Today's News Clips June 21, 2017

Today’s News Clips June 21, 2017

Chicago Tribune

What Marian Hossa's announcement means for Blackhawks' salary cap

Chris Hine June 21, 2017

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa is facing a serious health issue and will not play in the 2017-18 season because of what he called a "progressive skin disorder" and the severe side effects associated with the disease's medication.

Hossa's announcement means the Blackhawks will be missing one of their top players from last season (26 goals, 19 assists), a Hall-of-Fame caliber player who had a rebound season at 38.

It will also have major implications on the complicated salary-cap situation for the Hawks — and it may end up providing them with some cap relief, although they'd rather have a healthy Hossa playing for them.

Hossa signed a 12-year, $63.3 million deal with the Hawks before the 2009-10 season. Most of the money in the contract was frontloaded and Hossa stands to make just $1 million in each of the final four seasons even though he carries a cap hit of $5.275 million. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, which was signed before the 2013 season, the league would punish such long-term contracts if the player were to retire before the contract expires.

Teams can face harsh salary-cap recapture penalties if a player retires before the end of a long-term deal.

This is why Hossa saying he will just miss next season — and not formally retiring — is so important to the cap situation. The Hawks are likely to place Hossa on long-term injured reserve and could get relief on the $75 million cap from his absence.

In February 2015, the Hawks placed winger Patrick Kane on long-term injured reserve. That meant the Hawks were able to go over the cap in the amount of Kane's hit minus the amount of cap space they had previously to replace him on the roster so long as he was out during the regular season.

The Hawks swung multiple trades after Kane's injury and brought in high-priced center Antoine Vermette at the trade deadline. Kane did not play the rest of the regular season and, because there is no salary cap in the playoffs, the Hawks were able to keep all those acquired players on the roster when Kane returned for the Stanley Cup-winning playoff run. The handling of Kane's injury and the cap machinations ruffled some feathers around the league.

The situation is similar in Hossa's case. If Hossa goes on long-term injured reserve, the Hawks should be able to go over the cap in the amount of Hossa's cap hit minus the amount of cap space they have going into the season to replace him.

Cynics are likely to say this is just another questionable way in which the Hawks are going to circumvent the cap. Other teams have employed this tactic in the past, like Chris Pronger with the Flyers and they Coyotes when they acquired Pronger's rights.

The Hawks have to be cap compliant only by the first day of the regular season, meaning they can sign someone and be over the cap by 10 percent ($7.5 million) until the day of the first game. They will likely put Hossa on long-term injured reserve just before the season. He could stay there for the remainder of his contract without ever formally retiring.

With the Hawks likely sending center Marcus Kruger to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft, the Hawks may end up with around $6 million in cap space entering free agency, making them a player in the market come July 1.

Chicago Tribune

Thanks for your excellence, Marian Hossa

Steve Rosenbloom June 21, 2017

Whoever heard of such a thing? A hockey player developing an allergic reaction to his own hockey equipment? Excuse me?

It’s true, apparently. It’s also stunning and sad.

Surefire Hall-of-Famer Marian Hossa will miss this season and might be forced to retire from the Blackhawks because of a progressive skin disease.

Whoever heard of such a thing? An allergic reaction that strong? That debilitating? I mean, nobody can knock Hossa off the puck, and here’s an evil bacteria knocking him out of the game, perhaps forever.

“The gunk," as it has been known, has a history in hockey. Going back to the 1970s, Minnesota defenseman Tom Reid cut his career short because of something similar. The scientific explanation for non-science majors like me is a player’s sweat gets trapped in the equipment and the bacteria grows.

“Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff,’’ Hossa said in a statement released by the Blackhawks, “I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder. Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice.’’

This seems so unfair. He is as magnificent a person as he is a player, or vice versa, take your pick. He called attention to himself solely with his unparalleled play. We’re not supposed to root in this business, but tough. If you couldn’t root for the Hossa who was so wondrous on the ice and the Hossa who was so classy off it, then you might want to schedule an EKG.

Even at 38 in his 19th NHL season, Hossa was a gift to watch. In the first 18 games of last season, Hossa scored 11 goals, pretty much carrying the team when nobody else was doing much.

Throughout his largely underrated career, if 534 goals can be underrated, Hossa didn’t just play at both ends of the ice, he starred. Even-strength, power play, penalty-killing, top line, last minute of a period — you can’t find an important spot in which he didn’t excel.

If Hossa had the puck, you probably weren’t going to get it back until you fished it out of your net. If he didn’t have the puck, watch out. Hossa burst forth like a Transformer, but yet, he could maneuver in the smallest of spaces in the most dangerous areas around the net.

In 2009, he became the most expensive, dramatic and greatest free-agent signing in Hawks history with that creatively long contract. His overtime goal in Game 5 against the Predators in the first round of the historic, magical, drought- ending Stanley Cup run in 2010 remains one of the most important in Hawks history. It surprised no one that captain Jonathan Toews handed the Cup to Hossa first on that tear-inducing night in Philadelphia.

Hossa would be handed the Cup two other times, a core player in the Hawks’ bid to claim a dynasty with three in six years. He was smart, talented and classy.

Check that — is, not was. He’s still alive.

This probably sounds like a eulogy, but it’s intended to be an appreciation. Hossa sweated, skated and earned the right to go out his way, not in the sick, stunning manner this appears to be.

If the worst gets played out, then a glorious chapter featuring one of the greatest players in Hawks history has ended. We were privileged to watch such excellence. Thank you, Marian.

Chicago Tribune

Marian Hossa will miss Blackhawks' 2017-18 season with 'progressive skin disorder'

Chris Hine June 21, 2017

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa often said he would keep playing hockey no matter his age so long as his body allowed him to continue.

Hossa’s body may have made up his mind for him.

Hossa will not play in the 2017-18 season because of a "progressive skin disorder" and the "severe side effects" of the medication used to treat it, Hossa said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Hossa's statement, however, did not say he was retiring from hockey.

“Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff, I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder,” Hossa said in the statement released by the Blackhawks. “Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season.

"While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice."

If Hossa has played his last game, he will finish with Hall of Fame credentials. He played in parts of 19 seasons and compiled 534 career goals while winning three Stanley Cups with the Hawks, whom he signed with on a 12-year, $63.3 million deal before the 2009-10 season. Sportsnet in Canada reported Hossa was dealing with an allergy to his equipment that may cause him to stop playing.

"Marian has been dealing with the effects of a progressive skin disorder that is becoming more and more difficult to treat and control with conventional medications while he plays hockey," Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement.

"Because of the dramatic nature of the medications required and their decreasing effectiveness, we strongly support his decision not to play during the 2017-18 season. We feel in the most certain terms this is the appropriate approach for Marian in order to keep him functional and healthy in the short term and throughout his life."

Despite the condition, Hossa had a rebound season in 2016-17 with 26 goals and 19 assists. After the Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Nashville Predators, Hossa said he planned on playing in 2017-18.

“I love to be in the gym,” Hossa said on April 22. “I love to train and prepare and maybe one year when I feel it’s not there I’m going to know, but right now I still enjoy it. …

“If I feel like I can not skate anymore keep up with the young guys that would have me thinking at home is it worth it to take somebody’s spot? But I still feel I have something to bring to the team, help the team in different areas so I don’t think that way right now.”

The next question is how Hossa's inability to play next season affects the Blackhawks' roster going forward. For next season, the Hawks will lose a player who was still capable of playing at an elite level.

If Hossa were to formally retire, the Hawks would face severe salary-cap recapture penalties for the next four seasons, the remainder of Hossa’s contract. The current collective bargaining agreement set in place these penalties for long- term deals like Hossa’s that were backloaded in terms of their payouts. Hossa is set to make just $1 million each of the next four seasons in real money and carries a cap hit of $5.275 million.

