Blackhawks Daily: Prospects Doubling Up; Bruins Buyer Beware

The Chicago Blackhawks have been ranked as high as having the fourth best prospect pool in hockey. Seeing a trio of prospects bury a pair of goals each certainly is one way to justify that.

But the Boston Bruins have a buyer’s beware as they placed another one of their former first-round picks on waivers. It’s not as easy as it looks, and it certainly doesn’t always have the happy ending every draft pick hopes for when their name is called on draft day.

The hope that holds for the Blackhawks beyond Connor Bedard is that the rest of those first round picks–Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel, and Oliver Moore all hit, too. Go back to the Stan Bowman era and add Nolan Allan and Lukas Reichel in there. The promise and hope is there–but so is the sobering reminder of a just over 37% of first-round picks hit.

Even the Detroit Red Wings, who have stocked up on players, sent Simon Edvinsson (sixth overall 2021), Marco Kasper (eighth overall 2022), and Jonatan Berggren (second-round, 2018) back to its AHL affiliate. For a team that’s trying to turn the corner, that young talent sure is taking its time.

As the season rolls, so too will the hope of the organization’s prospects. But as Sam Savoie’s injury reminded, a lot has to go right.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Blackhawks Prospects Report sees a heckuva lot of goal scoring in a day for a trio of prospects
• The Blackhawks Wrap looks at a week where the team made tough decisions after some great performances
• An up-to-date look at who the Blackhawks have decided to keep and who they’ve sent down
• The Blackhawks Stock Index takes note of where the bubble players stood as final cuts were being considered

Western Conference Wrap

Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche are ready as lines are set, players have been sent down, and they begin to try and return to the Stanley Cup pinnacle

Nashville Hockey Now: A bunch of surprise moves by the Nashville Predators as they trim its final roster to 23.

San Jose Hockey Now: On how the San Jose Sharks veterans are mentoring the young players on the rise

Vegas Hockey Now: Jack Eichel is back at it, shimmering and shining in the Vegas Golden Knights final tune up of the preseason

Rest of the Best of the Hockey Now Network

Boston Bruins: One name, who once were thought to be part of the Boston Bruins core, is sent along on waivers

Detroit Hockey Now: Simon Edvinsson was sent down to the AHL’s Grand Rapid Griffins. But it’s not a failure. In fact, talking to some of the Detroit Red Wings shows the kid is something special–just give it time (+)

Montreal Hockey Now: A couple surprise cuts in the Montreal Canadiens camp as the Habs try to ascend in the tough Atlantic Division

Philly Hockey Now: Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella said some time away from the players was a good thing for both coaches and skaters

Washington Hockey Now: Another sobering former top-prospect story? One time first-round pick and stellar scorer Anthony Mantha is on the outside looking in with the Washington Capitals