Morning Chirps: Frondell scores, expanded NHL schedule coming soon

While we are getting ready for training camp to start, a couple of Chicago Blackhawks' top prospects are ready to begin their seasons in Europe. Today’s Morning Chirps are packed with updates on future Blackhawks, along with reports on a significant change to the National Hockey League schedule starting next season.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Our Jeff Maroon is looking forward to two particular prospects, who have the potential to stand out at training camp later this month.

• Kyle Bokota thinks that if you’re looking for a good player to compare to Frank Nazar, you don’t have to look far within the Central Division to find one.

• Anton Frondell showed why the Blackhawks were high on him and selected him with the third overall pick of last June’s NHL Entry Draft. He scored this beautiful goal during a Swedish Hockey League preseason game. There is a lot to like in this quick clip. First, he’s able to settle the puck down in between two defenders. Then he uses his body perfectly to shield the puck from the trailing defender, while nearly stickhandling through the other. Then he recovers and puts the puck in the top corner, despite it being on edge.

• Roman Kantserov has been named an assistant captain by Metallurg Magnitogorsk for the upcoming season. The 2025-26 season is the final one of his KHL contract, so we'll be keeping tabs on his progress.

• David St. Louis of Elite Prospects broke down defenseman Sam Rinzel’s game and projected where his game is headed. Spoiler alert: it projects well!

• Oliver Moore was the Blackhawks representative at the NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase. Scott Powers of The Athletic caught up with Moore and discussed his offseason training ahead of his first professional season.

• On this date in 1972, Canada beat the Soviet Union 4-1 in Game 2 of the Summit Series. Blackhawks Hall of Fame goaltender Tony Esposito got the start in Toronto and made 20 saves in the win. His brother, and former Blackhawk, Phil, had a goal and an assist. Stan Mikita, Bill White, and Pat Stapleton all made their series debut, with Mikita picking up a primary assist.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 4: Bert Olmstead, Rags Raglan, Magnus Johansson, and Jeff Hamilton.

NHL Chirps

• According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the NHL will adopt an 84-game schedule starting with the 2026-27 season. He added that the season is slated to begin in late September and end no later than mid-June. The change means the preseason will be shorter and there will be more time between the end of the Stanley Cup Final and the draft.

• The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame is getting a talented induction class in 2025. Scott Gomez, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, and Tara Mounsey will go in as players. Long-time Getty Images photographer Bruce Bennett will also be inducted during a ceremony in St. Paul, MN, on Dec. 10.

• Earlier this week, there were reports that the Montreal Canadiens were looking to trade Carey Price’s contract to clear salary cap space. However, general manager Kent Hughes told Sportsnet’s Eric Engels that he is in no rush to find a deal. He said the team will look for a trade that makes sense for both teams, but they don’t have to do it.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 4: Butch Bouchard, Jim Schoenfeld, John Vanbiesbrouck, Tomas Sandstrom, Sergio Momesso, Craig Conroy, Maxim Afinogenov, and Ryan Winterton.