Morning Chirps: Bedard-a-Palooza, veteran goalie calls it a career

Connor Bedard met the media on Monday after signing his big five-year, $75 million contract over the weekend. We had all the angles of what he had to say covered. Let’s get you all caught up!

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Bedard-a-Palooza started with his thoughts on his new deal as well as why he’s excited about this season and beyond.

Of course, Bedard’s shoulder injury and recovery were another big topic of discussion, and he has a great state of mind as he begins his journey back to the ice.

Finally, Bedard was asked what it would mean for him and the team to have Patrick Kane added to the mix this season.

Two of the seven richest contracts in Blackhawks history were signed this summer. Ryan Gagne took a look at the biggest deals of the salary cap era.

On this date in 1998, Craig Hartsburg was named the head coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He had spent the previous three seasons behind the Blackhawks’ bench, going 104-102-40 with two playoff appearances.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 21: Lou Trudel, Earl “Dutch” Reibel, Phul Russell, and Lyle Odelein.

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Goaltender Jack Campbell announced his retirement from professional hockey. He went 93-53-18 over nine NHL seasons with a .909 save percentage (SV%), 2.76 goals-against average (GAA), and 10 shutouts. He was originally the 11th overall pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, but he played only one game for them. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers. His best season came in 2021-22 with the Maple Leafs, when he won 31 games with a .914 SV%, 2.64 GAA, and five shutouts.

Former Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde has a new job. He was hired as an associate coach for the Montreal Canadiens. He was on the Maple Leafs coaching staff last season, but was not asked back by new head coach Jim Hiller.

Team Canada announced its coaching staff for the 2027 World Junior Championships. Misha Donskov has been promoted to head coach after serving as associate head coach last year. Former St. Louis Blues head coach Drew Bannister is one of four assistant coaches. He’ll be joined by Jim Hulton, Brad Lauer, and former Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. Dan DePalma will serve as goaltending coach.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 21: Johnny Peirson, Bill Flett, Kirill Marchenko, and Ty Dellandrea.

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