Rookie Cards, Celebrini the Shark, Buyouts, Columbus Fires Vincent, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Connor Bedard Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard Chicago Blackhawks

It’s been a hot minute since we had some fresh Connor Bedard content to cleanse our timelines, so I’m going to start our Tuesday with the NHL’s top rookie showing off his “Young Guns” card from Upper Deck on the ‘Gram. The hockey card market is still white hot for Bedard’s cards, and it will probably only get more crazy when he wins the Calder Trophy next week. The Blackhawks’ rookie phenom had a marvelous rookie season. Now… let’s see how they build a more competitive roster around him.

  • There was no question who the Blackhawks were taking at No. 1 in the draft last year. There is no question who the Sharks are taking this year. But, unlike GMKD last year, San Jose’s Mike Grier isn’t playing by the “don’t officially let it out” unwritten draft rules. He was pretty open about being excited to draft Macklin Celebrini during the lottery and then doubled down on Monday when speaking with the media before the draft begins next week.
  • How about some buyout candidates who might hit the market this summer? Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal at The Athletic looked at a dozen guys who might receive a check to go away this summer, and there are a few that might be interesting for the Blackhawks. One of which is Seattle netminder Philipp Grubauer, who’s 32 and hasn’t been great for the Kraken. Would he be a buy-low candidate to back-up Petr Mrazek in Chicago if he hits the market? I would certainly be interested.
  • This is also a list worth reading because, if teams might even consider a buyout option on some of these guys, they would almost certainly be available via trade for next to nothing. Connor Sheary, JG Pageau, Barclay Goodrow and Cam Atkinson are all names that might be interesting at a low cost.
  • Speaking of the trade market, The Fourth Period dropped their updated summer trade targets list on Monday and the Blackhawks were tied to four interesting forwards. I broke it down earlier this morning.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets brought Don Waddell in from Carolina as their new hockey ops czar (GM, alternate governor, etc) earlier this offseason. He made his first significant move on Monday, firing head coach Pascal Vincent… after only one season behind the bench. One season in which he had to deal with an unhappy and not-healthy Patrik Laine (who is now on the trade block), an injury to top pick Adam Fantilli and other underwhelming performances from young players. Vincent is a good coach and I think he’ll be an incredibly hot name in the next coaching cycle — which could start in October at the rate the NHL is firing people. We’ll see where the Jackets go from here with so many other jobs already filling this offseason.
  • Some Blues news (clues?) here: apparently Brian Elliott will retire and join the front office in St. Louis.
  • From one front office in the division to the coaching staff of another, the Winnipeg Jets made a few additions to their new group on Monday.
  • Oh by the way, the 2024 NBA Draft takes place over the two days immediately before the 2024 NHL Draft next week. So that’s fun for Chicago fans… right? Well, maybe not as much for Bulls fans (those who are left). I’m so sorry, Eli. But there were some interesting players in Chicago to work out on Monday.
  • 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

    more blackhawks news

    It’s A Copycat League: What The Blackhawks Can Learn From the Panthers

    The Stanley Cup Final is officially behind us, and while it got a little dicey there for a while, the Florida Panthers have brought their first Stanley Cup to South Florida. That series was so much fun, it had everything....

    FINAL 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings Offer Different Perspectives

    We've arrived at the point that we've over-analyzed and fully stared at the names of prospects in line to be drafted in the first, second and even third rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft so much that we can lose...

    Roenick to the HOF, Great Ratings, More Chychrun Buzz, McLellan to Columbus? and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    We're now two days away from the 2024 NHL Draft, Blackhawks fans! And we're embarking on the rest of this summer with the knowledge that Jeremy effing Roenick is a hockey hall of famer! How awesome is that! Having spoken...

    Fanatics Officially Takes Over NHL On-Ice Jerseys

    Yesterday, we learned the Blackhawks' home uniforms will have a brand logo other than their own on the front this coming year. On Wednesday morning, the NHL and Fanatics announced the league has officially transitioned to Fanatics Authentic Pro NHL...

    FINAL Mock Draft Roundup: Four More Experts’ Picks for the Blackhawks

    This is going to be my final wrap of a few mock drafts from reputable outlets before the 2024 NHL Draft begins. It will also be our 11th wrap of other people's thoughts on what the Chicago Blackhawks will do...

