Mailbag Monday: Could Chicago LAND Quinn Hughes & Dana Grey Rockford Report | CHGO Blackhawks

Mailbag Monday: Could Chicago LAND Quinn Hughes & Dana Grey Rockford Report | CHGO Blackhawks

It’s mailbag Monday here on CHDL Blackhawks. Could the Blackhawks land Quinn Hughes? We’ll talk about it, but first a Rockford Ice Hogs report from our pale Dana Gray. That’s next on CHGO Blackhawks. [Music] Hello. I think we’re here. Welcome in to CHGO Blackhawks. The gerbles have gotten into the computer. Uh things are on fire, but we’re fine. We’re here. It’s Monday. It’s cold. It’s December. Where else would you rather be but talking Hawks on a on a cold Chicago Monday. Thanks for being with us. Sorry for the late start. We’re going to get right to things. Like button, subscribe button, Cyber Monday, all that great stuff. We’ll get to all of it later on in the show, but we have a guest standing by. So, we want to make sure we get right out to our guest. I like this fancy title, manager of communications and broadcasting and Ice Hogs broadcaster and the person who does everything for the Icehogs. It’s Dana Gray. Thanks for joining us, man. How are you? I’m doing well, guys. Yeah, that uh that title is uh I don’t want to say it’s the best part of the job, but basically it’s wear of all hats, hand out giveaways, put teddy bears on seats coming up Saturday. So, uh, but yeah, broadcaster is probably my favorite part of that. Yeah, that’s the most fun. But you got you got to soup up the title. It’s like when I worked for the Oaklan Park District, I was a lawn maintenance engineer. What did it mean? I cut the grass, but I was a lawn maintenance engineer. That’s what I did. I would have that on my placard for the rest of my life. I do. My parents do have a frame photo of me riding a lawn mower. So, that’s how proud they are of me. So, there you go. There you go. Well, we wanted to bring you on. Um, we’ve been keeping a very close eye on the Icehogs and two guys in particular, Nick Artis and Kevin Cchinsky. And let’s start with Nick Artis who had uh two goals and an assist in last night’s game. He’s got 22 points in 20 games. I think there was a little bit of I wouldn’t say doubt or concern, but wonder if he’d be able to translate the scoring pace he had in Brford when he turned pro. Uh, and looks like scoring has not been a problem for uh, Nick Artis. No, I I would say so. And I I totally hear you with the not the doubt, but certainly the question mark. I think it’s become less of a question mark with guys translating really strong success in the college game to maybe the AHL. I think that’s dumbed down a little bit. But when it comes to juniors, yeah, you you don’t really know. And he has quickly put that to bed. He did early on in this season. He’s got 22 points in 20 games. He’s scoring in different ways. He’s leading all AHL rookies and some really talented young guys in scoring goals, power play goals. The points are all great. Um, and it’s great to see, but I think what’s impressed me the most is he’s he seems really confident even in the Dzone as well. We’ve talked a lot with head coach Jared Nightingale in the first month about watching Nick in the defensive zone and trusting him to be out there in important moments late in games. And even just last night, it was a 2-1 game. when we were in Milwaukee with about 3 and 1/2 minutes to go and Yo Kim Kemmel for the Admirals who is a you know really top probably one of the top guys in the Predator system he’s a really flashy skater and shooter he tried to make a move at the blue line and Lardis was all over it made the defensive play and then went 150 ft down the rink to to give the Hogs some insurance. So he’s made a lot of little plays like that which excite me. And then of course the pure scoring too is uh a lot to be excited about. He scored a goal yesterday, which I’m sure you saw, which was maybe two or three feet off of the goal line in between that and the bottom of the circle uh on the power play with a one-timer. So, he’s shown it a lot in a lot of different ways. And I’ve really liked his his mindset about it, too. Ever since day one, he came in, you know, he acknowledged the the 71 goals and he said, “Put that to bed. Let’s let’s see what I can do here.” And he seems pretty comfortable so far. I think when you see a guy scoring goals like that goal you mentioned last night and go find it everybody. It’s all over the interwebs. Um and I think the uh director of uh man I’m sorry manager of communications and broadcasting tweeted it out uh from the official account. Um that’s when you see a guy score a goal like that it just I to me it tells me how confident the player is and how much they believe in their ability to score. You know who takes that shot a lot too? Connor Baddard. That is a very common counterbard shot along the goal line just knowing he’s got the accuracy to do it. It looks like I don’t think confidence has ever been an issue for Lardis, but to see him thriving as much as he is this quickly is really impressive. And I I think it starts the question kind of began I would say last week when the Hawks were sort of slumping and goals weren’t really coming. One- nothing loss to the Avalanche. People saying is Nick Artis on his way? I sort of pushed against it because I didn’t love the idea of him coming in to try to be the savior of a losing streak. But now that you beat Anaheim and he’s got another three-point night, I don’t know. I’m not I’m not so opposed to it as I was maybe 48 hours ago. Yeah. That you know, I’ll tell you the first thing that I thought of when he scored that goal last night, not to make too many comparisons, but Frank when he was here, when Nazar with the ice, he played 24 games. He got called up I think it was like December 4th or 5th of last year. So right around this time in the last game that he played uh with the Ice Hogs. We were in Lehigh Valley. He put up four points and he scored this goal from pretty much the goal line where he sniped it from the far side. A pretty similar play, not a one-timer, but the certain type of play of saying, “Yeah, I’m really comfortable and confident in this league. I can take this shot and I can score.” And this kind of the first thing that I thought of when when Lardis scored that goal last night. Not to say that I think he’s going to, you know, get called up this week or that’s the right move. But it’s the same sort of mindset that I remember watching Nazar develop over a couple of months that oo I I can not only play at the pro level, but I I could kind of dominate. And that’s it’s been fun to watch that that transformation with Nick. And I guess not even really transformation because that’s kind of been his his mindset. and an effort from the jump. Yeah, it’s a it’s a it’s a growth uh that you want to see a guy, especially in a rookie season, um be able to do when he’s making the jump from juniors to the professional game. And you know, we saw that with with like you said with Frank and and I think going back one calendar year ago, the Blackhawks organization was in a much different spot where basically calling Frank Nazar up. It was after Luke Richardson had been fired and, you know, things were not going well. It was kind of like that was a a moment in the season where it was like a a shift in the direction of the organization. And I I I think we’re a lot in a lot different of a spot. Now, this season with Jeff Blashel seems like he’s very stable and got the team going in the right direction. And the guys on the roster have been relatively healthy. Um they I mean they haven’t been knocked out with a lot of a lot of guys going down. Knock on wood. Um and