The Daily: Bedard a Big Reason Milan Lucic Talked to Chicago

It was known before that Milan Lucic and the Chicago Blackhawks had conversations about joining forces.  Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy via the Spittin Chiclet’s podcast explains that  Toronto Maple Leafs and the Hawks  were hot for Lucic.

Flames General Manager Craig Conroy gave Lucic the go ahead to speak with teams prior to July 1st. Already known was that the Blackhawks was one of those teams but the extent was enough it was a real possibility.

From Murphy:

Ironically, Lucic also spoke to the Chicago Blackhawks before they acquired winger Nick Foligno as protection for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Connor Bedard. The 35-year-old Lucic, who spent the last four seasons with the Flames, admitted that there was mutual interest there.

“Not only that, but you get to wear one of the nicest, if not the nicest, jerseys in the league,” Lucic said of the potential of playing for the Blackhawks. “Cool city. Awesome city. For me, I think I have the most family out of anywhere in Chicago. I would’ve been playing in front of family on a night-to-night basis.”

Lucic mentioned that the chance to play with Connor Bedard was also a driving factor. But the allure of returning to Boston was too much for him. Turns out the Blackhawks went another direction while Lucic ended up with the Original Six team he started with.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Red, White, and Boom: Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar, and Gavin Hayes rep the US well but also make the Blackhawks look even smarter for having all three in the fold
• #3 on CHN’s Top Ten ranking of prospects might have the potential to be a foundational player
• Missed the first two? #1 is pretty obvious and #2 won’t be a prospect for much longer

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: The continued look at the Buffalo Sabres top 4o prospects

Detroit: Former Detroit Red Wings forward Sean Avery makes an appearance in the new film Oppenheimer while also making an appearance for something not as positive

Florida: Spencer Knight will still have time to round out into the form the Florida Panthers expected when they drafted him. But could they have found another gem as well?

Montreal: The 2007 NHL Draft was one of the Montreal Canadiens best jobs. Here’s a closer look as to why

Nashville: A back injury forces Ryan Ellis into retirement. A look back at the trade that brought him to the Nashville Predators and how it looks now

Philadelphia: Gritty is well known throughout not only hockey but the sports world. But is it time for a change for the Philadelphia Flyers?

Pittsburgh: Could Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins become a reality this weekend?

Vegas: A look at the accountability ladder for the Vegas Golden Knights success

Washington:  Tom Wilson is back with the Washington Capitals for seven years and a lot of cash