    Jeremy Roenick Headlines 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Class

    On Tuesday afternoon, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto announced its induction class for this year. While I was disappointed to once again not hear Steve Larmer's name called, Blackhawks legend Jeremy Roenick is finally getting in! https://twitter.com/HockeyHallFame/status/1805686537331351739 Roenick...

    Around the NHL: Michkov Freed, Mittelstadt Extended, Detroit Making Trades, More

    Some teams waited until after the Stanley Cup Final was completely done to start announcing moves. You know, respectful of the history of the game and the teams participating. 30 teams in the league understood that's how it should be...

    2024 NHL Draft: What Picks Do the Other Central Division Teams Own?

    The 2024 NHL Draft is coming quickly, folks. We know the Chicago Blackhawks have the No. 2 overall pick (and No. 18) in the first round. But the Central Division is going to absolutely run this draft. Including the Blackhawks...

    Blackhawks Announce Jersey Patch Sponsorship

    The Chicago Blackhawks are adding a sponsor to their iconic jerseys for the 2024-25 season. On Monday, the team announced multi-year partnership agreement with Circa Sports to be the official jersey patch sponsor for the Blackhawks home red jerseys. The home...

    Maurice’s Brilliance, Jackson Leaving Notre Dame, Losers, Traders, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The Florida Panthers avoided being a historic footnote last night and instead made themselves the headline. On the back of truly spectacular goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky and a renewed defensive commitment, the Panthers skated away with an exhilarating 2-1 victory....

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, June 26, 2024

    The St. Louis Cardinals (40-37) will vie for their fifth straight victory when they host the Atlanta Braves (43-33) on Wednesday at 7:15 PM ET on MLB Network. The Braves are listed as -126 favorites to stop the streak, while...

    Bears-Titans Trash Talk is Already Starting

    We are 74 days from Week 1 kicking off and the trash talk between the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears is underway. Jeffery Simmons, the ultra-talented Titans defensive tackle, delivers the first salvo: https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1805997115425858042 Ooh! A painted nails quip. I'm...

    Braves vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – June 26

    The St. Louis Cardinals (40-37) face the Atlanta Braves (43-33) at home at Busch Stadium on Wednesday, with first pitch at 7:15 PM ET. The Cardinals enter the game with a four-game winning streak.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as...

    New Jersey Devils Mock Draft: 10th Overall Pick Presents Multiple Strong Options

    As the New Jersey Devils prepare for the 2024 NHL Draft, holding the 10th overall pick, the team faces a critical decision that could significantly impact their future. This New Jersey Devils' mock draft focuses on adding the best player...

    Calgary Flames Mock Draft: Unique Decision at 9th Overall

    As the Calgary Flames prepare for the 2024 NHL Draft, holding the 9th overall pick, the team faces a critical decision that could significantly impact their future. This Calgary Flames mock draft focuses on adding the best player available. The...

    Giants vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, June 26, 2024

    The Chicago Cubs (37-43) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they visit the San Francisco Giants (38-42) Wednesday at 9:45 PM ET on MARQ. The Giants are listed as -124 favorites, while the Cubs are +106 underdogs as...

    Twins vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, June 26, 2024

    Led by Byron Buxton (two-game homer streak), the Minnesota Twins (43-36) are favorites versus the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-40) Wednesday at 9:40 PM ET. Oddsmakers have named the Twins as -124 favorites for the game, which airs on ARID.Simeon Woods Richardson...

    Twins vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – June 26

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (39-40) match up against the Minnesota Twins (43-36) at home on Wednesday starting at 9:40 PM ET.The Twins will give the nod to Simeon Woods Richardson (2-1, 3.26 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 3 on the...

    Giants vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – June 26

    Following a three-game losing streak, the Chicago Cubs (37-43) face off against the San Francisco Giants (38-42) on Wednesday at 9:45 PM ET.The Giants will give the nod to Hayden Birdsong against the Cubs and Hayden Wesneski (2-4).Giants vs. Cubs...

    2024 NBA Mock Draft: What Will The Atlanta Hawks Do With The 1st Pick?

    What Will The Atlanta Hawks Do With The 1st Pick? —The NBA is making changes to this year's draft format for the 2024 season. The 78th annual draft will be held over two nights, a departure from the single-night format...

    more blackhawks news