The Chicago Blackhawks head into the month of February already down a sport (5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Feb. 1), and they’re going to have comparatively sluggish month because of the 4 Nations Face-Off beginning on Feb. 12. They’ll play three extra video games earlier than the break after which 4 contests afterwards, earlier than getting again into the grind with a busy March schedule.

With much less video games to play, ideally the Blackhawks will wish to benefit from their outings this month. As we look ahead to the motion to start out up once more on Wednesday (Feb. 5 versus the Edmonton Oilers), let’s get to a number of the newest information and rumors surrounding the staff.

Levshunov Recalled to Blackhawks

Some large information on the Blackhawks’ entrance got here on Monday (Feb. 3) when the staff recalled defenseman Artyom Levshunov, the second general decide of the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old has been enjoying with the Rockford IceHogs up to now this season, however the staff will probably be off all week because of the AHL All-Star break. The group thought this may be an excellent alternative for his or her prime prospect to spend a while up with the massive membership.

Artyom Levshunov was known as up from the Rockford IceHogs to observe with the Chicago Blackhawks this week. (Jonathan Kozub / Manitoba Moose)

Levshunov wasn’t capable of take part in Blackhawks’ coaching camp in October on account of a fractured proper foot, so this serves as a make-up session of kinds. It clearly beats Levshunov simply sitting round all week. In response to basic supervisor Kyle Davidson,

With the AHL presently of their All-Star break, we felt this may be an excellent alternative for Arty’s growth to return and get some NHL-level observe expertise, one thing he was not capable of do throughout coaching camp this season on account of damage. Whereas we don’t anticipate him to see any sport motion throughout his recall, we’re assured the expertise will probably be a optimistic one for Arty as he continues on his growth path.

As famous above, Levshunov shouldn’t be anticipated to play in any video games throughout his recall. The concept is just to have him be concerned with the staff, working towards and studying. Within the younger blueliner’s first observe on Monday (Feb. 3) he lined up on a fourth defensive pairing alongside Nolan Allan. Head coach Anders Sorensen thought he dealt with himself nicely.

It actually does make sense for Levshunov to soak up a number of the ambiance on the NHL degree this week. He’ll additionally have the ability to get some enter and pointers from the teaching employees. He can then take that again to the IceHogs to additional hone his expertise.

The IceHogs play once more on Friday night time (Feb. 7), so I might anticipate the Belarus native to return to Rockford for that contest. With the IceHogs this season, Levshunov has contributed three targets (second to solely Cavan Fitzgerald amongst defensemen) and 13 factors in 38 video games, enjoying on the highest defensive pairing. His 112 pictures on objective leads all AHL rookies, and ranks second on the IceHogs (ahead Cole Guttman is first with 113 pictures on objective).

Commerce Rumors on Donato, Murphy, Jones

Because the Mar. 7 commerce deadline approaches, all eyes are on who is likely to be traded from the Blackhawks. The group is trying to go youthful because the rebuilding course of continues. They’re additionally available in the market to probably add a longtime participant or two to enrich mentioned rebuild (and particularly Connor Bedard). They already pulled the plug on Taylor Corridor, buying and selling him to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round decide. Frank Seravalli of the Each day faceoff lately launched a Commerce Targets board that features Blackhawks’ Seth Jones, Connor Murphy and Ryan Donato.

Associated – Taylor Corridor Commerce One other Instance of Mismanagement From Blackhawks

Donato is a depth participant that’s scrappy and simply performs the sport the suitable approach. Any contending staff would like to have somebody like that round for a playoff push. He’s additionally younger sufficient (28) to work shifting ahead with the Blackhawks as nicely. The latter is what I might personally prefer to see, however I wouldn’t blame Davidson for letting Donato go if the return was proper.

Ryan Donato Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Donato is the type of hard-working depth participant that would slot in just about any NHL lineup. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Murphy is a strong and dependable defenseman, however his current ongoing damage points would possibly make a deal tough.

Jones, however, was a longshot previously due to his mega $9.5 million contract that lasts for one more 5 seasons past this one. However the current large wage cap will increase have made it so groups wouldn’t be so strapped taking over Jones’s contract. In different phrases, it’s a particular chance that Jones might go elsewhere.