and the forwards group like they the way that they’ve set up they’ve kind of had an abundance of forwards to play with. So you’re not really necessarily at a spot where you desperately need someone to come up. So I think it’s it’s it’s good for Lardis that he can get to that spot where you know you see him playing the way that he is shooting from from that spot uh and being able to score like you have that confidence and you’re able to allow him to continue to grow with that with with this team. And the the point you made uh earlier about, you know, not only his shooting ability, scoring ability, but also being able to play off of the puck, being able to play defensively, that’s something that we have heard since Jeff Blashel got here, um that that is something that he’s focused on wanting to instill, you know, the the winning hockey, the winning habits, and all of that. And we’ve seen how a lot of players, uh specifically Connor Baddard, their defensive game and their style of play has has developed this season. I think even more than could his 71 goal pace translate to pro to the pro game. Even more than that is could his style of play off of the puck translate and develop to where you finally see Nick Lardis become this more well-rounded player. And I think that to me has been even a little bit more impressive than a guy being able to to score and play offensively like he has. And I think that’s the great thing about this situation that Lardis is in here, you know, in the American Hockey League is that he’s getting not only top minutes, he’s getting lots of different situations. Rockford’s kind of had an up and down season. I’d say it was a really great start for first eight or nine games, couple of overtime wins, and kind of pulling their way out of a little bit of a slump, but a lot of close games. So, he’s getting all these opportunities to get ice time in important situations. And I remember Charlie and I were chatting with uh Kyle Davidson at the prospect showcase and I asked him, you know, what do you tell a fan base when, you know, at this point we didn’t know who was going to make the Hawks out of camp? What do you tell the fan base when a guy does get sent to Rockford to start the year or for however much time it should they how should they look at that and should the alarm bells go off? and he really bluntly said like almost every single player who’s going to get to the NHL needs the American Hockey League or can benefit it from it. It’s a fantastic league. It’s incredibly skilled. It’s a great balance of young talent, veteran leadership, and I think that, you know, if however long Lardis spends here. What I think Kyle and the rest of the management and the group here in Rockford has proven that they’re not just going to call guys up like you were saying to call guys up or, you know, push them into places that are going to make them uncomfortable. This is the the long game through and through and it’s working really really well, I’d say, so far. I’m biased, but I’d say they’re the the path is being followed quite nicely, and I no reason to think they’re not going to continue that that trend with Lardis, too. So, you’re right with that. And you mentioned Frank Nazar. Frank Nazar’s first game last year with the Hawks was December 14th. Uh that was when the callup happened. And he was almost at the point where it was a little bit different from Lardis for those that maybe are jumping on this year or weren’t really tracking it. he was kind of maybe expected to make the team last year and then didn’t have a great preseason, then went down to Rockford and dominated and really could not be held back anymore. Um, Lordis, I think it’s fair to say, is dominating but was not really in the opening night plans. Uh, I don’t think really at all. I think the plan was always for him to begin things at Rockford. Wonder if despite the fact that he is performing similar to how Frank Nazar performed, if the preseason plan has any sort of impact on when he’ll be called up because look, if if they were to do it tomorrow, it would not be the biggest shock in the world based on how Nickis is playing. No, but like you’re saying, you know, they are going to be patient. Every player is different. They have different expectations for every player and they’re working on things with every player that we’re not really privy to that information. And Kyle Davidson doesn’t talk that much and when he does he’s not overly specific about we want Nick working on ABCD EFG. Um but at some point here if this pace continues they’re going to have to give him at least a look and I don’t know if it’s going to take an injury let’s hope not or you know some kind of scoring slump but to think about him on a line with Connor Bernard and Andre Burikovski even for a handful of games is very exciting. Yeah, I I think that he’s been playing with great players here, too. I I’ll give a quick shout out to Brett Seni. He’s the Rockford captain, who is tied with Nick right now for fourth in the American Hockey League in in overall score, and they they both got 22 points. It was Sein who was in between Lardis and Moore before Oliver was was called up. So, he’s a guy that I think is just invaluable to the organization as a whole that can not only keep up with the skill and talent and speed of youngsters like Lardis and Moore, but also show them the ropes, the responsibilities, you know, certain Dzone coverages. Where are you going on a six on five face off and you’re like little moments like that that I just think are so so valuable. Um, but going back to what you were saying too about the different things that Lardis might be working on as far as what the organization is hoping for him, one of the really cool things about um, you know, being here with the Ice Hogs is I I get this front row seat to all the different members of the Hawks that, you know, take the drive on a weekly basis, whether it’s practices, whether if it’s, you know, Brian Campbell coming out to work with guys of the D or Chris Kunits out there on the ice. so many different Mark Eaton will you know make his trips and obviously was very close with us last year but they keep a very close eye and have fantastic communication. I know Blashell and and Jared Nightingale have a really good relationship. So despite Lardis being here, it still feels like you know the the Hawks as an organization have their eyeballs fully on him and um you know bolding him in the way that they want to too. So, I think that goes a long way in making sure that he’s primed and ready for when that that callup does come because like you were saying, Mario, like I’ve just noticed it from just watching the Hawks, like the habits and the DZone structure and those little, you know, tendencies that have maybe shifted this year makes such a difference and they want to make sure that all of that is translating here in Rockford, too. All right, we are up against the break. Danny, can you stick around for a few minutes so we can talk Kinsky? Yeah. Great. Absolutely. We’re going to take a two-minute break. If you’ve not done it yet, and a lot of you have not. Shame, shame. I’m shaving the carrot. All right. Hit that like button. Thank you, Dana. See, Dana knows the game. Hit that like button. Subscribe to YouTube page. We’ll be back in 2 minutes with more on Kevin Kchinsky and the Icehogs on CHGO Blackhawks. Our friends at Sunnyside Dispensary are here to elevate your football season. 