Happy Saturday! The Chicago Blackhawks have to deal with another off-ice controversy. Plus, a veteran leader from last season is starting his coaching career, while a long-time rival adds a veteran defender to their already crowded blue line. Let’s start your weekend off with a fresh batch of Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

The Athletic reported that another lawsuit is being filed against the Blackhawks. This time, a former public relations manager is suing for discrimination and retaliation, alleging he was treated differently by his supervisor for being gay, and then wrongfully fired shortly after being interviewed by Outsports, a website covering LGBTQ+ issues and individuals in sports.

Gail Kauchak of The Hockey Writers feels Frank Nazar is primed for a breakout season. We all certainly hope she’s right!

Former Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon got himself a new gig. While many felt he was destined for a career in media, the “Big Rig” will begin a coaching career instead. He was hired as an assistant coach by the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. His career path provides him with plenty of expertise in playing the long game and grinding away to carve out a place in the NHL. You have to wonder if his time with the young Blackhawks last season helped him pick this path.

On this date in 1996, the Blackhawks traded Jeremy Roenick to the Phoenix Coyotes for Alexei Zhamnov, Craig Mills, and a first-round draft pick. He was sent out west simply because Bill Wirtz did not want to pay him full market value, a significant problem during this era. While Zhamnov was never the goal-scoring threat Roenick was, he was still an effective player during his time in Chicago. He scored 140 goals and 424 in 528 games over eight seasons. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2004, where he briefly was a teammate of Roenick.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, August 16: Eddie Olczyk.

NHL Chirps

The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Travis Hamonic to a one-year, $1 million contract. The veteran blueliner, who turns 35 today, has 53 goals and 242 points in 900 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic expressed to Stephane Carorette of Le Journal de Quebec that he intends to play in the NHL this season. The 38-year-old was bought out by the San Jose Sharks earlier this offseason after playing in only 27 games last year. He voiced some frustration about how the situation was handled, as he was told in his exit interview that the Sharks wanted him back. He is the cousin of Blackhawks defender Alex Vlasic, so it makes you wonder if he’d be willing to come to Chicago if they are looking for a veteran to be the seventh defenseman this season.

Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report noted this week that the Carolina Hurricanes have interest in bringing back forward Jack Roslovic, but they “don’t really have a spot for him at the moment.” The 28-year-old center tied his career high with 22 goals for the Hurricanes last season, but has yet to lock down a new contract this summer.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, August 16: Nick Harbaruk, Steve Payne, Cory Sarich, Garnet Exelby, Carey Price, Travis Hamonic, Adam Pelech, Kaapo Kahkonen, and Gabriel Vilardi.