Latest news with #ChicagoBlackhawks
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackhawks Forward Is Bounce-Back Candidate To Watch
During the 2023-24 season, Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson thrived. In 82 games, he set new career highs with 22 goals and 35 points in 82 games. This was after he scored nine goals and set a previous career-high with 30 points in 78 games with Chicago in 2022-23.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackhawks Young Defender Gets Big Shout-Out
With the Chicago Blackhawks rebuilding, they have plenty of promising young players. One of them is defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, as the 22-year-old blueliner has the potential to become a nice piece for them as he continues to adjust to the NHL level. Due to this, during a recent episode of Daily Faceoff Rundown, Kaiser landed some serious praise from both Sports 1440's Jason Gregor and The Athletic's Michael Russo. "Kaiser is a hell of a player," Gregor said. "In the next few years, people are going to look and say, 'damn, who's this guy?' I look at Chicago, and they have a lot of youth on their back end, and I still think this is a season of transition for them, but watch their back end. I think in a few years, there are going to be three or four guys in Chicago that people are pretty high on, and don't sleep on Kaiser." Russo then agreed with Gregor's take and then also had some praise for the Blackhawks' 2020 third-round pick. "I like Kaiser a lot, especially as a guy," Russo said. "Wyatt is a quality, good skating defenseman that I think has the ability to, again, with coaching, be really, really good." The Blackhawks will certainly be hoping that Kaiser can become a key part of their defense as they look to take that next step. There is no question that they are in need of some serious help on their blueline, and it would be massive if Kaiser could develop into a legitimate top-four defenseman. Kaiser showed promise this past season with the Blackhawks, posting four goals, eight points, 54 hits, 93 blocks, and an even plus/minus rating in 57 games. Overall, he showed that he is ready for the NHL, and it will be fascinating to see if he hits a new level soon, as both Gregor and Russo believe he can. Blackhawks Young Goalie Continues To Get Praise The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping that goaltender Spencer Knight will become something special for them. The 2019 first-round pick undoubtedly has plenty of potential and has shown promise early on, but there is a real expectation that he has not hit his ceiling yet. Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blackhawks Young Goalie Continues To Get Praise
The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping that goaltender Spencer Knight will become something special for them. The 2019 first-round pick undoubtedly has plenty of potential and has shown promise early on, but there is a real expectation that he has not hit his ceiling yet. During this past season split between the Florida Panthers and Blackhawks, Knight put together a 17-16-3 record, a .901 save percentage, and a 2.72 goals-against average in 38 games. Overall, it was a solid year for the youngster, and it will be fascinating to see what kind of season he has as the Blackhawks' starter in 2025-26 from here. In 95 career NHL games over four seasons, Knight has a 49-33-9 record, a .904 save percentage, and a 2.83 goals-against average. Due to his solid play over the year, he has now received more praise. Blackhawks' Spencer Knight is One of the Most Impressive Goalies Under 25 The NHL is full of young talent and the league has been getting younger in recent years. The Chicago Blackhawks have some of that young talent on their team and have impressive players at every position. NHL Fantasy/Edge has named their top 10 goalies who are 26 years old or younger for the 2025-26 season, and Knight was ranked at the No. 8 spot. Knight beat out Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues and Leevi Merilainen of the Ottawa Senators on the list. Given how Knight has performed early on in his career, him making this list is entirely fair. The potential for him to have a strong season in 2025-26 is there, and this is especially so if he taps into his potential more. Thus, he could be a good goalie for fantasy hockey managers to bring in once the big-name netminders are off the board. Former Blackhawks Forward Had Monster Year During the 2022 NHL off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks elected not to send forward Dylan Strome a qualifying offer. As a result, he became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals in July of that year. This was after Strome posted 22 goals and 48 points with the Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season. Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Could Kirill Kaprizov join Connor Bedard? Chicago Blackhawks loom as 2026 free agency wildcard