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Uh earn yourself $10 uh and become a CO dieard. All right, Kevin. That’s bath right there. Yeah, there you go. Love that. Uh Kinsky’s been good, too. Um in the Let’s see. I got in 20 games, he’s got a goal, 13 assists. Um I know he’s been getting a ton of ice time, tons of opportunity. What have you seen out of 14 this year? Just more and more comfortable and and getting those top line, you know, top deep pair minutes. Quarterbacking the the top unit of the power play. That’s where a lot of his his points have come from, too. And I think just comfortability with the puck in all different areas. Not to say that he wasn’t last year. Not at all. I I was really impressed coming in watching coach and thought he handled, you know, spending his rookie season in the NHL and then you get sent to the AHL there. That could be a a weird thing to get used to and to to swallow honestly just with the rules that you know prohibit guys from from coming to the American Hockey League at that stage. But I’ve been really impressed with him. Obviously the the points are great, but I just think that he looks super sturdy and comfortable on the back end with that trio of, you know, Kchinsky Delmro I think has been fantastic this year. He put up almost 40 points in his rookie year and then came in last year and I think the Hawks told him, you know, we want you to play a more defensive style of play. and we were chatting, you know, last week and it seems like this third year for Delm Mastro has kind of been the combination putting it together of he’s earning more points, he’s jumping up into more plays, but he’s also still playing really good lock down defense. So, so that’s been cool to see from him. And then Nolan Allen as well is as physical as ever. He scored Rockford’s first short-handed goal last week, which was an absolute thing of beauty and known for punishing guys. Yeah. and he was uh he’s uh he’s been getting it on the score sheet, too. So, so I kind of look at it as that that three-headed monster, which yeah, Kchinsky pacing the way as far as scoring. And all guys that I think, you know, whether it was tomorrow or next week or or whatever, could be consistent, successful NHLers like, and they’re also young, too. Like, I get I can’t believe Delm Mastro is 22. like the the confidence that he has out there on the ice, the plays that he will make as far as, you know, spinning guys off at the blue line and, you know, hanging out. There were a couple shifts yesterday where he spent maybe 30 seconds below the attacking goal line, getting coverage and making plays from there. And I think that’s a pretty good sense of someone who is feeling good with their game. So, they’re all so young. They’re all getting great minutes and I think they’re all trending in the the right direction, which is crazy considering the Hawks are playing with, you know, seven seven defenseman like you were saying. There’s a lot of 11 of seven. So, um it’s a log jam, but probably a good problem to have, I’d say. Yeah. Yeah, I mean it’s it’s kind of the similar situation that we as we were talking before about Nick Lardis is that like there’s really not a a necessity to bring up anybody yet because of either, you know, long-term injury or because of poor play at the NHL level. So, you give a lot of those guys uh some more time to continue to play in the AHL. And, you know, the point about, you know, their their their youth is I I I was just about to bring that up uh to you. It’s just like, you know, we saw Kevin Kchinsky right right away and it was like, okay, he’s here alongside Connor Bard and you got really excited for like the rebuild and all the youth coming in. And then you saw, oh, he’s 19 playing in the NHL and not every defenseman is Matthew Schaefer. Like it takes time for defenseman at that age to to grow both in their game and, you know, the physical maturity, the mental maturity of the game. And um I think we’ve seen that with Korchinsky and you mentioned Del Mastro and Allen as well. So when you get to that point in the season where you know maybe there is a necessity whatever reason to bring up a defenseman you’re going to feel confident whoever they pick. Do they do they want to bring up Kchinsky because he’s the most offensively gifted and his game is rounded out or do you bring up a guy like Nolan Allen or Ethan Del Mashro because you need someone to be that defensive stopper in the lineup. like I think you have more confidence having those guys now had time to play 18 to 20 minutes a night in the AHL um and be in those situations for 100 200 games whatever it has been professionally for those guys they get to that point where like oh now they’re they’re more well-rounded as defenseman we always point to you know Duncan Keith needing time in the AHL and you know you know him and Brent Sebrook playing extra time in juniors in college before becoming full-time NHLers. Um, it’s similar with what what we’re seeing with these guys in in in Rockford. I think the patience definitely pays off with the three the three of them and specifically Cchini. Another thing I’ll mention too is I know it’s kind of a similar situation in in Chicago, but certainly here in Rockford that so many lefties that all of these guys are getting different rotations playing on their strong and weak sides, which may seem like a little maybe that’s just like a hockey nerdy thing that I only care about, but I think that is valuable and shows, you know, that translates at at all different levels, especially that, you know, it’s been quite frequent that Delmastro and Allen have been paired together and Kchinsky has been playing with Kevin Fitzgerald that top 4D is all lefties and all rotating around. So, they’re not only playing a lot of different, you know, situations, but it’s also a trio as those three guys that have played so much hockey together and with a lot of the guys that are up top too right now, you know, as well. So, that whenever they do get slotted or wear, there should be all the confidence in the world that you have that built-in chemistry. They’ve played with Lefchov. um you know they’ve overlapped with Vassic like there’s there’s a lot of relationships to to hang your hat on there. just see uh you know as the um as the manager of communications and broadcasting you probably go through all the uh group computers in a computer lab there in Rockford I’m imagining and a lot of search results for Conor Murphy Matt Grizzlick trade rumors uh from Ethan Delmastro and Nolan Allen and Kevin Gorchinsky because it it’s got to be difficult for them because they are they’re stuck like they’re they’re kind of stuck because they they are already playing seven Louis crevier has been a revelation this year that no one really saw coming. He’s played every game. He’s played well. Um, and it’s got to be for those guys a little bit disheartening to say, “Boy, we thought that this was going to be the year we’re here.” And you’ve got two guys out of nowhere and Creier and and Grizzlick that were not in the plans, you know, a month before the season really. I mean, Krevier was, but he was kind of, we all thought he’d be the seventh defenseman, sit out most nights, rotate in once a week, whatever. So he stays fresh. Now he’s been a guy that Jeff Flashel can’t sit. And Matt Grizzlick has been, you know, analytically their best and most consistent defender. Yeah. So it’s it’s got to be it’s got to be frustrating. But I think I hope they know that the time is coming for them because eventually these guys it feels like all three of them are certainly part of the long-term plan for the Hawks. This just has to be a little bit frustrating to see guys getting called up and not getting their opportunities. Like I said before, like I’m biased, but just getting to interact with those three guys specifically on a