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Remember how there was concern about Lukas Reichel’s confidence? It’s safe to say there’s nothing to worry about after the play he pulled in the Blackhawks 3-2 win Saturday afternoon over Dallas.
Reichel burst through the neutral zone and into the Dallas zone, drawing two defenders while making a move, and then being knocked off balance. On a knee, Reichel glided his way through the slot, left a perfect drop pass for Andreas Athanasiou, and the veteran forward netted his first goal of the season.
So yeah, the Lukas Reichel everyone expected to see this season, helping the Blackhawks play spoiler against the Stars.
REICHEL WHAT A SET UP
pic.twitter.com/qSwTxIADVm
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 6, 2024
The Hawks certainly made things more interesting than they needed to in the final minutes of the third period after roaring out to a 3-0 lead.
It was Connor Bedard who opened the scoring with Dallas giving far too much time and space in the right circle on the power play. Bedard blew the shot past Scott Wedgewood and it banked off the post and in to give Chicago a 1-0 lead and Bedard his 22nd of the season. Next it was Athanasiou and then capped off by a Seth Jones bomb that made it a 3-0 lead on the presumed Central Division champions.
Dallas answered back when Roope Hintz redirected one in the low slot that beat Petr Mrazek for his 29th of the season. It would be Jamie Benn getting the second goal, but the Hawks would hang on.
Mrazek Masterful Again for Blackhawks As Usual
At the end of the second period, Mrazek had made 36 saves–an insane amount of work in just 40 minutes of play. The Blackhawks stifled the Stars in the third, but this came after they were outshot 23-5 in the second period. Mrazek’s workload saw its apex in the middle frame.
Because the Hawks were able to get three past Wedgewood, giving Mrazek a margin of error he hasn’t worked with often this season. So the third period, and the result was a nice change of pace early on but Dallas started rushing the net in the final five of the period.
Regardless, Chicago held strong and once again, Mrazek was his masterful self.
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3 Edmonton Oilers Players Who Could Sign 8-Year Contracts Next
Now that Trent Frederic is locked up for eight years, NHL Trade Talk revealed that Vasily Podkolzin, Jake Walman, and David Tomasek could be next to sign long-term. The Edmonton Oilers raised some eyebrows when they signed Trent Frederic to an eight-year, $3.85 million AAV deal. Trent Frederic didn't quite live up to his billing in the playoffs and didn't fully deliver after arriving from Boston, but Edmonton is betting on him reaching his potential. The long term keeps his cap number down, a savvy move in a climbing cap climate. Frederic will be replacing a lot of what Evander Kane provided to the lineup. He showed 20-goal potential with the Bruins, and if he is able to get that back, the deal will hold up well. The plan, getting role players signed early for cap security, might not stay exclusive to Frederic. The Oilers could likely be using similar contracts on Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, and David Tomasek, as per NHL Trade Talk. 'This strategy-locking in depth pieces early for team-friendly numbers-may not end with Frederic. Edmonton could look to apply the same thinking to three other key players: Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, and David Tomásek.' - NHL Trade Talk Jake Walman, acquired at the deadline a year ago, was solid with his speed and ability to play significant minutes. He's in the last year of a $3.4 million deal. At 29, this could be his final six-figure salary. Bob Stauffer Predicts a $6 Million AAV for Jake Walman Insider Bob Stauffer suggested that the Oilers have the ability to lock him up long-term, maybe for around $6 million AAV. Vasily Podkolzin, 24, was Edmonton's hardest worker last season. Despite minimal scoring, he outworked veterans Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson and earned himself a top-six position. A long-term deal in the $2.5-$3 million range might be a bargain if he keeps growing. David Tomasek is the biggest wild card. The 29-year-old Czech center was the league's leading scorer before signing a one-year deal with Edmonton. If he finds his form, the Oilers might seek to sign him to a term, although buying time on a cap hit into his late 30s carries risk with it. Frederic's deal is only possibly the beginning of Edmonton's quest for long-term cap certainty.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Matt LaFleur sheds light on concerning Tucker Kraft situation
The Green Bay Packers continued work on the field on Saturday, with tens of thousands of fans in attendance watching amid the annual Family Night. However, one notable player who was not able to make it to the field and practice was tight end Tucker Kraft. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits star is nursing a lower-body injury, forcing the Packers to take it easy on the tight end and keep him on the shelf rather than risk aggravation of the issue. Speaking to the media, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur opened up about Kraft’s status, via Green Bay reporter Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “MLF said Tucker Kraft has been dealing with a groin injury and powering through it for the last two days but they decided to give him a couple days off.” Kraft is expected to be among the major targets in the Packers’ passing attack in his third year in the pros. Selected in the third round (78th overall) by the Packers in the 2023 NFL draft, the 24-year-old Kraft is looking to surpass his production in 2024, when he posted 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 50 receptions.
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