Morning Chirps: Another prospect's draft rights expire, Canucks have their new head coach

What a Tuesday! Morning Chirps are back, and the Stanley Cup Final begins tonight. Enjoy!

Blackhawks Chirps

Jack Pridham is no longer a Blackhawks prospect. He was traded on Monday to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2027 third-round pick. It had become clear over the past few days that he did not want to sign with the Blackhawks, so they recouped the third-round pick they used to draft him. With as many forwards in the prospect pool, Pridham obviously felt that his path to the NHL was easier elsewhere. It was also reported that he has committed to play at the University of Denver next season.

Jay Zawaski and I discussed the Pridham trade, remembered Dennis Hull and Claude Lemiuex, and much more on yesterday's CHGO Blackhawks podcast.

In addition to trading Pridham, the draft rights also expired for 2022 seventh-round draft pick Riku Tohila. The 6’8 center has struggled to produce offense in his native Finland and has only played 59 games in Liiga since being drafted.

While I was out of town, there was plenty of chatter on Connor Bedard’s next contract. Franklin Steele says the Blackhawks are nailing one critical aspect of the negotiations. My advice is to take any speculation about negotiations with a grain of salt. If there isn’t a report from one of the top insiders, like Elliotte Friedman nationally or Scott Powers locally, it’s likely just speculation, not facts.

Now that June is here, we can focus more on the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Nestor Quixtan feels that simply drafting the best player with the fourth pick is the smarter move.

Speaking of the draft, Corey Pronman’s latest mock draft for The Athletic has Ivar Stenberg falling to the Blackhawks at No. 4.

On this date in 1948, the NHL announced the Art Ross Trophy would be awarded to the league’s scoring leader instead of the “most outstanding player. Rory Conacher was the first Blackhawks player to win the Art Ross Trophy in 1949. Stan Mikita won it four times (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968), Bobby Hull three times (1960, 1962, 1966), and Patrick Kane was the last to do so in 2016.

In 2010, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to get their first win of the series. The Blackhawks got two second-period goals from the backend with Duncan Keith and Brent Sopel finding the back of the net. Kane put them ahead 3-2 early in the third period, but was answered quickly by Ville Leino. Claude Giroux was the hero at 5:59 of overtime.

In 2013, the Blackhawks took a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final by beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. They chased goaltender Jonathan Quick from the game with goals by Andrew Shaw, Brent Seabrook, Bryan Bickell, and Michael Handzus.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, June 2: Dick Butler, Dan Frawley, Adam Creighton, and Josef Marha.

According to Frank Seravalli, the Vancouver Canucks will name Manny Malhotra the 23rd head coach in franchise history. This comes as no surprise. New general manager Ryan Johnson and Malhotra won the Calder Cup together in 2024-25. He was also a teammate of Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who are now the co-presidents of operations in Vancouver.

According to Marco D’Amico, the Montreal Canadiens and Ivan Demidov have mutual interest in a long-term contract extension. He has one year left on his entry-level contract, but it’s believed that the two sides will sign a long-term deal this summer.

Staying in Montreal, Brendan Gallagher said that it feels “pretty clear” that his time with the Canadiens has come to an end. He’s played 911 games for the Habs over 14 seasons, scoring 246 goals and 487 points.

David Carle will not be the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. TSN’s Chris Johnston said there was “no smoke” around the rumors that he would take the job. He will remain in Denver, where he will coach Pridham next season.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs' last coach, Craig Berube, has interviewed for the Edmonton Oilers' head coaching job.

Finally, former Blackhawks goaltender Malcom Subban has signed a one-year deal with HC Dynamo Pardubice in Czechia.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, June 2: Ott Heller, Lou Nanne, Larry Robinson, Charlie Huddy, Scott Bjugstad, Doug Evans, Russ Courtnall, Marty McInnis, Chris Higgins, Patrik Berglund, and Jake Evans.

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