But that's where the wording of Hossa's statement comes into play. He did not retire. By saying he could not play next season, Hossa becomes a candidate for long-term injured reserve. The Hawks will likely get some cap relief next season to replace him.

It's similar to what the Hawks did in 2015 when Patrick Kane went on long-term injured reserve because of a broken collarbone. Kane missed the remainder of the regular season but returned for the playoffs when the salary cap disappears. The Hawks were able to go over the cap during the regular season to replace him. The Hawks were able to go over the cap during the regular season to replace him and keep those acquired players, like center Antoine Vermette, on their playoff roster as they won the Stanley Cup.

"The Chicago Blackhawks are in full support of Marian Hossa as he addresses his medical issues," general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. "This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is — competitive, loyal and humble. He has played a major role in the success our franchise has experienced in recent years, which makes his departure from our lineup a significant loss.

"His teammates and coaches know he battled through some very tough physical difficulties but never complained or missed games despite the challenges he faced. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health."

Cynics around the league may point to Hossa's announcement as a dubious way for the Hawks to get around the crunch of the salary cap. It's not without precedent.

Some players at the end of their careers are placed on long-term injured reserve and their teams never face the cap penalties associated with it.

For instance, defenseman Chris Pronger was on injured reserve with the Flyers and later the Coyotes through this season even though he hadn’t played a game since 2011 because of the effects of concussions.

Tom Reid, a former Blackhawk and North Star who broadcasts games for the Wild, had to retire in 1978 after an 11-year career because of skin problems related to an allergy with his equipment, or “gunk,” as players called it at the time. Reid told the Tribune in 2015 his ailment was caused by a combination of friction and sweat and took away a layer of skin from his neck to his waist.

Hossa is widely regarded as one of the best two-way forwards ever to play hockey. He became a star last decade playing for the Senators and later the Thrashers.

By 2008, Hossa was hunting for his first Stanley Cup. The Thrashers traded him to the Penguins, who lost in the Cup Final in 2008 to the Red Wings. He joined the Red Wings in 2009 only to lose the Cup Final that year to the Penguins.

But after that season, Hossa's timing got better. He was tired of going from team to team and wanted long-term stability to start a family with a competitive team that stood a good chance of having long-term success. The Blackhawks were the right fit for Hossa, and he joined a young team that lost in the conference finals the previous season.

Hossa’s success in Chicago matched his vision for what he saw before he signed with the Blackhawks. His two-way prowess played a big part in the Hawks capturing three Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and helped cement his legacy.

In 2016, Hossa had a down year with just 13 goals, the lowest single-season output of his career. But he came back strong last season and put to rest any doubt that he was still physically capable of playing high-level hockey.

But now, the doubt about his career continuing is stronger than it ever has been.

Chicago Tribune

Blackhawks couldn’t have won three Stanley Cups without Marian Hossa

David Haugh June 21, 2017

Guys like Marian Hossa want none of the attention and deserve all of it. As understated as he was underrated, Hossa quietly became the Blackhawks’ easiest superstar to overlook since he signed as a free-agent in 2009.

Captain Jonathan Toews typically acted as spokesman, Patrick Kane played the role of showman and Duncan Keith basked in the glory that comes with being one of the NHL’s best defensemen. Goalie Corey Crawford, by virtue of the position, directly dictated more outcomes and drove more discussions on sports-talk radio. Meanwhile, Hossa steadily kept playing at an elite level, grinding shift after shift, year after year, as the Hawks captured three Stanley Cup championships they couldn’t have won without him. While everybody focused on Hossa’s age, his act never got old. The game never passed him by, not even at 38.

If Hossa indeed has played his last game after 19 NHL seasons due to a progressive skin disorder related to an allergic reaction to his equipment that will sideline him at least through next year, the void will be felt by more than just his linemates. The Hawks’ loss would be hockey’s too, the abrupt departure of a future Hall of Famer who played the game how it should be played and epitomized the consummate professional.

"Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season,’’ Hossa said in Wednesday’s joint statement with the Hawks.

Added Hawks general manager Stan Bowman: “This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player Marian Hossa is: competitive, loyal and humble.’’

Hossa took both ends of the ice seriously, one of the league’s most responsible defensive forwards with an offensive game dangerous enough to have once scored 100 points in a season and 534 goals in his career. He played wherever coach Joel Quenneville asked, whether it was next to Toews on the top line or on the third line to balance the lineup. He was unselfish and unassuming, smart and skilled, the complete hockey player. They might not build a statue of Hossa along 1901 W. Madison but he will go down as one of the best players ever to wear the red Indianhead sweater. Just ask the teammates who will be cast in bronze.

Name five free-agents who succeeded in Chicago more than Hossa. Heck, name one. Andre Dawson? Carlton Fisk? Julius Peppers? A.J. Pierzynski? John Paxson? All of those players enjoyed historic, productive tenures in the city with their respective teams. None of them surpassed Hossa, whose 12-year, $62.8 million contract always obscured what a bargain he was for the Hawks.

The complicated salary-cap implications of Hossa will create some flexibility and opportunity for the Hawks. But this feels like a time to praise more than plot, an opportunity for appreciation more than calculation. This feels like a sad day for the NHL in what was supposed to be a festive week with the draft in town.

Back on the night Hossa made his NHL debut with the Senators on Oct. 1, 1997, Chris Chelios and Brent Sutter were Blackhawks. Nolan Patrick, likely the first player selected at Friday’s NHL draft, wasn’t born yet. Based on the way Hossa took care of his body to create such longevity, one thing he never was allergic to was hard work.

So many memories come to mind when reflecting on Hossa’s time with the Hawks. Nobody will forget that scary night during the 2012 playoffs when Raffi Torres delivered a cheap shot that knocked Hossa unconscious, drawing a 25-game suspension. One of my favorites was Hossa’s uncharacteristic wink at the TV camera during the national anthem in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in 2014, a nod to buddies back home in Slovakia that Hossa knew were watching at a local bar. Reporters appreciated the professionalism at his locker, the polite tone of his prose. Fans cheered so many clutch goals and uncanny passes, the deft stick-handling and timely poke checks.

But the most indelible Hossa moment came in 2010 during the first playoff series in his first season wearing No. 81 for the Hawks. Nobody ever will forget the way Hossa, after serving a five-minute penalty, scored the game-winning goal to save the Hawks in Game 5 against the Predators at the United Center. It remains one of the most significant playoff victories of the three-Cup run.

Kane sent the game into extra session with 13.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 4, setting up Hossa’s heroics 4 minutes 7 seconds into overtime. About 10 seconds after leaving the box, Hossa located a loose puck that had ricocheted off the stick of Predators forward Joel Ward. He instinctively flicked it past goalie Pekka Rinne from the left side to provide the defining highlight of his Hawks career. The UC crowd shook as loudly as it had in years, the echo announced the Hawks officially were back.

"A lucky rebound came to me, and I pretty much had an open net," Hossa said that day. "It couldn't be a better ending than this."

A career this distinguished deserves a better ending than the one Hossa suddenly faces.

Chicago Tribune

Marian Hossa out for 2017-18 season; skin disorder could end career

Mark Lazerus June 21, 2017

Marian Hossa will not play in the 2017-18 season and his career could be over because of what he called a “progressive skin disorder.”

“Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff, I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder,” Hossa said in a released statement. “Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice.”

Said team doctor Michael Terry: “Marian has been dealing with the effects of a progressive skin disorder that is becoming more and more difficult to treat and control with conventional medications while he plays hockey. Because of the dramatic nature of the medications required and their decreasing effectiveness, we strongly support his decision not to play during the 2017-18 season. We feel in the most certain terms this is the appropriate approach for Marian in order to keep him functional and healthy in the short term and throughout his life.”

