Welcome to this preseason version of Blackhawks Bytes, a collection that includes quotes and feedback from gamers, coaches, administration, journalists and followers alike regarding every little thing Chicago Blackhawks. The aim of this ongoing column is to seize a slice of the present outlook, attitudes and tradition surrounding the staff. Please be part of me as we’ve some enjoyable with the on a regular basis, albeit fascinating side of human nature; the ability of phrases.
The Blackhawks made some vital upgrades this offseason, apart from having one of many deepest prospect swimming pools within the league. This solely serves to make the await the hockey season that for much longer. However we’re lastly lower than a month away from opening evening! On Oct. 8, the Blackhawks would be the first franchise to match up towards the newly anointed Utah Hockey Membership.
Forward of the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase this coming weekend, let’s take a look at what among the Blackhawks gamers and prospects should say about their summers and the upcoming marketing campaign.
Vlasic Engaged on Including Offense to His Sport
Ben Pope of the Chicago Solar-Occasions lately caught up with defenseman Alex Vlasic (who simply signed a six-year contract extension with the Blackhawks) to debate his summer time coaching routine. Hailing from close by Wilmette, IL, Vlasic is among the few gamers who skates in Chicago throughout the offseason, specifically at Fifth Third Enviornment the place the Blackhawks follow all through the season.
Vlasic had a breakout marketing campaign final season, establishing himself as one of many league’s greatest defensive defensemen, regardless of it being his first full NHL season. That’s no small feat. With that in thoughts, the 23-year-old is making an attempt to be in line with an identical offseason routine in preparation for the 2024-25 season.
Per standard with youthful gamers, Vlasic is making an attempt to fill out his body and acquire extra dimension and energy. However everybody desires to work on particular methods to be higher. Stated Vlasic,
In case you take a look at all the great gamers across the league, they’re at all times looking for alternative ways to raise their sport. For me, my defensive sport might be my robust go well with proper now. I undoubtedly have to proceed to work on that. However I consider in specializing in expertise you’re not so good at to make your sport extra well-rounded.
So, Vlasic determined one of many issues he may do is deal with an offensive ability, particularly his slap shot. He’s identified extra as a defensive defenseman, scoring solely two targets final season. Including an offensive weapon to his repertoire is smart.
That was one of many largest issues I wished to work on this summer time — having that risk from the purpose, being able to shoot a puck 95 miles an hour. If it’s not entering into, it’s hitting off anyone or inflicting some chaos in entrance of the web.
Even in case you don’t shoot the puck, in case you may be identified to have that risk, then it opens up passing choices as a result of persons are going to be getting in lanes once they assume you’re going to shoot it.
Deliver on the subsequent Brent Seabrook! However significantly, it’s good to listen to that Vlasic is already making an attempt to enhance his sport and be extra of a risk offensively, even when that’s not particularly his position. We’ll should see if extra targets come from Vlasic’s deal with this throughout the summer time.
Nazar Prepared for Coaching Camp Competitors
Whereas Vlasic is just about assured a spot within the lineup, there are others who’re in the identical place he was in only a few seasons in the past. Many gifted prospects are gunning for a spot within the lineup, though most will possible find yourself with the Rockford IceHogs for almost all of the approaching season.
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Ahead prospect Frank Nazar is a kind of that would make it a tough resolution for the teaching workers. He has a leg up in that he participated in three video games with the Blackhawks within the 2023-24 season, scoring his first NHL purpose. He additionally has a gifted pedigree, being chosen 13th total within the 2022 Draft.
Nazar will play on this weekend’s Tom Kurver’s Prospect Showcase in St. Louis (he was deployed as the highest line heart throughout Blackhawks’ latest follow) and he’s excited for the upcoming coaching camp. He additionally has the appropriate angle in regards to the Blackhawks including 5 veteran forwards within the offseason.
That’s the way it’s been my complete life is incomes the place I bought, and it’s simply one other time the place I bought to earn my spot on a staff and present guys I need to be there and simply put in all that work, and I do know every little thing’s going to work out.