day-to-day basis, they could not be, you know, have stronger mindsets and, you know, good heads on their shoulders about one, just wanting to play wherever that is, but two, I think to to your point, they understand that the bigger picture here. They’ve all gotten tastes of the NHL. They’ve all succeeded at the NHL. And I hope at least that they know that they will in probably a short amount of time. Like I think Del Mastro played his best hockey last year in the NHL. Even for some of them with a guy like Delmastro and maybe Nolan Allen in a sense, not this isn’t a bash at the AHL as a league at all. But there’s some players, Lefchov, honestly as an example, who I think the NHL benefits them more. I don’t want to say I was surprised when I saw Lefches go up last March and look really comfortable, but he he looked better than he did in Rockford. And I think that’s because just the overall talent and structure is obviously more, you know, consistent when you’re playing in the NHL. Not to say that guys are just giving each other gifts and, you know, crappy passes down here, but it it is elevated. And I think for all three of them, they’ve proven that they can play at that level. And it’s it’s a short matter of time probably for it to come to fruition again. And it’s a good problem to have. Like, how many NHL teams or systems would trade what the Hawks and Icehogs have in a heartbeat? like I I don’t know how many organizations feel better that maybe aren’t in a chance to go out and win a cup in the next three years as far as depth and even what’s coming too. So, you know, all that to say from the big picture standpoint, there’s a lot to feel really, really, really good about. I think too, same thing with the goalending like you got to feel the same way with with Kso and even Bereanoi, this you know, the Russian kid that they signed a little bit out of nowhere over the summer. He’s come in and and looked pretty solid, too. So, really good problems to have for sure. An embarrassment of riches the Blackhawks have down there in Rockford. And yeah, I mean, it’s I I can’t imagine too many other organizations have three defensemen in their on their AHL team that you’d be like, “Yeah, they could play in the NHL right now and probably wouldn’t lose much of a step.” like it’s it’s a big testament to how Kyle Davidson uh and and the front office has has laid out this uh this rebuild plan and how it’s benefited, you know, the Ice Hogs getting to the playoffs last couple of years has been really good to see. And putting those young players in those environments where you have games that matter. Um you have playoff experiences like that’s that’s pretty valuable for them as they then move up eventually to the NHL level. Um, you know, we see those those three defenseman have all been been through that. Alex Vic went through that. Um, Levanov like like those guys have played in those in those moments and that’s um that’s been pretty big for them as they’ve had opportunities to play in the NHL uh as well. I did want to touch on you did mention the goalending situation. Drew Kzo has been playing really well. It kind of feels like I know when Spencer and I got here things changed a little bit of like the thought for his timeline. Um it sounds like the plan for Laurent Prisahis when he is healthy would be to get some time in in in Rockford. Um how do you feel like that may play out with the starts for Kzo as he’s had the the majority of them this year and um how the goalie room will handle that uh when if and when it does come to fruition. Yeah, I I think that, you know, if it if it does happen, I I doubt it’s going to really hinder KSO’s playing time. If anything, I I would kind of assume that they would try and keep things as as even as possible. He’s been really really good. He’s kind of just carried over the play that he had to end that last season. He just had a great end of the regular season and rolled into playoffs and he’s he’s kind of just picked up where he left off. when I I came into this year thinking, okay, this is the year that Drew can play a full pro year at the level that he knows he can play at. And so far so good. Like I think he’s um you know, he’s he’s got an even record and I he hasn’t really been helped out a ton in some games offensively, but he’s certainly kept the hogs in every single contest. He’s he’s such a great battler. I was reading uh I think it was Ben Pope’s story yesterday on Spencer Knight and so many similarities between Kamso and Knight and I know they have obviously a really good relationship but we were getting off the plane in Texas last week or something and Drew had the long red light mat the same thing that that Spencer Knight’s been using and I think you know I obviously I don’t I don’t know Knight but I know that Kameso really over the last year has I think altered his mindset on how he’s taking care of his mental health and his body and his recovery and he’s like he’s really obsessed to it in a good way in a in a healthy way and I think it’s it’s put him in prime position that you know whenever the NHL consistency time comes I think he’s he’s proven that hopefully uh he’ll be able to rise up to that test. I think it was great for him to get in even for the game and a period that he did last year just to get a little sniff of it. And whether or not that happens again at some point this season, it seems like everyone in the organization is is super happy with him. And like selfishly, he’s such a he’s such a good guy. He’s incredibly kind. He He’s a pain in the butt for like postgame media because I’ll try and get him to answer literally anything about his own success and he just deflects and deflects onto the team in front of him and he’s also got really good relationships with that trio of defenseman that um you know we were talking about which is is not a small thing. So, I’ve been super impressed with him and yeah, we’ll see what happens with with Bruis as well, but I have no doubt that just watching how KSO’s handled every situation over the last couple of years that he would totally take that in stride and you know, if anything, he’s probably going to try and learn from the guy um if he gets the chance to and that’s kind of just the the teammate and the person that he is. So, um nothing but good things to say about him. All right, Dana, you’ve been super generous with your time, man. We appreciate it very much. I’m sure we’ll catch up uh down the road as news warrants and as uh as we want to. We like talking to you. Do what we want. It’s our show. Thanks, D. I enjoy it, too. Good to be with you. Hey, live show in Rockford Allstar Weekend. Let’s go. Yes. Let’s do it. Yes. Let’s make that happen. All we need is a table and an outlet and Wi-Fi and we’ll be there. I’ll give you two outlets. And Stephen has to go. He said, “All right, cool.” Wow, and Stephen big time. Good to be with you guys. Thanks for having me. All right, Dana, thanks a lot. Uh, make sure you’re following Dana on Twitter, Dana Gray Zero. That’s gray with an E. Gr. The first letter is an E. Mhm. Yeah. Just clarifying. G R E Y. Gotcha. He is the Once again, got to give him his title. Manager of communications and broadcasting. Very fancy stuff. We love it. All right. Uh, we’re a little bit late for a break. We’re going to hit it. We good? I see the spinny wheel of death. All right, here we go. We’re hoping stay tuned to see if the ad work if the ad break loads. Aura frames is the answer to every holiday gifting moment. Never struggle again to find the perfect holiday gift. Got an Aura frame for my mom. It’s the best. Preload the photos. You can upload them in real time and they just appear on the screen. It is magical. It is the perfect gift for a parent, a grandparent, the toughest people to buy for historically. It’s science. You get un unlimited free photos and video. Just download the Aura app and connect to Wi-Fi. You can preload your photos on the Aura Frame before it even ships. And you can keep adding them from anywhere at any time. It’s awesome. 