We’re nearly 10 video games into the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2024-25 marketing campaign (Monday, Oct. 28 is the tenth recreation). The crew is presently a disappointing 2-6-1 on the season after an encouraging 2-2-1 begin. The Blackhawks have now misplaced 4 video games in a row. Quite a lot of issues have gone towards the Hawks, however there are additionally some encouraging indicators. It looks like an ideal time to empty out the pocket book. There’s a plethora of ideas and storylines to cowl, so let’s get to it.
Corridor Hits 700
We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out Taylor Corridor’s milestone, even when it was final Tuesday (Oct. 22). Corridor notched his 700th profession level with a purpose within the Blackhawks’ 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Congrats Hallsy! 👏 pic.twitter.com/9SVs1CR7aJ
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 23, 2024
The 32-year-old has had a tricky go of it, lacking most of final season as a result of ACL surgical procedure, after which recovering within the offseason. All he desires to do is get again to regular and make an impression with the Blackhawks. A lot so, he didn’t even understand it was his 700th level. “I had no thought,” Corridor stated.
Corridor is presently being deployed on the second line for the Blackhawks, alongside Philipp Kurashev and Tyler Bertuzzi. He has two targets and three factors via 9 video games, which is lower than desired for the veteran, contemplating his deployment. However, Corridor is feeling good in regards to the chemistry of the crew, and his want to remain in Chicago (he’s an unrestricted free agent on the finish of this season).
We’re attempting to deliver the younger guys up the precise means. It’s good to encompass them with not solely good execs, however good gamers. The vibe is best. We’re in each recreation and we’re nonetheless enhancing.
I’d love to remain and be a part of this. I’ve moved round fairly a bit, perhaps greater than I might’ve favored or deliberate firstly of my profession. Nevertheless it’s introduced me and led me to some wonderful individuals, and I’ve had quite a lot of nice life experiences, and that’s made me develop up quite a bit. In saying that, I prefer it right here, I just like the group. Most of all, I actually like this crew and the group of men now we have. I feel I is usually a good piece for us as we continue to grow. If there was curiosity on their aspect, I’d undoubtedly like to be across the crew and assist construct this.
Corridor is off to a good begin, however I’m certain he desires to make extra of an impression because the season progresses.
Levshunov Debuts in Rockford
Defenseman Artyom Levshunov was lastly activated off injured reserve final Tuesday (Oct. 22). The Blackhawks’ second general choose within the 2024 draft was then assigned to the Rockford IceHogs to formally start his professional profession.
It seems Levshunov was skating with a fracture to his proper foot for over a month earlier than he realized it.
“I had a fracture. … I discovered later, a month after it occurred.”
—Blackhawks prospect Artyom Levshunov on his proper foot harm pic.twitter.com/3e86fIL09g
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) October 22, 2024
That’s a tricky break (pun meant), as a result of it in all probability made it worse and subsequently took longer to heal. However the excellent news is Levshunov made his debut with the IceHogs on Saturday, Oct. 26. towards the Manitoba Moose. He lined up on the second defensive pairing alongside Cavan Fitzgerald, and received proper to work. The 18-year-old helped tie the sport for the IceHogs with the first help on Fitzgerald’s purpose.
Fitzgerald’s purpose earlier within the interval https://t.co/tcfU6lpiTY pic.twitter.com/xsUsUm488P
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) October 26, 2024
It appears like Levshunov is off to an incredible begin in Rockford. I’m certain it’s solely a matter of time earlier than he’s taking part in on the highest pairing alongside Kevin Korchinski.
Associated – Blackhawks Sending Kevin Korchinski to AHL is Proper Transfer
Brossoit Harm Replace
Goaltender Laurent Brossoit was introduced on to be a part of a 1A, 1B tandem this season with Petr Mrazek. Sadly, Brossoit underwent meniscus surgical procedure to his proper knee on the finish of August. This has been lower than excellent for the Blackhawks. The 31-year-old missed all of coaching camp and the start of the season. He’s lastly been working towards earlier than the remainder of the crew as he nears a return.
