Phil Thompson

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Phil Thompson

The Chicago Blackhawks draft position is set: They landed the No. 3 pick during Monday night’s NHL draft lottery. The pick itself is more of a mystery. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters ranks No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters, and he’s the consensus projected top pick. But three or four other prospects also are legitimate contenders.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Phil Thompson

Change happens in the offseason. Like every other NHL team, the Chicago Blackhawks will add draft picks and sign free agents this summer. But for current players such as Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Alex Vlasic, their games won’t advance at puck drop of the 2025-26 season opener. The work has to start in the summer. “We’ve got players, young players, who we know can play in the NHL and deserve the opportunity to find themselves in the NHL,” general manager Kyle Davidson said last month.

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Phil Thompson

With Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson and interim coach Anders Sörensen sitting in the upper stands of Allstate Arena, it’s hard to imagine scripting a more informative game for the team’s prospects than Game 1 of the Rockford IceHogs’ first-round AHL playoff series against the Chicago Wolves. Kevin Korchinski tied the game, 1-1, late in the second period. Drew Commesso made some big saves late to send the game to overtime.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Phil Thompson

Rockford IceHogs general manager Mark Bernard estimates he sees about 125 games a year between his team, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Indy Fuel. So earlier this month, he didn’t mind a three-hour drive from Indianapolis to Chicago to catch a late Hawks game against the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center. After all, several of the Hawks, arguably more than usual, had been his players in Rockford.

3 weeks ago | pantagraph.com | Phil Thompson

CHICAGO — Connor Bedard faced his share of challenges in a turbulent season for the Chicago Blackhawks. A second straight campaign left the Hawks near the bottom of the league. Bedard went through a coaching change, a 12-game goal drought and a self-admitted crisis of confidence. Want to sign up for more? Apparently, yes.