I personally don’t assume the Blackhawks’ blue line isn’t able to half with Jones simply but. He’s a longtime defenseman that eats up tons of minutes in all conditions. He’s truly a VERY GOOD all-around defenseman. Not value $9.5 million, however due to that followers are inclined to undervalue the contributions he makes on the ice.

With out Jones, plenty of strain can be placed on a really younger defensive corps, lengthy earlier than they’re able to tackle that duty. “However Jones is a bum!” the fan base says. The argument right here is he doesn’t care sufficient to place within the effort and be the mentor this rebuilding staff wants.

Seth Jones Chicago Blackhawks
Would the Chicago Blackhawks be higher served with or with out their present prime defenseman, Seth Jones? (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Properly, solely Jones himself is aware of the reply to that. Does he wish to keep and attempt to end what’s been began? Or does he wish to transfer on to greener pastures, to a membership that will probably be contending a lot prior to Chicago?

The 30-year-old has a full no-movement clause, so the choice is absolutely in his fingers. If he desires to remain, the group will wish to get a dedication that he’ll play the way in which he has for the final six video games (two targets and 7 assists whereas averaging over 24 minutes of ice time). If not, they need to eat a few of his wage in the event that they should as a way to facilitate a commerce.

Let’s transfer on to some lineup updates. Ahead prospect Landon Slaggert has undoubtedly impressed in his first three video games with the massive membership. He’s already scored two targets, together with the quickest objective in franchise historical past towards the Panthers final Saturday (Feb. 1).

The 2020 third spherical draft decide (79th general) initially slotted in on the third line with Donato and Nick Foligno. However Slaggert and Donato performed many of the Panthers’ sport up with Bedard on the highest line. That is the place they have been slotted once more in observe on Monday. Coach Sorensen gave his ideas on his promotion of Slaggert.

Frank Nazar is one other prospect that triggered plenty of buzz when he was known as up in mid-December. However even he took 12 video games earlier than he scored his first objective. Talking of Nazar, he and & Tyler Bertuzzi are actually on the third line with Foligno.

Associated – Landon Slaggert Can Fill Complementary Function on Blackhawks if Ryan Donato Is Traded

The Blackhawks might actually use a spark proper now, and up to now Slaggert is offering it. Let’s see if he can stick with it.

Different Blackhawks Notes

Listed below are a number of different noteworthy tidbits concerning the Blackhawks.

  • Defenseman Louis Crevier was positioned on injured reserve (concussion protocol) retroactive to Feb. 1. Crevier was hit alongside the boards by Panthers’ Johan Gadovich final Saturday and left the sport after enjoying solely 2:39 minutes.
  • Veteran ahead Craig Smith was a full participant in Monday’s observe. He’s been out with a again damage since Jan. 8, but it surely appears like he’ll return to the lineup quickly. That is nice information for Smith, however it is going to additional clog up an already crowded lineup of deserving gamers.
  • In AHL information, ahead Guttman and defenseman Kevin Korchinski represented the Rockford IceHogs within the AHL All-Star festivities in Palm Desert, CA on Feb. 2 and three. As a matter of truth, Korchinski was named the All-Star MVP after notching a objective, three assists and a shootout winner! Beneath is Korchinski’s objective. This help is fairly nifty too!
  • Lastly, when you haven’t been listening to the Blackhawks’ prospects, you would possibly wish to bear in mind the title Nick Lardis. The Blackhawks’ third spherical decide (67th general) within the 2023 NHL Draft scored FOUR targets and notched an help over the weekend. He presently boasts 48 targets in 47 video games this season with the OHL Brantford Bulldogs. That’s plenty of targets! Can Lardis’ goal-scoring contact finally switch over to the NHL?!

Associated – Chicago Blackhawks’ 3 Stars for January

The Blackhawks are again in motion this Wednesday (Feb. 5) once they host the Edmonton Oilers. They’ll additionally face the Nashville Predators on the United Heart on Friday, earlier than heading to St. Louis to tackle the Blues on Saturday. They’ll then have off for the 4-Nations break till Feb. 22, once they face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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