It\u2019s a slow Sunday, but the Chicago Blackhawks are shoring up the goaltender position as the pipeline continues to improve. Also, a pair of Central Division rivals took care of some restricted free agents. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!<\/p>\n
Blackhawks Chirps<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks avoided arbitration with goaltender Arvid Soderblom<\/a> on Saturday. He got a hefty raise with a two-year deal worth a total of $5.5 million. What do you think of his new contract?<\/p>\n Speaking of goaltenders, Scott Powers of The Athletic<\/a> had a lot of good tidbits on where the Blackhawks stand in the crease, as well as some info on Mason West\u2019s commitment to hockey, and some staff changes in the front office.<\/p>\n The Hockey Writers\u2019 Gail Kauchak<\/a> gives her 2025-26 roster projections, something we\u2019ll be diving into soon.<\/p>\n On this date in 1988, Frank Zamboni died at the age of 87. He, of course, invented the ice resurfacing machine used in ice rinks worldwide. He created his iconic vehicle in 1949. The Zamboni shaves the ice surface, collects the shavings, washes the ice, and applies a fresh coat of water to the rink. It made a once time-consuming task that needed to be done by a team of individuals get accomplished by one person in about 15 minutes. The Boston Bruins<\/a> were the first NHL team to incorporate Zamboni\u2019s machine in 1954.<\/p>\n Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 27: George Allen, Bob Hoffmeyer, and Andrew Desjardins.<\/p>\n NHL Chirps<\/p>\n The St. Louis Blues signed their final restricted free agent on Saturday. They inked winger Nikita Alexandrov to a one-year, two-way contract<\/a> worth $775,000 in the NHL. The 24-year-old was selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has three goals and nine points in 51 NHL games.<\/p>\n The Colorado Avalanche signed Daniil Gushchin to a one-year, two-way contract paying him $775,000 in the NHL. The deal came just one day after the Avalanche acquired<\/a> him from the San Jose Sharks for 2021 first-round pick Oskar Olausson. Gushchin has two goals and five points in 18 NHL games.<\/p>\n