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We can do it. Let’s I’m sure there’s 19 of the 260 plus of you watching right now that haven’t subscribed and should because this season has been a ton of fun and thus the shows have been a ton of fun this year because the team is winning. It’s been a lot more fun. Conor Bernard’s been a lot more fun. Just the Blackhawks in general have been a lot more fun and we want to have fun together. Have a fun community around this Blackhawks team. Fun is fun. And you know what? As an added incentive, if we hit 95,000, we’ll bring out Noodle Man. Yay, there you go. He’s not set up. Well, Steven will on camera. We’ll figure it out. set up Noodle Man for us if we hit 95,000, which Pip Hastings points out is the population of Elgen, Illinois. Really? What about South Bloid? 95,000 in Elgen. I don’t know. I just believed I read it on the internet. Elgen, Illinois. Population. All right. Shall we go to the mailbag? It says 114,000. Oh, well, let’s get to that. Let’s get to 114,000. Let’s go. 20,000 of you. Let’s get on it. Then we’ll do Noodle Man twice. Yes. Every every 20,000 subscribers if we get to that many. All right, Chloe, are we ready to go with the mailbag? Mailbag as soon as it loads. As soon as it loads. All right, fired up. There we go. THawks 29 says, “Who makes the biggest impact first? Lordest, Lordis, Fondell, Wave, or Canerov.” This is actually not that I I’m not surprised it’s a good question, but it is a good question. It’s more of a thinker than you think. It it definitely is. Um I think recency bias B that we just talked about him for about 20 minutes would say Nick Lardis. And I think as far as the closest to making an impact, it’s Nick Lardis because Fondell and Bav you’re likely waiting until March or late March, early April, uh where they have the opportunity to join the organization. Canerov looks like he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure that his KHL club uh is playing well into the playoffs. So, he’s probably a next season most likely addition. So, I think the most recent or the the the closest guy to making an impact is Nick Lardis. I think the bigger immediate impact might be Canerov for the fact that he’s probably the most developed pro. Sure. um if and when he does play uh in the NHL, I I think he might make the biggest most immediate impact, but the guy closest to it is Nick Lardis. The good thing is all four of them, if and when they get to be, you know, playing in the NHL regularly with the Blackhawks is they are predicted to be impact players. Fondell, Bav, Canerov, all look like guys that you could put into your top six uh once they’re like fully developed. Even Nick Lardis, you can make that case as well. Like he could be a guy that could push for top six. And you already have Frank Nazar that is a guy like that. You have Connor Bard that obviously is a guy like that. And you throw in the additions of guys like Burkovosski and Bertusi and and Tavo and Oliver Moore and like uhoh, we have too many guys to fit into the top six. That must mean their third line is going to be guys that could be on second lines. Like it’s a good problem to have um that we’re talking about all of that and it doesn’t sound like a pipe dream like it actually or a reach like it actually sounds legitimate that those guys if they get close to their expectations or reach their expectations that you’re in a situation like that. Well, Lord Hosa says Canerov having better pace than Capriovv Terasenko and Cuchov I have a feeling is going to come over the most ready. I think that’s right because I think the word impact is important to that question, right? Because I think Nicolardis will be in the NHL first because I think there’s a chance that he plays in the NHL this season. Yeah. This he could play this calendar year for a handful of games. Who knows? Right. Right. Um so, but in terms of being a guy that is dependent on because I think you could still argue I think Oliver Moore has been good. I think last night he was really good. But is he an impact player every game? Probably not yet. He will be. I’m confident he will be. I think a guy like Canerov and I would say if I’m going through rankings, I think Fondell, if he comes next year, is another guy who I think you could start and expect production from immediately. I mean, he’s already doing it professionally in Sweden in a limited role. Well, and a lot of people are, and this is something we can get to maybe on another show. But we can get to it briefly here is like Jer Gardens is not really they’ve been scratching him a little bit and they’ve been limiting his minutes a little bit and the Hawks he is signed by the Hawks. He is on loan to Jer Gardens. So technically if the Hawks don’t like the way they’re developing him, couldn’t they just say loan is over and call him back? They could. I don’t think that they plan to do that. I think the I think the plan that Kyle Davidson has has kind of laid out as we got through, you know, the draft and prospect camp and getting, you know, as we got approached as we approached training camp, you know, we thought, oh, would Fondell be here for training camp? But it was very clear like his focus was playing this season in the in the SHL, being ready for for for playing for Jer Gardens. And I think the Blackhawks are very okay with that. I think that they just just like they were they were very supportive of Mason West playing football and and waiting until now to focus on this season of of of hockey and everything. I think they’re very comfortable with letting Fondell play this season in in in Sweden and doing it with his childhood club and also knowing that like teenagers in Europe in the professional leagues don’t always even if they’re arguably some of the best players on their team or most most impactful they don’t always get the minutes that you’d expect because I think those teams operate as like well we’re not development grounds per se for the NHL clubs. We might have guys that are young players that are drafted to NHL teams and we’ll eventually go there, but we also operate as we we have these we have guys that are just here in Sweden and they’re helping us win as well. So, it’s kind of this back and forth kind of balancing act where, you know, you want to play your those young guys because if they’re playing well enough to deserve the ice time, you give it to them. Um, but you also aren’t just saying like, “Oh, okay, Blackhawks, you want Fondell developed. We’ll give him top line, blah, blah, blah.” All this just because you have him as as a prospect. Well, there’s other prospect, there’s there’s clubs that have prospects from all different NHL teams. They can’t do it for everybody. So, they have to operate individually. So I I think while it is kind of weird that one of your best players in in Fondell is not getting more opportunity, more minutes, I think that kind of comes into play where they’re like just because you’re a good prospect doesn’t mean we have to play you those ways. Yeah. And the the KHL, right? But it’s like that’s just kind of the politics of it. And historically the KHL where Karov is playing does that too. Um but Kov has been so good that they can’t really do well and he’s been with that club for a few years now. like