Hossa scored 26 goals last season, the 19th of his Hall of Fame career. The 38-year-old is signed for four more seasons, and an early retirement would leave the Hawks with a “recapture penalty” that would count more than $4 million against the salary cap for the next four years. Since he is not technically retiring, he could possibly go on long-term injured reserve for the next four years, which would effectively take his full $5.275-million cap hit off the books (technically, LTIR allows the Hawks to go over the cap by the amount of Hossa’s cap hit). While replacing Hossa will be extremely difficult, the cap relief could be huge for the Hawks, who otherwise might have had to trade away another key player. The Hawks will have around $6 million to play with, assuming Marcus Kruger goes to the Vegas Golden Knights in Wednesday night’s expansion draft.

Hossa won’t be put on LTIR until the fall, as teams are allowed to exceed the $75-million cap by 10 percent during the offseason.

Hossa signed the 12-year, back-diving contract before the 2009-10 season, and his actual salary for the next four years would be just $1 million a year. Since the 2012 lockout, the average salary of the entire deal counts as the cap hit, not the actual salary.

Hossa, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Hawks, has 525 goals and 609 assists in 1,309 career games, and is one of the premier two-way players in the game. He indicated after the season that he was fully planning to return to the lineup.

“The Chicago Blackhawks are in full support of Marian Hossa as he addresses his medical issues,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is —competitive, loyal and humble. He has played a major role in the success our franchise has experienced in recent years, which makes his departure from our lineup a significant loss. His teammates and coaches know he battled through some very tough physical difficulties but never complained or missed games despite the challenges he faced. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health.”

Hossa wouldn’t be the first player to retire early because of such an allergy. “The Gunk,” as it was known in the 1970s and 1980s, affected many players, and drove former Hawks and North Stars defenseman Tom Reid out of the game in 1978.

Chicago Sun-Times

Adidas unveils new NHL jerseys, including tweaked Hawks design

Mark Lazerus June 20, 2017

Adidas didn’t mess with a classic. At least, not too much.

The NHL’s new jersey manufacturer unveiled next season’s uniforms, and the Blackhawks home reds and road whites look pretty much the same as they have for years, with a slightly different white collar than the Reebok version. While some of the jerseys got minor tweaks, such as changes in stripes or piping, some were slightly more dramatic, including the Colorado Avalanche, the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators, and the New Jersey Devils. The new Vegas Golden Knights home jersey is gray, with black, gold and red accents on the sleeves.

Adidas said the jerseys are lighter, cooler and stronger than previous ones.

Daily Herald

Report: Allergy may end Blackhawk Marian Hossa's career

Mark Lazerus June 20, 2017

Marian Hossa's career could be over, according to a report by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Hossa has been dealing with a "serious allergy" to his hockey equipment, according to the report, and has been taking medicine to fight the allergy. According to Sportsnet, Hossa's doctors are concerned about him taking the medicine long term.

Hossa scored 26 goals last season, the 19th of his Hall of Fame career. The 38-year-old is signed for four more seasons, and an early retirement would leave the Hawks with a "recapture penalty" that would count more than $3.5 million against the salary cap for the next four years. But if the allergy situation is indeed forcing him out of hockey, he could possibly go on long-term injured reserve for the next four years, which would take his $5.275-million cap hit off the books completely.

Neither Hossa nor the Blackhawks had any comment on Tuesday night.

But a statement from either Hossa or the Hawks is expected soon, possibly as early as Wednesday.

Daily Herald

No guarantees in NHL draft

John Dietz June 20, 2017

When Saturday afternoon rolls around, 217 young men selected in this year's NHL draft can begin to dream.

Some will dream about stardom. Some about lifting the Stanley Cup. Some about enjoying long, successful careers in the NHL.

NHL draft at a glance

When: Round 1 on Friday and Rounds 2-7 on Saturday

Where: United Center

TV: 6 p.m. Friday (NBCSN); 9 a.m. Saturday (NHL)

Tickets: $10 for each day; available at United Center Ticket office, ticketmaster.com or at (800) 745-3000.

Top 10 picks:

1. New Jersey

2. Philadelphia

3. Dallas

4. Colorado

5. Vancouver

6. Vegas

7. Arizona

8. Buffalo

9. Detroit

10. Florida

Blackhawks picks:

By round (overall): 1st (26); 2nd (57); 3rd (90); 4th (119); 5th (135, 144, 150); 6th (170, 181); 7th (215)

For many, however, those dreams will never become a reality.

And while the ear-to-ear smiles will be in abundance this weekend at the United Center, across the country and around the globe, too often players just don't work out.

The Chicago Blackhawks' Mark McNeill, for example. Taken 18th overall in the 2011 draft, McNeill has played in just two NHL games and was traded to Dallas in February. Or Kyle Beach, the Hawks' 11th pick of the 2008 draft, who never has appeared in any NHL game.

Or the 10th, 11th, 13th and 17th picks of the 2010 draft. None of them appeared in more than 60 NHL games.

Then there's the other side -- the players such as Andrew Shaw, Ondrej Pavlat, Brendan Gallagher and Mark Stone, guys taken at No. 139 or lower in 2010 and '11 who have enjoyed impressive careers.

NFL fans know it doesn't work that way in their league. Players taken in the first three rounds usually go on to play at least a couple of pro seasons, and almost every first-rounder stays around for a few years.

"(That's because) they're drafting older players," said Mark Kelley, Blackhawks vice president of amateur scouting. "On average, they're probably 21 years old. Their player is more defined, more developed. The NFL is also drafting upon immediate needs of their team. Leading up to the draft, and you look at the Bears you get an idea of positions they need to address.

"In hockey, we're not projecting (them) to play the next year. Realistically we're looking at a player -- depending upon where you draft him -- to be ready in two to four or five years."

Another big reason for the disparity is there are 53 roster spots and a practice squad on NFL teams. NHL teams use about 25-30 players a season.

A look back at the 2008-11 NHL drafts shows the odds are indeed long for players taken after the first round to carve out any sort of career.

Only 36 percent of second rounders, 20 percent of third rounders and 10 percent of fourth through seventh rounders can say they've been consistent contributors to teams.

So dream big this weekend, kids. The long, daunting road to the NHL lies ahead.

Daily Herald

Stars coming out for NHL Draft Fan Fest this week

John Dietz June 20, 2017

Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Denis Savard, Tony Esposito, Chris Chelios and Troy Murray are among the current and past stars who will attend the NHL Draft Fan Fest outside the United Center on Friday and Saturday.

Anyone with a ticket to the draft automatically has access to Fan Fest, which runs from 3-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Other fans may obtain passes by going to the United Center box office, the Blackhawks store at 333 N. Michigan Ave. or the Blackhawks Outlet Store in Aurora.

To qualify for limited photo and autograph opportunities, attendees must activate their pass at draftfanfest.com.

Other guests scheduled to appear include Brian Campbell, Eric Daze, Colin Fraser, Adam Burish, Pat Foley, Jim Cornelison and John Wideman.

Even if you don't get to see Kane, Toews, Savard and the others up close, there are plenty of other reasons to attend this event, with perhaps the biggest being the 53-foot museum truck that will be on site. The traveling museum will showcase the history of the Blackhawks as well as the NHL and give fans the chance to take part in virtual reality Zamboni races and to check out one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

The Stanley Cup will be on display Friday (3-8 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Neon Trees will also play a free concert starting at 5 p.m.

• The Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks, signed defenseman Darren Raddysh to a one-year deal. Raddysh spent the past five seasons playing with the Erie Otters of the OHL. He was the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman last season, scoring 16 goals and dishing out 65 assists in 62 games.