Photo byWith the 2026 NHL free agent class shaping up to be one of the deepest in years, most eyes are on the big names—Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Jason Robertson, and more. But history shows that these kinds of players rarely make it to July 1st. Extensions are typically wrapped up well in advance, locking stars into long-term deals with their current teams. Still, there's one elite talent whose situation remains unresolved—and it's stirring buzz around the league. Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov has yet to agree to a contract extension, and while many believe a deal will get done, there's growing speculation that he could hit the open market. If that happens, no team is better positioned to strike than the Chicago Blackhawks. Kirill Kaprizov's contract uncertainty with the Minnesota Wild could fast-track the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild The Minnesota Wild know exactly what they have in Kirill Kaprizov : a game-breaking forward who has racked up 386 points in 319 NHL games. He's the best offensive player the franchise has ever had. But negotiations for a new deal have stalled, raising eyebrows across the league. In July 2025, NHL insider Michael Russo said on Daily Faceoff's Rundown that 'they're not close right now' in extension talks. Russo still believes the Wild will eventually sign him—but as time passes, the possibility of things going south becomes harder to ignore. If Kaprizov becomes available, the Blackhawks immediately jump to the front of the line. Why? Timing, cap space, and roster construction. Chicago has been steadily rebuilding around cornerstone center Connor Bedard and 2022 first-round pick Frank Nazar. Both are viewed as long-term centerpieces, and the front office has made it clear that the plan is to build around them. Bringing in a player like Kaprizov—who could become the highest-paid winger in the NHL—would be a massive addition. The Blackhawks not only have the financial flexibility to make it happen, but they also have the right timeline. By 2026, they'll be ready to transition from rebuild to contention. A top-line featuring Bedard and Kaprizov would be electric. Chicago Blackhawks could emerge as top suitor if Kirill Kaprizov hits free agency Nothing is certain yet, but the possibility is real—and it's gaining traction. If Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild fail to reach a deal, the Chicago Blackhawks could emerge as the biggest winners of the 2026 NHL offseason. The fit is perfect, the cap space is there, and the rebuild is right on schedule. If Kaprizov hits the market, the hockey world will be watching—and Chicago may just be ready to pounce. Also Read: Sam Lafferty returns to the Chicago Blackhawks—can grit and familiarity spark the rebuild? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Canucks: Why massive Mason McTavish hype is about future playoff potential
When Joel Quenneville guided the Chicago Blackhawks to their third Stanley Cup championship in a six-year span in 2015, his centre of attention was Jonathan Toews. Article content At age 26, his 'Captain Serious' moniker fit like a glove because of drive, desire and delivery. Toews was 21 when the Blackhawks claimed their first crown in 2010, nearly the same age as another pivot who has become talk of the league this summer. Article content Article content Article content Mason McTavish, 22, is a proud, productive and stubborn restricted free agent with the Anaheim Ducks, whose heavy and direct game at junior and international levels projects well for the NHL postseason. He led the Ducks last season with 22 goals, and his 52 points with the 24th-ranked club, and 30th-rated offence, were as credible as his team leading 50.7 per cent face-off efficiency. Article content McTavish has potential to become a reliable 30-goal producer and tough to play against. However, he has yet to reach contract-extension terms and that has sent suitors into a summer tizzy of what it would take to pry him away — everything from offer sheets to multiple players and draft picks. Article content Good luck with all that. He could stay put. Article content The Vancouver Canucks would salivate at potential of adding the 6-foot-1, 219-pound McTavish to help solve their riddle in the middle. But at what cost? Probably a roster player, prime prospect, and pair of high draft picks. AFP Analytics has McTavish receiving a six-year, $40.6-million US deal that would carry a $6.67 million in annual average value. Article content Article content Article content Article content McTavish's competitiveness was evident in advance of the 2021 NHL Draft. After 42 points in (29-13) in 57 OHL games with Peterborough Petes in 2019-20 — followed by COVID suspension of OHL games the next season — he was loaned to Olten EHC of the second division Swiss pro league. He responded with 11 points (9-2) in 13 outings. Article content 'I love to get to the dirty areas to score goals,' he told this reporter prior to the 2021 draft, where he was selected third overall behind defenceman Owen Power and centre Matty Beniers. 'I'm not one to shy away from playoff-style hockey. Just watching the NHL playoffs, those big-bodied guys really pay off. Article content 'I love to compete against anybody and I don't really back down from anyone. I just want to be hard to play against and you don't want them to say: 'Oh, he was easy to play against.' Or, 'He was fun to play against.' I don't like to make it easy on guys.'