Luke Richardson stated Laurent Brossoit (meniscus) received’t journey with the crew firstly of street journey however he’s anticipated to hitch sooner or later, maybe in San Jose.
He’s nonetheless at the least per week or two away from returning to recreation motion. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 24, 2024
Based mostly on this prediction, two weeks from Oct. 24 would make Brossoit prepared on the newest on Thursday, Nov. 7. The Blackhawks have back-to-back video games on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, in addition to Nov. 6 and Nov. 7. Hopefully Brossoit will probably be prepared for a type of contests. I’m certain he’s anxious to get began along with his new crew.
Within the meantime, Arvid Soderblom has began in two contests with the Blackhawks whereas they await the return of Brossoit. It’s a small pattern measurement, however Soderblom has bounced again fairly effectively from a disappointing 2023-24 season. He presently has a .911 save proportion and a 2.52 targets towards common.
So as to add to the drama, Soderblom has been sick and didn’t journey with the crew on their present street journey. Though, like Brossoit, he may be a part of them sooner or later. Drew Commesso was subsequently known as up from the IceHogs, however he didn’t play on the Blackhawks most up-to-date back-to-back contests over the weekend. Mrazek performed two nights in a row as an alternative. This makes some sense, as it could have been tough to process Commesso to play towards an excellent Dallas Stars crew for his NHL debut.
Plenty of shifting components proper now for the Blackhawks in internet. One thing to control.
Blackhawks’ Second Line Middle Commerce Rumors
Earlier this week we heard from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Interval and hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, each reporting the Blackhawks could possibly be seeking to commerce for a second line heart.
However the issue right here is that everybody desires facilities, they usually don’t come low-cost. Certain, basic supervisor Kyle Davidson will do his due diligence on the commerce market, as he ought to. If the precise state of affairs presents itself, I’m certain Davidson will pull the set off. However the worth must be actually proper.
Associated – Blackhawks Have the Items to Rating Extra Targets This Season
It’s true the Blackhawks are hurting on this place proper now. Kurashev has been the second line heart for many of this season thus far. However he’s struggled, and was really a wholesome scratch on Oct. 22 versus the Vancouver Canucks. Regardless, I imagine the Blackhawks are taking a look at the long term, they usually’re nonetheless holding out for prime prospect Frank Nazar to fill this place.
Nazar didn’t have the strongest coaching camp, however he nonetheless confirmed tons of potential. The group determined it could be greatest for the 2022 13th general draft choose to begin the season in Rockford. Contemplating the Blackhawks lean in the direction of the affected person method with their prospects, I might assume Nazar will spend an excellent period of time with the IceHogs.
However Scott Powers of The Athletic thinks Nazar may get one other probability with the massive membership as quickly as this December or January. Listed below are some ideas from Davidson that assist this speculation.
I believed (his preseason) was sturdy, maybe simply not sufficient to kick the door down and leap into the NHL. However there’s some issues we actually favored about Frank’s recreation, and you’ll simply see he’s such a wise participant. He could make these performs that not quite a lot of different gamers could make. We love his tempo. I feel it’s simply getting used to the professional recreation. Consistency for any younger participant is a giant factor, however consistency utilizing what he’s greatest at, his property to his benefit, I feel is one thing that’s greatest repped out in Rockford…However he’s received each alternative to go down there and present us that he’s prepared to return up and keep.
(from ‘How Blackhawks plan to develop heart prospect Frank Nazar in Rockford’, The AthleticCHI – 10/25/24)
By 4 video games with the IceHogs, Nazar is skating as their prime line heart and likewise taking part in on the ability play and the penalty kill. He’s contributed two targets and two assists, together with quite a few possibilities. In brief, he’s off to an outstanding begin on the AHL stage.
We’ll have to attend and see how this all performs out, however I feel the Blackhawks are wanting in-house to deal with their present lack of a real second line heart.
