Morning Chirps: Boisvert's strange absence, former Blackhawk signs huge extension

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action tonight as they go for the four-game season series against the Utah Mammoth. We’ll have a game preview later this morning and postgame thoughts after the final horn. Be sure to check back in throughout the day for full coverage.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Sat in on the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast again yesterday, where Jay Zawaski and I got to sit down with general manager Kyle Davidson. Over the 30-plus-minute interview, we discussed the trade deadline, the willingness to add talent this offseason, his trust in the young players, and replacing the recently departed leadership group.

• Boston University kept its season alive by beating Vermont 4-1 in the Opening Round of the Hockey East tournament. However, Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert was not in the Terriers’ lineup. We saw “healthy scratch” and “coach’s decision” thrown out there, but never got an official explanation. After the game, head coach Jay Pandolfo said Boisvert wasn’t available and didn’t give any further details. I’m not going to speculate on why he didn’t play in the most important game of the year. Whatever the reason is, one thing that is crystal clear is that his move to BU did not work out this season, and he’s ready to move on. We’ll see if he’s back in the lineup for Saturday afternoon’s quarterfinal against the University of Connecticut.

• In some good prospect news, after having a goal waived off the board earlier in the game, Roman Kantserov scored his KHL-leading 34th goal of the season yesterday.

• Justin Lynch checked in to write about Frank Nazar’s recent hot streak and how important it is for the home stretch.

• Jeremiah Lee wondered why Nazar and Connor Bedard aren’t getting any more time on the same line.

• The Rockford IceHogs lost 2-1 in overtime to the Milwaukee Admirals last night. Kevin Korchinski had the primary assist, his 23rd of the season, on Kevin Lombardi’s second-period goal. Former Blackhawks defenseman Jordan Oesterle scored the game-winning goal only seven seconds into overtime. Olivier Rodrigue made 22 saves in the losing effort. The IceHogs are back in action on Friday when they host the Chicago Wolves.

• On this date in 1961, Bobby Hull found the back of the net for the 100th time in his career during a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He became the third-fastest player to 100 goals in NHL history, only behind Maurice Richard and Jean Beliveau.

• Five years later, Hull scored his 51st goal of the season to help beat the New York Rangers 4-2. He was the first player to ever score 51 goals in a season, beating the old record shared by Richard and Bernie Geoffrion.

• Finally, in 1969, Hull scored a goal in his 10th straight game, setting a new franchise record, as the Blackhawks lost 4-1 to the Oakland Seals.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, March 12: Russ Blinco, Bronco Horvath, and Deron Quint.

NHL Chirps

• With yesterday being a Wednesday, that means Jeff Maroon shared his newest NHL Power Rankings.

• After reports over the last few days that the Utah Mammoth and Nick Schmaltz were closing in on a new deal. On Wednesday, they officially announced an eight-year, $64 million contract extension. The former Blackhawks first-round pick got a max deal. I’m not sure giving a 30-year-old an eight-year contract is a wise move, but good for Schmaltz on cashing in while he’s playing the best hockey of his career.

• Speaking of former Blackhawks first-round picks, Lukas Reichel scored his first goal for the Providence Bruins, and it came in overtime.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, March 12: Bingo Kampman, Danny Lewicki, Brent Johnson, Douglas Murray, Mikko Koivu, Kevin Porter, Evgenii Dadonov, Oskar Back, and Henry Thrun.