Well, that was painful. The ‘Same Old Chicago Bears’ came out to play in the 4th quarter of last night’s soul-crushing 27-24 loss to Chicago-native J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings. Shame on me for thinking this year would be different…
It was a promising start for the Ben Johnson Era in Chicago, with Caleb Williams leading an impressive opening-drive touchdown, and the team controlling the game through the opening three quarters. But when it came down to crunch time, Johnson was outcoached by Kevin O’Connell, Williams was outplayed by McCarthy, and the Bears were plagued by the same problems that have crushed the franchise forever. Some things never change.
On the bright side, the Blackhawks are a day closer to hitting the ice at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase with a LOADED group of youngsters. Plus, a Chicago icon received high praise from countless football fans on social media.
Around the league, Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard are Team Canada hopefuls, Elias Pettersson spoke with the Vancouver media, and Michael Misa was skating alongside NHLers in San Jose.
All that and more in the Daily!
Blackhawks News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: FINALLY! The Blackhawks released a roster for this weekend’s Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, and a strong group of high-end prospects will be in attendance. From Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel to Nick Lardis and AJ Spellacy, here are all the Blackhawks notables to watch in Minnesota.
Like he does for every Blackhawks home game at the United Center, the great Jim Cornelison crushed the National Anthem at Soldier Field on Monday night. It was great to see the best in the business get such high praise from many NFL fans and media members.
Few can do an anthem like Jim Cornelison.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 9, 2025
That was an unbelievable national anthem 🇺🇸
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 9, 2025
A handful of Blackhawks walked out of Soldier Field disappointed last night, including Connor Bedard.
Alex Vlasic, Landon Slaggert, Colton Dach, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan also were at the game together and had a picture snapped before the opening kick off.
Let’s hope these Bad News Bears don’t rub off on the young Blackhawks…
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Macklin Celebrini is an Olympic hopeful for Canada in February, as is Blackhawks’ 20-year-old Connor Bedard. Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong told both players at summer orientation camp that getting off to a strong start in the regular season is crucial for their chances of making the team.
Sportsnet: Last season was certainly one to forget for Elias Pettersson and Vancouver. But the 26-year-old Swedish forward told the Canucks media on Monday that he added 13 pounds of muscle to his frame ahead of his eighth NHL campaign.
San Jose Hockey Now: San Jose Sharks 2025 top draft choice Michael Misa participated in a captain’s skate with a group of mostly NHLers on Monday. Misa has yet to sign his entry-level contract with the Sharks but is expected to receive every opportunity to crack the NHL roster out of training camp.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs also announced their roster for upcoming Rookie Camp. Ivan Demidov, Jacob Fowler, and more Montreal Canadiens prospects are in action this weekend.
Colorado Hockey Now: No NHL defenseman has won the Hart Trophy since Chris Pronger in 2000. What kind of numbers would it take for Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar to win league MVP in 2025-26?
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