he’s not it’s not like uh it was de it was Demadov, right? That was like, “Hey, I know I’m going to the NHL.” And they’re like, “Okay, you’re not going to play for us. You go go play for another team.” Um I think it was was he SKA? Um yeah, and then they loaned him to one of the other teams, one of the lesser teams. Um and it was just like, “Oh yeah, he’s putting up like point per game numbers cuz they’re actually playing him.” Like it made sense. So what a concept. Yeah, teams teams will will operate that way. But I think the I think the plan is even if it’s not like optically looking great, like why is he playing as the 13th forward and all this stuff, the plan is I I’m certain going to be him sticking with that club for the for the entire season because it means a lot to him and I think the the Hawks are okay with that. They’re not in a position to need to rush anybody to the NHL in their prospect system right now. like the way that things have gone, they’re in a spot where they’re not necessarily like in panic mode with any of these guys. Yeah, I’m checking on the standings here of the SHL. Uh Drew Garden is fifth. Yeah, I mean 14. So they are they are in playoff position at the moment. They’ve actually been better uh than I think expected because they were they played from the they they they won the relegation playoff system, right, to get up to the SHL. um they were in the the second tier league last year. So that’s another reason why Fondell has really wanted to play is because it was like he helped get that team back up to, you know, the the major leagues in Sweden. Um so he wants to see it out. All right, we got a couple more mailbag questions we’re going to get to today. Uh we are going to hit the break zone first though because we it takes us a good five minutes to answer every question. So we’re going to do that now. Last break of the show, we promise. Thanks for getting us over 100 likes. Let’s get over 95,000 subscribers. We’re about 15 more to go and Noodle Man will come out. Talk to you in 2 minutes on CHGO Blackhawks. What kind of dreams did you have when you were a kid? Maybe don’t answer that. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a podcaster and gosh darn it, it came true. You did it. How about now? Think about starting your own business. I have another little side hustle you may have heard of, the OnFab podcast, and we sell merch. And Shopify is the ecommerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all ecommerce in the United States. Shopify even powers our CHGO merch store. So, go get yourself the hoodie here. I got a hoodie on. Mario’s got a hoodie on. Go get it. Shopify has you covered with website creation, product descriptions, email and social media marketing, and more. They also have AI tools designed to help you maximize sales. If you’re ready to sell, you’re ready for Shopify. Turn your big business idea into money with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/allcity. That’s shopify.com/allcity. 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Thanks for sticking with us. That is the last break, we promise. And now we’re going to go back to the mailbag. You ready? Dang in there and find a good question. Holy Lord. Oo, that’s a two-parter. There’s a couple two-parters in in All right, let’s we can we can rattle through this pretty quick. Um, I need that screen bigger though, Chloe, cuz I am an old man. So, this is from Mario, you take this. form Badards, our our newest link to uh homemade beef jerky. Uh he’s good. It’s delicious. From Elliot Freedman, the Hawks gave Bruis permission to seek a trade. He also said Edmonton wasn’t interested in rocking the boat. And we’re just going to stand pat for now, so they’re probably not an option. Since the man hasn’t played in a year and a half, where do you think he could end up? What kind of return would the Hawks be looking at? a late round pick, a reclamation project, or everyone’s favorite player, future considerations. Let’s answer that first before the second question. Yeah, just right now be before you get angry, temper your expectations on a return for Lauren Bruis. If it was reversed and the Hawks needed a goalie and they gave up any sort of real asset for Loren Bruis, you’d probably be a little bit pissed. Maybe a late round pick, probably future considerations. The Hawks are probably just trying to look for whatever the best opportunity is for Brswis himself to have a chance to play in the NHL again. And we talk about this a lot and I think fans can get frustrated by that like they should just hold out for the highest bidder and yeah normally you want that to happen but these things were veteran players like Loren Swuis when they get respected. You saw the same thing with Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez. They could have traded those guys ended up keeping them. That was their wish. That stuff gets around the league. agents appreciate it, players appreciate it, and it helps build a big reputation and a good reputation for when it is time to add a free agent. Chicago’s got a great reputation for the way they treat players. So, I think you’re going to get very, very little for Lauren Prois. And I also want to add in too, there’s a lot of people saying, well, they should trade Arvin Serbloom and just have Lauren Schwis play. The guy’s not played hockey in two years. We have no clue what he’s going to get. is sort is sold perfect. Absolutely not. He is a fine backup, a replacement level backup. If you were to trade him now, I think you’re doing some major damage to your goalending depth. Uh and if you really don’t like what he’s doing, Sodblum as the year goes on, you call up Drew Kso and have him back up Spencer Knight the rest of the year and go from there. I just think you give Broisah the best opportunity you can and say, “Sorry it didn’t work here. Best of luck.” Yeah. Yeah. Um the report with the Oilers is that they’re they’re not going to make a move that is lateral in the goalending spot if they are going to make any kind of move. So if Lauren Brris comes back, plays a conditioning stint and gets four shut outs in the AHL or something. Yes. Then maybe the Oilers are like, is that an improvement from Stuart Skinner? Who knows? Um but yeah, I think I I think if you Yeah, probably. Um, I think if you’re looking at what to get from him, he’s he’s got to put 2025 and probably 2026 game film on. You can’t look back at 20 the end of 2024 as the most recent game film and say that guy’s worth something after being out for 18 months with multiple surgeries and a a history of injury problems in his lower half of his body. So, um, yeah, I’m I’m not thinking that this is a a a bidding war situation. Um, we’ll see how it plays out. And I think it’s more I think the the organization likes Solder Bloom still. Uh, I think that, you know, he’s he’s on the books for this season and next, 26 years old, not very old for goalending standards. Um, I think they’re still happy with him and and what he’s been able to do. And you say that knowing Spencer Knight has been wonderful as advertised. And just real quick, PJ says Vegas and Edmonton need goending and they’d both be desperate. And those are both places that Lauren Bruis was before. Yes. And Lauren Bruis is probably not going to solve their goalending problems. All that does is create more cap space on their cap. Neither of those teams that have Stanley Cup aspirations are hitching their cup aspirations to a guy who’s not played hockey in 18 months. Yeah. It’s just not realistic. It’s not a realistic approach. Uh they’re already very much up against the cap. Even if the Hawks eat half of Brswis’s