I’ve spoken with Jason Dickinson a lot over the past few years since he arrived in Chicago. He’s one of the most thoughtful players I’ve come across and is very well spoken. Earlier this year, we talked about how he felt it was dangerous that there was a defeated mentality creeping into the space between the ears of the guys in the Blackhawks’ room that the moment something went wrong the wheels were going to fly off. And, for a while, that was happening. But there were a few moments along the way that looked like that mentality was fading.
When I saw this comment to Charlie Roumeliotis on Thursday it was a massive concern. When a legitimate leader in the room — whether he has a C or an A on his chest or not — uses a phrase like “there was hope” it’s breathtaking. And really, really bad. We’ll have to see how maybe injecting a young player like Colton Dach into the lineup maybe offers some change in that mindset and adds some energy. Because this is a terrible look for the organization.
The younger Dach will make is regular season NHL debut against his older brother, Kirby, and the Montreal Canadiens tonight. Which is exciting for him and his family — and fans praying for anything to change the trajectory of the Blackhawks at this point. He skated on a line with Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teräväinen at practice on Thursday. I like it. Nazar and Dach spent some time together in interim head coach Anders Sorensen’s systems in Rockford and had some success.Colton Dach said his mom will want him and brother Kirby Dach to “keep it family-friendly” when they face each other for the first time in during Colton’s NHL debut. pic.twitter.com/fr1AwSvkbY
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) January 2, 2025 The tough news: when the Blackhawks put lines on the ice at practice, Dach was included. Lukas Reichel… was not. And it appears he’s headed back to the press box tonight with Montreal in town. There was plenty of conversation about the idea of sitting Reichel on the social medias on Thursday. Here’s what Sorensen had to say about the rationale:Sorensen on scratching Reichel: "We've got to make some decisions here, and [we're] making room for Colton as well."Asked what he's not seeing from Reichel: "The finishing product… I'd like to talk to him about having more of an attack mentality and utilizing his shot more." t.co/VMwnYBhQJl
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 2, 2025 My two cents on Reichel remains what is has been for more than two years: it’s up to him to force the organization to play him — and/or move him up the lineup. He clicked initially on a line with Craig Smith and Pat Maroon but that went dry eventually. He’s had run with the top six and it simply hasn’t worked. At some point we have to own that Reichel might just be what we’ve seen from him in his career to just another guy. I think the biggest source of my frustration and disappointment in the player is the fact that first it was Luke Richardson, then it was Kyle Davidson and now it’s Sorensen all saying the same damn thing over and over again: shoot the puck, Lukas! He was credited with three shots on goal in the Winter Classic. That’s nice. That gave him 10 shots on goal in 15 games in the month of December. If everyone with any sort of authority over your ice time is begging you to shoot the puck — and has been for multiple years — it’s time to take the safety off. It seems like every six weeks or so Reichel is being taken to task for not shooting enough. He’s played 133 regular-season games in the NHL now. At some point if the player doesn’t do the one thing that’s being asked of him… Connor Murphy didn’t practice on Thursday because of a groin issue. He took a maintenance day before the Winter Classic. Alec Martinez was a full participant in practice. It doesn’t look like he’ll be activated on Friday in time to play in the game. When he is ready to go, unless someone else goes on IR (Murphy?), someone would have to go to Rockford to make room for Martinez on the active roster.Anders Sorensen said Alec Martinez (neck) isn't cleared for game action yet. He's still listed as day to day.Connor Murphy, who missed practice with a groin injury, will be re-evaluated on Friday. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 2, 2025How about some Blackhawks prospect highlights?
At the World Junior Championship, the United States scored a big 7-2 win over Switzerland. Oliver Moore started the game on the wing on the second line and had two gorgeous primary assists in the game. The first assist will undoubtedly get a lot of attention because he set up James Hagens… who might be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.Pretty ? here from #Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore to potential ‘25 No. 1 overall pick James Hagens gives ?? a 2-0 lead pic.twitter.com/53JXgKTDk1
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 2, 2025 Moore’s second assist was to Notre Dame center Danny Nelson.A second gorgeous ? in this #WorldJuniors quarterfinal for the ?? from #Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore pic.twitter.com/ZcpeEWoAsk
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 2, 2025 In the OHL, the Blackhawks had three prospects playing very well going in the same game last night when Kitchener visited Brantford. Nick Lardis was held without a point but put seven shots on goal. Marek Vanacker scored the only goal of the night for Brantford.Big ? here for #Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker for @BulldogsOHL pic.twitter.com/LcqSFwXGNU
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 3, 2025 The game went to overtime and Jack Pridham won it for Kitchener. He was credited with six shots on goal. Sudbury beat Barrie 4-1. Alex Pharand had one assist in the game. Windsor beat Guelph 9-5. AJ Spellacy had one assist in the game. No game tonight for North Dakota but Sacha Boisvert was once again named the NCHC Rookie of the Month.Congrats to Abram Wiebe on claiming NCHC Player of the Month honors and Sacha Boisvert on repeating as NCHC Rookie of the Month! RELEASE: t.co/gEkNqnN4JJ#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/6N9qGd1SJe
— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) January 2, 2025 A good slate of college games for Blackhawks prospects tonight: No. 4 Denver (Aidan Thompson) at No. 5 Maine at 6 PM CT Mercyhurst at No. 3 Minnesota (Sam Rinzel, obviously no Oliver Moore) at 7 PM CT Alaska Fairbanks at Minnesota-Duluth (Dominic James) at 7:07 PM CTFor the first time in the modern World Junior format, Canada will not reach the semifinals in consecutive #WorldJuniors. Have to go back to 1978-80 as last time they didn’t play for at least third.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 3, 2025MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter
Bears’ corner Jaylon Johnson is headed back to the Pro Bowl. I enjoyed Brett’s thinking about pitching philosophy and creative rotation usage. Derrick Rose opened a pop-up florist in Chicago on Thursday and the line to get in was insane. Read More Details
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