Latest news with #Blackhawks
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Trade Talk: Connor McDavid's Oilers shift focus to Blackhawks after failed goalie trade with Canucks
Desperation is building in Edmonton, and for good reason. With in his prime and the Oilers still falling just short of Stanley Cup glory, patience is thinning fast. After the Vancouver Canucks refused to trade promising goaltender Arturs Silovs within the division, the Oilers are reportedly shifting their gaze eastward—toward Connor Bedard's Chicago Blackhawks, who may soon find themselves with one netminder too many. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Oilers chase solutions amid goaltending concerns It's no secret that goaltending has been Edmonton's Achilles' heel. While Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have done enough to guide the Oilers deep into the playoffs, their inconsistency has become too loud to ignore. Edmonton hasn't lifted the Stanley Cup since 1990, and every passing year without silverware only adds to the urgency. Now, with the Silovs door slammed shut by Vancouver—reportedly refusing to trade him 'at any price,' per Kurt Leavins of Edmonton Journal—the Oilers have resumed their search with a different target in mind. Initially, Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins seemed like a potential backup option. However, recent rumblings suggest that Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman might be open to discussions before the season kicks off. Oilers Rumours, New Coaching Staff, and the 2025-26 NHL schedule '[Oilers GM] Stan Bowman will continue to look for a goaltender before the start of the season. The Blackhawks might have three healthy NHL netminders in training camp—just something to keep tabs on,' Chicago Hockey Now reported. Chicago's crowded crease could unlock opportunity The Blackhawks might soon face a logjam in net, especially if Arvid Soderblom remains on the roster. While he's currently filed for salary arbitration as a restricted free agent, it's widely expected that the Blackhawks, who have over $21 million in cap space, will ink him to a one-year deal. If that happens, Chicago could enter camp with Soderblom, Drew Commesso, and Spencer Knight all competing for two spots. Of the trio, only Knight appears untouchable, having been acquired in a high-profile move. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now That leaves Soderblom and Commesso as potential candidates should Edmonton wish to bolster its depth chart. After missing out on Silovs due to inter-divisional politics, the Oilers might now find a more cooperative trade partner in Chicago. Whether or not Edmonton can pull off a deal, one thing is clear: the clock is ticking. For a franchise this close to glory, failing to upgrade the crease might not just stall momentum—it could shatter the entire structure built around McDavid's prime. FAQs 1. Why are the Edmonton Oilers targeting the Chicago Blackhawks for a goaltender? The Oilers are exploring Chicago's goaltending surplus after Vancouver refused to trade Arturs Silovs within the division. 2. Which Blackhawks goalies could be available for trade? Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso are the most likely trade options, as Spencer Knight is expected to be untouchable. 3. What's delaying the Oilers' goaltending decision? Edmonton is still assessing trade possibilities after missing out on Silovs, with the timing of any deal still uncertain. Also Read:
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Jeff Blashill's Blackhawks reportedly settling legal dispute tied to Connor Bedard's top-line teammate
Arvid Soderblom contract talks intensify (Imagn Images) As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare for the 2025–26 NHL season, a sense of cautious optimism surrounds the franchise. Under the leadership of Jeff Blashill, the team is determined to sidestep the controversies of recent years and focus on forging a new identity. But just as the winds of change seem ready to blow through the United Center, a contract standoff with goaltender Arvid Soderblom has added an unexpected wrinkle. Blackhawks ready to move forward as legal drama around Connor Bedard 's teammate reportedly coming to an end Unlike previous summers filled with blockbuster trades or headline-making free-agent signings, the Blackhawks chose a more reserved approach this offseason. Rather than chasing stars, the franchise doubled down on its young core—headlined by rising phenom Connor Bedard, and kept the roster mostly intact. It's a gamble that signals faith in development over short-term splash, but it also leaves the team with minimal margin for error. Still, one pressing matter remains unresolved. After restricted free agent Arvid Soderblom filed for salary arbitration, Chicago was thrust into a tricky spot. The 25-year-old Swedish netminder, seen as a crucial backup option—or even a potential starter down the line—could either negotiate a deal or face a ruling from an NHL arbitrator. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Letting him walk into unrestricted free agency? Unlikely. 