CHN Daily
Jack’s Daily: Blackhawks Final Roster Decisions; Perfetti Injured; Ellis Traded
The Chicago Blackhawks have arrived in Florida and will practice for the final time on Monday ahead of the season-opener against the Panthers. The group that boarded the plane on Sunday included defenseman Matt Grzelyck, while three prospects who each performed well during the preseason were left behind.
More in the links on the Blackhawks’ opening-night roster, and why Grzelcyk received a contract from GM Kyle Davidson.
Also in Blackhawks prospect news, Roman Kantserov’s red-hot run in the KHL continued, while Sacha Boisvert avoided an injury scare with Boston University.
Around the league, the Winnipeg Jets’ Game 7 hero is in jeopardy of missing the start of the season, the Philadelphia Flyers dealt a defenseman to free up cap space, and multiple goaltenders were placed on waivers.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Trade Rumors, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: Despite failing to have any standout showings in the preseason, Matt Grzelcyk was awarded a contract after entering training camp on a PTO. It’s a one-year, $1 million deal for the 31-year-old blue-liner. Here’s why the Blackhawks felt it was necessary to add Grzelcyk to the opening-night roster.
More CHN: The Blackhawks only brought 13 forwards with them for their two-game road trip to begin the 2025-26 campaign, as Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene were assigned to the AHL on Sunday. Eight defensemen will be part of the roster to start the season, but Nolan Allan surprisingly isn’t one of them. Here’s the Blackhawks’ projected NHL roster for Tuesday against the Panthers.
More CHN: ICYMI, four Blackhawks prospects are playing for top teams in the NCAA this season.
One of those prospects is 2024 first-round pick (No. 18 overall) Sacha Boisvert, who scored a goal in his first appearance with Boston University on Saturday. Boisvert was in action again on Sunday, but his night was cut short after leaving early due to an injury. Fortunately, Boisvert was held out of the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons.
Over in the KHL, 2023 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) Roman Kantserov continued his incredible run early in the season. Kantserov scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season in Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s 6-2 victory. Kantserov now has 12 points through the opening 12 games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: All 32 teams must submit their opening-night rosters by Monday afternoon, and several noteworthy players are still available on the waiver wire. Here are eight players who could get claimed before final rosters are due.
NHLdotcom: Winnipeg Jets’ forward Cole Perfetti suffered an ankle injury in the team’s preseason game against the Calgary Flames over the weekend. Jets’ head coach Scott Arniel stated on Sunday that Perfetti is considered week-to-week, putting his status in doubt for the start of the regular season.
Philly Hockey Now: Flyers GM Danny Briere managed to get defenseman Ryan Ellis off the books by trading him to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. Ellis, who last played with Philadelphia in the 2021-22 season, will likely be placed on long-term injured reserve by the Sharks. The move frees up $4.45 million in cap space for the Flyers this year.
San Jose Hockey Now: On the Sharks’ side of things, SJHN discussed how acquiring Ellis from the Flyers paved the way for Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson to remain with the NHL club for the 2025-26 season.
Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins made a series of roster cuts on Sunday, with one of them being goaltender Michael DiPietro going on waivers. Boston also reassigned Matthew Poitras to the AHL, as the young forward failed to crack the NHL roster for the first time as a professional.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The season begins for New Jersey on Thursday! James Nichols from NJHN projected the Devils’ roster and opening-night lineup for the 2025-26 season.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Speaking of roster projections, Dan Kingerski from PHN recently previewed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ forward lines, defensive pairings, and potential breakout candidates.
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