Morning Chirps: ‘Plenty of Eyes’ on Blackhawks Trio, NHL Debut Set for Tonight

It’s another game day in the Windy City as the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Nashville Predators tonight. As we take our daily trip around hockey, one of the top insiders names his biggest traded targets in Chicago, a former Blackhawk finds a new home, and a legend’s status remains hazy.

Blackhawks Chirps

• It was an event day at the Fifth Third Arena yesterday. Connor Bedard responded to recent criticism, and we got an update on Jason Dickinson’s ankle injury.
• We also put the spotlight on a trio of Blackhawks prospects who had themselves a big week. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the future.
• Former Blackhawks forward Rem Pitlick is back in the pro ranks. He signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda for the rest of the season. He had no points in nine games for the Blackhawks last season. Pitlick has always been a solid AHL performer, with 55 goals and 125 points in 148 games, but has yet to carry that success into the NHL.

• Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman included a thought about the Blackhawks in his most recent written edition of 32 Thoughts. He mentioned that “plenty of eyes” are on Connor Murphy, Ryan Donato, and Seth Jones heading into the March 7 NHL trade deadline.
• On this date in 1971, Bobby Hull scored his 544^th career goal, tying Maurice Richard for the second-most in NHL history behind Gordie Howe. Goaltender Tony Esposito picked up his 22^nd career shutout in a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers.

NHL Chirps

• Joakim Kemell was recalled by the Predators yesterday, and he’s expected to make his NHL debut tonight at the United Center. The 20-year-old forward was the 17th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He is having a nice year for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, with nine goals and 25 points in 38 games.
• Chris Botta had a detailed report on New York Islanders center Brock Nelson yesterday. According to his sources, Nelson’s first choice is to sign a long-term contract extension with the Islanders. He adds that general manager Lou Lamoirello is unlikely to trade him if the team is within striking distance of a playoff spot. If they decide to move on from Nelson, Botta says the Minnesota Wild are one of at least six teams interested in making an offer for him. If the veteran center hits the open market this summer, he should be a player the Blackhawks will be interested in.
• We just saw Connor McDavid at the United Center on Wednesday night, and he will be due for a new contract in the summer of 2026. Nobody is happier about the salary cap rocketing up than McDavid and his agent. Dom Luszczysyzn of The Athletic feels he could be the NHL’s first player to make $20 million a season. No matter what the number ultimately is, Luszcyzszyn says McDavid’s new deal will be “seismic.”
• Sidney Crosby did skate on Thursday, but Dave Molinari of Pittsburgh Hockey Now says his short-term outlook remains as clear as mud. Head coach Mike Sullivan said the future Hall of Famer’s upper-body injury is still being evaluated. His status for tonight’s game against the Rangers and, more importantly, the 4 Nations Face-off remains up in the air.
• Finally, today marks the 49^th anniversary of the greatest offensive performance in NHL history. On Feb. 7, 1976, Darry Sittler scored six goals and recorded four assists to become the first – and still only – player to have a 10-point game in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 11-4 win over the Boston Bruins.