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Hockey is a grind of a season. Although the Chicago Blackhawks' season would largely be considered a failure on the national level, those who cover the team and watch the product on the ice daily would possibly argue a different chord. As the NHL season winds down, the Blackhawks have a lot of positivity for fans to grasp onto as the summer rears its end.
This piece is very free form. In fact, we'll touch on a number of topics with the current state of the team. A number of these are inspired after attending the Blackhawks' win on Sunday afternoon over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This team is young, but they're a lot of fun. Let's get into some of my thoughts...
Understanding the Sam Rinzel Hype
Watching Sam Rinzel glide around the ice has enhanced my understanding of his hype. When finding yourself watching certain players behind the play, you gain a full appreciation for their traits that highlights and broadcast view video don't always provide.
Perhaps the greatest takeaway I have of Rinzel's game is his ability to anticipate a play. On a number of occasions, you can see Rinzel jump into a play to break up a would-be pass, or jump up and take a chance to provide some offense.
He's only played in four NHL games so far, but Rinzel looks comfortable playing on the top pair against the big boys for respective opponents. I believed that Rinzel would benefit from starting the 2025-26 season in Rockford. Admittedly, I'm beginning to change my tune.
Oliver Moore is Fast... He Makes Fast People Look... Not Fast
If you appreciate the nod to one of my favorite movies, good for you. If you don't, don't beat yourself up. Rather, let's focus on Oliver Moore.
Moore is a speedster. Blackhawks fans already know that. However, Oliver Moore is crazy fast, to the point where Frank Nazar and Ilya Mikheyev look to be on a more level playing field next to him.
I'm not sure if Oliver Moore is ever going to be a full-blown superstar. In fact, he may never be anything more than a middle-six forward, but that doesn't mean he isn't important to any potential future success the Blackhawks organization has. Speed kills. Look around the league. Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and others are all fast and incredible. Moore's speed is a game breaker and can really make a huge difference on the roster. Just think, Viktor Stalberg was important to a Stanley Cup winner.
Spencer Knight Will Be Special
This comes as little surprise, but Spencer Knight is going to be a star in Chicago. He's still insanely young and can get better, but is already leaps and bounds above where other goaltenders are at his age. On Sunday, Knight had stretches in the game where he ensured the Blackhawks remained in it despite a lack of goal scoring.
Knight is really good. Blackhawks fans know that. I still cannot believe Kyle Davidson pulled off that deal with Seth Jones. Wow.
Future Blue Line Dynamics
I caught myself pondering over potential dynamics of the Blackhawks' blue line in the near future. As it stands, I have to remind myself that prospects are prospects until they pan out. That said, if all the Blackhawks' top defensive prospects pan out in some capacity, then they have a really good problem on their hands.
As it stands, I humbly believe the "big-minute eaters" in the future will be Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Alex Vlasic. I believe that Ethan Del Mastro can be a shut-down, fourth defenseman-type. From there, I wonder where the likes of Wyatt Kaiser, Kevin Korchinski, and others (non-prospects like Connor Murphy and potential future additions) fit in. I think Korchinski and Kaiser can be valuable, but is it on the same roster? There are still a lot of question marks.
I might try to tackle this further down the road, but the brain is already spinning when considering the future of the Blackhawks blue line.
More must-reads:
- Carter Hart, others found not guilty in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
- No end in sight in Jonathan Kuminga-Warriors 'staring contest'
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Bruins Given Unfortunate NHL Offseason Ranking
The Boston Bruins continue to go through the motions of the offseason, trying to build a better team for next season. Boston has made a few moves, but nothing has stood out in a big way so far. The front office has made some questionable decisions, and it has left this team in a weird spot. Boston has some talent on the team, but they may not be contenders in the Eastern Conference at this time. NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report put together grades for every NHL team's offseason, and the Bruins were given a poor rating. Gretz gave the Bruins a letter grade of "C" for the summer. "Boston's offseason got off to a fantastic start when it acquired Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers, giving it a solid middle-six forward at a relatively low cost. "Everything after that was a big whiff, with none being bigger than the five-year contract for Tanner Jeannot. The Bruins still have a glaring hole at the No. 1 center spot and have accumulated some questionable contracts all over the roster," Gretz wrote. Adding Arvidsson helps the Bruins' cause for next season, but this team still needs more to contend. Boston has been stuck in mediocrity for a few years now, and this team remains far from contention. The Bruins may be trying to save cap space for next offseason when multiple stars hit the market, but the fans still want to compete this year. However, if the team is planning to be aggressive next summer, most fans may be alright staying patient. It remains to be seen how the Bruins are playing this, but this team remains very strangely put together as the offseason continues.
