Morning Chirps: Lardis & Boisvert Stay Hot, NHL Trade Deadline Frenzy

The Chicago Blackhawks take their four-game point streak (3-0-1) into Music City as they try to close the gap on the Nashville Predators. A regulation win tonight puts them three points behind them in the Central Division standings. We’ll have a full game preview up later this afternoon.  The Rockford IceHogs picked up a big win on Friday, while the NHL trade deadline did not disappoint.

Blackhawks Chirps

• In case you missed it last night, Connor Bedard got back on the scoresheet and led the Blackhawks to victory over the Utah Hockey Club.
• The Blackhawks made their biggest trade of the year last Saturday when they shipped Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers for Spencer Knight and a first-round pick. They made two more trades on Friday, but the one they didn’t make got the most attention.
• General manager Kyle Davidson spoke to the media after the deadline passed and has set himself up to have a big summer.
• Nick Lardis scored two more goals Friday night to give him 68 on the season, as he looks to become the first 70-goal scorer in the OHL since John Tavares in 2006-07. Marek Vanacker scored his 19^th goal in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 4-2 win over the Flint Firebirds.

• Sacha Boisvert extended his goal-scoring streak to five games on Friday. He also recorded an assist in the University of North Dakota’s 3-1 victory against Omaha. His tremendous freshman season now includes 15 goals and 27 points in 33 games.

IceHogs Chirps

• The IceHogs wrapped up their season series with the Iowa Wild by knocking them off 4-0 on Friday night. Veteran Gerry Mayhew was the offensive hero with three assists. Zach Sanford had a goal and an assist for his sixth multi-point performance in the last 10 games. Nolan Allan scored his first AHL of the season. Prospects Samuel Savoie, Kevin Korchinski, and Gavin Hayes all recorded assists. Goaltender Drew Commesso made 23 saves for his 10^th win and third shutout of the season.

NHL Chirps

• Friday was a crazy day across the NHL, with some surprise deals before the trade deadline passed. We’ll focus on some of our friends across the National Hockey Now Network. Let’s start with Detroit Hockey Now’s view on Petr Mrazek’s return and how Craig Smith should boost their scoring depth.
• Late Thursday night, the Colorado Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders for forward Calum Ritchie, defenseman Oliver Kylington, a conditional 2026 1st-round pick, and a conditional 2028 third-round pick. Russ Macias gave the Isles’ viewpoint on New York Islanders Hockey Now, while Aairf Deen shared the Avs’ excitement on Colorado Hockey Now.
• Staying in Denver, Deen breaks down the big trade with the Boston Bruins, where the Avalanche acquired Charlie Coyle for Casey Mittelstadt in a swap of centers.
• In the most surprising move of the day, the Florida Panthers acquired Brad Marchand from the Bruins for a conditional second-round pick. George Richards had the stunned reaction for Florida Hockey Now. Meanwhile, Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now gave his thoughts about the Bruins trading two key players, Marchand and Brando Carlo, to division rivals.  
• If you’re looking for a comprehensive analysis of all 33 deadline deals made, head over to The Athletic.