The big news in the hockey world on Sunday was a bit of a stunner less than one week before the 2024 NHL Draft begins. No, it doesn’t have to do with the Blackhawks. But it’s still massive news. Matvei Michkov, the enigmatic forward who some considered the best prospect after Connor Bedard in last year’s draft, is reportedly getting out of his KHL contract to come to North America and join the Philadelphia Flyers.
Pierre LeBrun tweeted JP Barry and Pat Brisson of CAA are representing Michkov, who could be in Philly in a couple weeks once they sort thru the immigration visa process. The Flyers drafted Michkov at No. 7 overall last year in large part because teams believed he would not be available until the 2026-27 season because of contractual obligations with SKA in the KHL. Philly GM Danny Briere believes Michkov could have played in the NHL last year. This is enormous news for the Flyers, who have the biggest piece of their rebuild now coming into the fold two years earlier than anticipated.
I'm told that it looks like Matvei Michkov is leaving SKA and will be joining the Philadelphia Flyers.
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is tonight! The greatest spectacle in sport happens in Florida (and it will overlap with a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Men’s College World Series. What a night! Who ya got? Vote in our Twitter/X Poll!
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 24, 2024
We’ve talked a great deal in this space about the big debate for the Blackhawks at No. 2 overall. But one of the big reasons I keep churning out Mock Draft Roundups is because there are so many variables between 2 and 18 that what the Hawks do with their second pick in the first round is even more interesting. Scott Powers and Corey Pronman at The Athletic broke down eight options for the Blackhawks at No. 18 overall for this morning. It’s a solid read with their thoughts on some names we’ve discussed over the past couple months getting ready for this week’s draft.
David Pagnotta at The Fourth Period updated some rumors on Monday morning before Game 7, beginning with some chatter about Trevor Zegras’ future in Anaheim. Here’s what he had to say about the Zegras market:
At least eight teams have expressed serious interest in Zegras, including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres, and I believe other clubs have also been in the mix.
Well hello there! As I wrote previously, Zegras would bring excitement with him and his contract isn’t significant in length or dollars, but I don’t think he solves a lot of the Blackhawks’ problems up front. I am fascinated to see what the ultimate acquisition cost would be here.
Pagnotta also wrote this about the Blackhawks:
Chicago is another team I’m keeping my eye on this week. The Blackhawks are looking to add a top-line winger and have a few irons in the fire, beyond interest in Zegras.
While we’re talking trade targets, Shayna Goldman at The Athletic listed the Blackhawks as a potential trade partners for Toronto for Mitch Marner. Again. Because cap space is available and Connor Bedard. We’ll see if Marner actually goes anywhere before the end of next week.
Earlier this past week, Ben Pope tweeted that Reese Johnson expects to head to the UFA market. He shared some expectations for the busy upcoming couple weeks for the Blackhawks. When he breaks down the internal RFAs for the Blackhawks, his assessment of the goalie situation mirrors my own: Jaxson Stauber may not be back if the Hawks want to bring in competition for the No. 2 spot on the NHL depth chart.
The Blackhawks have two busy weeks ahead of them with the NHL awards, draft, free agency and schedule release, plus development camp.
We got a Jonathan Toews moment on the ol’ Youtube this weekend! Matt Kang hit the golf courses in Scottsdale with the greatest captain in Chicago sports history. Check this video out starting around the 14:45 mark… The Captain looks healthy and happy which is awesome. We don’t get to judge his putting, unfortunately, but I’d be willing to bet a dollar he won the day.
Finally, I want this level of hype in a postgame interview from a young Blackhawks player asap. I nominate Frank Nazar to take the lead on the post-Kaner “Let’s gooooo!” train.
Sure, why not. The Blackhawks are reportedly bringing back Joey Anderson on a two-year deal. https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1807844883798827499 Anderson earned his roster spot this past season in a supporting role after starting the year in Rockford. The two-year commitment is more life...