Reichel’s Probability on the High Line
Now let’s get to some ideas from the previous couple of handful of contests. Lukas Reichel has been via his troubles this season after additionally struggling within the 2023-24 marketing campaign. He was a wholesome scratch the primary 4 video games of this season, after which deployed on the fourth line for the next 4 video games. However, the 22-year-old took benefit of his ice time, registering three main assists on three targets from his veteran linemate, Craig Smith, in a span of three video games. Right here’s the latest one within the recreation towards the Nashville Predators (Oct. 25). A assured Reichel (No. 73) streaks up the ice and patiently outwaits his defender to feed the puck to Smith.
Craig Smith ‼️ 🚨 and congrats to Nolan Allan on his first NHL level! pic.twitter.com/9zKVVJ0Zhq
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 26, 2024
As the sport went alongside towards the Predators, Reichel was rewarded with some shifts on the highest line with Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teravainen. Towards the Stars (Oct. 26), Reichel was deployed on the highest line to begin the sport.
The outcomes of this had been combined. Reichel recorded one shot on purpose, one giveaway and went one-of-five within the faceoff circle in simply 12:33 minutes of ice time. Not precisely a glowing assessment. However your entire crew struggled towards a superior Stars’ crew.
Head coach Luke Richardson lately gave his explanation why he’s been happier with Reichel’s play.
He’s attempting to shoot pucks extra, and he’s not dishonest on the offensive aspect. He’s taking part in arduous within the stick battles. He’s displaying he desires to remain within the lineup.
I’ve seen, like, when the puck goes away from him, he’s on his toes and he’s backchecking. You [used to] see disappointment in his physique language, and [now you’re] seeing his physique language is superb. He reacts rather well with out the puck.
One recreation on the highest line is de facto too small of a pattern measurement. Hopefully, Reichel can have an opportunity to remain on this line and construct some chemistry with Bedard and Teravainen shifting ahead. It could possibly be an excellent factor for Reichel, and for the struggling Blackhawks. Reichel has put within the time to enhance his all-around recreation. Now he needs to be put able to play to his pure offensive strengths.
Different Blackhawks Information & Notes
Right here’s just a few different issues of notice, and ideas to ponder for the Blackhawks.
- Misplaced within the pleasure of a third Smith purpose assisted by Reichel, defenseman Nolan Allan earned his first NHL level with the secondary help Friday night time versus the Predators. He didn’t have to attend lengthy for his second level, which got here the very subsequent night time; one other secondary help on Bedard’s purpose.
- In all of the offseason choose ups, everybody sort of slept on the addition of Smith. However the 35-year-old presently boasts three targets and a main help via seven video games. He’s gone out of his means to assist Reichel alongside, and is a professional that understands his position and the way he can greatest assist the crew. Nice offseason addition!
- Bedard is beginning to get going. He’s scored a purpose in every of the final two video games, making that three targets on the season. The 2023 first general choose is now main the crew with 9 factors (3 targets, 6 assists).
- There’s presently a five-way tie for the Blackhawks for the crew lead of three targets; Nick Foligno, Smith, Teravainen, Ryan Donato and Bedard. Who woulda thought Smith and Donato can be on this record?! However there they’re! Sidenote: Each have solely performed in seven of the Blackhawks’ 9 video games thus far.
- Did Kurashev actually get any higher from his benching, or is Richardson tasking him to play past his means? Positively one thing to contemplate shifting ahead.
- Wyatt Kaiser was promoted to the highest defensive pairing within the Stars recreation after he had a strong night time towards the Predators. He held his personal there, ending the night time with two pictures on purpose, one hit and two blocked pictures in 17 minutes of ice time. Having Kaiser on the highest pairing may steadiness out the heavy minutes Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic have been taking part in for the reason that starting of the season. Alec Martinez is due again from a proper groin harm quickly, in order that will even assist out on the blue line.
Associated – 6 Ideas on the Blackhawks Begin to the Season
The Blackhawks haven’t been capable of win quite a lot of video games, however they do have some promising tendencies going because the season will get rolling. Can they flip issues round? The Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles King and Anaheim Geese are on faucet within the coming week. Let’s see if the Blackhawks can cease with the ethical victories and discover some extra wins.
