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I thought that was less of a Blues regulars & up n coming rookies work at giving the Rockford team their last tune-up, but that seemed more about Puuusis Suter showing the Hawk building brass that he can play and could play when the launched him.
I’m thinking right now we carry Reichel as a 14th Forward but he never dresses until he plays like a big boy in practice. It would mean somebody like EDM for sure gets sent down but this is a move we can make for now. The alternative would be taking somebody else’s change of scenery or even better, decent player whose contract needs to be launched in trade. Bottom line, I’m not letting him go for a 5th round choice. He can rot before I do that.
That means Louis Crevier and Reichel share the pressbox chance. If #55 stays around, he get rotated in/out unless he became Dickie Moore before our start of the season eyes.
Speed Lukas has.
I am of the opinion that DelMastro is still not ready for a chance just yet. Nolan Allen is closer, and DelMastro is a smart attacker and tactician, but still needs work.
Blackhawks Close Preseason with 4–0 Loss — Time for Big Decisions
The Chicago Blackhawks wrapped up their six-game preseason with a 4–0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, finishing the exhibition schedule with a 2-4 record. It was a long, grinding camp where opportunities were there, but few players truly seized them. After dressing most regulars on Friday, Chicago iced a younger, AHL-heavy lineup for the finale. The result was familiar: another night that slipped away in the second period, as the Blues scored three unanswered goals and never looked back.
The opening period was a good one for Chicago’s young prospects. They battled hard, stayed structured, and managed to keep up with a veteran Blues lineup. It wasn’t flawless — there were a few nervous moments — but it was good enough to keep the game scoreless after twenty minutes.
The second period, however, told a different story. Just like Friday night, things fell apart quickly. The Blues’ experienced players took control and exposed the Blackhawks’ inexperience, scoring three times and putting the game out of reach. From there, the contest felt like a lesson in what separates seasoned NHLers from prospects still learning the pace and precision of the league.
Mixed Results in the Final Tune-Up
This was the last chance for several young players and fringe veterans to make an impression. A few played back-to-back nights, hoping to force the coaches’ hand, but no one truly changed the picture.
Head coach Jeff Blashill and general manager Kyle Davidson now face tough roster calls before Tuesday’s season opener in Florida. Expect most decisions Sunday and the official list submitted to the NHL by Monday afternoon.
Blue Line Questions Could Shift Plans
Chicago hoped to see a stronger statement from its young defense core, but Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan couldn’t quite rise to the occasion in their final auditions. Each had flashes of solid play, yet none produced the “I belong” game that locks down a roster spot.
That could push management toward signing Matt Grzelcyk, still in camp on a professional tryout (PTO). His veteran presence would help steady a blue line where Connor Murphy is the lone skater over 30.
There’s nothing wrong with starting prospects in Rockford. Korchinski and Del Mastro would benefit from heavy minutes at 5-on-5 and on both special teams rather than limited NHL usage. Development takes patience, and Chicago appears willing to play the long game.
Forward Picture: Moore, Greene and Reichel
Among the forwards, Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene both had good camps but didn’t complicate Blashill’s decision either. Moore’s speed stands out every shift, while Greene’s faceoff ability and defensive awareness are impressive for a rookie. Still, the smart move is likely to send them to Rockford for more ice time and special-teams experience.
Lukas Reichel remains the wild card. He’s been linked to trade rumors, but for now, management seems inclined to keep him. Reichel still offers offensive upside and can grow under Blashill’s system. For opening night, he may serve as the 13th forward—a middle-ground approach that gives the staff flexibility.
Roster Shape and Immediate Focus
The Blackhawks are expected to open the season with 13 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goalies. Alex Vlasic is projected to be ready for Tuesday’s game, giving the club another dependable option on D.
Blashill has emphasized structure since the first day of camp: five players connected on the ice, tighter puck support, cleaner transitions, and smarter decisions under pressure. Faceoffs and special teams were recurring problems—Chicago’s penalty kill and power play both struggled late in preseason. Eliminating those mistakes will be crucial once the games count.
