When Chicago Blackhawks normal supervisor Kyle Davidson acknowledged he wished the crew to take a step ahead, he meant it. He added seven new gamers to the roster over the summer time, every enjoying a selected function in serving to the Blackhawks enhance this season.
It’s one factor to say it seems higher, however the different half is how the gamers will purchase in. One widespread theme going into coaching camp (which began Sept. 19) is that gamers are leaning on these round them, hoping to raised themselves within the course of.
Frank Nazar Studying From Blackhawks Icon
Frank Nazar is a extremely touted prospect, as he had a powerful NHL debut on the finish of final season. He’s much more so this season, as he has a professional likelihood to battle for a roster spot. Administration and coaches view him as an enormous piece of their future. He hung out skating in Chicago over the summer time, and one of many gamers he leaned on was no aside from Blackhawks’ legend Patrick Kane. He boasted, “It was unbelievable [skating with Kane]. He’s an unbelievable participant, and having the ability to be taught from him and see him exit on the ice and do his tips. He truly hit me with one among his signature spin-o-ramas one time. He didn’t rating, in order that was good. I used to be shocked.”
Having a future Corridor-of-Famer like Kane in your nook is definitely the easiest way to be taught.
Slaggert Is Able to Be A “Sponge”
If there’s a wild-card prospect, it’s Landon Slaggert. The 22-year-old performed in 16 video games final season, however going into this season, he’s on the skin trying in with additions like Ilya Mikheyev, Pat Maroon, and Craig Smith to the bottom-six. But, he might have a robust coaching camp and drive the Blackhawks’ hand. Subsequently, he took benefit of calling the one man gamers leaned on all of final season: Nick Foligno. He stated he had conversations with Foligno going into camp. He additionally famous that he took classes from final season and plans to be a sponge this season and soak up all he can from the veterans.
Foligno has all the time inspired the youthful gamers all through final season, so it’s no shock he’s doing it for Slaggert. Slaggert can certainly flip some heads.
Foligno Including to Blackhawks’ Legacy
Talking of Nick Foligno, or ought to we are saying, “Captain Foligno,” as he was named the brand new Blackhawks’ captain on Sept. 18. He had plenty of nice issues to say about his new function. Nonetheless, there was one thing specifically that stood out, which is when he spoke about former Blackhawks’ captain, Jonathan Toews:
“It makes me take into consideration Jonathan Toews and the way he dealt with [being named captain] at such a younger age, coming into an historic franchise, an Authentic Six crew, and the way in which he led this group. These are large, large footwear to fill, however I’m not going to attempt to do this as a result of they’ll by no means be stuffed. He’s a pillar of this group that we stand on due to the way in which he led, and he’s given me an incredible guideline of methods to construct success right here. Now I get to do with my very own type with nice guys within the room, and I’m actually humbled and honored to do this.”
Foligno is not any stranger to the captaincy function, as he was the Columbus Blue Jackets captain for six years, beginning in 2015. However I like listening to about his mindset. He defined his aims all through final season, being a go-to individual for his teammates and assist the crew transfer ahead. He has proved this by all the time being one of many first folks to contact and recruit gamers. Like Davidson stated, he needs this crew to succeed and to assist in any method attainable. As Foligno famous, Jonathan Toews’ legacy is cemented in Chicago, and seeing him desirous to take notes from Toews’ tenure (he even reached out to Toews!) whereas specializing in simply being himself, he ought to do improbable in his new gig, and that respect goes thus far within the NHL.
Commesso Taking the Swayman Handbook
It was revealed final season that goalie prospect Drew Commesso trains with Boston Bruins’ goaltender Jeremy Swayman through the summer time. Commesso stated in September 2023, “Attending to apply with Jeremy all summer time and seeing how a lot he competes, it actually helped me translate it into apply, and hopefully it’ll translate into video games this yr. With each of them, I attempt to be like a sponge and soak in all the data I can that may make me higher.” Swayman talked about Commesso on the time, as effectively, and acknowledged, “I hope he is aware of he’s an incredible goalie himself.”
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Commesso had a strong season with the Rockford IceHogs final yr, and it’s presumed that’s the place he’ll spend this season. However throughout his media session on Sept. 12, he revealed he skilled once more with Swayman this summer time, and though it looks as if a tall process to beat Petr Mrazek and Laurent Brossoit this season, he might be an element. Both method, having one of many NHL’s finest goalies in Swayman guiding him is nice to listen to because the Blackhawks hope Commesso might be their goalie of the long run.
Bedard’s Inspiration From Johnny Hockey
When researching data for an additional story, I felt just like the wind obtained knocked out of me once I got here throughout a quote from Johnny Gaudreau talking about Connor Bedard. The hockey world remains to be reeling from the information of the passing of Johnny Gaudreau (Columbus Blue Jackets) and his brother Matthew, and it’s one thing that can by no means really feel actual.
Nonetheless, we are going to all the time purpose to maintain their reminiscence alive, and Johnny’s recommendation for Bedard’s rookie season again in October 2023 appears so becoming to incorporate, “I’d attempt to inform him to not get hit too arduous. There are some large boys within the league that may throw their physique round fairly effectively. He must preserve his head up. However he’ll be high quality. He’s completed all of it his life, identical to I did rising up as a smaller participant, enjoying towards greater gamers. He is aware of methods to preserve his head up and use his velocity and ability to his benefit. I feel he’s going to have yr and I want him the perfect.”
Bedard spoke about Gaudreau and his influence on Sept. 11, saying, “I’m not an enormous man. I’m one of many smaller gamers within the League. Getting to observe somebody like him and see him, I suppose, dominate the [Vancouver] Canucks particularly once I was watching at dwelling, he’s up there. He’s obtained no excuses. Why can’t I do it? Lots of people will let you know that very same story, however he motivated lots of people. He was an inspiration.”
The Gaudreaus will proceed to be one among hockey’s biggest inspirations, with Bedard being one among many following their lead this season and past. What an attractive legacy that’s.
There’s a saying, “You’re solely nearly as good because the folks you’ve gotten round you.” The gamers are exhibiting how hungry they’re by persevering with to be college students of the sport. The phrase “sponge” was used a number of occasions, and it’s encouraging to see the gamers’ eagerness to use their newfound data to their sport.
Throughout Foligno’s Captain introductory press convention on Sept. 19, he advised reporters that one thing he noticed on the primary day of coaching camp was gamers confirmed up ready to make a distinction. Understanding their preparation over the summer time going into the season is agreeable for followers and administration alike.