Smoke em if you got em, Blackhawks fans! Y'all wanted more bodies, you're getting plenty! The Blackhawks are reportedly also bringing in forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith on one-year deals and goaltender Laurent Brossoit on a two-year deal. These...
Remember, back at the end of the regular season, when the media had a few minutes to chat with Blackhawks players and coaches about the 2023-24 campaign? And how Nick Foligno and Seth Jones put it out there that the...
Hey, it's Monday and free agency opens today so let the crazy season begin. We're all desperately waiting to see what the Blackhawks will do with all of their cap space and desire to improve. So how about we wake...
Let's get after it, Blackhawks fans! Remember when today was supposed to be a quiet day and we shouldn't expect too much? The Blackhawks are already reportedly adding forward Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman Alec Martinez. Now we can add a...
It's the end of an era in Tampa Bay. Lightning captain and two-time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos is on the move according to a report from Pierre LeBrun. The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is taking his talents to...
Because there's nothing else going on for us to pay attention to right now, the NHL announced each team's home opener. The Chicago Blackhawks will have a hyped matchup of... teams that were awful last year. Connor Bedard and the...
Man this is gonna be awkward for a lot of Blackhawks fans... Reports on Monday morning are that the Blackhawks are going to sign 36-year-old veteran LHD Alec Martinez to a one-year deal. Martinez, of course, scored the Game 7...
It's Monday, July 1, 2024. Which means it's Free Agency Day in the NHL, folks! What will the Blackhawks get done today? Tomorrow? This week? So many options and so much cap space... I'll be at the rink today to...
After putting up 20 goals and 27 assists in 50 regular-season games after his return from a hip resurfacing procedure, Patrick Kane was headed to unrestricted free agency with a relatively clean bill of health for the first time in...
Just about all season, the Bulls and DeMar DeRozan both let it be known that there was mutual interest in a reunion this offseason as the veteran forward was set to hit free agency. Apparently, that is no longer the...
Remember, back at the end of the regular season, when the media had a few minutes to chat with Blackhawks players and coaches about the 2023-24 campaign? And how Nick Foligno and Seth Jones put it out there that the...
Sure, why not. The Blackhawks are reportedly bringing back Joey Anderson on a two-year deal. https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1807844883798827499 Anderson earned his roster spot this past season in a supporting role after starting the year in Rockford. The two-year commitment is more life...
We may have ourselves a new frontrunner in the DeMar DeRozan sweepstakes! When the offseason began, the Clippers and Sixers appeared to be the two most likely landing spots for the 34-year-old forward, but after Philly signed Paul George and...
Over the last few days, MLB Network's Jon Morosi has twice discussed the Seattle Mariners plans for the trade season, and both times he has brought up the Chicago Cubs. To be clear, neither discussion was framed as "these two...
Spain takes on Germany at 12:00 PM ET on July 5 in the UEFA European Championship quarterfinals.You'll want to head to FOX for the upcoming game featuring Spain and Germany. Bookmakers have given Spain odds of +162 to advance, and...
Argentina plays Ecuador at 9:00 PM ET on July 4 in the Copa America quarterfinals.The match is on FOX, if you're searching for how to watch. Argentina is -227 to advance to the Copa America semifinals, and Ecuador is +690....
The Milwaukee Brewers (50-34) are set to take on the Colorado Rockies (28-55) Monday at 8:40 PM ET, airing on MLB Network. The Brewers are listed as -153 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Rockies have +130 odds for the...
Smoke em if you got em, Blackhawks fans! Y'all wanted more bodies, you're getting plenty! The Blackhawks are reportedly also bringing in forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith on one-year deals and goaltender Laurent Brossoit on a two-year deal. These...
Because there's nothing else going on for us to pay attention to right now, the NHL announced each team's home opener. The Chicago Blackhawks will have a hyped matchup of... teams that were awful last year. Connor Bedard and the...
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