Welcome to another edition of Blackhawks Bytes, a series featuring quotes and commentary from players, coaches, management, journalists, and fans alike on just about everything Chicago Blackhawks. The purpose of this ongoing column is to capture a slice of the current outlook, attitudes, and culture surrounding the team. Please join me as we have some fun with the everyday, albeit wonderful, side of human nature; The power of words.
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It’s upset season for the Blackhawks, so quiet has been in the way of the news lately. But we’ve been receiving tidbits of information as the June 28-29 NHL Draft approaches. While the players enjoy some rest and relaxation, the Blackhawks brass are busy hatching a plan for the future. Today we’ll be talking about some of those plans, as well as a former player who is now an integral member of the front office. Plus, we’ll dig deeper into the personality of the young man who is soon to be the Blackhawks’ biggest new name.
The effect of the developmental camp being off the ice only
My colleague Connor has told us in his latest news and rumours that this summer’s Blackhawks development camp will be off-ice only. It’s disappointing that fans won’t be able to catch a glimpse of the projected first draft, Conor Bedard. But the organization You have already made this decision Even before the NHL draft lottery.
The Blackhawks’ assistant general manager and director of player development, Mark Eaton, made it clear that the team did not want prospects to essentially “squash” camp. He explained that players tend to stop their off-ice training to start skating in preparation for camp. Then they also take a week or so off after that. The Blackhawks feel this is a hindrance to their physical routine and development. They want to make a bigger impact in this field. Eaton further explained,
I’m going into my 10th year of doing this, and I just remember from day one, the whole first year, every time I do a report on a guy, ‘I really like what I saw but he just needs to get stronger, he has to be able to keep up the pace’ , his form for three spells for a full season. This is where the focus on the physical part of their development really came in.
While this may be disappointing for fans, it makes sense for prospects. This is another step in the right direction, showing that management is fully committed to player development. It is in keeping with the rebuilding approach, which is a full 180 from the previous system. New management is in line with their overall plan, which is good to see.
Cap Blackhawk management plan
Let’s move on to what we might expect from the draft and free agency. Scott Powers of The Athletic recently wrote an article about what he’s been hearing from his contacts and sources early this season. Among other things, he expressed that the Blackhawks aren’t really confident that the draft will go through that they can go from their current #19 pick in the first round. He also stressed that as much as fans would like that to happen, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will not be returning. (From “What I Hear About Blackhawks From Conor Bedard To Free Agency,” The AthleticCHI – 5/23/23).
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But the topic that really caught my attention was when Powers discussed the organization using its maximum influence to its advantage. to explain ,
The Blackhawks are willing to listen to any team that wants to cancel a contract this offseason. If the Blackhawks can bring in a high draft pick and/or quality prospect, they will explore the possibility. The Blackhawks know eventually they’ll have to worry about their cap space again, but that’s at least a few years.
However, general manager Kyle Davidson also wants to keep his cap flexible by only signing free agents to short-term deals. I don’t expect any player to have a contract that lasts more than a year or two. While both sides have expressed that fan favorite Max Dumy will be welcomed back next season after being dealt the trade deadline, this game plan may actually prevent it from happening. Powers said, “As much as they’d like (Max) Domi back, there’s a chance he’ll ask for longer than they’d like to give him.”
This will be something to watch as the off-season unfolds. What bad contracts will the Blackhawks take, and what assets might they get in return? It will also be interesting to see who they might get up to in free agency. Regardless, I don’t expect any major stains.
Campbell contributions
The person who has the most influence on the decisions the Blackhawks make currently is former player Brian Campbell. The defenseman made a huge impact back in the day with the Blackhawks. He fit into the team for three integrated seasons from 2008 through 2011, including winning the Stanley Cup with the rest of his teammates in the 2009-10 season. He eventually became a victim of the cap and was dealt to the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2011. But at the age of 37, Campbell moved back to Chicago (where his wife is from) for the 2016-2017 season.
In his time with the Blackhawks, Campbell was known as an offensive defensive man. He collected 24 goals and 110 assists for 134 points in his four seasons with the team. Not to mention four goals and 18 points in 47 playoff games.
But as the 2016-17 season drew to a close, Blackhawks management informed Campbell that they would be going in a different direction on the ice. veteran He started thinking about retirement. Chicago was where he wanted to settle down, and the organization was very open to him becoming a member of the front office. He agreed, and was hired with the broad title of “Special Consultant on Business and Hockey Relations.”
At first, Campbell tried a number of different things, including broadcasting and scouting, but then limited it to developing defensive prospects. One thing he found was that he and Davidson complement each other really well.
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When Davidson was promoted to interim general manager in October 2021, he asked Campbell to be his right-hand man. The rest is history. Campbell was heavily involved in decisions about the latest trading deadline, and Davidson described it as “everybody’s eye-catcher” to use “wherever we think, at a given time, is best served”. Campbell himself is pleased with the role.
I have a strong voice in [the front office]. My opinion is asked at all times, I give my opinion and Kyle can make decisions from there. Obviously, I want to keep growing, keep getting better, and then maybe more responsibilities [will] Come my way at some point. But I am comfortable with where I am and what my job is.
Things were complete for the man they called Soup. He played a huge role in that championship in 2010. Now he has a chance to be an integral part of the rebuilding that could eventually lead to another Stanley Cup.
Bedard’s personality is a good sign for Chicago
Speaking of championships, the Blackhawks are one step closer now that they have the #1 pick in the 2023 draft and the right to pick Connor Bedard. This 17-year-old broke into the world of hockey at a very young age with his skills and talent. The Blackhawks hope to live up to their reputation by accelerating the rebuilding of the Blackhawks into the next face of the franchise.
But what about Bedard’s character? Based on His history with Regina BatesHis little team, the Blackhawks, are in good hands in this department, too. Pats a WHL team in Saskatchewan. Despite being the oldest hockey team in Canada, Bédard is the best player the team has ever known. Everyone wanted to see him play and get his autograph, so much so that the organization had to adapt accordingly to all the obsession.
However, according to Dante Di Caría, the team’s director of communications, Bédard was always ready to sign autographs, even at 3 am when the team bus had just arrived at the hotel.
The popularity, the hype, all the things that go along with how awesome he is never really gets to his head. It is more about others. He enjoys seeing these kids leave happy with smiles on their faces.
Bédard also served as captain of the team, and it was not only because he was the best player and top scorer. He had a seriousness and professionalism beyond his years. Technical director John Paddock said,
With the example he sets, with the seriousness he has, and the routine he has, he is ready all the time to play his best. This thing wipes [on others]. In his case, it’s much more than any words can say. As the season went on and we got into the playoffs – largely because of him – he started talking to any situations that were more than I faced.
Accordingly, the Blackhawks will acquire a young man with strong values and a distinct personality, in addition to his hockey skills. Bedard really seems to be a leader who will set a good example both on and off the ice.
Sure, the WHL is a lot different from the NHL. There will be a learning curve, and Bédard is still very young. While he used to be under pressure and stardom, this will be a whole new level. But if his past is any indication of his future, good times are coming to Chicago!
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Thanks for reading the Blackhawks Bytes add-on. We’ll be here at The Hockey Writers with all the latest news, gossip, and analysis as the offseason unfolds. Remember, the draft comes out June 28-29, and the free agency period begins July 1st. Then we’ll have a better idea of what the Blackhawks will look like for the 2023-24 season. It will be here before we know it!