Things are really starting to pick up in the hockey world, as we head into Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, trades and activity across the NHL are already starting to trickle in. It is late June, after all. The 2024 NHL Draft (June 28 and 29) and the start of the free agency period (July 1) are just around the corner. The Chicago Blackhawks are focusing on who they will select with their No. 2 overall pick, as well as the seven other selections they hold in this year’s draft. They’re also looking towards the free agency period, to determine what offseason trades and acquisitions will help improve their team for the 2024-25 season, and beyond.
Let’s get to some of the latest updates.
Blackhawks Plugging the 2024 Winter Classic
Being a major market, and one that has little problem selling tickets, the Blackhawks are slated to participate in yet another outdoor game (their seventh). This time it’s in the 2024 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on Dec. 31, versus the St. Louis Blues. Tickets for this event officially went on sale on Friday, June 14.
Coincidentally (I think not!), Blackhawks’ defenseman Connor Murphy was on hand on this date to throw out the first pitch for the Cubs. He also personally made a pitch for the upcoming Winter Classic game.
You heard Murph 🗣️
🎟️ https://t.co/FmlIknaWw7 pic.twitter.com/uOdTgmtojs
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 14, 2024
For those that are interested in attending, it will be quite the atmosphere at such an iconic venue. This was also the location of the 2009 Winter Classic, with the Blackhawks hosting the Detroit Red Wings. What a great way this latest outdoor game will be to ring in the new year!
Combine Thoughts: Levshunov, Nazar, Celebrini & Bedard
Moving on to some draft news, the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine officially wrapped up on June 8. Top prospect Artyom Levshunov was the big news. The defenseman is one of the players projected to go at the No. 2 spot, which the Blackhawks hold. The Zhlobin, Belarus native made quite the first impression.
Levshunov’s Outgoing Personality
It turns out Levshunov has a fun and easy-going personality in addition to his on-ice talent. He made a point to shake every reporter’s hand before he was interviewed, and then proceeded to have them all laughing at his responses. You’ve probably already heard how he was taken out to dinner by the Blackhawks, and he joked about having a couple of…
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