Hawks Weekly Update 7/8
You have entered the dog days of hockey.
A little late, but that’s what you get when it hits 128 degrees here.
With the draft and the start of free agency behind us, this marks the last Hawks Weekly Update until things start picking up again. I’ll still post stuff (I owe you guys an Alex Vlasic season breakdown and a Roenick Hawks History), but I won’t be posting every week until maybe training camp. I’ll also be thinking about the future formatting of things and where I want to take this beast.
Speaking of this beast, thanks to every single reader over the past season. I started a Blackhawks blog back in August of last year after I left the military. I had some time on my hands in between careers and started writing about my favorite team. Turns out, I actually enjoy this and I restarted everything under Eat the Hatchet in December. I do this because I’m a weirdo who likes to write (love is a strong word) and this has helped me learn so much about my favorite sport and the best team on the planet. The blog has moved from a small circle of family and friends to a small circle of people I have never met.
I genuinely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this (for some reason), interact with me, or show support in any way.
Thank you.
Last week was a big week for the Hawks. We had the aftermath of free agency, which I rambled about here. And we also had a couple of other news items worth discussing.
So let’s crack into it before my laptop melts under the desert sun.
Levshunov to the Snow Pigs
This past week was development camp for all the prospects, which was off-ice again. One of the big questions (well, the only question at all) was where Artyom Levshunov was going to sign. Does he stay in the NCAA for another year and follow the development paths of other current star defensemen (Makar and others spent 2 years playing college hockey)? Or does he go pro and learn how to play pro-hockey under Anders Sorensen’s tutelage (really wanted to use that word)? Kyle Davidson left the decision to Levshunov.
Levshunov decided to forego another season at Michigan State and sign his Entry Level Contract. So, what does this mean?
Davidson saw that Levshunov was ready to join pro, otherwise, he would’ve let Arty stay in school. Personally, I would’ve preferred for Levshunov to stay another year at school only because recent star defensemen have proven that 2 years in the NCAA has been beneficial. Also, Levshunov joined Michigan State at the end of the summer last year, which means he didn’t get any off-season training that his peers received. And he was still the top defenseman at Michigan State.
Now that being said, remember that I don’t get paid to make those decisions. I’m just a dude. So if Kyle and his team see that he’s ready to go pro, then guess what. He’s ready. Not NHL ready. Slow your horses. But it makes sense for him to go to Rockford under head coach Sorensen. Alex Vlasic is their crown jewel in development. Wyatt Kaiser improved every time he headed over to Rockford. Ethan Del Mastro looks promising. All of that and Levshunov gets to use his ginormous frame against AHLers and not college kids.
So I’m not upset over it.
Are you? Might I remind you of Stan Bowman’s prospect development?
Still mad? Ok. Watch a Levshunov interview and I promise that his attitude will rub off on you and make you smile in the sunshine.
By the way, reporters, the kid’s English is good, but he’s still learning. Slow the hell down with your questions.
The Pig Trough
It’s looking like the Hawks are going to let a lot of prospects over-ripen in the AHL. Ben Pope writes about it here.
The only thing I’m on the fence about is if Korchinski plays in Rockford… but… I don’t think that’s a bad thing either. The only thing I have against Korch going to Rockford is that he already has a whole NHL season under his belt. That said, if Korch does start in Rockford, you’d only get some uncomfortable groans from me and that’s about it.
Let the kids develop. Let them play if they’re here.
Either way, the IceHogs are going to be interesting to follow next season. Gavin Hayes, Paul Ludwinski, and Samuel Savoie will all be joining Rockford too.
The Greener Side
Ryan Greene was offered an ELC but declined to attend his junior year at Boston University. With Celebrini joining the Sharks, Greene will most likely slot in the No. 1 center spot.
Plan A Date
The Blackhawks released their season schedule, which is below. The Hawks open on the road and play the Utah Yeti Hockey Club to kick off the 2024-2025 season on Oct. 8. The home opener is Oct. 17 against San Jose and Macklin Celebrini. A lot of Saturday games are away. A couple of Anaheim games on the weekend (wife, take note). Might go see the Hawks play the Kings because I’ve never been to BitCoin Arena or whatever it’s called. I also really hate L.A. Seriously. Imagine Lower Wacker Drive but there’s a smog-filled sky and it’s hot. That’s L.A.
And that’s it for now.
You’ll hear from me soon. Enjoy the summer.
Let’s Go Hawks.