Daily Herald

Olczyk, Keith share their draft-day stories with Blackhawks

John Dietz June 20, 2017

With the NHL draft at the United Center on Friday and Saturday, we asked 12 current or former Blackhawks to recall their draft-day experience.

For Day 2, we hit the way-back button and talk with one of the best D-men in NHL history.

Eddie Olczyk Third overall pick in 1984The Chicago-born Olczyk thought New Jersey was going to take him with the second overall pick, but the Devils ended up taking Kirk Muller instead. The next two teams were the Kings and Maple Leafs.

Said Olczyk: "I didn't think I was going to L.A. because they were interested in a defenseman. I thought maybe there would be a chance I could end up in Toronto.

"And then there was a time out on the floor."

Did he know what was happening at the time, that Hawks GM Bob Pulford was making a deal?

"I really didn't. But I did see Pully over by the Devils table (talking to director of Player Personnel) Marshall Johnston. Then they come up and say, 'There's been a trade.'

"That's when the heart started racing. … All kinds of things ended up happening, and (Blackhawks scout) Jack Davidson gets up there and says, 'Eddie Olczyk.'

"And I was just like, 'Wow. I just got drafted by my hometown team.'

"If you look at the footage there, I was like a deer in headlights. I hugged my mom and dad. … I was like, 'I just got drafted by the Hawks.' It was the greatest thing ever."

Note: The Hawks took Bobby McMillan from the Devils and traded them Rich Preston so they wouldn't take Olczyk with the second pick.

Duncan Keith Taken in the 2nd round (54th overall) in 2002"I wasn't really sure exactly what round I was going to go in. I wanted to be a first-round pick, but I'm sure everybody will say that. … The scouts had their minds up on different guys. It is what it is.

"The biggest thing for me was I knew that was just a steppingstone to try and prove that I can be an NHL player. I was never happy with just being drafted. … It was time for me to show the organization that believed in me that they made the right choice."

On the Hawks struggling at the time:

"I didn't really pay too much attention to how the team was doing then. So focused on so many things. Trying to develop. Get drafted. Impress teams.

"Once I knew it was Chicago, I was excited. It's an Original Six team. I knew that they'd had a lot of great players. Chris Chelios and many more. I was just proud to be a part of it and (wanted) to work my way up." Daily Herald

Seabrook and Hjalmarsson tell their draft-day stories

John Dietz June 21, 2017

With the NHL draft being held at the United Center on Friday and Saturday, we asked 12 current or former Blackhawks to recall their draft-day experience. This installment features veteran defensemen Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

Brent Seabrook Taken in first round (14th overall) in 2003

"I think I had 25 interviews. It's a stressful time. You're always looking for the right answers while being honest and trying to give the teams what they want. It's a nerve-racking time when you're sitting in front of a general manager, scouts, assistant general manager, sometimes the coach. You've got six, seven, eight, 10 guys asking you questions and grilling you.

"The day of the draft (comes) and you don't get much sleep the night before. You're nervous and excited and wondering where you'll have an opportunity to try and make a team. Then you sit there and it feels like time can't go any slower. It's a painful wait to sit there and hear your name called. … It seemed like a lifetime in-between each pick.

"Luckily enough I was called by the Blackhawks. Then the excitement hits you and you do all the stuff below. Pictures, interviews, more interviews. Then you get to see your family and share in their joy. Had a little party afterwards. It was pretty fun."

Niklas Hjalmarsson Taken in the fourth round in 2005

"I was by myself in my apartment to be honest with you. I obviously knew it was draft day. But my agent just called me and said that I had been drafted by Chicago and I got real excited. I didn't talk to a lot of teams before the draft -- maybe two or three -- and Chicago wasn't one of them.

"I didn't care what round I got drafted in. … I was just focused on whoever drafted me, I was going to make the team. That was kind of the mindset right after."

Any negative thoughts about going to a team that had struggled for so long?

"That was a positive for me. That was my first thought -- that they weren't doing that well lately and I saw my opportunity to make the team."

The Athletic

Marian Hossa will not play 2017-18 season due to progressive skin disorder

Scott Powers June 21, 2017

Marian Hossa and the Blackhawks announced Wednesday he will not be playing the 2017-18 season due to a skin disorder.

“Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff, I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder,” Hossa said in a statement. “Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice.

“The Chicago Blackhawks organization, including Rocky Wirtz, John McDonough and Stan Bowman, and my agent, Ritch Winter, have been very supportive throughout this entire process. I would also like to thank my teammates and the amazing Blackhawks fans for their understanding. With respect to the privacy of my family, I will not be commenting any further on my health.”

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement that they are in full support of Hossa, but this is a difficult development for the organization.

“The Chicago Blackhawks are in full support of Marian Hossa as he addresses his medical issues,” Bowman's statement read. “This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is — competitive, loyal and humble. He has played a major role in the success our franchise has experienced in recent years, which makes his departure from our lineup a significant loss. His teammates and coaches know he battled through some very tough physical difficulties but never complained or missed games despite the challenges he faced. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health.”

Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry agreed it was best for Hossa to sit out the season.

“Marian has been dealing with the effects of a progressive skin disorder that is becoming more and more difficult to treat and control with conventional medications while he plays hockey,” Terry said in a statement. “Because of the dramatic nature of the medications required and their decreasing effectiveness, we strongly support his decision not to play during the 2017-18 season. We feel in the most certain terms this is the appropriate approach for Marian in order to keep him functional and healthy in the short term and throughout his life.”

The possibility Hossa could sit out the season due to the allergic reaction was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday night.

Hossa has been dealing with the skin disorder for some time, according to a source close to Hossa.

“He's got an allergic problem with equipment,” the source said. “It started couple season ago. Each season it's gotten worse and worse. Last season it was very bad.”

The source was also unsure whether Hossa would ever play again.

“I don't think so,” the source said.

Hossa, who turned 38 in January, was hopeful after the Blackhawks' season he would be returning for another year. He also recently told a Slovakia publication he planned to begin his offseason training soon.

“Yeah, I’m planning on it,” Hossa said on April 22. “Just train hard again this summer and get ready for the next year.”

Hossa's announcement only addressed the 2017-18 season. He has four years remaining on his 12-year, $63.3 million contract. He has an annual cap hit is $5.275 million, but his salary decreases to $1 million beginning next season. If Hossa retired now, the Blackhawks would face a cap recapture penalty of $3.675 million per season through the 2020-21 season.

Hossa can be placed on long-term injured reserve, which would allow the Blackhawks to utilize his cap hit if they go over the cap ceiling. The cap ceiling is $75 million for next season.

Hossa's agent Ritch Winter responded to an email Wednesday he couldn't add anything more to the information that has already been released by Hossa and the Blackhawks.

Hossa was asked prior to the 2016-17 season whether his desire to play might decline because he would technically be making less money. He didn't think so.

“To me, it’s not about that,” Hossa said in September of 2016. “I’m in a great organization, perfect spot. Family’s happy there. Like I said, if I can play for a long time, I’d love to. If I see the game change and you know I can’t keep up with the younger guys or there’s also injuries that are going to stop me and older age get into it, then I’ll consider maybe. Right now my focus is year by year. I had a great summer program, I told you. So I’ll go from there.”

The news about Hossa caught the league by surprise.

“Still trying to get a handle on it myself,” one general manager said. “I can say that Hossa is right up there as one of the best two-way players to have played the game.”

Hossa is coming off a bounceback season where he had 26 goals and 19 assists in 73 games. He has 525 goals and 609 assists in 1,309 career games. He signed with the Blackhawks prior to the 2009-10 season and has won three Stanley Cups with them.

