CHN Daily
Jack’s Daily: Blackhawks Game Day; McDavid Knows Less is More; Bold Predictions
Game day has finally arrived! The Chicago Blackhawks face off with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday in the first game of the NHL’s triple-header to begin the 2025-26 season. After weeks of grueling practices in training camp and six exhibition contests, the games now start to count on the record.
The Blackhawks had an eventful last few days leading up to the season opener, with several roster moves made ahead of the team’s final practice in Florida. More in the links for the group of players expected to fill out the opening-night roster at Amerant Bank Arena against the Panthers.
Around the league, Connor McDavid signed a short-term deal to remain with Edmonton, Stan Bowman also dished out a long-term contract to a defenseman, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were fined for their actions in the preseason finale over the weekend.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Trade Rumors, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: How many points will Connor Bedard rack up in his third NHL season? What’s in store for Jeff Blashill’s first year with Chicago? Here is a 2025-26 season projection and several predictions for the Blackhawks.
More CHN: The Blackhawks made a series of roster moves on Monday before practicing in Florida. One forward was recalled from Rockford, while two others were placed on injured reserve/injured non-roster list.
More CHN: ICYMI, Matt Grzelyck somewhat surprisingly signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks after entering training camp on a PTO. He’s expected to make his team debut on Tuesday in Florida.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Connor McDavid made it clear that winning a Stanley Cup with the Oilers is his top priority. McDavid, the most dominant player in the league, took a hometown discount on his latest contract, signing for two years with a $12.5 million cap hit. The Oilers and McDavid now have three more seasons to accomplish the ultimate goal in the sport.
TSN: Can the Panthers defy all odds with their injury woes and win the Stanley Cup for the third consecutive year? Will a Canadian club finally put an end to the country’s championship drought? TSN made a few Stanley Cup predictions on Tuesday.
NHLdotcom: Will Stan Bowman ever learn? After finalizing a bargain deal with McDavid, Bowman also gave 29-year-old defenseman Jake Walman a seven-year contract extension that will keep him with the Oilers through the 2032-33 campaign. Walman will be 36 when his new contract expires. Bowman sure loves locking up defensemen in their late 20s…
Florida Hockey Now: The Tampa Bay Lightning and head coach Jon Cooper were fined for their roles in Saturday’s ridiculous preseason contest against the Panthers that totaled 186 penalty minutes. Four Lightning skaters were either fined or suspended.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Are the Pittsburgh Penguins a playoff team, or a lottery team? Dan Kingerski from PHN discussed how everything is on the table for the Penguins in the 2025-26 campaign.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks sent down four players to the AHL on Monday, likely forecasting that Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson will remain on the NHL roster for the start of the regular season.
Boston Hockey Now: BIG Z! The Boston Bruins announced on Monday that franchise icon Zdeno Chara will be the 13th player in team history to have his jersey retired. The ceremony will take place on January 15th, 2026, against the Seattle Kraken.
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