Blackhawks
Foligno’s foundation, The Heart’s Playbook, funds research and provides support and outreach for children — like his daughter Milana — born with congenital heart defects. Hawks GM Kyle Davidson, who was also born with a heart defect, is one of many excited to see the foundation bring its impacts to Chicago.
Toews suggested Thursday he won’t play in the NHL in 2023-24. The legendary Hawks forward — now a free agent — plans to give himself “the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again.”
Moore, whom the Hawks picked 19th in the draft, is already building a culture of competitiveness and maturity alongside top pick Connor Bedard.
Hawks coach Luke Richardson has seen firsthand the impact Perry, at age 38, can have on players half his age. He’ll have to smooth things over with the Hawks’ fan base first, however.
Dach’s shoulder injury, Nazar’s hip surgery and Ludwinski’s ankle injury disrupted their 2022-23 seasons. As they return to full health for 2023-24, they’re hoping for better injury luck.
The Hawks are “very close” to being done, with defensive depth being the only box left to check — and they might wait until training camp to add it. RFA Philipp Kurashev filed for salary arbitration Wednesday, but that was expected.
Bedard jerseys are replacing Kane and Toews jerseys as the standard uniform of any Hawks fan — in Chicago and around the world. But behind that jersey is a down-to-earth 17-year-old kid who just happens to excel at hockey.
Korchinski, the Hawks’ best defensive prospect, has accomplished everything one can at the junior level. If he can hold up physically against NHL competition, he has a real chance to make the Hawks’ roster.
The Hawks used their fifth-round draft pick on Marcel, who is 6-4 and 243 pounds, a surprisingly decent skater and a hilarious personality. And, yes, there’s a story behind his name.
Gajan, whom the Hawks drafted 35th last week, was the goaltender victimized by Bedard in his famous world-juniors highlight. But Gajan’s overall performance for Slovakia still caught the Hawks’ eye in a good way.
As Connor Bedard’s most likely linemate, Hall will receive lots of playing time and offensive chances in Chicago, in contrast to last season in Boston. That expanded opportunity excites him.
Donato signed a two-year contract Saturday with a $2 million salary-cap hit after producing 27 points in 71 games for the Kraken last season.
Being arguably the most anticipated NHL rookie of all time won’t be an easy situation to manage. But people close to Bedard are resoundingly, uniformly confident that he will overcome the challenge.
One or two small moves are possible — such as to address the right-side defensive depth — but Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson won’t be too busy.
The Hawks completed their 11-man 2023 class by selecting goaltender Gajan, defenseman Janne Peltonen and seven forwards — Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak, Nick Lardis, Jiri Felcman, Alex Pharand, Marcel Marcel and Milton Oscarson — on Thursday.
The Hawks traded a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange. Perry is currently set to become a UFA on Saturday, but the Hawks are confident they’ll sign the 38-year-old forward best known for his Ducks tenure.
The Hawks received a 2026 second-round pick for taking on Bailey’s contract Thursday, which they promptly bought out.
Kyle Davidson tried to trade up repeatedly to get Moore, whom he described as the fastest skater in the draft. In the end, Moore fell right into the Hawks’ laps.
Bedard, the most anticipated NHL prospect in eight years, became the cornerstone of the Hawks’ next era Wednesday. “He’s a player that you build around,” Hawks scouting director Mike Doneghey said.
The veteran forward, whose free-agent rights were acquired from the Bruins in the Taylor Hall trade, will carry a $4 million salary-cap hit next season. Now, Davidson’s focus turns toward the first round of the draft Wednesday.
The Hawks will host seven home games on Saturdays, a day they’ve historically ignored, and 25 of their 41 total games on weekends next season — their most since 2008-09. The season starts Oct. 10 at Pittsburgh. The home opener is Oct. 21 against the champion Golden Knights.
Wirtz, who died Tuesday in Evanston after a brief illness, made a dynasty out of the Hawks. His investment on and off the ice after taking over in 2007 led to three Stanley Cups and a tremendous surge in popularity. But the Hawks’ sexual assault scandal complicated his legacy.
Kurashev’s deal will carry a $2.25 million salary-cap hit, representing a big raise over his $750,000 cap hit last season.
While bouncing from the Bruins to Wild to Sharks to Kraken, Donato has gained a versatility that appealed to the Hawks in free agency this summer. He has maintained steady offensive production, too.
The Hawks would be wise to take advantage of Bedard’s mere $950,000 base salary-cap hit for the next three years. Performance bonuses, however, could net Bedard up to $4.5 million.
Kyle Davidson has argued that Kane and Toews’ presences were so enormous that they inadvertently prevented any young Hawks players from growing into leaders themselves.
Hall’s $6 million salary-cap hit brings the Hawks closer to the cap floor, but GM Kyle Davidson can easily take on more contracts to acquire more assets in trades this week if such opportunities arise.
In addition to Hall, who remains a strong playmaker at age 31, the Hawks also acquired the rights to veteran forward Nick Foligno. Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula’s rights were traded to Boston.
A rough guess on how things might — but inevitably won’t exactly — play out with all 32 first-round picks (as well as the Hawks’ four second-round picks).
After drafting Connor Bedard next Wednesday — the easiest decision possible — the Hawks will still have 10 additional picks to make, plus trades to consider and free agents to sign. Here’s a guide to what this summer will bring
Cubs are up, White Sox are down and, hey, Connor Bedard is coming!
Most Read