Where Frank Nazar took steps forward this season — and where there’s room for more
It wasn't a true breakout season for the 2022 first-round pick, but there's reason to believe one could be on the way.
Second City Hockey
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Friday Morning Bag Skate 5-15-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS Blackhawks sign Roman Kantserov to entry-level contract ( SCH ) ( Tribune ) ( Athletic ) The glimpses of Wyatt Kaiser’s NHL potential we saw this season ( SCH ) The Blackhawks will select 4th in the NHL Draft. Here are 5 prospects they should consider ( Tribune ) Where would Roman Kantserov’s skills fit on the Blackhawks’ power play? ( SCH ) Blackhawks European prospect update, 5/12: Final ...
Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread: May 11-14
And all of the sudden, the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is starting to wind down. Nothing’s decided in the West just yet, but Colorado is looking for a commanding 3-1 series lead when action resumes in Minnesota on Monday night. A couple of games are on Tuesday’s slate, with Montreal up 2-1 and home for Game 4 against Buffalo with the nightcap being a pivotal Game 5 from Sin City in the deadlocked Anaheim/Vegas series. Minnesota and Colorado move on to Game 5 in Colorado ...
Blackhawks sign Roman Kantserov to entry-level contract
The Chicago Blackhawks are finally bringing one of their most exciting forward prospects to North America. Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL officially announced last Friday morning that they terminated Roman Kantserov’s contract, clearing the way for the 21-year-old winger to make the jump to the Chicago Blackhawks organization. The Blackhawks made the announcement official on Thursday. it's officially official, everyone say 'hi Roman!!' 📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/XrjmtE7mLT pic.twitter...
Thursday Morning Bag Skate 5-14-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS The glimpses of Wyatt Kaiser’s NHL potential we saw this season ( SCH ) The Blackhawks will select 4th in the NHL Draft. Here are 5 prospects they should consider ( Tribune ) Where would Roman Kantserov’s skills fit on the Blackhawks’ power play? ( SCH ) Blackhawks European prospect update, 5/12: Final check-ins on Kantserov, Frondell ( SCH ) Blackhawks Stanley Cup contender checklist: Chic...
The glimpses of Wyatt Kaiser’s NHL potential we saw this season
Kaiser set career-highs in games played (77) and average ice time (19:37) this season.
Wednesday Morning Bag Skate 5-13-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS Where would Roman Kantserov’s skills fit on the Blackhawks’ power play? ( SCH ) Blackhawks European prospect update, 5/12: Final check-ins on Kantserov, Frondell ( SCH ) Blackhawks Stanley Cup contender checklist: Chicago needs young defense to take the leap ( Athletic ) Analyzing Blackhawks’ draft options: Could Ivar Stenberg fall to No. 4 pick? ( Sun-Times ) Five questions Blackhawks need...
Where would Roman Kantserov’s skills fit on the Blackhawks’ power play?
( Editor’s note: Scott has been a mutual follow on social media for years, as well as a consistent reader and supporter of this site. It was an honor for him to contact us about sharing this piece at our site and we think you’ll appreciate his excellent hockey insights). Give him a follow on Bluesky! Roman Kantserov’s arrival has Blackhawks fans excited and they should be, as he led the KHL in goals this season at just 21 years old. His stats and accomplishments are drawing comparisons to...
Blackhawks European prospect update, 5/12: Final check-ins on Kantserov, Frondell
More like Roman CANserov, amirite?
Tuesday Morning Bag Skate 5-12-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS Analyzing Blackhawks’ draft options: Could Ivar Stenberg fall to No. 4 pick? ( Sun-Times ) Five questions Blackhawks need to consider heading into the NHL Draft ( Athletic ) What did we learn about Louis Crevier during his first full NHL season? ( SCH ) What recent NHL history says about the Blackhawks’ options with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Exploring additional options available to the Blackh...
Monday Morning Bag Skate 5-11-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS What did we learn about Louis Crevier during his first full NHL season? ( SCH ) What recent NHL history says about the Blackhawks’ options with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Exploring additional options available to the Blackhawks with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Musings on Madison, Episode 210 — A deflating draft lottery ( SCH ) Blackhawks drop two spots following draft lottery; will select No. 4 over...
Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread: May 8-10
We could already have a second-round series finish this weekend, as the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue. Nothing will be decided on Friday night, though, with Buffalo up 1-0 on Montreal and a 1-1 deadlock in the West between Vegas and Anaheim. On Saturday, Carolina could sweep the Flyers with a win in Game 4 while Colorado visits Minnesota for the first time with a 2-0 lead in that series. Friday’s action repeats on Mothers Day, with Buffalo/Montreal and Vegas/Anaheim on the agenda. ...
What did we learn about Louis Crevier during his first full NHL season?
We already knew he was tall.
