logo
ENFRع
#

Latest news with #PatMaroon

Blackhawks in NHL free agency: Needs, fits and low-key moves for Chicago's rebuild
Blackhawks in NHL free agency: Needs, fits and low-key moves for Chicago's rebuild

New York Times

time30-06-2025

  • Sport
  • New York Times

Blackhawks in NHL free agency: Needs, fits and low-key moves for Chicago's rebuild

The Athletic has live coverage of NHL free agency. CHICAGO — No, the Chicago Blackhawks won't be signing Mitch Marner when free agency opens Tuesday at 11 a.m. CT. Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser aren't in the Blackhawks' future, either. And with so many young players ready to break into the NHL after an encouraging close to last season, there won't be a bargain-bin shopping spree like there was last year, either. It's almost certainly going to be a quiet summer in Chicago. But that doesn't mean general manager Kyle Davidson is taking the day off entirely — though it's possible he waits until later in the offseason to do the following. The Blackhawks (and AHL Rockford IceHogs) do have some holes that can't necessarily be filled from within. So what kind of low-key moves will Davidson be making? Let's take a look: Of the Blackhawks' 21 fights last season, Pat Maroon was involved in nine. Whether all nine instances called for a fight is up for debate, but the reality is that fighting, while reduced, remains in the NHL. And with Maroon retired, the Blackhawks probably need someone to pick up some of that responsibility. Advertisement The only other Blackhawks who fought more than once last season were Nick Foligno (four times), Jason Dickinson (two) and Connor Murphy (two). All three of those players return, but it's unlikely the Blackhawks want those three to need to jump in every time to defend Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar or whomever. Davidson was asked about that specific need at the NHL combine: 'I think that that is something we're always kind of knocking around. It's an element that carries some value. … It's not in abundance around the league right now, but it's something I think you have to value the element that a person like that can bring with their physicality with their ability to get a crowd going or change the momentum or defend a teammate.' Jakub Lauko, 25, is not expected to receive a qualifying offer from the Boston Bruins and will become an unrestricted free agent. He had five goals and six assists in 56 games for the Minnesota Wild and Bruins last season. He fought five times last season. Tanner Jeannot, a 28-year-old veteran forward, is also expected to be an unrestricted free agent. He had seven goals and six assists in 67 games for the Los Angeles Kings last season. He fought eight times last season. The Blackhawks are hardly hurting for defensemen, as 13 different blueliners suited up for them last season. Organizationally, defense is the Blackhawks' biggest strength, with Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov and Kevin Korchinski all potential No. 1s, Alex Vlasic entrenched in the top four, and Wyatt Kaiser, Ethan Del Mastro, Louis Crevier and Nolan Allan all in the mix. But Connor Murphy is the only true veteran in the entire system, and he could be on the trade block as he enters the last year of his contract. With that in mind, the Blackhawks could be in the market for a veteran depth defenseman, someone who can step in when needed but whom coach Jeff Blashill can scratch without any qualms. You don't want a young player such as Del Mastro out of the lineup for extended stretches; you'd rather have him play big minutes in Rockford as he waits his turn. But you're perfectly content for a Jarred Tinordi or Jaycob Megna-type to be in that No. 7 spot. The Blackhawks bought out T.J. Brodie after a dismal season in Chicago, but they're probably looking for a Brodie-type to flesh out the roster. Advertisement Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who was just bought out by the Sharks after a remarkable 19-year run, is Alex Vlasic's cousin. Is that enough to lure the 38-year-old to Chicago for the twilight of his career, or is he leaning toward retirement? The elder Vlasic became the league's all-time leader in blocked shots this past season but isn't the lockdown defenseman he once was. It could be a good story, at the very least. Another possibility could be Joel Hanley, a 34-year-old left-shot defenseman who spent last season in Calgary. He's still a strong skater, and the Blackhawks wouldn't have to go too far over the league minimum to be the top bidder (not that cap space is an issue for them). Jeff Petry, 37, could be another option. He's not the offensive presence he once was with the Montreal Canadiens, but he fits the bill as a veteran No. 7 who can capably play when called upon. Who knows what's going to happen with Laurent Brossoit this season? He's still signed for another year, but there hasn't been much talk about his health or how exactly he fits into the Blackhawks' goalie plan if he's healthy. 'No update,' Davidson said of Brossoit at the combine. 'I think there is going to be a period of rest after the season just to take it easy. There is nothing to rush back for and no games to try and get into. So, I think there's going to be a period of significant rest that we were afforded with the offseason.' The Blackhawks have Spencer Knight and Drew Commesso signed for next season. They have qualified Arvid Söderblom as a restricted free agent and are expected to re-sign him. The assumption is that Knight and Söderblom are the NHL goalies and Commesso is the No. 1 in Rockford. If Brossoit is healthy, the Blackhawks can probably slide him through waivers because of his cap hit and play him in Rockford. Advertisement The Blackhawks might want to be safe, though, and prepare for not having Brossoit. It's been a full year now since he has played in a game. There aren't a ton of fits for this need. Most of the goalies hitting the market played in more than 20 NHL games last season and are probably looking for a better opportunity than the Blackhawks, at least when free agency opens. This market might change over time. Mitchell Weeks could also be the fallback Rockford goalie if the Blackhawks don't add another goalie. Mitchell played in 32 games for the IceHogs last season and again returns this season on an AHL contract. (Photo of Marc-Edouard Vlasic: Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images)

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl On His Rare, Costly Mistakes
Oilers' Leon Draisaitl On His Rare, Costly Mistakes

Yahoo

time11-05-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl On His Rare, Costly Mistakes

EDMONTON – 'Obviously, it stings right now.' Leon Draisaitl faced his own disappointment when speaking to the media after the Edmonton Oilers' deflating 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. POST-RAW | Leon Draisaitl 05.10.25 Leon speaks to the media as the Oilers lost 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 at Rogers Place. 'It's an unfortunate way to lose,' Draisaitl said. 'But that's on us.' The German Gretzky expanded on that idea by addressing two costly mistakes in his game from Saturday night. The first one is on the first Golden Knights goal. EXCLUSIVE: Mark Messier On Oilers, Budweiser, His Future & More EDMONTON – Mark Messier loves Edmonton. Oilers Are Surging Towards A New NHL Record Former Oilers' Pat Maroon Announces New Gig New Oilers Schedule For Round 2 vs Golden Knights Oilers Have Massively Better Team This Year Oilers Suffer Heartbreaking Buzzer-Beater Loss To Golden Knights Oilers Calvin Pickard Reaches New & Unique Milestone EDMONTON – No two playoff series are exactly alike. 'On the first one, I get stripped there,' Draisaitl stated. 'That puck should probably just go in (to their zone) so that's obviously, that's on me.' 'I think the quickness of the two (goals) deflated us a little bit.' Draisaitl then shared his view of the buzzer-beater goal. 'We didn't sort it out very well to let the puck get into the slot,' Draisaitl revealed. 'After that, I think It's unlucky, it's unfortunate…It's just a bad bounce.' REILLY SMITH SCORES WITH 0.4 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK 🤯 — Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 11, 2025 'It goes off my stick, I'm just trying to keep it out of the net.' On the bright side, the Oilers are up 2-1 in the series. They must feel the sting of the loss to harness it as motivation to put the Golden Knights on their heels. Draisaitl knows what they need to do to get the win in Game 4. 'Get back to what we did in the first 10 minutes,' Draisaitl said. 'Moving our feet, making plays, just get back to that.' 'Tomorrow's a new day, we'll move on.' Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store