A pair of Chicago Blackhawks prospects continues to impress at the World Junior Summer Showcase, while another is having a blast playing in Da Beauty League this summer. We’ve almost made it through another work week! Enjoy the final batch of Chirps for July!

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Blackhawks Chirps

Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report recently made some comments on Connor Bedard’s contract extension. He doubts one will be worked out before the start of the season. It will get done, but both sides want to get it right. I’ve always said that Bedard’s agent is likely in no rush to sign a new deal. He could be leaving money on the table by signing now, especially if Bedard takes a big step offensively this season.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler had a great piece on Marek Vanacker’s “untapped potential.” Brantford Bulldog’s general manager Spencer Hyman says he sees a lot of his brother Zach in Vanacker. The Blackhawks will gladly take that for the next 10 years!

However, Vanacker was a scratch from Canada’s game against Finland at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Canada combined their two squads into one team, and he didn’t dress for the 6-3 loss to the Fins. Sacha Boisvert was in the lineup but failed to record a point.

In yesterday’s early game, Team USA lost to Sweden 6-3. A.J. Spellacy did not factor into the scoring and took two minor penalties in a rather physical affair. Stephen Ellis of Daily Faceoff thought Spellacy was one of the most noticeable players on the ice. He says his physicality is needed for a short tournament, and that this has been a good week for his chances to make the team.

Sam Rinzel scored a pair of goals in Wednesday night’s action in Da Beauty League.

Former Blackhawks defenseman John Miszuk passed away at the age of 84. He played five games in Chicago during the 1965-66 and 1966-67 seasons before the Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He played 451 professional games between the NHL and WHA, scoring 13 goals and 118 points.

On this date in 2008, the Blackhawks hired Scotty Bowman as senior advisor of hockey operations. He got his name engraved three more times during his time in the Blackhawks’ front office.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 31: Ray Frederick, Troy Murray, and Wyatt Kaiser.

NHL Chirps

Another Connor needs a contract extension. Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman told Bob Stauffer on CHED 880 AM that he is “very encouraged” by the initial discussions with Connor McDavid’s agent. More than one respected insider has reported that McDavid might be looking to sign a four-year contract instead of the maximum of eight years.

The Calgary Flames signed physical forward Martin Pospisil to a three-year contract extension worth $7.5 million, according to his agent Dan Milstein. He led the team with 301 hits last season, while scoring four goals and 25 points.

Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic rolled out the 2025 edition of the NHL’s 10 best contracts. There are no current Blackhawks on this list, but a former member of the team has the second-best deal in the league.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 31: Bryan Hextall, Dave Maloney, Tom McCarthy, Dale Hunter, Brian Skrudland, Jiri Fischer, Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Johansen, and Linus Ullmark.