'The Blackhawks have over $21 million in cap space, so it is likely they will settle with Soderblom on a one-year deal,' Michael Augello reported via The Hockey News. That room gives Chicago a clear upper hand in keeping him without significant financial strain. Yet, in a league where planning for the unexpected is essential, the front office isn't leaving anything to chance. Blackhawks is building goaltending depth with an eye on the future While Soderblom's situation unfolds, the Blackhawks have already started insulating themselves. The recent signing of Stanislav Berezhnoy to a two-year entry-level contract offers a fallback, signaling that the team has no intention of being caught off guard. Add in the presence of Spencer Knight—brought in at last season's deadline and primed to be the franchise's starting goalie—and the depth chart starts to take shape. Behind Knight is 23-year-old Drew Commesso, whose limited NHL experience is offset by raw potential and hunger to earn his spot. Together, this trio represents the Hawks' commitment to a competitive future, even if growing pains remain. With leadership recalibrated and youth as their backbone, the Blackhawks hope to usher in a new era—one where off-ice drama no longer overshadows on-ice potential. FAQs: 1. What is Connor Bedard's salary? In 2025-26, Bedard will earn a base salary of $855,000 and a signing bonus of $95,000, while carrying a cap hit of $950,000. 2. Who is Jeff Blashill? Jeff Blashill has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. He previously served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2022 to 2025, following his tenure as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022. 3. What is Arvid Soderblom's contract details? Arvid Soderblom signed a 2 year, $1,925,000 contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on May 10, 2023, with an average annual salary of $962500. Also Read: Connor McDavid's next team already decided? Report suggests one Stanley Cup contender has the edge Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackhawks' Free Bird: How Frank Nazar Went From The AHL To Chicago's Potential No. 2 Center
When you're born and raised in Hockeytown, your first NHL game at Little Caesars Arena should be a cherished memory. But by the time Frank Nazar checked that box in January 2025 with a 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks loss to the Detroit Red Wings, he was already a grizzled vet at that barn. 'I played a pre-season game, a few college games – actually scored my first college goal at Little Caesars,' he said. 'Every time I play there, it's a blast. I always have, like, 100 family members, so that makes it a lot of fun. It's great.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lightning await 2025-26 schedule as NHL announces Opening Night tripleheader
The Lightning are set to find out their full schedule for the 2025-26 NHL regular season on Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ET. Last year, the Bolts opened the 2024-'25 regular season on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes as the Tampa Bay Area was reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton. The home-opener was eventually rescheduled. While we wait on the new schedule, the NHL has announced that the 2025-26 regular season will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with a tripleheader broadcast. The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET. Before puck drop, the Panthers will raise their second championship banner in a ceremony at Amerant Bank Arena. The action continues at 8 p.m. ET as the Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Rangers in a Metropolitan Division showdown at Madison Square Garden. Capping off the night, the Colorado Avalanche will visit the Los Angeles Kings for a Western Conference battle at Arena, with puck drop set for 10:30 p.m. ET. NHL Network will broadcast a special one-hour edition of NHL Tonight to cover the schedule release, hosted by Jamison Coyle, Mike Rupp, and E.J. Hradek. The special will also be available for streaming on Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blackhawks fan survey: Are you as confident in the rebuild as Kyle Davidson is?
General manager Kyle Davidson has put a lot of stock in the last couple of weeks of the 2024-25 Blackhawks season, hoping the speed, excitement and competitiveness his suddenly young team showed would carry over into next season and beyond. With Sam Rinzel playing top minutes on the blue line, Frank Nazar scoring at a top-six rate and Connor Bedard closing with three goals and four assists in his last four games, there was a lot to like. The players pointed to a dramatic shootout win over a highly motivated Montreal Canadiens team at the Bell Centre in the 81st game of the season as a turning point — perhaps even a launching point — in the rebuild. Advertisement Davidson is now all in on a youth movement, essentially sitting out of free agency despite a wealth of salary-cap space. No. 3 pick Anton Frondell appears to be headed back to Sweden for the season, and André Burakovsky is the only significant NHL addition the Blackhawks have made. So the Blackhawks should be more intriguing this season. But will they be better? Worse? More watchable? Less? Is the rebuild progressing or stagnating? We know what Davidson thinks. Let's see what you think. Fill out our annual Blackhawks fan survey below, and we'll share the results next week. Use two fingers to scroll on mobile or click this link to fill it out directly. Loading…
