Blackhawks Daily: Slaggert’s Debut; Byram’s Colorado Exit Foretold?

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Landon Slaggert made his NHL debut Friday night, starting what he hopes is the beginning of a long career in Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche players had a feeling that Bowen Byram wouldn’t see his career continue in Denver much longer. Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal cites Elliotte Freidman’s 32 Thoughts podcast when he writes that the 2019 fourth overall pick was all but gone once teammate and fellow defenseman Devon Toews was re-signed. It not only limited his ceiling of how high he could rise on the depth chart, but it was well known that within the team that he wanted to be a #1 defenseman.

As Friedman pointed out, it’s not going to happen while Cale Makar is in town. So Byram, who was dealt for Casey Mittelstadt in a good old fashioned hockey trade with Buffalo, now goes to a spot loaded with defensemen. Will the same issue crop up, and what’s the latest for him in Buffalo.

Well, Byram’s last game earned a mid C grade from Buffalo Hockey Now’s Jason Moser. He wasn’t a stud–certainly not a dud. The Sabres were victorious 4-0 over the New York Islanders, which keeps their full court press alive for the playoffs. Still, Byram could end up being a major factor in this final push for a playoff spot.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The Blackhawks fall into an early 4-0 hole and can’t recover in a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings
• Blackhawks postgame chatter hears from Landon Slaggert, Luke Richardson and Jason Dickinson. BPC also hears that as Lukas Reichel is back to Chicago.
• Landon Slaggert making his debut is another reminder that the influx of youth is coming–and it’s an exciting time for Blackhawks fans
• Want a watching guide for the weekend? Blackhawks prospects are playing in consequential games all over the place.

NHL Trade Deadline Stories From Around the League

Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings went from what looked like a playoff lock to perhaps missing them altogether now. It’s revealing that the Red Wings have too many problems and not even answers.

Montreal Hockey Now: David Reinbacher is now available to the Montreal Canadiens after his Swiss team lost in the playoffs overseas. Though he’ll likely make the first trip to the AHL, it’s a step closer for the young prospect to making the big club.

Nashville Hockey Now: Juuse Saros may not have been moved from the Nashville Predators, but it’s possible the New Jersey Devils are going to take a serious run at the netminder. Here’s the New Jersey Devils side of things, too.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is that a playoff spark for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who for weeks, have been left for dead? Apparently, they have ‘a job to do,’ indicating that maybe reports of their demise were a bit premature.

Philly Hockey Now: Sam Ersson has been good for the Philadelphia Flyers. But they may be failing the guy who has been doing all he can to keep the playoff hopes alive.

San Jose Hockey Now: Klim Kostin was traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline. Can the Sharks find a way to unlock his talent? Sheng Peng investigates how they can.

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