• Powered by Roundtable
    Matt Carlson
    May 31, 2024, 06:09

    Register for The Hockey News Blackhawks Roundtable to join and engage with our community, including Blackhawks fans — and a few foes — from across North America and around the world.

    The Hockey News Blackhawks Roundtable, a fan forum, is in place and active. Register at https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/chicago-blackhawks/posts or via the comment section at the bottom of this and all our stories on the site. Then download the app to your phone or mobile device for easy access.

    Let 'er rip.

    You can comment on stories, games, players, coaches. Ask questions too. We see these guys almost every day from September through April. As Blackhawks fans know, that's when the season has ended abruptly the past several years.

    We also cover Blackhawks personnel and prospects in the summer, at the draft, development camp, rookie camp and whenever else media have access.

    We'll be running polls – lots of them – to see what fans think about the team and the direction it needs to take to speed up its rebuild. 

    Possible free agents, you betcha! Remember, the Blackhawks weren't the destination they were during the three Stanley Cup wins in six seasons from 2010-2015. 

    Also, general manager Kyle Davidson wants to keep ample cap space for maneuvering as Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski and other youngsters improve and command bigger salaries. So even if the Blackhawks can afford a big name, he might not be a fit, especially when it comes to length of term.

    And we don't know who will be available on July 1. See Davidson in the following video.

    Pie in the sky for now: Could or should the Blackhawks pursue marquee UFAs like Florida's Sam Reinhart or Carolina's Jake Guntzel if their teams don't re-sign them. How about Winnipeg's Sean Monahan or Tyler Toffoli or Toronto's Tyler Bertuzzi.

    Why not bring back Teuvo Teravainen from Carolina or Anthony Duclair from Tampa Bay? Or maybe someone a bit older like Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault, Dallas' Matt Duchene or even 39-year-old Joe Pavelski. It's too early to tell, but not to early to talk about.

    Then there's the draft. Who should Chicago take with the No. 2 overall pick 

    Sure, we've already talked about Ivan Demidov, but is a Russian too risky even if Davidson doesn't seem to think so. 

    Defenseman Artyon Levshenov is safely here in North America with Michigan State and a sensational talent. He'd be a big-time asset even if the Blackhawks have several top D-men on the verge of graduating from Rockford to the NHL.

    So register and take your place at the roundtable.