The Athletic

NHL draft story: Ryan Hartman falls just far enough to Blackhawks

Scott Powers June 20, 2017

The anticipation built. The nerves kicked in. He was ready for the moment to finally happen.

Then, disappointment set in and the process restarted.

Ryan Hartman was emotionally hanging on every pick beginning with the No. 15 overall selection during the 2013 NHL draft. He was projected to go anywhere from there to about 40th overall, so he was dialed in when the draft got to the halfway point of the first round.

“So it’s kind of like you get that rush, where you hear the guy get up there, and he starts talking, and you kind of get all antsy and thinking it might be you, and it’s not, and you kind of go back to zero again, and you kind of start rebuilding again,” Hartman said just days before Chicago hosts the 2017 draft at the United Center. “It’s a lot of nerves, you can say that day.”

Selections were made one after another, and Hartman was passed on. At No. 25, he thought his time might be coming. A TV camera person had been drifting in the direction of the upcoming picks, and Hartman noticed the camera was in his section of the arena. He soon discovered Michael McCarron, the Montreal Canadiens’ pick at No. 25, was just a few rows in front of him.

At this point, Hartman became conflicted. He would have been ecstatic to go earlier in the first round, but now he couldn’t help but notice the Blackhawks were just a few picks away at No. 30. Hartman grew up a Blackhawks fan in the Chicago suburb of West Dundee. It was a lifelong dream to play for the Blackhawks.

“You’re never really hoping not to get picked, but I was hoping to slide a couple more picks,” Hartman said.

The Anaheim Ducks skipped him at No. 26. The Columbus Blue Jackets went with Marko Dano at No 27. The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars went with other players at No. 28 and No. 29.

Hartman knew the Blackhawks liked him. Mark Kelley, who ran their amateur scouting department, lived near where Hartman played that season with the Plymouth Whalers, so Kelley had seen Hartman play many times. Hartman had also interviewed with the Blackhawks at the draft combine. Still, you never know.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman walked onto the stage, reached the microphone and announced his pick. He said, “The Blackhawks are proud to select from the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL …”

As “Plymouth Whalers” left Bowman’s mouth, Hartman got excited, but then got worried the Blackhawks might be drafting one of his teammates. Someone from Hartman’s family screamed elsewhere in the arena and then quickly stopped. Finally, Bowman concluded with “Ryan Hartman” and Hartman sprung to his feet and hugged his family.

“It was pretty cool for everyone,” Hartman said. “I remember seeing the video. Of course, the person with the biggest smile on his face was my brother [Tanner]. He was pretty excited about it. He’s a Blackhawks fan as well. He couldn’t believe it. He was pretty pumped about it.”

Hartman remembered his cell phone had about 90 percent battery remaining before the pick. It was dead within the next 15 minutes because it had been lit up with so many congratulatory messages. He estimated he needed two weeks to reply to them all.

Heading into the draft, Hartman hadn’t put too much hope into being drafted by the Blackhawks, but he did understand what it would mean to be selected by another team. He’d have to hit reset on his hockey allegiance, ditch his Blackhawks gear and embrace a new team.

Hartman is thankful that never happened.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Hartman said. “You obviously grew up watching them and idolizing them. It’s like you’re a fan of the team. You’re about to get drafted to the NHL and you’re like, ‘Ah, well, I’m going to have to be a fan of another team now. I’m going to have forget about all those memories I had about being a fan, bring my loyalty to whoever else picks me.’ But I didn’t have to change my loyalty. I didn’t have to change who my favorite team in the NHL is. It was pretty special.”

The Athletic

Report: Marian Hossa could retire due to allergic reaction

Scott Powers June 20, 2017

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa could be forced to retire due to an allergic reaction to equipment, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday.

A messages left for a Blackhawks spokesperson was not immediately returned on Tuesday night.

Hossa's agent Ritch Winter wrote in an email Wednesday morning, “I am unable to comment at this time.”

Hossa, who turned 38 in January, said after the Blackhawks’ season he expected to be back next season.

“Yeah, I’m planning on it,” Hossa said on April 22. “Just train hard again this summer and get ready for the next year.”

Hossa also expressed a desire to remain playing with the Blackhawks and was planning to soon begin his offseason routine when recently interviewed by Slovakia Sport reporter Tomas Prokop.

Hossa has four years remaining on his 12-year, $63.3 million contract. His annual cap hit is $5.275 million, but his salary decreases to $1 million beginning next season. If Hossa retired now, the Blackhawks would face a cap recapture penalty of $3.675 million per season through the 2020-21 season. Hossa could also be placed on long-term injured reserve, which would allow the Blackhawks to utilize the cap hit elsewhere.

Hossa was asked prior to the 2016-17 season whether his desire to play might decline because he would technically be making less money. He didn't think so.

The Athletic

Blackhawks, Ville Pokka working on new contract

Scott Powers June 19, 2017

The Blackhawks and defenseman Ville Pokka are negotiating a new contract, according to a source.

Pokka’s entry-level contract is set to expire and he’d become a restricted free agent on July 1. The Blackhawks acquired Pokka, 23, from the New York Islanders as part of the Nick Leddy trade in 2014.

Pokka has been one of the Blackhawks’ top defensemen for the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL the past two seasons, but he’s been unable to get a chance in the NHL. He had 10 goals and 35 assists in 76 games for the IceHogs in the 2015-16 season and six goals and 24 assists in 76 games for the IceHogs last season. He also played the 2014-15 season for the IceHogs.

Pokka was hoping to make his NHL debut this past season, but a lower-body injury derailed his offseason workout plans and he endured some inconsistencies throughout the 2016-17 season. He began the season by representing Finland at the World Cup, but went on to struggle with the IceHogs early in the season. His game did improve later in the season.

The Blackhawks understand Pokka could be frustrated by remaining in the AHL for so long.

“I think the case with Ville, sometimes it can be mentally taxing when you feel like you’re in a situation where you’re not getting an opportunity,” Blackhawks assistant general manager Norm Maciver recently said. “Sometimes it’s very tough to play through that. We still think there’s something there. We haven’t given hope up on Ville. He still needs to continue to put in the work. Again, he’s 22 years old. It’s not like he’s well past his prime. He’s got a lot of attributes that most NHL defensemen have and that he still needs to continue to work on.

“He’s been in Rockford three years. Sometimes mentally it can be tough on a player to be in the same minor league city for three years, especially in today’s NHL. It’s something you need to continue to fight through, and we need him to continue to work on some things. We still think Ville has a chance at some point to be an NHL player.”

Pokka is a right-handed shot, and the Blackhawks don’t have many of those in the organization currently. Brent Seabrook, Michal Rozsival and Trevor van Riemsdyk are the right-handed shots returning from last season’s team. Van Riemsdyk could be selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft on Wednesday. The Blackhawks also recently signed Jan Rutta, a right-handed shot, from the Czech Republic.

The IceHogs do have a couple of right-handed defensemen. They recently signed Robin Press, a former Blackhawks prospect, and Darren Raddysh, who previously played for the OHL’s Erie Otters, to AHL contracts. Both players would have to sign NHL contracts if the Blackhawks wanted to promote them.

