. Williams is in the thick of a career...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

Pelicans Send Brandon Ingram to Raptors in ANOTHER Big Deadline Trade

Can't these teams wait to break news until the morning?! ESPN's Shams Charania is at it again tonight. Just as we were all heading to bed, the insider reported that the New Orleans Pelicans are shipping Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown Jr, Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick. https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1887360828002718034 Raptors Pick Up Brandon Ingram From Pelicans The Pelicans had been trying...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

Box Score & Player Grades: Timberwolves 127, Bulls 108 โ€“ February 5, 2025

The nice thing about my job is that I can be brutally honest about the fact that I barely watched this game. To be clear, I was firmly planted in front of my television and ready to watch Anthony Edwards single-handedly dismantle the Bulls (and, boy, did he). But then Matas Buzelis was named a starter ... and Jimmy Butler was traded to the Warriors ... and Lonzo Ball reached...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls

BREAKING: Chicago Bulls Sign Lonzo Ball to Two-Year Extension (UPDATED: Good or Bad Move?)

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly reached an extension with Lonzo Ball on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. Amid ongoing trade rumors surrounding the veteran point guard, Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson was the first to share that Ball was finalizing the deal. The extension will reportedly be worth $20.0 million over the next two years. Johnson also reported live during the Bulls' battle with the Timberwolves on Wednesday...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

TRADE: Warriors Acquire Jimmy Butler from Heat, Sign Him to an Extension (Bulls Impact)

The Golden State Warriors have landed Jimmy Butler. After months of reports about the organization wanting to upgrade Stephen Curry's supporting cast, the franchise has made a move for one of the hottest names on the market. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Warriors will send Andrew Wiggins, a first-round pick, and more to the Miami Heat. Here are the reported trade details via ESPN: Warriors get ... Jimmy...

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Chicago Bulls
Elias Schuster
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls

Matas Buzelis Earns First Start Following Career-High Night

Rookie Matas Buzelis has finally found himself on head coach Billy Donovan's good side. After scoring a career-high 24 points on a perfect 10-10 shooting against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, Buzelis has earned the first start of his young career. The former No. 11 overall pick will take the place of Lonzo Ball (who does not play in back-to-back sets) alongside Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Anthony Edwards

Pre-Gaminโ€™: Bulls at Timberwolves (7:00 CT) โ€“ Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

It's Matas' team now. https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/02/05/gs-nikola-vucevic-wire/ Game Info Chicago Bulls (22-29) at Minnesota Timberwolves (27-23) โ€“ 7:00 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) andย 670 The Scoreย (Radio) Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Ayo Dosunmu Josh Giddey Patrick Williams Nikola Vucevic Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley Anthony Edwards Jaden McDaniels Naz Reid Rudy Gobert Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Odds Chicago comes into todayโ€™s game as an 11.5-point underdog against Minnesota atย DraftKings...

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Chicago Bulls
Matt Rooney
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant Doesn’t Want To Leave … But Does That Matter? Warriors New Plan, More

We're less than 24 hours until the NBA Trade Deadline, and the two biggest fish on the market are still out there! Will Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler get dealt? Will they be swapped for one another? Can the Warriors manage to bring one of them to The Bay? We still have a whole lot of questions to be answered before 2:00 PM CT tomorrow, so let's unpack the latest...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks Kyle Davidson

NHL Insider Talks Blackhawks Trade Buzz, Rantanen Trade Fallout, Future Contract Strategy

On Thursday morning, Elliotte Friedman dropped a loaded written version of his "32 Thoughts" and there are some good Blackhawks-centric nuggets in there. Here's what got my attention: Blackhawks trade buzz I noted in my bullets this morning that there were 14 teams represented in the press box scouting the Blackhawks-Oilers game. Friedman notes a light schedule and the looming two-week break meant there was plenty of attention in Chicago...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks

Dickinson Concern, More Bedard Criticism, Scouts Galore, 49 for Lardis, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks lost a hard fought game to the Oilers in overtime last night. They showed a lot of mettle, battling back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to tie the game late. But a bad penalty in overtime cost them the second point in the standings. The result of the game last night isn't much of a concern if we're honest. What is a major concern is...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 06, 2025
Aidan Thompson DU University of Denver

