The Blackhawks’ summer chatter is still centered on Connor Bedard, and the latest word from one insider is that Chicago fans may not be waiting all that long for him to be back. Frank Seravalli said on the Mully & Haugh show on 670 The Score earlier this week that Bedard’s camp and the Blackhawks still haven’t gotten “down to business” on the numbers for his next contract, but he added that the deal will get done. Seravalli noted that Bedard’s latest injury likely altered the conversation a bit, and he also sounded upbeat about the return timeline, saying Bedard will miss only a “handful of games.”
That update lands in the middle of a quiet stretch around the league, when offseason news is getting harder to find by the day. For Chicago, though, the Bedard situation remains the biggest item on the board. The longer the extension goes unsigned, the more restless the fan base gets, even if the expectation remains that the sides will eventually work it out.
Elsewhere in Blackhawks circles, there’s still plenty of discussion about possible roster fits. Some fans keep hoping Patrick Kane comes back, while Shane Wright is on the trading block.
One recent piece laid out why the 22-year-old center would make sense for Chicago. Ryan Gagne also offered five things fans may not have known about new Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram.
The birthday list for July 11 includes Clarence MacKenzie, Dave Chyzowski, and Ben Smith.
Around the NHL, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere addressed the fallout from Philadelphia signing Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet. He said:
"We understood this outcome was possible when we made the offer. While the result isn’t what we hoped for, our goal does not change; we remain committed to pursuing every opportunity that will strengthen our team and continue to build towards becoming a consistent and perennial contender without sacrificing our future."
The Blues also made a move, bringing back Oskar Sundqvist on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000. The 32-year-old center played 52 games for St.
Louis last season and finished with five goals and 17 points. He has appeared in 432 of his 545 NHL games with the Blues, and he won the Stanley Cup there in 2019.
Sundqvist has also spent time with the Penguins, Red Wings and Wild.
In Vancouver, the Canucks have filled out Manny Malhotra’s coaching staff. Ryan Mougenel, who was already known as a promotion from Abbotsford, will be joined by Jordan Smith and Jason Krog. The team also hired an Andrew Shaw as an assistant video coach, though not the Andrew Shaw Blackhawks fans know.
And in Montreal, the Canadiens signed defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov to his entry-level contract. The 110th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft will head back to the KHL for the final season of his deal with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
In Other News...
Patrick Kane Reunion Could Mean More For Blackhawks Than Bedard
A Patrick Kane reunion would naturally stir thoughts of one more run alongside Connor Bedard, but the Blackhawks could end up valuing the veteran winger for a different reason. Chicagos young center pipeline has become a real part of the conversation, and Kanes championship experience and day-to-day presence could matter just as much for Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell and Nick Lardis as any immediate line combination.
Bedard is working back from shoulder surgery and is expected around November, which leaves the Blackhawks with a stretch of time to sort out how Kane would fit if the match comes together. One possible look has Frondell between Tyler Bertuzzi and Kane, though there is already some skepticism about asking Frondell to absorb too much defensively. Either way, the bigger question may be whether Kanes return would be less about nostalgia and more about helping Chicagos next wave learn what winning in this market is supposed to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Face A Risky Patrik Laine Decision That Could Change Everything
Patrik Laine is the kind of swing the Blackhawks can at least afford to consider, especially if the price stays in the low-risk range. A one-year prove-it deal would not ask Chicago to make a long-term commitment, but it would give the front office a chance to see whether Laines shot still plays at a premium level and whether his recent scoring touch can translate into a bigger role alongside the clubs young core.
The appeal is obvious in a lineup that could use another finisher around Connor Bedard, with Tyler Bertuzzi as a possible fit on the left side. The concern is just as clear, because Laines effort level and defensive habits have been questioned before, which means any move like this would come with a built-in test for Jeff Blashill and the staff. For a team trying to balance upside with accountability, it is the sort of decision that could look smart or messy depending on how closely the details are managed. [Read more 🡒]