Tonight, the Blackhawks will take on the Nashville Predators at home. There are rumors that if the Predators can reach a .500 record by the end of the month, they will raise a banner. However, there’s hope that the Blackhawks won’t help them achieve that. After two disappointing performances, the team has been putting in intensive practice, so it will be intriguing to see how they perform in the first period tonight. Team leaders have emphasized the need for improvement, and the coaches have echoed this sentiment. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the players on the ice to fulfill their roles. Here we go!
A couple of injury updates for the Blackhawks to kick off this Friday:
Alec Martinez skated before Thursday’s practice and rejoined the team for the full session. Laurent Brossoit is increasing his on-ice activity but won’t start the upcoming road trip, though he might join the team later if possible.
Head coach Luke Richardson made one adjustment to the top power play unit during Thursday’s practice, suggesting Alex Vlasic will play in that role against the Predators. Richardson discussed with Seth Jones the changes needed for both power play and overall play after the recent game against Vancouver. He emphasized that Jones should move the puck quickly and join the rush, but not overexert himself, especially with Martinez out. Vlasic and Jones will need to conserve energy to perform well, particularly on the power play while effectively defending.
Additionally, Lukas Reichel played the bumper position on the second power play unit on Thursday. Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen confirmed that defenseman Artyom Levshunov will make his professional debut this weekend in Manitoba.
Shifting focus to the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks have been in trade talks recently, with insiders indicating they are looking for a second-line center. General manager Kyle Davidson seemed to leave that position open during the offseason for Frank Nazar, who ultimately did not make the NHL roster and is now in Rockford, where he has been performing well with two goals and two assists in three games.
Scott Powers from The Athletic published a great piece on the Blackhawks’ development approach for Nazar, which echoes the organization’s emphasis on the importance of the IceHogs as a development asset. GM Davidson noted Nazar’s strong preseason and his smart play, highlighting the need for consistency in the pro game.
Ben Pope provided an insightful analysis of Tyler Bertuzzi’s first seven games with the Blackhawks, focusing on his chances and the nuances of his gameplay, which reflects the team’s evolving roster.
In another notable mention, Michael Leighton, who was part of one of the most famous moments in Blackhawks history, will be inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame next year. Leighton spent significant time with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliates, and he was originally drafted by the team in 1999. Congratulations to him!
