CHN Daily
Jack’s Daily: Blackhawks PK Struggles; College Hockey Returns; Evangelista Signs
The Chicago Blackhawks dropped the front end of their weekend back-to-back to close out the 2025-26 preseason, falling 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on Friday night. Frank Nazar and captain Nick Foligno found the back of the net early, but the Blackhawks’ PK surrendered three unanswered power-play goals in the second period.
Also in Blackhawks news, one of the team’s assistant coaches was named to Sweden’s coaching staff for the 2026 Olympics, while several prospects lit up the stat sheet on Friday.
Around the league, Luke Evangelista finally reached an agreement with the Nashville Predators, and the New Jersey Devils made a trade to clear up some cap space.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Trade Rumors, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: Head coach Jeff Blashill is implementing a new penalty-kill system in his first year with the Blackhawks, and it’s safe to say the players are still digesting how to operate together in the defensive zone. The Hawks gave up PPGs to Vladimir Tarasenko, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Ryan Hartman in the second period during Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Wild.
Before the puck dropped at the United Center, assistant coach Anders Sorensen was announced as an assistant coach for Team Sweden at the 2026 Olympics in Italy!
More CHN: The 2025-26 men’s college hockey season kicked off on Friday! ICYMI, here are four Blackhawks’ prospects playing for preseason top-20-ranked programs in the NCAA.
Blackhawks 2024 first-round pick (No. 27 overall) Marek Vanacker scored his second goal of the season and added two assists in Brantford’s 6-3 win on Friday over Peterborough. Vanacker was named the No. 1 star of the game.
Another member of the Blackhawks’ 2024 NHL Draft Class, third-round selection Jack Pridham netted two assists in the Kitchener Rangers’ 4-3 win against Owen Sound. Pridham now has four points (1G, 3A) through his first three games of the OHL season.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Finally, the NHL’s last unsigned RFA worked out a new contract with Nashville. The Predators signed 23-year-old forward Luke Evangelista to a two-year, $6 million contract on Friday to put an end to his holdout.
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers announced that head coach Kris Knoblauch signed a three-year contract extension on Friday. The deal runs through the 2028-29 campaign.
More TSN: According to Pierre LeBrun, the Tampa Bay Lightning also signed head coach Jon Cooper to a contract extension over the summer. However, there was no announcement made by the team, and the terms of the agreement remain unknown. Interesting.
New Jersey Hockey Now: MAC FOR MAC! The New Jersey Devils acquired Zack MacEwen from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Kurtis MacDermid on Friday. James Nichols from NJHN broke down why the Devils made the move.
Montreal Hockey Now: With Luke Hughes and Jackson LaCombe signing long-term deals this week, the attention has shifted to Lane Hutson and Montreal. The Habs have reportedly already begun extension discussions with the reigning Calder Trophy winner.
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