deal, which they probably will cuz why wouldn’t they? Um it’s if they’re going to add goalies, those two teams especially are going to want to add people that are more proven and have played, you know, in the current presidential, you know, I mean, that’s a way to put it. It’s been it’s been a really long time since Bruis played. It’s talking about landing spots. I’ll throw one out there. Detroit. Detroit. They have 19 goalies. What’s one more? They don’t have a a good one. They sure don’t. So, uh, that’s that’s a team that I think if they’re if there’s if there’s a desperate team. Yeah, maybe Anaheim. I think depends on how long Dosel is actually out. I think he’s just like a two to three week thing if I remember correctly. But Detroit, I think that’s a that’s an organization that was at one point leading the Eastern Conference and are right now out of the playoffs. Uh, and goend, both their goalenders are under 900 in their save percentage. So, if there’s a team that’s desperate that could be like, “Let’s throw something at the wall and see if it sticks.” That could be a team. I’m trying to see if there’s any sort of update on Morazzic’s injury. Not yet. We’ll see. Yeah. Uh, let’s finish off that question. Uh, let’s get to the Quinn Hughes part. Yeah, this is this is what we we banked the first 54 minutes on the show on. Yeah. Uh, no. Go back to There we go. Second part. Also, while it’s most likely uh just someone throwing darts at a dart board of landing spots or just trying to stir up clicks, I have seen some Quinn Hughes to Chicago possibilities on Twitter. We all know the brother thing. Uh but do you think he would ever decide to come to Chicago? And for kicks, what would you be okay sending back to Vancouver for him? Uh, also adds, “Next time I’m at a game, uh, I will be burying a Korean barbecue jerky.” That’s something to look forward to. Sounds good. Yeah. With Vancouver basically saying, “Everyone’s available. Um, it only fuels the Quinn Hughes trade rumors. If you want to read into his body language, seems like he’s ready to leave Vancouver. He’s pretty checked out. Uh, and yeah, with with his brothers, Jack and Luke, playing in New Jersey, the opportunity for the three of them to play together in New Jersey does sound pretty enticing to probably not only the Devils, but the NHL as far as storylines go. Um, but to entertain the idea of him coming to Chicago, uh, it helps them, uh, reaching the cap floor for the next couple of seasons. Um, it obviously helps them on the defensive side of things. Uh, Quinn Hughes would would step in. He’s your number one defenseman. Alex Vlic’s role on the left side gets knocked down a peg. Yep. Um, I think if you’re if you’re And it’s funny, we were just kind of talking about this during the the the break. Um, yesterday was the 20-y year anniversary of the Joe Thornton trade in 2005 where he was traded from the Bruins to the San Jose Sharks and in that season was the MVP. It’s crazy. So to think about players that are at that elite level, Quinn Hughes is at that elite level and trading for them. Uh it’s going to take a boatload to get him, make it worthwhile for for Vancouver because Vancouver doesn’t have to move him if they don’t want to. Um but I think he wants to and I think that they’re primed for a rebuild. So, if you’re talking a Quinn Hughes trade, it is picks and top prospects, which as we’ve been glazing the prospect system today on on today’s show, they have plenty of picks and prospects to choose from. Yes. That you probably would say if you’re getting Quinn Hughes, it’s okay to give up XYZ. Yes. I look they they there’s probably no team more equipped to make a deal for Quinton Hughes than the Blackhawks. Crap ton of cap space. A ton of high-end prospects. Yeah. So, how about anyone other than Bard would be on the table, I think, if the Hawks wanted to do this. Yeah. Leaves, Renzel, because Porchinsky, think about all those names are in conversation. Coming to this roster, how many players is he not better than? zero. He’s better than Bard, I think, in this in this moment for the impact. Yes. Could Bard be better than him down the road? Maybe. Um, but if you’re trading for a guy who’s immediately going to be your best player, like it’s going to take a lot. So, there’s a couple things here, too. If I’m even considering this as a Hawk, cuz look, I he’s 26. When the Hawks are ready to compete for Cups, he’ll be 2930, which if you add Quinn Hughes, that accelerates the contention window. Yeah, but you’re also losing a piece or two as well. You’re probably losing a Fondell. You’re probably who hasn’t played in the NHL yet. Sure. But you’re losing someone that you’re counting on to get them there quickly, too. So, you might have to trade Vic. You might have to trade someone with some NHL chops to make this trade happen. So, I have to know it’s not a rental. It’s not for just the next two year, this year and next, and then he hits for free for agency. It’s got to come for me with some assurance that he’s a Blackhawk for the next seven, eight years at least, if I’m even considering moving these prospects. I’m Look, Quinn Hughes is great. He’s already won the Norris Trophy. He a lot of people have said, “Look, if you’re going to give up these kind of assets, you do it for a forward.” I agree with that. But a guy like Quinn Hughes, much like Kale Mar, is almost like having a forward on defense. So that’s helping your offense. That’s helping counterar. That’s helping everybody. Mhm. I need assurances. And I don’t love the fact, and someone mentioned this in the chat, too. There’s been a lot of drama in Vancouver the last couple years, and he’s been the captain of that team. So, am I putting that all on Quinn Hughes? I’m not. And I’m also seeing a captain on a team that is struggling completely checked out on the ice. It’s December 1st. They’re not that far out of things. Yeah, but it’s his whole career in Vancouver. Well, you know what? Sure. But like, you’re a professional. Like that I have concerns about that. I’d have to do a lot of research because if you’re talking about giving up as much as it would take to get Quinn Hughes, I have to know he’s in. I have to know that he’s patient. I have to know that he understands the situation because you are looking at you’ve done all this work to get all these prospects and develop this talent. And now you’re going to give it up for one player, which I’m fine with because as we discussed with Dana, there’s only so many roster spots you can have on your team. Mhm. I need to know. I have to have 100% certainty about his commitment to the Hawks and his commitment to frankly being a leader and being a guy that can be counted on uh on the team. Like I the way he’s acted the last week or so, I that is a big red flag to me. You have a C on your on your jersey, you cannot act that way. We are going to go to overtime by the way. If you’re watching us on the fast channels, be it your Roku, your Samsung, whatever, switch over to lcho.com where the conversation will continue. Um, it is a huge risk. He is a great player. He makes the Hawks instantly better. I think if he was enjoying the Hawks this year, you could realistically start talking about playoffs for this season. But there’s a lot of things I’ve seen from Quinn Hughes that concern me. I’ I’d have to I would do so much research, talk to everybody I could. Hey, call Lucas Reichel. Hey, Lucas. I know you’ve got one point since joining the Canucks, but what do you think of Quinn Hughes as a leader? I would pick every brain I could to make sure it’s the right thing to do. And I have to know it’s coming with a contract extension. Basically agreed