Nazar Signs, Denver’s Title, Ludwinski’s Debut, Arizona’s Caps Lock, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Frank Nazar University of Michigan Chicago Blackhawks

Where do we begin with our Sunday bullets? After an off-day (only a practice) on the calendar with three games left in the regular season, one would think it was relatively quiet. Not so much for Blackhawks fans (if, you know, you didn’t have anything better to do on a gorgeous 70-degree Saturday in Chicago).

  • Let’s start with a win. A big one. Blackhawks prospect Aidan Thompson and the University of Denver won the NCAA championship last night, beating one of the most prolific offenses in college hockey history 2-0. Thompson was credited with two shots on net and won 7 of 12 faceoffs in the national championship game.
  • If you didn’t watch the game, I am so, so sorry. DU goaltender Matt Davis had one of the all-time great performances by a netminder in the history of the Frozen Four, including a ridiculous save to keep the score 2-0 in the third period on what could have been an easy goal for Ryan Leonard. By the way: Davis is an undrafted, 22-year-old junior.
  • Also, pet peeve time: it’s the University of Denver. They go by DU, but it’s the University of Denver. My brother has a degree from them. Let’s try to get that right.
  • The Blackhawks finished their Saturday practice, sent everyone home, and then… announced they’re adding a highly skilled forward for the final three games of the regular season. The Hawks signed Frank Nazar to his three-year, entry-level contract on Saturday, and it begins immediately. The team in NOT having a morning skate, so we’ll have to wait until a couple hours before the game when head coach Luke Richardson meets with the media to know if Nazar is a) in town yet, and b) if he’s in the lineup tonight against Carolina. So stay tuned.
  • But yeah… this is exciting.
  • Paul Ludwinski made his professional debut for the IceHogs last night. He was credited with one shot on net in a 3-2 loss to Milwaukee. Ludwinski will be a full-time pro next year, as will Gavin Hayes and Samuel Savoie. Those three, plus the first full professional seasons for Nazar and Landon Slaggert, is the next enormous jump for the rebuild. The talent is coming, folks.
  • The IceHogs have also added Nick Lardis and Martin Misiak to their roster for the closing couple weeks. Lardis has signed his entry-level contract but will likely be back in junior next season; Misiak is playing on an ATO.
  • Petr Mrazek held his end-of-season media availability after practice on Saturday because he has personal matters to deal with next week. He’s been fantastic this season and I’m glad the Hawks extended him a couple years. It appears he’ll be taking part in the World Championships against a few teammates in a few weeks, too.
  • The Arizona Coyotes continue to distinguish themselves as the biggest tire fire in professional sports — which says a lot because the Oakland A’s are trying super hard to win that honor. The Coyotes organization released a statement in all caps on on Saturday because caps lock is ALWAYS the way to make sure the entire world wondering WTF is wrong with you has their concerns confirmed.
  • Here’s my problem at this point: there are reports that Alex Merulo is going to continue pursuing a stadium plan in Arizona and get preferred status for an expansion team from the NHL when the sale is formally announced later this week. Based on all of the things we’ve seen and heard about this ownership group, there’s no way the NHL’s other owners and governors should ever let them back into the club. No way. Jason Derulo might be better suited to own an NHL team than Alex Merulo.
  • If the NHL wants to continue chasing it’s ridiculous dream that hockey will survive in the desert, go find a ninth ownership group for a franchise in that area. Because the first eight failed.
  • Finally, how about a fun commercial from the Cubs to give you a smile as you head out to enjoy a beautiful Sunday?
  • 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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