Friday Morning Bag Skate 5-8-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS What recent NHL history says about the Blackhawks’ options with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Exploring additional options available to the Blackhawks with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Musings on Madison, Episode 210 — A deflating draft lottery ( SCH ) Blackhawks drop two spots following draft lottery; will select No. 4 overall ( SCH ) ( Sun-Times ) ( Tribune ) ( Athletic ) What long-term role is the be...
Thursday Morning Bag Skate 5-7-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS What recent NHL history says about the Blackhawks’ options with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Exploring additional options available to the Blackhawks with the No. 4 pick ( SCH ) Musings on Madison, Episode 210 — A deflating draft lottery ( SCH ) Blackhawks drop two spots following draft lottery; will select No. 4 overall ( SCH ) ( Sun-Times ) ( Tribune ) ( Athletic ) What long-term role is the be...
Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread: May 4-7
The second round is in full swing as we enter first full week of May, and Monday’s action kicks off with Carolina looking to go up 2-0 on the Flyers while Anaheim and Vegas begin their series from Sin City. Tuesday’s sole game features a second meeting between Colorado and Minnesota after the hilariously high-scoring Game 1. Montreal and Buffalo kick things off on Wednesday night with the first game of their series, while Anaheim and Vegas go for Game 2 in the nightcap. We’re back to one ...
Exploring additional options available to the Blackhawks with the No. 4 pick
We’ve already looked into what has happened in the recent past when teams trade a top pick for established veteran talent. The results weren’t great. It’s worth noting again that none of the trades referenced in that article included a team knowingly giving up a top-five pick in the salary cap era, which is key with the Blackhawks sitting at No. 4. It’s pretty rare that a such a pick is traded at all , much less for an established player as the central piece. However, rare doesn’t mean ne...
What recent NHL history says about the Blackhawks’ options with the No. 4 pick
The worst-case scenario happened for the Blackhawks in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery: they fell back two spots and now hold the No. 4 overall pick. That’s still a valuable asset and the Blackhawks will land a very good player, but the slide likely takes them out of the range where they could realistically expect immediate NHL help next season from their selected player. Only Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg feel likely to step directly into the NHL next season and move the needle in a meaning...
Musings on Madison, Episode 210 — A deflating draft lottery
Live reactions to Chicago's slide from No. 2 to No. 4.
Wednesday Morning Bag Skate 5-6-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS Blackhawks drop two spots following draft lottery; will select No. 4 overall ( SCH ) ( Sun-Times ) ( Tribune ) ( Athletic ) What long-term role is the best fit for Alex Vlasic’s skills? ( SCH ) Blackhawks 2026 NHL Draft Lottery guide ( Athletic ) Connor Bedard explains decision not to play for Canada at World Championship ( Athletic ) How can Bedard find the next steps toward realizing his ...
Blackhawks drop two spots following draft lottery; will select No. 4 overall
On Tuesday evening, the Blackhawks had the misfortune of dropping two spots in the 2026 NHL Draft order thanks to some unfortunate bounces at this year’s draft lottery. Chicago will now pick No. 4 overall despite finishing second from the bottom of the league standings this year, leapt by Toronto and San Jose during the lottery proceedings. the Chicago Blackhawks will be selecting 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐇 at the 2026 NHL Draft👏‼️🚨 pic.twitter.com/Fxr3zjc3I4 — Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) ...
What long-term role is the best fit for Alex Vlasic’s skills?
A big-picture look at the closest thing Chicago currently has to a veteran on the blue line.
Tuesday Morning Bag Skate 5-5-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS Blackhawks 2026 NHL Draft Lottery guide ( Athletic ) Connor Bedard explains decision not to play for Canada at World Championship ( Athletic ) How can Bedard find the next steps toward realizing his superstar potential? ( SCH ) Breaking down Blackhawks’ odds entering NHL draft lottery: Shot at Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg on the line ( Sun-Times ) The Ups and Downs of Artyom Levshunov’s 202...
Monday Morning Bag Skate 5-4-26
This is your daily thread to talk about the latest hockey news. BLACKHAWKS How can Bedard find the next steps toward realizing his superstar potential? ( SCH ) Breaking down Blackhawks’ odds entering NHL draft lottery: Shot at Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg on the line ( Sun-Times ) The Ups and Downs of Artyom Levshunov’s 2025-26 season ( SCH ) Blackhawks AHL prospect update, 4/28: final season evaluations ( SCH ) Musings on Madison, Episode 209 — Superb superlative...
Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread: May 1-3
A few Game 6s on Friday night could close the door on the first round — or kick the chaos can down the road another 48 hours. Out East, the Montreal Canadiens grabbed a tight Game 5 victory to move ahead 3-2, leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning staring at elimination. The Buffalo Sabres are also up 3-2, but couldn’t finish the job in Game 5 after the Boston Bruins survived in overtime to extend things at least one more night. In the West, the lone straggler of the first round in that conference ha...
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