The Athletic

Finding trends in the Blackhawks’ recent draft history

Scott Powers June 20, 2017

The past can sometimes tell us about the future.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman will be at the helm of his eighth draft at the 2017 NHL draft on Friday, so we have an idea of what to expect. Here’s what we know about his first seven drafts and the Blackhawks’ recent draft history:

• The Blackhawks have drafted 62 players since 2010. They’ve selected 34 forwards, 21 defensemen and seven goalies. • They’ve made six selections in the first round, 12 in the second round, 10 in the third round, eight in the fourth round, eight in the fifth round, 10 in the sixth round and nine in the seventh round. • Among the forwards, they’ve drafted six in the first round, five in the second round, five in the third round, five in the fourth round, five in the fifth round, four in the sixth round and three in the seventh round. Among the defensemen, they’ve drafted none in the first round, six in the second round, three in the third round, three in the fourth round, three in the fifth round, four in the sixth round and two in the seventh round. Among the goalies, they’ve drafted none in the first round, one in the second round, one in the third round, none in the fourth round, none in the fifth round, one in the sixth round and four in the seventh round. • They've drafted 19 left-handed shooting forwards and 15 right-shooting ones. Among the defensemen, they've selected 14 left-handed shots and seven right-handed shots. • Seventeen of the 62 players have played at least one NHL game. Six of those 17 players were drafted in the first round, four in the second round, four in the third round, one in the fourth round, one in the fifth round and one in the sixth round. • The Blackhawks have only drafted forwards in the first round in the last seven drafts. They haven’t taken a defenseman in the first round since Dylan Olsen in 2009. They haven’t drafted a goalie in the first round since Adam Munro in 2001. • They haven’t drafted earlier than No. 18 overall since 2008. Their last top 10 pick came in 2007. They had six top 10 picks between 2000-2007. They're slated to draft at No. 26 this season. • All six of their first-round selections have appeared in at least one NHL game. Kevin Hayes (2010) has played in 234 NHL games, Teuvo Teravainen (2012) 196, Philip Danault (2011) 135, Ryan Hartman (2013) 84, Nick Schmaltz (2014) 61 and Mark McNeill (2011) 2. • Fifteen players were drafted from the USHL, 11 from Sweden, seven from the OHL, five from high school, four from the WHL, four from the QMJHL, three from Russia, two from Finland and two from college. • The Blackhawks have selected 29 U.S.-born players, 14 from Canada, 10 from Sweden, three from Russia, two from Finland, one from Denmark, one from Slovakia, one from Germany and one from Belarus. • Twenty-five players have played college hockey and one more is committed to play next season. Nineteen played in the CHL and 17 played in Europe. • Thirty players have signed entry-level contracts with the Blackhawks. Eleven players didn’t sign before their draft rights expired. Twenty-one players’ rights are still owned by the Blackhawks and could sign entry-level contracts. • The Blackhawks have drafted six players who have played for Chicago-area youth hockey clubs. • Twelve prospects drafted since 2010 have been traded. Seven of those prospects were selected in the first or second round. • Corey Crawford, a second-round pick in 2003, is the last Blackhawks-drafted goalie to appear in more than one NHL game. The Blackhawks have drafted 10 goalies since Crawford. • The last Blackhawks-drafted defenseman to play 41 games in a season for the Blackhawks is Niklas Hjalmarsson, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2005. The Blackhawks have had other defensemen appear in 41 games for other teams. Olsen, Stephen Johns (2010), Klas Dahlbeck (2011) and Adam Clendening (2011) have all played 75-plus career NHL games. • Schmaltz is the last Blackhawks-drafted forward to play in 41 games in a season for the Blackhawks. Six drafted forwards since 2010 have played in at least 41 games in a season for the Blackhawks. • Four of 10 players in the Blackhawks' 2010 draft class have played in the NHL, seven of 11 in 2011, two of eight in 2012, three of eight in 2013 and one of nine in 2014. • Goalie Mac Carruth is the only Blackhawks-drafted player still in the organization from the 2010 class. He will not be re-signing with the Blackhawks when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, according to a source. Vinnie Hinostroza is the only player remaining in the 2012 class. Every player except for Maxim Shalunov, whose rights the Blackhawks still own, are no longer in the organization from the 2011 class.

ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Medical update on Marian Hossa

Chicago Blackhawks Media Relations June 21, 2017

Statement from Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa:

Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff, I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder. Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice.

The Chicago Blackhawks organization, including Rocky Wirtz, John McDonough and Stan Bowman, and my agent, Ritch Winter, have been very supportive throughout this entire process. I would also like to thank my teammates and the amazing Blackhawks fans for their understanding. With respect to the privacy of my family, I will not be commenting any further on my health.

Statement from Chicago Blackhawks Senior Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman:

The Chicago Blackhawks are in full support of Marian Hossa as he addresses his medical issues. This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is - competitive, loyal and humble. He has played a major role in the success our franchise has experienced in recent years, which makes his departure from our lineup a significant loss. His teammates and coaches know he battled through some very tough physical difficulties but never complained or missed games despite the challenges he faced. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health.

Statement from Chicago Blackhawks Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry:

Marian has been dealing with the effects of a progressive skin disorder that is becoming more and more difficult to treat and control with conventional medications while he plays hockey. Because of the dramatic nature of the medications required and their decreasing effectiveness, we strongly support his decision not to play during the 2017-18 season. We feel in the most certain terms this is the appropriate approach for Marian in order to keep him functional and healthy in the short term and throughout his life.

ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Kane, Toews lead list of players appearing at NHL Draft Fan Fest

Chicago Blackhawks Media Relations June 20, 2017

Chicago Blackhawks forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews highlight a list of special guests appearing at NHL Draft Fan Fest outside the United Center on Friday and Saturday as the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago serve as hosts to the NHL Draft presented by adidas.

In addition to Kane and Toews, other special guests scheduled to appear include (list subject to change): Brian Campbell, Tony Esposito, Denis Savard, Eric Daze, Colin Fraser, Adam Burish, Chris Chelios, Pat Foley, John Wiedeman, Troy Murray and Jim Cornelison. To qualify for limited autograph and photo opportunities, those attending Fan Fest must activate their Fan Pass at draftfanfest.com.

Neon Trees will kick off the NHL Draft Fan Fest with a concert at 5 p.m. on Friday. Neon Trees is best known for their singles "Everybody Talks" and "Animal" that climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 Alternative Songs charts.

NHL Draft Fan Fest will include interactive games, photo opportunities with Blackhawks players and alumni, music and a special appearance by the NHL Centennial Fan Arena. MB Financial Bank and Gerber Collision & Glass are proud sponsors of NHL Draft Fan Fest.

Hockey fans of all ages are invited to celebrate the next generation of talent through an interactive festival open Friday from 3-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in United Center Parking Lot C, directly north of the United Center.

All fans must have a Fan Pass to enter Fan Fest. Tickets to the NHL Draft will grant fans access to both the NHL Draft that will take place inside the United Center as well as Fan Fest. Fans who purchased tickets to the Draft will receive Fan Fest passes in the mail prior to the event. Draft Fan Passes are available to fans at the United Center Box Office (1901 W. Madison St.), the Blackhawks Michigan Avenue Flagship Store (333 N. Michigan Ave.), the Blackhawks Aurora Outlet Store (1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Aurora) and select MB Financial Bank and Gerber Collision & Glass locations. More information on obtaining and registering Fan Fest Passes as well as a map of the NHL Draft Fan Fest grounds can be found at chicagoblackhawks.com/fanfest.

In addition to celebrating the future NHL stars being drafted, fans can celebrate hockey history with the NHL Centennial Fan Arena that will be onsite to explore as a part of NHL Draft Fan Fest. The main attraction is a 53-foot museum truck with an innovative interior featuring more than 1,000 square feet of interactive digital displays, original video content, one-of-a-kind historical memorabilia, unique photo moments and a social media wall. The Museum Truck will showcase the history of Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL. The Stanley Cup® -- the oldest and most revered trophy in all professional sports -- will be on display on Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fans who have a ticket to the event will be able to take their photo with the Stanley Cup.

