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Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’m glad the articles are still useful and informative for you.
I understand the frustration with the site — you’re definitely not alone — and I’m thankful you’re still here reading and supporting.Frenchy
Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’m still delivering the same level of work, even if I’m now covering a few teams. Yes, I’m French Canadian and I cover the Canadiens every day as well.
I’ve always tried to write the game with a different pair of eyes — to help fans understand what’s really happening on the ice.
I really love the passion each of you brings to this forum about the game we all care about — hockey. Different opinions, agreements, and disagreements about management, coaches, and players are all part of what makes this community interesting and alive.
The most important thing, however, is respect for one another. Healthy debate is a good thing, and having many voices and viewpoints keeps the forum active and engaging.
I read all of your posts, but as a writer, I usually choose not to reply so I can stay focused on writing articles almost every day. That said, your discussions matter, and they help shape the conversation around the team.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free to share them. I’m always open to hearing your thoughts.
Thanks for keeping the discussions going and the passion strong.
You are absolutely right. Since the Christmas break, this team has gone back to the basics, and you can clearly see that the message from Blashill has landed. They’re competing harder, finishing checks, and taking it to the opponent shift after shift.
Aside from Knight having a rough night against the Pens, this group has been trending in the right direction. Learning how to compete and win without Nazar and Bedard is huge for their development and confidence as a team.
And thank you, I really appreciate the kind words. I don’t claim to be an expert — I just love the game and enjoy writing and talking hockey. The discussions we have here on HHS are what make it special. This forum is one of the best on the site because of passionate hockey people like you, my friend.
#Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov scores his league-leading 27th goal of the season.
39 GP 27-19–46 PTS
Happy New Year to all our readers! 🎉
Thank you for the support, the comments, and the great hockey discussions throughout the year.
More content, more coverage, and more passion coming your way — stay tuned.
Wishing you and your families a healthy, happy, and successful New Year!Results Dec. 29
Frondell finished the game with two goals and nine shots in 17:05 of ice time. It’s the second time he’s tallied nine shots in Sweden’s opening three matchups
Spellacy finished with one goal, one assist, three shots
Thanks a lot — I really appreciate the support and all the comments you bring to the site and the forum. It means a lot and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours. Thanks again for being part of the community and for sticking with us.
Holiday Message
As we head into the holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for reading, supporting, and engaging with our work here at Hockey Hot Stove. Your comments, feedback, and passion for the game truly make this community special.
I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, filled with good health, happiness, and quality time with loved ones. If you’re traveling, stay safe, enjoy the break, and hopefully catch some great hockey along the way.
I’m truly grateful for your continued support, and I look forward to bringing you more honest, fan-driven hockey coverage in the year ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey.
What I wrote is based directly on what Jeff Blashill said the day after Connor Bedard’s injury. Blashill explained that Connor wanted to return, but the coaching staff and medical team decided it was better for him to take time to recover.
The initial prognosis was out until the end of the month, but there was always a possibility he could return after the Christmas break if fully recovered. That doesn’t point to any miscommunication or lack of alignment with the GM — it shows a franchise protecting its most important player.
Regarding Sam Rinzel, Blashill clearly liked him early in the season and wanted him in the lineup. Right or wrong, the decision was made. Now he’s in the AHL, and that’s where development takes priority. Prospect development is not linear — every player follows a different path.
We’ve seen that with players coming from different leagues and backgrounds — Lardis, Moore, Greene, Levshunov, and others. What works for one prospect doesn’t automatically apply to another. That’s part of evaluation and development.
As for Slaggert, when I say I don’t see him as part of the long-term picture, that’s my evaluation. He fits the category of a “transition player.” Every rebuilding team has them — players who help bridge the gap while prospects mature. That doesn’t mean he has no value, but it does explain why he’s moved between Chicago and Rockford.
Overall, I believe the organization is building the right way, but this requires patience. There are more strong draft picks ahead — hopefully another top-three pick — and next season you could see players like Frondell and Kantserov enter the organization.
Realistically, it’s probably two more years before this team starts to look significantly better. Until then, the key is to trust the process, follow the individual development of players, and understand where the team is in its rebuild.
I also believe stability matters. Keeping the front office and coaching staff together helps build culture, identity, and a place where players want to play and grow in Chicago.
The next step for Kyle Davidson will be deciding who stays, who goes, accumulating more assets, and continuing to shape the roster. It’s a long process — and it’s not always easy — but patience is still the key.
Thanks for the discussion today.
Take note: Connor Bedard did not want to miss any games. It was Jeff Blashill and the medical staff who decided he should take the week off to recover and be re-evaluated after the Christmas break.
The initial prognosis had him out until the end of December, but there’s a possibility he could return after the Christmas break if he’s fully ready. I don’t see any pressure from the GM in this situation — this was clearly a medical and coaching decision.
Regarding Sam Rinzel, I believe sending him to the AHL was the right move. He’s getting his confidence back, playing bigger minutes, and continuing to develop his overall game. If the Blackhawks move Grzelcyk and/or Murphy after the trade deadline, roster spots could open up — and Rinzel should be in line for a call-up.
As for Slaggert, I don’t think the organization sees him as part of the long-term picture. That said, it’s better for him to play heavy minutes in the AHL than to remain in the NHL with a limited role and reduced ice time.
