Morning Chirps: New Veteran Defenseman on Trade Block, Panthers Take 3-2 Lead

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Hopefully, you’re enjoying these Chirps in your favorite chair with a new coffee mug and tie added to your collection. Today, we have some fresh trade rumors and another blowout in the Stanley Cup Final.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Our Blackhawks Draft Profiles continue with Malcom Spence, a physical forward who would be a solid pick at No. 25.
• I had the chance to talk about the Blackhawks with The Prospect Don this week. While you’re listening, be sure to like and subscribe to his page!

• Defenseman Al MacNeil had a crazy day on June 15, 1966. He woke up in the morning as a member of the Blackhawks but ended the day having been part of half of the teams in the league. The Montreal Canadiens selected him during the NHL Intra-League Draft. Shortly after that, he was claimed by the New York Rangers, with whom he played the 1966-67 season.
• On this day in 1978, the Blackhawks selected Darryl Sutter in the 11^th round of the NHL Entry Draft. He played 406 games for the Blackhawks, scoring 161 goals and 279 points while also serving as captain for the 1986-87 season. After his playing career, he spent five seasons behind the Blackhawks’ bench; two as an assistant and three as head coach.
• In 2013, the Boston Bruins evened up the Stanley Cup Final with a 2-1 overtime win in Game 2. Patrick Sharp had the lone goal of the first period, with the Blackhawks firing 19 shots at Tuuka Rask. Chris Kelly’s first goal of the playoffs tied the game late in the second period, setting up Daniel Paille’s game-winning tally at 13:48 of overtime.
• Two years later, the Blackhawks won their third championship in six seasons by beating the Lightning 2-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Duncan Keith scored the series-winning goal late in the second period before Patrick Kane scored an insurance goal with just over five minutes to play. Corey Crawford stopped all 25 shots he faced to become just the fifth netminder since 1976 to earn a shutout in a Cup-clinching victory. This was the first championship won on home ice in Chicago since 1938.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, June 15: Danny O’Shea, Dean McAmmond, and Jakub Galvas.

NHL Chirps

• The Bruins signed defenseman Victor Soderstrom to a one-year, two-way contract after acquiring him from the Blackhawks on Friday. Soderstrom will get a great chance to earn an NHL roster spot out of training camp, something the Blackhawks couldn’t guarantee with all their young blueliners.
• Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that the Rangers will look to trade veteran defenseman Carson Soucy this offseason. If the Blackhawks want to add a veteran blueliner, acquiring Soucy might work. He’s a big, physical defenseman in the final year of his contract. His $3.25 million cap hit would be easy to move at the deadline. However, Soucy has a 12-team no-trade clause, so who knows if the Blackhawks are one of those teams.
• Jeff Marek mentioned that the Utah Mammoth and Detroit Red Wings are in the market for a goaltender. If Laurent Brossoit is healthy, the Blackhawks will have three NHL goaltenders.
• Frank Seravalli reported Daily Faceoff Live that the relationship between the Tampa Bay Lightning and prospect Isaac Howard is “over.” He said that Howard will be traded, and he is drawing plenty of interest. Yes, the Blackhawks should be one of those teams.
• The Florida Panthers are one win away from their second straight Stanley Cup after a 5-2 Game 5 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Brad Marchand continues to prove that age is just a number. He scored the game’s opening goal in the first period and the game-winner in the third. Marchand became the first player to score six goals in the Stanley Cup Final since Esa Tikkanen did it for the Oilers in 1988. He also has at least one point in all seven games following a Panthers loss this postseason.