Dustin Rhodes Assigns Blame After Hulk Hogan’s Death
Following the shocking news of Hulk Hogan’s passing, wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, known to millions as Goldust in WWE, took to social media to share a deeply personal and provocative reaction: “Hospitals truly kill people. I really do mean that.” Rhodes’ blunt statement stunned many fans, but those who know his story saw the pain behind the words. His father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, passed away in 2015, aged 69, after a fall at home led to hospitalization for kidney failure. After his father's passing, Dustin shared a contemplative response on WWE's YouTube channel to discuss the legacy his father left behind. The news of Hogan's death comes just a month after reports suggested he was on his "deathbed" after undergoing a neck procedure back in May. Hogan's reps denied that was the case. In June, US Weekly reported that Hogan had also undergone a "pretty serious heart surgery and was doing well afterward." Dustin’s connection to his brother Cody Rhodes, now a top WWE superstar and face of the company’s next generation, is unbreakable. The Rhodes family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of pro wrestling history, and seeing another legend like Hogan pass has clearly hit close to home. While Goldust and Hulk Hogan never had a headline-grabbing rivalry, they did share the ring once. It occurred in WCW in 2000 when Dustin Rhodes matched up against Hogan. Although their paths didn’t often cross in the squared circle, Hogan and the Rhodes family were part of the same larger-than-life era that helped define pro wrestling for decades and catapult the sport into society's zeitgeist. Rhodes’ comment about hospitals might not sit well with everyone, but it speaks to a raw and honest pain felt by someone who has seen too many legends, both personal and professional, fade away in similar fashion. The sport of wrestling has endured more than its fair share of lives cut short. As tributes continue to pour in for Hogan, Rhodes’ reaction serves as a powerful, if somber, reminder of the real human emotions behind the wrestling personas.
Aaron Rodgers had the worst possible start to Steelers camp
Aaron Rodgers made his practice debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, and it was not necessarily a moment he will want to remember. Rodgers’ very first pass was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen. The quarterback was trying to find top target DK Metcalf on a curl route, but was not quite accurate enough. Rodgers will not lose any sleep over this. It is not the first interception he has thrown in a practice session and it will not be the last. It did make for some amusing viewing for critics, though, and even some Steelers fans got a chuckle out of it. The Steelers are hoping Rodgers can lift them to at least a playoff win in 2025. If he succeeds, he is in line for a pretty big payday, and might even be able to go out on a high note if this is in fact his final NFL season. The other bright side to Rodgers’ inauspicious start to his Pittsburgh career? It will probably make Giants rookie Jaxson Dart feel a little bit better about his own first pass.
The harsh truth Terry McLaurin needs to hear about his Commanders holdout
The Washington Commanders should pay Terry McLaurin. That much goes without saying. He's a second-team All-Pro. He caught 13 touchdowns last year and has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his past five seasons. McLaurin is a top 10 receiver in the NFL, perhaps even bordering on top five. More important than any of those things? He's one of Washington's most trusted leaders on and off the field. McLaurin is also, as it currently stands, not acting like it. The two-time Pro Bowler is creating a distraction that is officially more trouble than it's worth for the Commanders, and it's time for him to suck it up and end this standoff. Like it or not, the Commanders aren't responsible for Terry McLaurin's availability Let's make this clear: McLaurin isn't holding out of camp because he has to. He is choosing to leverage his position for a new deal. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last, that an NFL player resorts to such a negotiating tactic. It's also a move that rightfully doesn't sit well with many fans, especially for a member of a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. McLaurin's teammates and coaching staff are all counting on him being a major part of this Commanders squad. Washington traded for Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason in large part specifically to make his life easier. For the first time in his career, the former third-round pick has a true No. 2 option on the opposite side of the field who can draw defenses away. Missing OTAs and mandatory minicamp is one thing for a player in McLaurin's position, but training camp is the unofficial start of the new school year. It's time to get to work. There's still a full eight months between now and when McLaurin is set to hit free agency. An extension can be worked out at any point before next March. If he builds upon last year's success, he could even raise his value. Regardless, the bottom line is that McLaurin is under contract to play football for the Commanders during the 2025 season. And plenty of other Washington stars over the years have had no problem suiting up on expiring deals. Kirk Cousins infamously played through two franchise tags after negotiations were botched on a long-term extension. He never once threatened to sit out. There is a certain duty any player owes not to let his demands come at the cost of the team, and it's disappointing to see this approach taken by someone who all of Washington thought was well aware of that. McLaurin deserves his money. He deserves at least $30 million per year. But the Commanders deserve for him to start showing up to work, with or without a new contract. More Commanders news and analysis
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