Blackhawks
Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, Will Smith and Matvei Michkov — the top prospects in that loaded class — haven’t tasted the playoffs yet, and they all face uphill climbs to do so this season.
“His use of the bullpen is giving me ulcers,” one respondent commented.
Rinzel (as the quarterback) and Nazar (in the bumper) are adjusting to new roles as the Hawks try to replicate their surprising — and perhaps unjustified — power-play success last season.
The Hawks’ 3-2 preseason loss Friday against the Wild, for which both teams dressed full NHL lineups, offered a sneak preview of what’s to come next week and beyond.
The answer is close to what comedian Jerry Seinfeld joked about years ago when he said fans merely root for laundry.
Kaiser has demonstrated an ability to understand Levshunov and anticipate his erratic decisions better than anyone else on the team.
Andre Burakovsky’s puck transporting might help a little bit, but it’s mostly going to fall on Bedard’s vision and improved speed.
It’s concerning how much less notable Korchinski getting cut from the Hawks’ training-camp roster was this year than last year. The news came Tuesday before a 3-1 preseason loss to the Red Wings.
Vlasic should be in the lineup Tuesday in Florida, just like veterans Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson — even though they were affected by more bigger-picture health issues this summer.
Four defensemen — prospects Ethan Del Mastro, Kevin Korchinski and Nolan Allan and veteran Matt Grzelcyk — could be competing for one NHL job. The forward puzzle is even more cloudy.
After two solid preseason appearances, the 22-year-old power forward seems even more locked into an NHL job.
The Hawks’ new coach has overhauled their tactics in their own zone, at five-on-five and on the penalty kill, to dial up more pressure on the puck.
Commesso, the Hawks’ 23-year-old goalie prospect, finished the 2024-25 AHL season on a torrid run, only to see Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom receive contract extensions this summer.
The 24-year-old defenseman will handle another huge workload, so he’s going to focus more on his rest and recovery habits.
Players have raved about the up-tempo pace of camp, but Blashill must be careful not to overwork players or tinker to the extent Colliton did in the disastrous camp of 2021.
Knight bucked a trend by not signing a maximum-term, eight-year deal, but he believes this length still gives him “so much time to change and evolve.”
The Hawks’ preseason woes the last three years have foretold of regular-season struggles ahead. Given that, their first exhibition game of 2025 wasn’t a great sign.
Many young defensemen are vying for NHL roster spots, but none is more interesting than Korchinski. He’s trying to find the right balance between offense and defense and between strength and agility.
Dickinson has been encouraged that the team can take meaningful next steps thanks to its young talent and detail-oriented practices.
Hawks fans will get to see the fruits of Davidson’s rebuild with their own eyes on United Center ice, and they’ll be able to evaluate those young players against NHL competition for the first time.