to. Yeah. So, I I agree on the extension part of things. Um because if you’re if you’re doing this type of deal, uh you don’t do it for a season and a half. Um and he wouldn’t be so he would be eligible for an extension. Let’s say in this hypothetical situation, Blackhawks acquire him. he would be eligible for an extension then this upcoming July 1st because that’ll be him entering his final season of his current contract uh which runs through the end of next year. Um you would you would have to deal with with him and and Pat Prasan and and someone who the Blackhawks organization has a lot of history with. Yeah. Kanan TA’s agent Seth Jones as well. Um, so I I I think you would have dialogue that would be in good faith about that prior to making a move of of of this magnitude. Um, so so yeah, that’s that’s a that’s a huge consideration. I’m not I’m I’m I’m honestly not worried about any uh situations going on in Vancouver to where that’s going to carry over to Chicago. I don’t think that that’s I don’t think that that’s a Hughes thing. I think that’s a Canucks organizational problem. They’ve had issues like this. For years, whether it’s JT Miller or Brock Besser or Evander Kaine or Elias Person or Quinn Hughes or whoever you name it, there for years there have been issues with that organization that Connor Bernard seemingly can’t wait to get to. Um, so I’m I’m not necessarily laying that on the shoulders of Quinn Hughes. It is something that you endure as a captain and have to Yes, there is some responsibility to that, but to me that’s not necessarily like a red flag of would he carry Vancouver’s junk to Chicago. I don’t I don’t see that being an an issue for me. Um, it’s more or less yes, is this a one and a half season thing or is this going to be you’re coming to Chicago because you see what is building here and you see what guys like Connor Bard and and the future um have in store and and where the arrow is trending. Um, I think I I think it’s it’s for me, if I was in Quinn Hughes’s spot, I would think long-term extend extended uh window for success is is opening for Chicago. even the potential guys that they would have to give up to make this type of deal. I I I think you still have enough for Chicago in the prospect system and currently available to you that you would say, “Yeah, there’s still plenty of here that you’re building a winner with, that you’re building a contender with that would entice a player like Quinn Hughes to be like, this is this is a team I this is an organization I could join, elevate to playoff contender and cup contender status and do it for my prime years of of of my career.” Um, New Jersey is still a team that’s very good, too, and his brothers are there. So, like, all signs point to that being the case, but the case for Chicago, I think, is very, very strong. Um, I don’t think it’s just noise. I don’t know if Kyle Davidson would deviate from his plan, but I think Quinn Hughes is a guy worthy deviating from the plan for. So again, it’s still very uh open to conversation, but it’s I don’t think it should be off the table whatsoever for for the Blackhawks. No, I don’t think so either. I I I just I want some things answered. And I think look, like this is part of the reason you draft and and gather assets the way Kyle Davidson has is for situations like this. So if a guy like Quinn Hughes or Conor McDavid suddenly becomes available, if Edmonton’s like, “We’re not going to be able to resign Conor McDavid. We have to get something for Conor McDavid. The Hawks are very much because if you’re getting rid of Conor McDavid, you’re rebuilding if you’re Edmonton.” Yeah. You would think, right? Well, because you still have Dry Cidle. I mean, you you you get rid of the best player in the world, arguably. Uh nine times out of 10, yeah, that’s the sign of things are over. But but they have the number three or four player in the world. Yeah. But you have dry tidle. So it’s just like it’s it’s kind of like where they were with uh with with Gretzky. You got rid of Gretzky, but you still had Messier sitting there. Yeah. It’ll be interesting. At least those teams won cups. Yeah. I But I look you I’m down with starting the conversation for especially when you look at the landscape of free agency and how just guys are not really going to reach free agency anymore at least for the next few years. This is the time where when David has to start considering moves like this. I don’t know if Quinn Hughes is exactly the guy, but the concept of the guy is very appealing to me. I just have to know a lot. And someone asked like it’s a Eli says, “Can a team be sure about that extension? Would a pre-contract be legal?” It’s not legal, but these things are Yeah. almost always like, “Hey, look, we can’t sign it yet, but we’re in agreement. we make this deal, we will be signing with you long term. These are the ter and you’ll probably know that number right away and then as soon as it’s able to be signed, you sign it right and just knock it out. So those things happen all the time. So if I’m looking at the carcass of the Vancouver Conucks, yeah, um a guy that I think is more realistic and going to cost you a lot less, Connor Garland. I would love Connor Garland. I think he’d be I think he’d be great for this team. Kefir Sherwood as well, but Kefir Sherwood, the price tag is reportedly a first round pick plus. I don’t know. I don’t know. We’re talking about first round pick plus plus plus for Quinn Hughes. Is Kefir Sherwood a notch or two down from Quinn Hughes? I don’t think so. You don’t think so? I don’t. In terms of player? In terms of player, I I think he’s he’s a couple notches down. He’s not one or two notches down where you’re talking, you know, if Quinn Hughes is first round pick, first round pick, Sam Renzel and someone else is Kefir Sherwood first round pick and Nick Lardis. No. No, not for me. No, I don’t know. Anyways, you that is not something you do. All right, we’re going to wrap things up. We did not get to 15,000. Not yet. We We’ll pass it off to No participation trophies here. Block in. Bulls next. Who’s next? Yeah, Bulls are next. Bulls. Pass it off to Bulls. You know that PC’s going to throw hats and break TVs until you hit that number. Hit that number. Maybe we’ll let No, they can’t use Noodle Man. He’s our property only. Yes. Trademark. Just like mailbag Monday. All right. Tomorrow, Hawks and Golden Knights. Uh Carter Hart in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights. Sure. 8:30 pregame. Be here with us and hopefully we’re talking about a big Hawks win late night. By the way, tomorrow is our Big Brothers Big Sisters Day of Giving. So, reach into those pockets. We’ve got some incentives for you. During the show, we’ll do some stupid crap for your money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. That’s what we’re all about here. Stupid crap. We’ll talk to you at 8:30 for the pregame tomorrow ahead of Hawks and Knights on the CHDL Blackhawks podcast. [Music] [Applause] [Music]

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It’s Mailbag Monday on the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast as Jay Zawaski and Mario Tirabassi dive into big-picture questions about the future of the franchise. The guys discuss Connor Bedard’s path as a generational talent, the latest Laurent Brossoit trade rumors, and whether Chicago could realistically land Quinn Hughes. Plus, Dana Grey, the voice of the Rockford IceHogs, joins the show to break down the latest from Rockford. Don’t miss this packed episode full of insight, speculation, and long-term outlooks for the Blackhawks.

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