Blackhawks College Prospects: Ranked Matchups, Beanpot Championship on Tap

We're now into February, and Blackhawks prospects continue to put up solid numbers across college hockey. There are some really good ranked matchups this weekend, with Denver and Providence both playing important conference matchups. And, Monday night, Boston University will face Boston College in a hyped Beanpot championship game. Here's this weekend's schedule for the Blackhawks' prospects in action. And, again, make sure you vote every day for one of...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Arvid Soderblom Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks 3, Oilers 4 (OT) โ€” Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The good news when a game starts at almost 9 PM local is the first period flew by and neither team scored. With a little under eight minutes left in the first period, this ridiculous sequence by Arvid Sรถderblom and Connor Murphy kept the game tied at zeroes. Oh my Arvid Soderblom, what a saveMurphy helps out too with a stop of his own pic.twitter.com/Wu11sUNd07— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) February 6, 2025...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Colton Dach Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Assign Levshunov AND Dach to Rockford, Activate Smith

Before Wednesday's game, the Blackhawks announced a few roster moves. The team formally activated veteran forward Craig Smith from IR. To make room on the roster, they needed to assign at least one player to Rockford. The Blackhawks sent both Artyom Levshunov and Colton Dach to the IceHogs. We knew Levshunov was headed back to Rockford without playing a game when he joined the Blackhawks earlier this week; the intent...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks Connor McDavid

Blackhawks vs Oilers โ€” Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Yes, the Blackhawks are back on national television. And yes, it's against a really good team with legit championship aspirations. And yes, they're sitting a couple young guys in the press box again. But... this one's at home? And... yeah. That's all I've got. Get ready for a late night if you're attending because this is the second game of the night on TNT. Broadcast Info Puck Drop: 8:45ish PM CT...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

New NHL Players Poll Offers Interesting Results

On Wednesday morning The Athletic released the results of their informal, anonymous NHL player poll. They asked the usual range of questions, from coaches players would/would not want to play for, which cities would be on a no-trade list and whether or not Gary Bettman should retire from his role as commissioner of the NHL. And there were a few interesting results. Here the ones that got my attention: Ordinarily...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

Smith Returns, Mentor Martinez, Nazar’s Defense, Prospect Rankings, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks are back in action tonight with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in town. Based on practice the last couple days, it appears Craig Smith will return to the lineup and the Blackhawks will hope to rekindle the magic he had with Lukas Reichel and Pat Maroon on a line together. Which means Colton Dach will be the odd man out. Again, based on practice the last couple...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Frank Nazar Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Prospect Pool Climbing Rankings

At The Athletic, Scott Wheeler has been providing his mid-season pipeline rankings of the 32 NHL franchises. What I like most about the prospect evaluation that takes place at The Athletic is the very different views and evaluations of prospects we get from Wheeler and Corey Pronman; they aren't writing in unison and often don't agree on a prospect's potential/ceiling. That is certainly the case with a number of Blackhawks...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 04, 2025
Kevin Korchinski 2025 AHL All-Star Game MVP

All-Star MVP Korchinski, HB Savoir-Faire, Red on the Road, Trade Buzz, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

First off today, happy birthday to Savoir-Faire, Denis Savard. Savvy turns 64 today. His 1,096 for the Blackhawks still rank fourth in the history of the organ-I-zation, trailing only Stan Mikita (1,467), Patrick Kane (1,225) and Bobby Hull (1,153). I will note that his long-time winger, Steve Larmer, still ranks fifth (923). That duo, with Al Secord on the other wing, was dynamite in the 1980s and a big reason...

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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Let’s Look at the Cubs Payroll and Roster Implications of Signing Alex Bregman

Based on some scattered quotes from ownership โ€” as well as where Jed Hoyer's front office wound up last season โ€” our initial expectation for the Cubs 2025 payroll was right around the first tier of the luxury tax threshold (up...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just...

Another Ranking Places the Cubs’ Farm System Close to the Middle of the Pack Going Into 2025

The tale is not as old as time, but it's as old as this prospects rankings season goes: the Chicago Cubs' farm system stepped way back over the last year, for reasons good and bad, and now ranks as closer...