A full list of activities, special guest appearances and NHL Draft Fan Fest schedule will be posted at a later date. Tickets to both days of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center are on sale to the public now. The tickets will be available exclusively at ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Top 4 things to do at the Draft

Leah Hendrickson June 20, 2017

The NHL Draft is coming to Chicago for the first time ever, and you were lucky enough to snag tickets to the two-day event. Not sure how to spend your time? Here are the four things you can't miss at the NHL Draft.

Round 1

A new crop of NHL hopefuls wait to hear their name called at the United Center. Be in your seats by 6 p.m. so you don't miss the No. 1 pick. The Blackhawks will make their first pick of the Draft at No. 26.

Come back on Saturday to see the next generation of stars don their team's sweaters for the first time in Rounds 2-7, beginning at 9 a.m. With 10 draft picks over the course of two days, it will certainly be a busy weekend for the host team.

Fan Fest

Kicking off the Draft with a concert by the rock band Neon Trees, Fan Fest offers activities for the whole family, including autograph signings, hockey clinics and the NHL Centennial Fan Arena. Register your Fan Fest pass before you come for quick entry to the event and for the chance to win even more Blackhawks prizes!

Check out our guide to Fan Fest for more details on what to do at the event.

Madhouse Team Store

Shop the latest Blackhawks and NHL Draft gear at the brand-new Madhouse Team Store located in the United Center Atrium. The 10,000-square-foot store features activities outfitted in a technologically reinvigorated CTA car and an interactive photo booth. Did we mention tons of exclusive team merchandise?

United Center Atrium

Located in between the new office building and the United Center, the Atrium will host several attractions to occupy you before the No. 1 pick is selected. Stop by the adidas Draft photo experience to get your own personalized player card and be sure to check out the NHL Trophy display!

To stay up to date on what to expect at the Draft this weekend, bookmark our Frequently Asked Questions page and be prepared come Friday.

ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Verdict: Hits, misses and tweeners all a part of draft history

Bob Verdi June 20, 2017

There is a litany of hits, misses and tweeners since the National Hockey League Draft was instituted in 1963. So it has been, and so it will be when the United Center becomes the sport's epicenter on June 23.

The host Blackhawks, with three Stanley Cups this decade, are Exhibit A in how to build a championship core through the judicious selection of youth and skillful development of same. Having finished atop the Western Conference during the regular season, the Blackhawks will draft 26th in the first round. Their recent reign is based on exemplary selections, some of which occurred while the franchise wobbled.

Duncan Keith was picked 54th overall during the second round in 2002. Brent Seabrook, first round, 14th overall, followed in 2003. They have each earned three championship rings, as have Jonathan Toews (third overall in 2006), Patrick Kane (first overall in 2007) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (108th overall in 2005). Corey Crawford, 52nd overall behind Seabrook in 2003, has backstopped for two Cups. That is an estimable core, all hits. Had one been a miss, or even a tweener, who is to say whether the Blackhawks would have staged all those parades?

Before the NHL draft was implemented, NHL teams were built in part via sponsorships of junior clubs. That's how the Blackhawks acquired Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. With parental consent, Bobby Orr -- at age 14 and weighing 125 pounds -- willed his rights to the Boston Bruins. Since the advent of the current system, the penalty for expending a premium draft slot on a prospect who doesn't produce is severe. All organizations have been there, Chicago included.

But the Blackhawks also have struck gold when they really needed help. In 1977, while mired in an implausible patch of losing 16 consecutive playoff games, they drafted Doug Wilson. In 1980, Denis Savard. Empty seats at the Stadium vanished. Eddie Olczyk, Dave Manson and Jeremy Roenick joined the talent pool in the '80s, a trend that, frankly, was not replicated in the '90s. Alas, there was a stretch when the Blackhawks drafted great athletes, but in the wrong sport. Once upon a forgettable time, the Blackhawks were a better golf team than hockey team.

But scouts sometimes outdo themselves. In 1978, the Blackhawks found Darryl Sutter in the 11th round, 179th overall. In 1980, after Savard, the Blackhawks grabbed Troy Murray in the third round and Steve Larmer in the sixth, 120th overall! Talk about replenishing a needy roster. Those were good years, and they might have been even better. In 1983, the Blackhawks tabbed Dominik Hasek in the 10th round, 199th overall, the 17th goalie chosen. Could he have been the answer? Alas, we'll never know. After finally making his NHL debut in 1990, Hasek got away. You can find his plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame, not far from the space occupied by fellow Blackhawk Ed Belfour, so unwanted that he signed as a free agent. Hasek won two Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, Belfour one with the Dallas Stars. So it goes.

Such is the fickle nature of talent procurement. Some gems wait forever to be loved, but unlike Belfour, at least they were drafted. Brett Hull's name wasn't called until the sixth round. Ditto for Pavel Datsyuk and Daniel Alfredsson. Henrik Lundqvist walked the halls until the seventh round, as did Doug Gilmour and Henrik Zetterberg. Luc Robitaille scored 668 goals, and the Los Angeles Kings didn't bother keeping the receipt. They stole him in round nine. In this year's Stanley Cup Final, rosters of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators were liberally sprinkled with distant draftees.

Well north of that, there have been instances when No. 1 draft choices were traded, even before being identified. How the Montreal Canadiens perpetuated their dynasty is a classic example. Prior to the 1970-71 season, General Manager Sam Pollock coveted the top choice in that spring's draft. Pollock was a genius. It was admiringly theorized that, had he been an undertaker, Pollock could convince a bereaved family to purchase a suit with two pairs of pants for the parting outfit of a deceased soul.

Anyway, the Canadiens won the 1971 Stanley Cup in a momentous seven-game series against the Blackhawks, a fitting swan song for the great Jean Beliveau, age 39. Yet, a month later, there was Pollock holding the No. 1 overall selection. You ask, how? Well, in a typically astute bit of pre-planning, Pollock envisioned the expansion California Golden Seals as a good bet to be bad. So, he convinced Seals owner Charles O. Finley to accept Ernie Hicke and a 1970 draft choice in exchange for California's No. 1 slot in 1971.

The Seals had to log the NHL's worst record to make it work, and they obliged with room to spare. (In another Pollockpalooza, he shipped Ralph Backstrom to the struggling Los Angeles Kings mid-season, just to fortify their chances of not underwhelming the Seals.) On draft day, the Stanley Cup champions had a pleasant dilemma. Guy Lafleur or Marcel Dionne? Pollock selected Lafleur, a sure superstar. He won five Cups in Montreal. Dionne went No. 2 to the Detroit Red Wings. They are both in the Hall of Fame.

And so is Pollock.

MadhouseTeamStore.com

United Center Joint Venture debuts Madhouse Team Store

Madhouse Team Store June 20, 2017

The United Center Joint Venture (UCJV) today officially opened the Madhouse Team Store, located in the east addition to the United Center. The 10,000-square-foot retail store will sell Bulls and Blackhawks gear, as well as an exclusive new line of Madhouse apparel that will be released in the fall. The store will be open on both event and non-event days, further developing the United Center campus into a year-round destination for fans of both teams.

The interior of the team store provides a unique experience for fans to enjoy throughout the entire year. Fans visiting the store will have the opportunity to make play-by-play calls from some of the most famous moments in Blackhawks' and Bulls' history via interactive touchscreens inside a technologically reinvigorated CTA car. The car also features an interactive photo booth that will allow guests to insert themselves into iconic photos that can then be shared on their personal social media channels.

Working with Chicago-based design experts 555 International, the UCJV created a state-of-the-art retail space that highlights each team with new branding that invokes the heritage and colors of both franchises. The store features Bulls, Blackhawks and Madhouse apparel for men, women and children, an entire wall of jerseys, autographed and game-used memorabilia from both teams for sale and a floor-to-ceiling display of hats. Local creative agency Leviathan created all of the digital content that can be seen on the store's touchscreens, projectors and displays, including a historical timeline of both teams' greatest moments. The United Center utilized Whitlock to integrate all the new technology and interactive elements, including a laser-projected digital canvas and the CTA car experiences.

