Morning Chirps: Frondell on European media tour, Draisaitl addresses Babcock hire

Time to X out another day off of August’s calendar, the last month without hockey of the year! Get caught up with all of Chicago Blackhawks content and NHL news with your Morning Chirps.

Blackhawks Chirps

• It sure sounds like Texas is getting another NHL team as the league plans to jump from 32 teams to 34 over the next couple of years. Jeff Maroon looks at how future expansion could affect the Blackhawks.

• If you couldn’t tell by now, I love Blackhawks history. Since it's Best & Worst week, I looked back at the three best draft classes in team history. Can you guess what my next history post will be?

• Anton Frondell is taking part in the NHL’s European Player Media Tour, and the Blackhawks gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how his week has gone.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 25: Mike Veisor.

NHL Chirps

• The Athletic’s Chris Johnston spoke to Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl during the NHL’s European Players Media Tour. He had some interesting things to say about new head coach Mike Babcock and his controversial past:

"We asked all of the hard questions that media would probably ask him, too,” Draisaitl said. “He had some very honest feedback on us, too. It was a very honest, productive meeting, and it was very on the table. There was no beating around the bush. He faced it great. It’s not easy sometimes talking about all of these things."

Leon Draisaitl

• Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Lefebvre has committed to Boston University after originally committing to the University of Vermont. He was the 46th overall pick of last June’s NHL Entry Draft. He had 32 goals and 59 points in 59 QMJHL games split between Rimouski Océanic and Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

• Former Blackhawks forward Mike Hardman is heading to Europe. According to Expressen, he has verbally agreed to a contract with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League. He spent the last two seasons with the New Jersey Devils after leaving the Blackhawks organization. He played all but two games in the AHL.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 25: Pete Stemkowski, Dan Talafous, Bob Lorimer, Bill Derlago, Dave Tippett, Greg Paslawski, Andy McDonald, Nick Schultz, Fabian Zetterlund, and Tim Washe.

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