Morning Chirps: Blackhawks at the Olympics, Kreider Heading West

A pair of young Chicago Blackhawks have improved their chances of playing in the Olympics next winter. In the NHL, a big trade was completed between the two coasts, more awards were handed out, and we were treated to another incredible game in the Stanley Cup Final!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Michael Russo of The Athletic did some early projecting for Team USA’s Olympic roster with some input from general manager Bill Guerin. He mentioned Frank Nazar and Alex Vlasic as possibilities after their performances at the IIHF World Championships.
• Chicago Sun-Times media reporter Jeff Agrest has more on Chicago Sports Network after its first weekend on Comcast. Since backing down and taking the deal from the cable giant, the network saw a 60% increase in viewership. Imagine that.
• On this date in 1988, Tony Esposito was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was part of a fantastic class that included Brad Park, Guy Lafleur, Buddy O’Connor, builder Ed Snider, and official George Hayes.
• On June 13, 2015, the Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Patrick Sharp gave Chicago a 1-0 lead early in the first period before Valterri Filppula evened things up midway through the contest. Antoine Vermette scored the game-winning goal off a rebound early in the third period to give Chicago a 3-2 series lead. It was his fourth goal of the playoffs and third game-winner.
• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, June 13: J.P. Bordeleau, Doug Crossman, and Radim Vrbata.

NHL Chirps

• Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar won the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” Vlasic received five votes, while Teuvo Teravainen got two.
• Apparently, that leaked photo of Connor Hellebuyck last week was the real deal. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender won the Vezina and Hart Trophies for being the NHL’s best netminder and most valuable player. He is the first goaltender to win both awards since Carey Price did it in 2015.
• Chris Kreider is officially a member of the Anaheim Ducks. They acquired the veteran forward and their own fourth-round pick (originally part of last season’s Jacob Trouba trade) from the New York Rangers for prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick (89^th overall). There is no salary retention involved in the trade. Krieder has two years left on his contract with a $6.5 million cap hit.
• According to Elliotte Friedman on SN590, the Rangers are a team preparing to send an offer sheet, and he mentioned J.J. Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres as a target.
• Chris Johnston reported that the bidding for Brad Marchand could go “north of $8 million,” and a four-year contract is likely. A general manager might get himself fired with a contract like that.
• Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Nowsays the latest report of Mario Lemieux looking to repurchase the Penguins doesn’t sit right with him.
• It looked like we would get another blowout in the Stanley Cup Final; instead, we got another overtime classic with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in the crowd. The Edmonton Oilers spotted the Florida Panthers a 3-0 lead thanks to playing more stupid hockey in the first period. Starting goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled after the frame, but the game could have easily been 7-0 without some big-time saves. The Oilers roared back to score the next four goals, with defenseman Jake Walman giving them a 4-3 lead with less than seven minutes to go. Sam Reinhart sent the game to overtime by scoring with 19.5 seconds left in regulation. Leon Draisaitl tied the series at 2-2 with his second overtime goal of the Final, and NHL-record fourth of the postseason. Calvin Pickard made 22 saves to improve to 7-0 in the postseason.