(from ‘Can Frank Nazar earn full-time position with Blackhawks this season? He’s prepared for the problem’, The AthleticCHI – 9/4/2024)
Nazar has been focusing this offseason on dealing with pucks off the wall, to compete higher towards the tougher and quicker competitors that’s the NHL sport. He additionally had the chance to take part in some casual skates with none apart from former Blackhawks’ icon Patrick Kane. Nazar had solely optimistic issues to say about that have.
Frank Nazar on skating with Patrick Kane in Chicago this summer time: “It was unbelievable. He is an unbelievable participant, and having the ability to study from him and see him exit on the ice and do all of his methods. He really hit me with certainly one of his signature spin-o-ramas one time. He… pic.twitter.com/qCHwhkJ6uv
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 11, 2024
May Nazar make a push for the opening evening roster? It’s undoubtedly one of many greater tales to observe within the coming days and weeks.
Levshunov’s Damage Setback
We realized on Tuesday (Sept. 11) that Artyom Levshunov is not going to take part within the aforementioned prospects event resulting from an damage to his proper foot. Contemplating the defenseman was the No. 2 total draft choice for the Blackhawks this previous June, that is disappointing certainly. Apparently the 18-year-old took a shot to the foot in follow lately, and will likely be in a strolling boot and never skating for a number of weeks.
However IceHogs’ head coach Anders Sorensen, who can also be teaching the event this weekend, gave some optimistic suggestions.
“He was form of bummed. He wished to play and he desires to get going. The encouraging factor was he mentioned there wasn’t a lot ache.”
–IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen on Artyom Levshunov lacking the upcoming prospect showcase due to a foot damage pic.twitter.com/Yu7s3GMBcU
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) September 11, 2024
Levshunov was noticed on the bench watching follow, and he did look fairly bummed. If he’s actually sidelined for 2 weeks that might put his return at Sept. 25, which can also be the Blackhawks first exhibition sport. Coaching camp formally begins in a single week (Sept. 18).
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Hopefully Levshunov’s damage is minor, and he can get again on the ice sooner relatively than later.
Del Mastro Excited About IceHogs Season
Ethan Del Mastro is one other prospect to get enthusiastic about. He was named an AHL All-Star final season, and recorded seven targets and 37 factors in 69 video games with the IceHogs (plus a purpose and an help in 4 playoff video games). The Blackhawks had been impressed sufficient to carry him up for 2 video games on the finish of their 2023-24 marketing campaign.
However with plenty of defensemen forward of him on the depth chart, Del Mastro is being practical that he’ll be suiting up for the IceHogs as soon as once more this season.
#Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro is fired up for the upcoming Rockford season, which can embrace extra of Chicago’s prime prospects. pic.twitter.com/EMMIpvNPgd
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) September 11, 2024
It definitely will likely be enjoyable to look at each the Blackhawks and the IceHogs this season. Coach Sorenson mentioned he’s “excited for the deepest participant pool he’s needed to work with since being a part of the group”. I do know I’m definitely enthusiastic about attending a number of IceHogs video games this coming season!
Spellacy is Quick!
One ultimate tidbit for this version of Blackhawks Bytes. Ahead AJ Spellacy was a third-round decide (72 total) within the 2024 Draft by the Blackhawks. He can even partake within the prospect’s event, and is understood for his skating means, velocity and compete stage. Stated Sorenson upon seeing him in individual,
Anders Sorensen immediately on Blackhawks third spherical decide AJ Spellacy:
“Man oh man, can he skate. He virtually took me out within the one drill. I noticed him coming and I’m like, ‘If he hits me, it’s over.'”
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 11, 2024
Spellacy tasks to be a depth ahead, and he was deployed because the third line heart within the Blackhawks’ follow on Tuesday. He’ll possible return to his OHL staff, the Windsor Spitfires, subsequent season. However his fashion of play makes him somebody Blackhawk’s followers will likely be rooting for. Only one extra identify to observe as we head into coaching camp.
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That’s all for this version of Blackhawks Bytes. Participant quotes are the most effective methods to realize entry into the private aspect of hockey. Which is why I’ve made it my purpose to proceed this collection all through coaching camp and the common season. Please let me know in your social media platform who you would possibly wish to know extra about. I’ll do my greatest to accommodate your request!
Is it October but?!
