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The 411 with the Blackhawks |
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What's the 411 with the Blackhawks these days?
Not much.
Like the rest of the NHL, Chicago has been fairly quiet as they all are acting responsibly throughout the suspension of the NHL due to COVID-19.
However, some teams have had a couple of minor signings, while the Hawks have been silent on that front.
Ian Mitchell is a name we're waiting to hear sign in Chicago at any moment.
I have an update on Mitchell, as well as a couple other notable(ish) storylines to keep you all in the loop:
* Ian Mitchell status - The most important headline we're all waiting on is the signing a key NCAA prospect Ian Mitchell.
Other key RFAs have signed with other teams like Trevor Zegras (ANA), Wade Allison (PHI) and Scott Perunovich (STL).
Perunovich is an interesting name that is a factor in the lack of Mitchell news.
If the NCAA or NHL weren't suspended/canceled, the most ideal scenario for Ian Mitchell would have been to win a Frozen Four championship. That's what Mitchell went back for.
However, the most ideal financial situation for him and his agent would have been to have his University of Denver squad fall short so he could sign with Chicago before the NHL season is over.
From there, Mitchell could play a couple of games with the Hawks while burner a year off his entry-level contract.
With the current situation, it's unknown as to whether this can happen or now.
Scott Powers of The Athletic with some of the facts (Please subscribe to The Athletic for more. It's an amazing platform for outstanding content and I believe they have some deals during this time):
* With the Blues announcing Friday they had agreed to terms with defenseman prospect Scott Perunovich on an entry-level contract that will either commence this season or next depending on when NHL play resumes, that may just open the door for the Blackhawks to work on a similar deal with defenseman prospect Ian Mitchell.
* "Right now we are waiting to see what happens with the NHL season," the 21-year-old Mitchell wrote. "There is a freeze on contracts being signed for this season. If I were to sign a contract now, I wouldn't be able to play this year if the season resumes. So right now it is just wait and see."
* "We are not currently allowing Clubs to sign and file current year contracts," Daly wrote. "But that prohibition might be lifted depending on what our resumption of play options might look like."
That means Perunovich doesn't actually have a contract signed and is also waiting to see when games resume. If the 2019-20 season returns, he can sign one contract. If it doesn't, he can sign the other.
(Source: The Athletic, https://theathletic.com/1707672/2020/03/28/the-latest-on-where-things-stand-with-blackhawks-prospect-ian-mitchell/)
So, it looks like we wait a little longer on Mitchell. He may sign a deal similar to Perunovich which will kick in this season or next.
* Jonathan Toews comments about leadership - Captain Serious is doing some serious thinking during this isolation:
"It's tough because I think, No. 1, our older guys like (Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Corey Crawford) and myself, I think you kind of get comfortable with your ways and how you do things over the years," Toews said on the "Dropping the Gloves" podcast, which is hosted by his former teammate John Scott. "So, there's definitely been an adjustment for the veteran guys and the guys that are considered leaders as part of the core group in Chicago."
(Source: theScore https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1967694/toews-blackhawks-veterans-trying-to-adjust-leadership-style)
I love hearing this from the Toews. He's an amazing leader but all leaders must adapt and he's no exception.
The Hawks haven't been 100% in terms of skill or chemistry in the last couple of years. He's not the GM so he can't help with the skill and overall depth of the team, but where he and the other leaders can help is bringing this team together.
The Hawks of 2020 have looked like they enjoy playing with each other and there's a good chance that a lot of them will be back come October so if Toews can bridge the gap between the youth, the newcomers and the core, it's an X-Factor that could make a difference next year.
* Brent Seabrook looking good – Well, it looks like #7 is up for the challenge… the pushup challenge. He even calls out his reconstructed shoulder in the video.
"What if" Seabs comes back better than he's been the last few years?
A big what if – and a highly unlikely one – however, an isolated boy can dream!
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I have a couple of recurring series' coming your way this week – Random Blackhawks Spotlight and Armchair GM.
I'm still looking to analyze someone's Armchair roster, so DM me your team and the first one I will include in Friday's blog.
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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