Hawk Thoughts: It's going to be a long 2025
The Winter Classic, Dach's debut, and some hurt feelings.
First weekly recap of 2025! Let’s see how long this thing lasts.
We only have 2 game recaps in this one. I’m trying to keep this Sunday-Saturday, so even though we all know the results of Sunday’s game, that won’t be featured until next week. But we have a rookie’s debut and the Winter Classic for you to read about.
Down in the stories section, there are some roster moves to look at and some high school drama that’s been brewing in the Hawks universe. We also have the World Juniors to look at and some Rockford updates for you to consume.
Bonus stuff. I don’t miss Chicago’s cold. But that’s about it. While I absolutely love Southern Cali’s Asian and Mexican food, I miss Chicago food. Highlights of my trip home include: Al’s Beef, Palermo’s on 95th (always have to hit this one up for their pizza), Devil Dawgs, and Portilo’s.
Time to trim the fat.
Last Week - New Year, Old Me
Game Recaps
The Blackhawks snapped their 5 game-losing streak with a win over the Canadiens. A huge part of that win was Arvid Soderblom. With Soderblom looking excellent this season and Petr Mrazek not looking the same since his injury, Arvid is making a strong case for being the starter for the rest of the season. Before Sunday’s game, Soderblom ranked 15 for goaltenders in save percentage with a .910 SV%. Soderblom also has saved 4 goals above expected.
Connor Bedard extended his point streak to 6 games against the Canadiens. That’s the longest of his career. Bedard also has 34 points in 39 games (not including the results of Sunday’s game against New York).
New kid on the block, Colton Dach, made his debut against the Canadiens. He didn’t log any points but he did get 5 hits, 5 shots on goal, and 5 shot attempts. Anders Sorensen seemed happy with his effort in his first NHL game.
You can read about my experience at the Winter Classic in the link above. I had a blast. It was the best hockey experience I’ve ever had and the best live sporting event in Chicago that I ever attended. That said, this was also the lowest-viewed Winter Classic since its inception, drawing only 920,000. The move to air on Dec. 31 vice Jan. 1 was to avoid competition with college football, despite Dec. 31 being notoriously bad for televised sporting events. The NHL also did no favors by icing the Blues (who aren’t good) and the Blackhawks (which we know about). It’s a shame because the Hawks Winter Classic sweaters were stunning and Wrigley Field was incredible. They should have saved this for when the team is actually good again.
Stories
World Juniors
I’m including Sunday’s results in this because it would be silly not to.
I didn’t get a chance to watch any of the World Junior Championship (WJC) this year. Holidays were busy. But the Blackhawks had two prospects in the tournament. Jiri Felcman (Czechia) and Oliver Moore (USA). Both players went head-to-head on Saturday in the semi-finals. Team USA beat Team Czechia 4-1 with Moore potting the empty netter.
Felcman played in all 7 games and finished with 2 assists. Czechia won bronze in a 3-2 shootout win over Sweden.
Oliver Moore finishes with appearances in all 7 games, 1 goal, and 4 assists. Team USA won gold over Finland 4-3 in OT.
This deserves it’s own line. USA has won gold 2 years in a row.
Roster Moves
Colton Dach was called up from Rockford on Jan. 2 and Joey Anderson was sent down. I’m all for the young kids playing. Anderson played in a bottom 6 role this season. In 18 games he had 1 assist and was initially placed on waivers Dec. 8.
Craig Smith was activated off of injured reserve on Dec. 31 after dealing with some back issues. In 26 games, Smith has 6 goals and 4 assists.
I debated throwing this in here because I don’t really consider it a story. Kyle Davidson apparently ripped into the Blackhawks in their locker room after the Winter Classic. You can hear Ryan Whitney talk about it at the end of this clip. Davidson also appeared on 32 Thoughts, which you can catch here. I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet because of the holidays and all that, so no thoughts about it from me.
Here’s another story I didn't feel compelled to share. This one is more high school drama than anything. Jeremy Roenick called Connor Bedard out on his podcast, Snipes and Stripes, as the only Blackhawk to not come out and fist bump himself, Chris Chelios, and Denis Savard. JR had a problem with Connor not showing his respect to the past of the team.
I love JR. But if you feel you that strongly about it, why don’t you talk to the kid in private? Wouldn’t that look better for you as a mentor? That would’ve been a much better look than publically shaming someone. It’s such a non-issue but here we are.
Reads
“What Blackhawks fans can look forward to in 2025,” Scott Powers
“Jeremy Roenick's whining about Connor Bedard should've been addressed privately,” Ben Pope
The Pig Pen - Rockford
Rockford is currently in 5th place in the Central Division with a 13-14-3-1 record. So, things aren’t going awesome. Oh well.
Excluding Sunday’s result, the IceHogs lost their two games of the week. Falling 4-5 to the Iowa Wild on Dec. 31 and 0-4 to the Chicago Wolves on Jan. 4.
vs Iowa Wild Dec. 31
Kevin Korchinski and Cole Guttman both assisted on a powerplay goal from Zach Sanford. Colton Dach got an assist to tie the game 2-2 after some solid forechecking. Dach would also score a goal to get the game 5-4 and extend his goal streak to three games.
vs. Chicago Wolves Jan. 4
None of our prospects scored in this one as they got shut out. Not a good showing for Drew Commesso who was looking decent after being sent back down to Rockford.
The IceHogs also made a trade on Sunday, Matteo Pietroniro, for a LHD. Some speculation can be made about that as the Blackhawks have a lot of LHD prospects. I’ll leave it at that.
Week Ahead
Let’s get you ready for the week ahead.
By now, you already know the results of the New York game.
The Colorado Avalanche are coming into town on Wednesday. The Avs are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and have turned things around since their bad start. With 49 points, they are 4th in the Central Division.
The Hawks travel to Detroit to take on the Red Wings who are feeling their new-coach bump with a 4 game win streak. This is a team the Blackhawks should be able to get a win out of.
Saturday takes us back to the UC where the Hawks play Edmonton. The Oilers have been pretty good as of late. They are 3rd in the Pacific, on a 3-game win streak, and are 7-2-1 in their last 10.
Of those games, the Hawks realistically have a chance of losing all of them. But hockey is hockey and hockey things will happen. I have a feeling the Hawks will win against one of the good teams. If the Hawks lose against the Avs and Detroit, I have a feeling, come Saturday, they will get a win over Edmonton.
None of that is based on science.
Let’s Go Hawks.