Hey, there’s hockey tonight! Like, actual, real NHL hockey. The Blackhawks are in Buffalo to start their post-Christmas schedule and the game is on a network most fans should be able to watch on their television (ESPN2). The good news: the Sabres are terrible, too. The bad news: they finally won a game to close their pre-Christmas schedule. So the Blackhawks will look to get back in to the win column against a team that got their desperation win in their last game.
The Blackhawks’ two prospects were in action on Day One of the World Junior Championship. Oliver Moore and the United States hung the biggest number of the day, beating Germany 10-4. Moore skated 16:07 and put four shots on net. He also won 11 of 15 faceoffs in the game (73.33 percent). There were a few comments on the socials about Moore starting the game as the third line center for the US (as there have been when he’s been in that role for Minnesota this season). He’s skating between one of his Gopher teammates, Brody Ziemer, and Minnesota-Duluth forward Max Plante (who happens to be the son of Blackhawks’ assistant coach Derek Plante). Keep in mind that he was the best US center at the dot on Day One and it’s about chemistry and matchups in a tournament like this. The US isn’t going to break up their Boston College Line (Leonard-Hagens-Perrault). From there, it’s about finding lines that work and this one does. In fact, while it might not have been the most productive line, Moore’s group was certainly the most consistent for the US. Here’s part of what Chris Peters wrote about Moore after Game One of the WJC:Head coach David Carle said he feels like they’re starting to find the right mix, even after the game. He was effusive in his praise of the third line of Oliver Moore (CHI), Max Plante (DET) and Brodie Ziemer (BUF). That’s a trio that they feel plays the way they want to play. …
Moore’s line was pointed out by head coach David Carle as being a real factor at critical points in the game. Their speed was noticeable and Moore really drives that. He also was strong on the penalty kill. He had no points, but won 11 of 15 draws and was an all-purpose forward for Team USA.
What we learned from USA's 10-4 win over Germany in their World Junior opener. Some of the pre-tournament questions remain… #WorldJuniors: t.co/E0wPzgm4qZ
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 26, 2024 Czechia beat Switzerland 5-1 and the Blackhawks’ other prospect, Jiri Felcman, had one assist and one shot on goal in 14:33 for the victors. He was listed as the top-line center going into the game, so let’s keep in mind his numbers in a relatively easy win compared to Moore’s. It’s good news that both Blackhawks prospects finished the day 1-0. A couple interesting reads from Ben Pope this week to pass along as we get ready for NHL game action to pick back up today. He looked at which Blackhawks have benefitted the most from the change to Anders Sorensen behind the bench — Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard and Nolan Allan stand out — and also the guys who have struggled since the move. Pope also looked at the Blackhawks’ stockpile of assets already in the system and reminded us of the tough decisions that will come in the near future.In short, general manager Kyle Davidson has succeeded with the first major step of the rebuild: building one of the league’s best prospect pools. Some self-proclaimed draft experts quibbled with some of his moves in last year’s draft, but there’s no questioning what Davidson has assembled overall.
Moving forward, however, Davidson’s challenge will be developing those prospects and eventually building a cohesive, championship-caliber NHL roster out of them.
And he’ll need to make some hard decisions about which prospects to keep and which to trade along the way.
One would think the Blackhawks would begin the NHL level of their evaluation process in the coming weeks and months as some of the veterans on the NHL roster in the final (only) year of their respective contracts become trade chips. As names like Martinez, Maroon, Smith, Hall and others find new homes, spots in the NHL will open for guys like Landon Slaggert, Colton Dach and Ethan Del Mastro to contribute at the next level. Keep in mind the Blackhawks have a number of young players in college and junior who will likely be making their way to Rockford at the end of their seasons and next year. We’re getting to the point of the rebuild where the matriculation to the pro ranks becomes more frequent, which is exciting. But there won’t be jobs for everyone in Chicago.The Blackhawks have amassed one of the NHL's largest prospect pools.But they won't all fit in the NHL. In the years ahead, Kyle Davidson will have to make some hard decisions about which prospects to keep and which to trade.New story: t.co/PAuv7SZlWL
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 25, 2024 The Winter Classic is right around the corner, which is exciting. But Mark Lazerus isn’t thrilled with the return to Wrigley Field. While I’m not against another game in an iconic venue, I do like some of these possibilities that he presents as outside the box options for future NHL outdoor games.Wrigley Field? Again? It's time the NHL starts thinking outside the box — and outside the stadium — for its outdoor games. Here are my 10 proposals (some realistic, some less so) for Lake Tahoe-esque games that are sure to bring a larger TV audience: t.co/Fvf9nAkSze
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) December 26, 2024 Tracey Myers for NHL.com wrote a nice story about a Chicago area native on the Blackhawks’ roster, Alex Vlasic, getting t o play his first outdoor game in the NHL. Pretty fun read here.Merry Christmas, everyone. Today's Winter Classic preview story is on Alex Vlasic, whose outdoor hockey experience began on the backyard rink his dad built every winter: t.co/IUOVpFT914
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) December 25, 2024“Bah Humbug” — Steve Yzerman (probably)
The Red Wings wished their head coach a Merry Christmas and then fired him the next day. Detroit named Todd McLellan their new head coach and added a familiar name, Trent Yawney, to their coaching staff on Thursday.pic.twitter.com/qyzqDI30Ki
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 26, 2024MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter
As the Bears closed out their tenth straight loss last night, the fans at Soldier Field let it be known what they want the McCaskeys to do this offseason: sell the team. There’s more smoke around the Dodgers having interest in Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The Bulls enjoyed an enormous first quarter from Jevon Carter last night. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( World Juniors Wins, Who Sorensen Has Helped (and Not), McLellan to Detroit, and Other Blackhawks Bullets )
Also on site :
- U.S. Oil Slips 4% as OPEC+ Agrees to Ramp Up June Production
- Alexander-Arnold Confirms Liverpool Departure, Real Madrid Transfer Sealed
- Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield Power Warriors to 103-89 Game 7 Win Over Rockets