Preparation and Scheduling Notes
Next season, the NHL is expected to slightly reduce its preseason schedule. Teams may play around four exhibition games with a shorter training camp. Less evaluation time will put extra pressure on young players to stand out quickly. For organizations built around development, that means every practice and rep will matter even more.
Wrapping Up Camp
The Blackhawks’ preseason wasn’t perfect, but it achieved its goal: giving management a clear picture of where each player stands. The real test begins Tuesday in Florida, when everything resets to 0-0 and the expectations start to rise.
In my next articles, I’ll dive into:
• The Winners and Losers of training camp,
• My Season Predictions, and
• The October Preview for the Blackhawks.Prospect Corner and Forum Update
While the HHS main site is still under migration, I’ll keep updates coming through the forum so we can continue our discussions.
A few prospect highlights from the weekend:
• Frondell scored a hat trick, standing out among Chicago’s European prospects.
• Nastresil netted his first NCAA goal, a solid start for the freshman forward.
• Several CHL prospects opened their seasons across Canada.Starting Monday morning, I’ll launch a weekly “Three Stars of the Week” column covering standout performances from the Blackhawks, IceHogs, and prospects.
Thanks for sticking with us through the technical issues. Once the site is fully back, I’ll make sure the conversation and community feel stronger than ever. Hockey is back—and so are we.
Yea Wiz who knows what’s going to become of Reichel, i was really disappointed again with his lack of compete in the preseason.
It’s time for him to accept he’s not a top 6 player and reinvent his style of play to be a productive hockey player. He’s not good enough to play without the puck like Patrick Kane did.
Thanks Frenchy for the update from last night’s game. The upcoming topics will be interesting to read too.
I read Slaggert left the game after one shift in the 3rd. Blashill says it nothing serious, but will know more tomorrow (Sunday). Hopefully IR isn’t in the cards, but, if so, there may be a one week reprieve for either Moore, Greene, or Reichel.
Prospects did all right last night –
Bosivert – 1G and 1A
Nestrasil – 1G with 8 SOG
Frondell – Hat trick on Saturday following his 2 G on Friday
Gajan gets the win last night for UMD stopping 14 of 15 shots
Vanacker and Behm with a goal each in the OHLEdit – Jets’ Perfetti hurt last night. Could be serious and out long term. Trade partner for Reichel?
I just got the CHSN app on my laptop. Screw Comcast! I see the Hawks are playing 7 games on ESPN+. I won’t be watching those as I am not paying Disney. I believe in the first amendment.
Chicago will be signing D Matt Grzelcyk, who was in camp on a PTO
Makes sense, and the kiddos down for more seasoning
Chicago will be signing D Matt Grzelcyk, who was in camp on a PTO
Makes sense, send the kiddos down for more seasoning
Grzelcyk is Gus 2.0, don’t expect any defense from him.
He’s not. Gus has played 515 games and is -15 for his career. Grizzly has played 527 games and is +131. Also, Gus is a whore. 8 teams in 6 seasons = whore.
Grzelcyk is Gus 2.0, don’t expect any defense from him.
He’s not. Gus has played 515 games and is -15 for his career. Grizzly has played 527 games and is +131. Also, Gus is a whore. 8 teams in 6 seasons = whore.
What does this even mean? Gus wants to be an NHL player. He’d be stupid not to take an offer to be one. You seem to be saying that he’s choosing to play for all these different teams on purpose.
Assman22
ParticipantHe’s not. Gus has played 515 games and is -15 for his career. Grizzly has played 527 games and is +131. Also, Gus is a whore. 8 teams in 6 seasons = whore.
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Well. Seeing that the Bruins scored 395 more goals than they gave up during Grzelcyk‘s time there makes the plus/minus argument not so conclusive.
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