Bader and PCA, Pham and Pirates, No Festa Forever, Brasier and Berti, Rays Stadium, and Other Cubs Bullets

Kinda thought I would wake up to an Alex Bregman decision. It had that vibe last night, but nothing doing yet. Instead, we got Pete Alonso signing, which I suppose is not nothing. But I'm about ready for "the offseason"...

Pete Alonso Re-Signing with the Mets, Did NOT Get Paaaaid

The Pete Alonso free agency closes up back where it started, and where most thought it would end: he's going back to the New York Mets. And, boy, he did NOT get paaaaaid: In total, Pete Alonso's deal will guarantee...

The Cubs Have a New Full-time Backup to Jon Sciambi on Marquee (And I’m Very Here For It!)

Alternate title: The Cubs are promoting top broadcasting prospect Alex Cohen! Maybe it's not the breaking news those of us on social media are pining for tonight, but it makes me happy nonetheless! According to Jeff Agrest at The Chicago...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: A Couple Pundits Guess the Cubs Are the Favorite

Take these only for what it's worth, as we're all able to do some speculating. But Jon Heyman is inarguably plugged in, and Matt Spiegel does hear things. So there might be some meat underneath. A little. Don't go too...

The 2025 Cubs Spring Training Broadcast Schedule Is Here

Although most of the team is already at camp, the Chicago Cubs are the first organization to require pitchers and catchers to report (this Sunday, February 9). Eleven short days after that, the Cubs will play their first Spring Training...

The Latest Set of Playoff Odds Are Not NEARLY As Bullish on the 2025 Cubs

When the 2025 PECOTA projections were released on Monday, we were relatively overwhelmed by the forecasted rosiness of the Cubs playoff odds and projected record. According to PECOTA, the Cubs won't just be the best team in the NL Central,...

Nico Hoerner is Throwing!

Great news today, spotted by Rich Biesterfeld out in Arizona, where Nico Hoerner is playing catch. Weโ€™ve got Nico Hoerner playing catch today at Cubs Camp! pic.twitter.com/VIccpz38U6— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 5, 2025 We had no idea on a precise...

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Avalanche vs. Flames Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames face off on Thursday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, and the sportsbooks prefer the away team (-162) over the host (+136).Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Flames Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-162)Underdog: Flames (+136)Total:...

Maple Leafs vs. Kraken Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to face the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, and are -162 favorites on the moneyline, with the home team at +136.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Maple Leafs vs. Kraken Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-162)Underdog: Kraken (+136)Total:...

Canucks vs. Sharks Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The oddsmakers really fancy the visiting Vancouver Canucks (-198) over the San Jose Sharks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, February 6 at 10:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Canucks vs. Sharks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sharks (+164)Total:...

Trail Blazers vs. Kings Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Portland Trail Blazers (22-29) will look to extend a five-game win streak when they host the Sacramento Kings (25-25) on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Moda Center as just 1-point favorites. The contest airs at 10:00 PM ET on...

Nuggets vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Denver Nuggets (32-19) are favored (-7.5) to build on a four-game win streak when they host the Orlando Magic (25-27) at 9:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Ball Arena. The contest airs on ALT2 and FDSFL....

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just...

Another Ranking Places the Cubs’ Farm System Close to the Middle of the Pack Going Into 2025

The tale is not as old as time, but it's as old as this prospects rankings season goes: the Chicago Cubs' farm system stepped way back over the last year, for reasons good and bad, and now ranks as closer...

Top Player Prop Bets for Rockets vs. Timberwolves on February 6, 2025

You can find player prop bet odds for Alperen Sengun, Anthony Edwards and others on the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of their matchup at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday at Target Center.How to Watch Rockets vs. TimberwolvesDate: Thursday,...

Top Player Prop Bets for Trail Blazers vs. Kings on February 6, 2025

Player prop bet odds for Deni Avdija, Domantas Sabonis and others are available when the Portland Trail Blazers host the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET.How to Watch Trail Blazers vs. KingsDate: Thursday, February 6,...

Top Player Prop Bets for Lakers vs. Warriors on February 6, 2025

LeBron James and Stephen Curry are two of the top players with prop bets for the taking when the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors square off at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday (tipping at 10:00 PM ET).How to...

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