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The Stanley Cup Finals Finally Begin, Discussion #2, Carolina Buzz, Buffalo Shopping 11 and More Blackhawks Balls

Theo

Some speculation regarding the Blackhawks’ draft plans: On Friday’s episode of “The Athletic Hockey Show,” Scott Powers said the team was leaning toward RHD Michigan State. Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 overall pick later this month. After a lengthy media session with the general manager, Powers wrote about the Blackhawks’ approach at No. 2 and wasn’t as confident as he appeared on the podcast. For what it’s worth, Levshunov said he’s spoken with the Blackhawks a few times, including over a nice dinner this week in Buffalo.

  • Of course, when Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke to the media in Buffalo on Friday, he kept his poker face. The other name widely linked to the Blackhawks at number 2 is the Russian winger. Ivan Demidov, who is not at the Scouting Combine this week in Buffalo because of the whole Russia thing. His representatives will meet with NHL teams in Florida between now and the start of the draft.

    • “I would say the debate is still very real,” Davidson said Friday. “I thought we might have a little decision at this point, which is not a bad thing at all, but I think there are some really good options. And so that’s something we’re trying to do, we’ll take a little break after the combine and come back to that in 7 to 10 days and start going through things again But yeah, we’ll decide even closer, so no, we’re still shaking things up. things.

  • Carolina Hot apparently isn’t just a favorite barbecue sauce at this point. It’s the NHL rumor mill, and the Blackhawks are part of it. There seems to be more smoke around the Blackhawks and UFA forward Jake Guentzel at the moment, as some still question the future of RFA forward Martin Nečas. I wrote yesterday about Elliotte Friedman linking Chicago to Guentzel on the Friday edition of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, but the guys also brought up Nečas. My gut tells me that if Guentzel doesn’t want to stay in Carolina, they’ll spend that money on Nečas. But what if the Canes were potentially going to move away from both of them? This could signal a bigger rebuild – unless they can secure a haul for Nečas in a trade. So keep an eye on Carolina in the coming weeks…
  • Also notable on Friday’s edition of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said the Buffalo Sabers are willing to move the 11th overall pick. They are reportedly looking for a top-six forward in exchange. Add the Sabers to the New Jersey Devils – owners of the 10th overall pick – as teams looking to move lottery picks for help now. This could be a trend as we get closer to the draft, with front offices not performing as well in this year’s draft class as they were last year.
  • Executives of the new Chicago Sports Network wrote an opinion piece for Sportico on Friday in which they laid out their vision for the new channel and some thoughts on the RSN space on a macro level as well. I think this paragraph addresses some of the concerns that Blackhawks fans have expressed since the new channel was announced:

    • Our fan-centric approach will continue to prioritize traditional cable, satellite and streaming, And We will expand our fan reach to include live television and exciting new ways to connect digitally with our most ardent fans.

  • Amazing. Just incredible.
  • For those who know who we’ll be cursing at every whistle, here are the Stanley Cup Final officials. The first match is today (finally).
  • Finally, I love the swagger here.

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