The Madhouse Team Store marks the first of many new fan amenities coming to the United Center leading up to and during the 2017-18 season, including a Courtside VIP Club and updated banquet rooms. The United Center will add clubs on the main concourse, dining options, bars and more fan amenities in subsequent seasons.

The store, which will be accessible via the atrium and a secure entrance off of Madison Street, will host special events such as autograph signings and meet-and-greets for fans throughout the year, as well as have a DJ set-up in-store on select game days. Fans are encouraged to visit the store during non-game days and concert days, as it will be open to the public as follows:

Non-Event Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Event Day Hours: 10 a.m. to one hour post-event

As with the United Center's east addition that opened in March 2017, the United Center teamed up with HOK and McHugh Construction to manage the design and construction process of the Madhouse Team Store, and will partner with Rank + Rally, the retail subsidiary of Levy, to operate the new retail location.

For more details, fans can go to MadhouseTeamStore.com and follow the Madhouse Team Store on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at MadhouseStoreUC.

CSNChicago.com

Blackhawks' Marian Hossa Will Miss 2017-18 Season

Tracey Myers June 21, 2017

Marian Hossa has been the consummate pro throughout his career, a tremendous player who has helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups since 2010. Now, the side effects of a medication used to treat a skin disorder will cost Hossa the 2017-18 season.

Hossa released a statement through the Blackhawks early Wednesday morning, stating that he will not be able to play hockey this season due to side effects he’s experienced in fighting a “progressive skin disorder.” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report late Tuesday night that Hossa could be sidelined due to this.

Here is Hossa’s full statement:

“Over the course of the last few years, under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff, I have been privately undergoing treatment for a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medications involved to treat the disorder. Due to the severe side effects associated with those medications, playing hockey is not possible for me during the upcoming 2017-18 season. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice.

Dr. Michael Terry issued the following statement regarding Hossa.

“Marian has been dealing with the effects of a progressive skin disorder that is becoming more and more difficult to treat and control with conventional medications while he plays hockey. Because of the dramatic nature of the medications required and their decreasing effectiveness, we strongly support his decision not to play during the 2017-18 season. We feel in the most certain terms this is the appropriate approach for Marian in order to keep him functional and healthy in the short term and throughout his life.”

Stan Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville will address the media in Chicago on Thursday but Bowman also released a statement early Wednesday morning.

“The Chicago Blackhawks are in full support of Marian Hossa as he addresses his medical issues. This is extremely difficult for us because we all know the incredible person and player that Marian Hossa is — competitive, loyal and humble. He has played a major role in the success our franchise has experienced in recent years, which makes his departure from our lineup a significant loss. His teammates and coaches know he battled through some very tough physical difficulties but never complained or missed games despite the challenges he faced. The organization will continue to provide him every resource he needs to maintain his health.”

Hossa has four years remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $5.275 million. According to CapFriendly, since Hossa is missing the upcoming season but is not retired, he can be placed on long-term injured reserve the day before the 2017-18 season begins. So on the financial side, the Blackhawks will save that cap space this season.

But considering what this news means to Hossa’s health and his career, the business side doesn’t mean too much right now. The Blackhawks may gain money but they lose a consummate professional, a tremendous two-way player who was coming off a rebound season.

When Hossa last addressed the Blackhawks media on April 22, he was asked about playing in the in the World Championships in May. Hossa said he talked with the Slovakian team’s representatives and said, “at this stage, I’ve been in eight world championships, four Olympics, World Cups, so let the young guys play. Right now, I need to rest some things in my body, but it’s better to allow the young players to play. I’m 38 years old, so it’s time for the young guys to step up.”

But, asked if he was calling it quits, Hossa said, “I’m not calling anything.” Now, at least for the immediate future, Hossa’s health will take him out of hockey.

CSNChicago.com

Report Suggests Blackhawks Star Marian Hossa Might Be Forced To End NHL Career

Tracey Myers June 20, 2017

When Marian Hossa addressed the media on April 22, two days after the Blackhawks’ postseason was abruptly finished thanks to the Nashville Predators’ four-game sweep of them, he looked the picture of health. As disappointed as he was at the outcome, he smiled as he left the United Center, shaking hands with several members of the media.

But in a Sportsnet report from Elliotte Friedman, Hossa’s health is very much an issue, and it may mean the end of his career. Sources told Friedman that the medication Hossa needs to combat "a serious allergic reaction to the equipment he wears" could require the forward to get his blood tested every few weeks to make sure there were no side effects.

A message left with the Blackhawks had not been returned at the time of this writing.

Hossa has four years remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $5.275 million per season. Hossa’s salary, however, will be $1 million each of the last four seasons. If Hossa was forced to retire, the Blackhawks would face salary recapture penalties of more than $3.5 million over the next four seasons. If Hossa were to be placed on long-term injured reserve, the Blackhawks would not be responsible for Hossa’s cap it.

Hossa has played in more than 1,300 regular-season games and passed the 500-goal mark with the Blackhawks this past season. He’s been to five Stanley Cup finals, winning three Cups with the Blackhawks.

When asked in April about playing in the World Championships, Hossa said he talked with the Slovakian team’s representatives and said, “at this stage, I’ve been in eight world championships, four Olympics, World Cups, so let the young guys play. Right now, I need to rest some things in my body, but it’s better to allow the young players to play. I’m 38 years old, so it’s time for the young guys to step up.”

But, asked if he was calling it quits, Hossa said, “I’m not calling anything,” to laughs.

If this is it, it would be a sad ending to an otherwise tremendous career.

CSNChicago.com

Craig Anderson Impressed By 'Hotbed of Hockey' In Chicago

Tracey Myers June 20, 2017

Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson was one of those kids who grew up playing hockey in the Chicago area when it wasn’t incredibly popular. To see how popular youth hockey is there now, the Park Ridge native is impressed.

“Hockey in Chicago’s grown quite a bit, Triple-A, Double-A, the last 15-20 years it’s exploded,” said Anderson of Chicago, where the NHL Draft will be held this weekend. “I’ve been able to see it first-hand when I grew up and see what it is today. I still have lots of friends who are coaching. It’s one of those things that, since [Patrick] Kane and [Jonathan] Toews came in, it’s been the hotbed of hockey in the states.”

Anderson will continue to do his goalie school in the Chicago area; he said this summer he will do one in West Dundee but not at Johnny’s IceHouse. This week, however, Anderson is in Vegas as a nominee for the Masterton Trophy, given annually to the player who represents heart, perseverance and dedication.

It was a trying season for Anderson, who took several leaves of absence from the Senators this season as his wife, Nicholle, battled cancer. He came back to help the Senators reach the Eastern Conference final. Anderson said the great support he got from everyone, plus the right approached, was beneficial for him and his wife.

“It’s definitely been a year of ups and downs, being optimistic and staying positive has been the key,” Anderson said. “We’ve always looked forward and set our eye on the goal of being positive and always looking ahead.”

While the Senators’ playoff run ended in late May, the Andersons got great news around the same time: Nicholle announced on Twitter on May 27 that she was cancer free. Craig said Nicholle is doing well but “every day’s a little bit of a challenge.”

“She’s still trying to get her strength back," he said. "She’ll have a good day and the next day will be a low-key day where she has to rest. But for the most part, things are getting back to normal,” Anderson said. “She goes, goes goes and then she needs the rest. She can’t go the way she used to but it’s starting to come back.”