Quickly Recapping The Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Pretty Sure The Hawks Hate My Guts

Prospect camp couldn’t have come at a better time this year. Not because of anything hockey related, but because it was like 85 degrees with a billion percent humidity when I walked my dog at 7AM today and I didn’t stop sweating until I got to sit in the rink at like 930AM. That cool air, the sounds, and the hype. It was the perfect way to spend the morning and I wasn’t alone

Maybe this only matters to me, but I absolutely love the passion for hockey in Chicago these days. I’d guess there were roughly 600 people in the stands…on a weekday…in July…at 9AM. That is incredible. The people care. They’ve bought in with the Cup teams and it feels like the hardcore people aren’t going anywhere. In fact…they’re showing up in more numbers than ever. As a hockey guy in Chicago, I love to see it.

Here are a few take-aways from the Camp

Blackhawks Management:

Last year at the prospect camp scrimmage I was standing in the corner, watching hockey, minding my own business and was approached by a group of people from brass. Adam Rogowin(VP of Communications), John Steinmiller(Adam’s #2), Jay Blunk(Exec VP), and John McDonough. They were very nice to me. Blunk and Rogowin in particular. We had good discussions about Barstool, the media landscape, what I am trying to do, and I thought we took steps towards a productive working relationship. There were follow up communications with Adam. Those emails/texts/phone calls didn’t go anywhere. Then the Blackhawks fired Quenneville and I went scorched earth on the Front Office. I then took it one step further with the John McDonough blog series and that was basically all she wrote. Knowing what I know about McDonough, I knew I ran the risk of being officially shunned by the Hawks, but I never had access to begin with and it was more important to me to try to tell the truth and be as authentic as possible instead of trying to open up some bridge that hadn’t developed in 6 years of writing despite my good relationships with players on the team and several people across multiple departments. I understand why McDonough would be angry with me. It is what it is. I am not happy with him either, but if you’re wondering why there haven’t been any Blackhawks guests available for Redline Radio…now you know. Largely my fault, but I don’t think I would change anything either.

Needless to say I wasn’t greeted the same way this year as I was last year. Last year it was pretty obvious that John McDonough didn’t know who I was when we were talking. This year we made eye contact and he looked away quickly and I got the vibe that he was very familiar with me now. Could be wrong, but that was the vibe. Opposite feeling for Stan. Stan and I made eye contact on Wednesday and I didn’t get that vibe. Obviously he is aware of Barstool. He went on Chiclets last Fall. I wanted the chance to interview him. Needless to say that opportunity wasn’t afforded to me. I think the Chiclets guys did a good job, but there were a few moments where I feel like Stan slipped questions that I would’ve tried to hold his feet to the fire. That’s kind of the update on where things stand with the Hawks and myself/Barstool.

Camp Stars:

Adam Boqvist

Nobody shined as much as Boqvist in the game today and he also just looked different that most of the other guys during skating drills on Wednesday. He is electric. He’s explosive. Unreal skater, filthy hands, and high-end vision. It was on display early in this game today

He’s an electric factory offensive. He not only joins the rush, but today he was usually leading it. He skates in that way where he looks like he’s gliding but then is blowing past people while having the puck on a string. He is really fun to watch. Looked way more advanced defensively than he did last year, but the stick still needs work.

You’d expect him to stand out against this level of competition and he definitely did. No idea what his ETA at this point, but I’d expect him to play a few NHL games this year if there are some injuries, which there most certainly will.

Kirby Dach

Dach looks very legit as well. He is a big boy. Easily the most physically impressive player in camp. It was hard to get a feel for his pure straight away speed in this setting, but he’s very elusive. Changes directions well. Uses his edges, hands, and reach to create space. He protected the puck well and was good in traffic around the net. He had one spectacular goal from in tight during a 3 on 3 session that I couldn’t find video of, but it lead to the first embedded tweet of this blog. From a size, skill, strength, speed perspective he probably has all the raw tools to play in the NHL right now. That doesn’t mean he is ready for prime time. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in camp when the competition becomes roughly 1000x harder. Gun to my head I’d say he goes back to Saskatoon this year, but the optimist in me wants to say he’s ready for prime time.

Ian Mitchell

I just love the kid. When you watch him play live you can really appreciate all the little things he does. He makes good decisions with the puck. He can hang on to it, but isn’t shy about getting it  up ice. He really takes away space well through the neutral zone by attacking on-coming opponents by going forward, and he’s fluid getting back. Good gaps, good stick, nice brain. I think he is going to be a staple in the top 4 for the Blackhawks for the next decade.

Chad Krys

I feel like he’s the forgotten man. 2nd round pick in 2016 with Debrincat. He never really dominated at the college level, but every time I watch him he looks good to me. Fluid skater, seems smart. Doesn’t really give you a “Chad” vibe. More of an Thomas. I think he can play. I am very interested to see if he can stay healthy and take his game to the next level in Rockford.

Overall:

It was a good day, like I said. I wish there was a way to repair and start over the with Blackhawks professionally, but I doubt it. Didn’t get kicked out though so that was nice. There were a handful of guys that stood out beyond the ones I listed. I like McLaughlin, I like Hagel, Wise looked good on Wednesday, Nylander looks like a pro as you’d hope, but I said at the start of the week that you really want Dach and Boqvist to shine and they did. It gives you hope for the future and that maybe the future is closer than we think.