The newest members of the Chicago Blackhawks received their new numbers, which required one player already on the roster to change his number from last season. It’s Friday! We’ve nearly finished another hockey-less week! Enjoy the Chirps.

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Blackhawks Chirps

We’ve gotten to the top half of our Blackhawks Prospects Rankings & Reviews with players 20-16. This group features a fan favorite, a potential match-up nightmare, and a solid stay-at-home defender.

The Blackhawks announced the numbers their new additions will wear for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Sam Lafferty will wear No. 24, the same one he had during his first stint with the team. Andre Burakovsky will wear No. 28 (which should be retired). That number was previously worn by Colton Dach, who will now wear No. 34. Finally, Dominic Toninato has chosen No. 25.

I made another appearance on the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast yesterday, where Mario Tirabasi and I drafted a Blackhawks Quarter Century fantasy lineup.

On this date in 1997, the Blackhawks traded forward Murray Craven to the San Jose Sharks for winger Petri Varis and a sixth-round draft pick. Varis only played one game in Chicago. The draft pick was used on Jari Viuhkola, who never played in the NHL.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 25: Eddie Mazur and Tony Granato.

NHL Chirps

The New Jersey Devils signed restricted free agent Thomas Bordeleau to a one-year, two-way contract. The Sharks originally drafted the 23-year-old center out of the University of Michigan in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He scored six goals and 18 points in 44 NHL games with San Jose. The Devils acquired him earlier this month for center Shane Bowers.

Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now explored the frozen NHL trade market this offseason. He feels the biggest reason for the lack of trades this summer is that too many teams think they have a shot to make the playoffs.

William James of Philly Hockey Now believes that top draft pick Porter Martone is taking the right path, but made the wrong decision.

George Richards of Florida Hockey Now writes about how much head coach Paul Maurice is loved, but it took some time for everyone to get on the same page.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 25: Tim Watters, Evgeni Nabokov, Jordan Martinhook, Johan Larsson, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Matthew Dumba, and Grant Hutton.