Morning Chirps: Blackhawks Preseason Schedule Out, Two Prospects Heading to WJC Summer Showcase

The Chicago Blackhawks’ preseason schedule has seen the light of day. We also know when the Rockford IceHogs will open their home schedule. The rumor mill is still churning in Las Vegas and Dallas. Let’s start chirping!

Blackhawks Chirps

• As first reported by Ben Pope, the Blackhawks sent their six-game preseason schedule to season ticket holders:
  9/23 @ Detroit
  9/27 @ St. Louis
  9/28 @ Minnesota
  9/30 vs Detroit
  10/3 vs Minnesota
  10/4 vs St. Louis
• The American Hockey League revealed the home openers for all 32 teams. The Rockford IceHogs home opener, and likely season opener, will be Saturday, Oct. 11, against the Milwaukee Admirals. This will be a rematch of the five-game Central Division Semifinals postseason series, which the Admirals won after being down 0-2. The IceHogs will be the guests for the Chicago Wolves’ home opener the following week on Oct. 18.
• The Blackhawks will have two prospects taking part in the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase. Anton Frondell, the third overall pick from the 2025 NHL Draft, is on Sweden’s roster, while 2024 third-round pick AJ Spellacy is part of Team USA. The camp, which will feature practices and games between players from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, will take place from July 25 to Aug. 2 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Canada and Finland will announce their rosters later.
• I had another good Blackhawks chat with The Prospect Don, as we discussed the draft and the offseason so far. Please give the interview a like and subscribe to his page while you’re listening.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 10: Alain Nasreddine and Reese Johnson.

NHL Chirps

• Riley Nash announced his retirement after missing the entire 2024-25 season due to a knee injury. He finishes his career with 63 goals and 176 points in 628 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and New York Rangers.
• The Bruins hired Ryan Bourque as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Providence Bruins. Ryan is the son of the Bruins’ legendary defenseman, Ray Bourque.
• According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Vegas Golden Knights are beginning to work out what a Jack Eichel contract extension might look like. Friedman says the expectation is that it will come with a larger price tag than the $12 million AAV given to Mitch Marner. Eichel will be another top unrestricted free agent who never hits the open market.
• Friedman also commented on the Jason Robertson trade rumors. He says it will come down to his salary demands. They don’t want to pay him more than Mikko Rantanen, and if they can’t find common ground, they will look to trade him. Jeff Marek echoed these sentiments on The Sheet, saying general manager Jim Nill has a number, and if Robertson goes over it, they will move on.
• NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 10: Glenn Resch, Ikka Sinisalo, Adam Foote, and B.J. Crombeen.