Slowly but surely, the second half of August has now arrived, marking roughly one month until NHL preseason action begins. Training camp is quietly creeping closer and closer, and there\u2019s still plenty of offseason business to be ironed out before players return to the ice.<\/p>\n
While the Blackhawks\u2019 offseason checklist is nearly complete, the division rival Minnesota Wild still have work to do regarding Quinn Hughes\u2019 contract extension. Plus, will GM Bill Guerin find a way to acquire Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings this summer? More in the links for the latest on Minnesota\u2019s significant storylines.<\/p>\n
In Blackhawks news, August 16th is a date to be remembered for a few reasons, including one of the most notable trades in franchise history.<\/p>\n
Around the league, the Florida Panthers could be without a key forward to start the season, sophomore breakout candidates, and an update on a Vancouver Canucks netminder.<\/p>\n
All that & more in the Daily!<\/p>\n
Blackhawks Offseason, News & Trade Rumors<\/p>\n
Chicago Hockey Now: Once fully healthy, Connor Bedard will immediately be inserted into the team\u2019s top-line center role. But what will the rest of the Blackhawks lineup<\/a> look like around him? Will Patrick Kane play on Bedard\u2019s wing? Do both Anton Frondell & Frank Nazar remain at center? Hit the link for potential forward lines when Bedard returns from injury.<\/p>\n As a reminder, Blackhawks single-game tickets for the 2026-27 season went on sale earlier this week! Hit the link below to book a trip to the United Center, with home games returning next month.<\/p>\n On this date 30 years ago, the Blackhawks made one of the most controversial trades in franchise history, dealing future Hall of Famer and Chicago icon Jeremy Roenick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Alexei Zhamnov, Craig Mills, and a 1997 first-round draft pick. Another legend that the greedy Bill Wirtz shipped out. Not the best of memories.<\/p>\n \ud835\udc00\ud835\udc2e\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc2e\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc2d \ud835\udfcf\ud835\udfd4, \ud835\udfcf\ud835\udfd7\ud835\udfd7\ud835\udfd4 <\/p>\n Blackhawks trade Jeremy Roenick to Phoenix for Alex Zhamnov, Craig Mills and a 1997 first-round draft pick. \ud83d\udc4e pic.twitter.com\/DwTAErq4Dt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 This Day in Chicago Sports (@ChiSportsDay) August 16, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n On a brighter note, today also marks the sixth anniversary of Corey Crawford\u2018s final NHL win, where he heroically backstopped the Blackhawks to a 3-1 victory in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 48-save performance. Crawford extended the Blackhawks\u2019 season by two days, as Vegas eliminated them in Game 5 of the first round. That would be the final game of his incredible professional career.<\/p>\n NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now<\/p>\n The Athletic: The NHL offseason is nearing its end, yet the Minnesota Wild and defenseman Quinn Hughes have still failed to reach a contract extension. Despite the apparent stalemate, Michael Russo reports that Hughes\u2019 intention<\/a> is to re-sign with Minnesota, but the league\u2019s fast-changing landscape has made the process more difficult than initially anticipated.<\/p>\n Florida Hockey Now: Florida Panthers<\/a> veteran forward Brad Marchand hoped to avoid surgery for his lingering lower-body issues this summer, but the two-time Stanley Cup champion ultimately needed a procedure to fully recover. Now, Marchand is in jeopardy of missing the start of the regular season.<\/p>\n NHLtraderumors.me: From earlier this week, it appears there is only one legitimate trade destination<\/a> remaining for Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin this summer. The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers have seemingly bowed out of the Larkin sweepstakes, leaving only the Minnesota Wild to work with.<\/p>\n Montreal Hockey Now: Marc Dumont from MHN writes that while Lane Hutson has already been ranked among the NHL\u2019s top 10 defensemen, the undersized blueliner\u2019s excellence with the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> knows no bounds. Hutson is only getting started.<\/p>\n Daily Faceoff: There\u2019s an argument to be made that at least one Blackhawks youngster should have been part of this list. Mike Gould goes through the top NHL sophomore breakout candidates<\/a> for the 2026-27 season. The San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames were well represented. <\/p>\n For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now<\/a> and like our Facebook Page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow us on X:<\/p>\n