The Chicago Blackhawks are returning from a two-game road trip after they faced the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights, in which they split, 1-1. The 4-0 loss to the Golden Knights on March 14 stung them, as the last time they were shutout was in a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February.
With them home, news and rumors are swirling. Here is the latest.
Boisvert’s Impending Arrival
All eyes are on prospect Sacha Boisvert. The 2024 18th overall draft pick’s college season ended on March 14, as Boston University lost 5-3 to the University of Connecticut in the Hockey East Quarterfinals.
Therefore, 19-year-old Boisvert is expected to sign his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in the near future. Insider Frank Seravalli said that Boisvert will need to go through a visa process once he signs his deal, which could take some time. (Boisvert is Canadian).
However, Marc-Olivier Beaudoin of BPM Sports reported on March 15 that Boisvert was on his way to Chicago to sign his entry-level deal. How long it will take from signing the deal to his NHL debut will remain to be seen with the visa process. But it could be resolved sooner rather than later.
When the Blackhawks traded for Andrew Mangiapane from the Edmonton Oilers on March 4, head coach Jeff Blashill was unsure if he would be available for their next game due to immigration, but Mangiapane did play. They’re different scenarios, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Whenever he makes his NHL debut, the Blackhawks are surely looking forward to seeing one of their top draft picks get their feet wet in the NHL. Boisvert didn’t have the season he was looking for at Boston University after transferring from the University of North Dakota, with 17 points in 26 games. He dealt with injury and was also made unavailable against the University of Vermont on March 11.
But it’s now a clean slate, and Boisvert will soon be donning a Blackhawks sweater. He has grit, plays center, and has scoring ability, which the team welcomes.
Speaking of grit…
Bedard and the Blackhawks’ Grit
The Blackhawks’ loss to the Golden Knights was a doozy, given that they hit the post twice (from Teuvo Teräväinen and Mangiapane) and went 0-for-4 on the power play. Artyom Levshunov‘s third-period goal, which would’ve made the score 4-1, was waived off due to a hand pass. It was not a pretty night.
However, the one thing that was commendable was how they stood up for each other. The big talk was Connor Bedard getting into it with Vegas’ Kaedan Korczak. There was even a point where Ethan Del Mastro got a 10-minute misconduct after standing up for Bedard, who got hit by Jeremy Lauzon.
The Blackhawks, who are second-worst in the league in hits, matched the Golden Knights’ hit total for the night (20). Bedard had two hits. Levshunov had the most with four.
Related: What Alex Vlasic Being the Longest-Tenured Blackhawk Means for Him and the Team
Head coach Jeff Blashill said after the game that being a team that is “willing to sacrifice for each other” is part of the identity they are building.
He also noted, “Yeah, I mean, we didn’t quit, you know. And you want to make sure you still have a ton of fight in your guys, regardless of the score. And I thought we continued to show fight in the game.”
When it comes to Bedard, he has been really bringing the bite lately.
Blashill said on March 12 about whether he likes seeing Bedard’s feistiness, “I do. You know, listen, he’s got what all the great players have, and that’s a high, high level of compete. And, you know, we’ve seen it different times this year, and good for him. He’s a very competitive person.”
Bedard and the team’s growing tenacity have been fun to watch, and will continue to be worth monitoring for the rest of the season. They have been focusing all season on what they can learn and build on. That aspect is certainly one of them.
Blackhawks Preparing for Memorable Game Against Wild
The Blackhawks’ next game will be against the Minnesota Wild on March 17, and it will be bittersweet, as it marks former captain Nick Foligno’s first time back at the United Center since being traded at the trade deadline less than two weeks ago.
Foligno loved his Blackhawks teammates, and his teammates loved him just as much, which should make for a memorable matchup. As Bedard joked with a smile about their upcoming game after Foligno got traded, “I know. He better keep his head up out there for (the) boys…”
With the way the Blackhawks have been playing, it would not be surprising in the slightest to see some banter between the division rivals.
Be sure to keep up with the latest “Blackhawks News & Rumors” throughout the remainder of the season, as we will keep you updated on all the latest storylines.
