The Chicago Blackhawks could get another kick in their assets because their tails continue to be whooped on the ice.
Entering Friday, the Blackhawks were last in the NHL with 19 points on a 9-19-1 record. Chicago had lost three straight, being outscored 15-4, and had dropped seven of nine (2-6-1).
Bedard wrangles with Oilers streaking D-Man Evan Bouchard.At this pace, the Blackhawks would have the best odds heading into the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery. They'd again be eligible to net the No. 1 pick overall under the newer lottery rules after winning the top pick in 2023 — and the right to draft rookie scoring leader Connor Bedard.
The last team to have consecutive top picks was Edmonton, with three in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2022, the lottery rules were changed to limit a club to only two No. 1 overall picks in a five-year span.
Another North Van -Chicago Connection?
BU freshman Macklin CelebriniThe current top-rated prospect for 2024 NHL draft is Macklin Celebrini, who like Bedard is from North Vancouver, British Columbia. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward leads Boston University with 10 goals and 25 points this season as a freshman.
Celebrini, who doesn't turn 18 until Jan. 13, 2024, had 46 goals and 40 assists in 2022-23 for the USHL Chicago Steel, a junior team now controlled by the Wirtz Corporation, owners of the Blackhawks. (See our THN "Money & Power" preview on this site and subscribe at thn.com/free.)
Unlucky 7
In a 7-1 loss at Seattle Tuesday, the Blackhawks were without seven players the team was counting on at the start of the season to make it more competitive. See coach Luke Richardson in the following video.
Two skaters, veteran forwards Taylor Hall and Corry Perry, were acquired explicitly to strengthen the roster and provide support for Bedard and other youngsters.
Taylor Hall was ready to play before being hurt.Despite training hard in the offseason, the 32-year-old Hall was lost to right ACL surgery after just 10 games. Hoping to rekindle his career as Bedard's linemate, Hall was hurt when the Lightning's Michael Eyssimont collided with him awkwardly in the final minutes of a Nov. 9 game in Tampa.
Hall, Edmonton's No. 1 pick in 2010, was a Hart Trophy winner in New Jersey in 2017-18 skating on a line with top 2017 selection Nico Hischier.
Corey Perry: Released.The 38-year-old Perry was placed on unconditional waivers on Nov. 28, then released, after Blackhawks management learned he violated team policy. GM Kyle Davidson called it an "internal personnel matter."
Perry later apologized in a statement and said he planned to seek help from mental health and alcohol-abuse specialists.
Also out against the Kraken were:
- Top defenseman Seth Jones with an upper body injury. The 29-year-old leads the Blackhawks and is fourth in the NHL with an average of 25:25 of ice time per game. Jones hasn't scored this season — despite 60 shots on goal — but has 11 assists and is a legitimate anchor on the blue line. We we should learn more at Saturday's practice in Chicago.
Getting Korchinski back would be a boost.- Rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski, who left the team on Friday, Dec. 8 to attend to a family matter. The 19-year-old is learning on the job and makes mistakes, but his skill, skating and promise are undeniable. The fleet Korchinski is third on the team with 19:31 of ice time per game, and has two goals and five assists in 25 games. We we should learn more at Saturday's practice.
- Speedy forward Andreas Athanasiou, sidelined since Nov. 9 with a groin injury. Signed to a two-year contract in June, the 29-year-old is one of only two current Blackhawks to have scored 20 more more goals last season.
- Rugged veteran defenseman Jarred Tinordi, this time under concussion protocol. The 31-year-old had an oblique inujry earlier and has been limited to 12 games this season. Tinordi, the son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi, quietly contributed last season after Davidson plucked him off waivers from the New York Rangers.
- Forward MacKenzie Entwistle with an illness. The upbeat energy winger/center may be be back the ice Saturday.
Holding Breath on Vlasic
The "unlucky 7" expanded to an "unfortunate 8" in the third period against the Kraken.
Blackhawks can't afford to miss big Alex Vlasic.Coach Luke Richardson shut down rookie defenseman Alex Vlasic late in the game because the 22-year-old was sore and banged up. Richardson thought it didn't make sense to risk further harm to the 6-foot-6 Vlasic, one of Chicago's bright spots this season.
The Winnetka, Illinois native is second on the Blackhawks with an average of 20:06 of ice time per game. He has a team-leading plus-5 mark on a club that has scored 67 goals while allowing 105.
Following Thursday's loss, Richardson hoped Vlasic would be ready to play Sunday against Vancouver. We we should learn more at Saturday's practice in Chicago.