The upcoming season will be all about the youth movement for the Chicago Blackhawks. Their top young gun continues to put in the work during the summer. Additionally, two Central Division rivals are facing slow contract negotiations, while a former Stanley Cup Final coach has landed a new overseas gig.

Blackhawks Chirps

The Athletic’s Scott Powers caught up with 2025 first-round pick Vaclav Nestrasil’s parents, Vaclav Sr and Lucie. They tell a great story about growing up in a hockey family and how they have come full circle. I won’t spoil any of the details, as this one is well worth reading.

We got more video of Connor Bedard’s offseason training with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, including him getting off a quick one-timer.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, August 14: Dick Redmond and Brett McLean.

NHL Chirps

According to Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report, contract extension talks between the Winnipeg Jets and Kyle Connor are going slowly. He reported that nothing has progressed beyond the preliminary stages, despite Connor being the Jets’ top priority this summer. The lack of progress appears to be coming from Connor’s camp, as they “evaluate their options,” according to Seravalli. I doubt Connor will hit the open market, especially after Winnipeg just let Nikolaj Ehlers walk. However, this is something to monitor, especially if it carries over into the season and as the trade deadline approaches.

The Jets aren’t the only Central Division team having slow contract negotiations this summer. Minnesota Wild general manager told RG’s James Murphy that there has been no meaningful progress in contract negotiations with Kirill Kaprizov or Marco Rossi. However, he said the front office is not stressed out over the situation as contact with both players remains constant. Kaprizov is entering the final year of his current contract, while Rossi is a restricted free agent.

The KHL’s Shanghai Dragons have had a busy month. First, they rebranded from the Kunlun Red Stars and announced they are moving back to China for the 2025-26 season. They had been playing in a suburb of Moscow since the COVID pandemic. On Wednesday, the Dragons announced a two-year deal with former NHL head coach Gerard Gallant. He has 396 NHL wins and led the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018.

Boston Bruins top prospect James Hagens announced that he will return to Boston College for the 2025-26 season, during a brief interview with Scott McLaughlin of Boston’s WEEI 93.7. He added that he’s in no hurry to take the next step in his career. He called his development a “marathon, not a sprint.”

While we still wait for the Blackhawks to finalize a deal with their last RFA, Wyatt Kaiser, the Columbus Blue Jackets inked one of theirs. They signed winger Mikael Pyyhtia to a two-way contract for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2020 and played in 47 NHL games last season. He has four goals and 10 points in 66 career games in Columbus. His signing leaves defenseman Daemon Hunt as the only unsigned RFA left for the Blue Jackets.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, August 15: Nolan Pratt, Adam Hall, Josh Gorges, Shea Weber, Kyle Turris, Scott Wedgewood, John Klingberg, Carter Verhaeghe, and Logan O’Connor.