One of the Chicago Blackhawks’ top selections from the most recent draft is spending his summer scoring goals for his home country. Meanwhile, a polarizing former Blackhawk got his day with the Stanley Cup, and an Eastern Conference power signed the last contract of its kind.

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Blackhawks Chirps

The Blackhawks’ second of three 2025 first-round picks, Vaclav Nestrasil, is playing a series of exhibition games for Czechia’s U20. On Friday, he scored a pair of goals during a 3-0 victory over Switzerland. He will be a big part of Czechia’s team at the World Junior Championships this winter.

Chicago native Chance the Rapper hung out with Colton Dach for a special event at the 5/3rd Arena with members of the Kids of the Kingdom Camp.

a huge thanks to Chance the Rapper for stopping by our GOAL Floor Hockey Program at Social Works Chicago’s Kids of the Kingdom camp, along with Colton Dach!🏒 pic.twitter.com/ou5EzgMZCE

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 25, 2025

I was on yet another offseason edition of the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast yesterday. Mario Tirabassi and I discussed whether there are any potential moves left to make, Nick Foligno’s captaincy, whether anyone can beat the Florida Panthers, and whether any Blackhawks will be playing in the Olympics.

Blackhawks analyst Tony Granto was a guest on the latest episode of 100% Hockey with John Shannon. He opened up about his battle with cancer and previewed his new show on the NHL Network.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 26: Alec Martinez

NHL Chirps

The Carolina Hurricanes signed winger Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45 million contract extension. The 2021 fourth-round pick still has one year left on his entry-level contract, so the new deal does not go into effect until 2026-27. The Hurricanes made the deal now because eight-year deals and deferred compensation are outlawed in the next CBA.

Former Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones spent his day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Dallas, TX. George Richards of Florida Hockey Now has all the details of the day.

New York Rangers forward Brett Berard told Mollie Walker of the New York Post that he played through most of his rookie season with a labrum tear. He said he suffered the injury in just his fourth game back in November, but the injury wasn’t significant enough to keep him off the ice. He declined to play for the United States at the IIHF World Championships to rehabilitate the injury fully.

Staying with the Rangers, they signed veteran forward Conor Sheary to a professional tryout contract (PTO). He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the new Rangers head coach, Mike Sullivan.

As first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the New York Islanders avoided arbitration with Maxim Tsyplakov by signing him to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. He scored 10 goals and 35 points in his first NHL season last year.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 26: Bobby Rousseau, Rick Martin, Oleg Kvasha, Jordie Benn, Tyson Barrie, Sebastian Aho, Marc McLaughlin, and Andre Lee.