Morning Chirps: Frondell takes the mound, Kantserov plays OT hero

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today! We are going to be treated to world-class hockey over the next two months as 16 teams begin their quest for the hardest trophy to win in sports. Enjoy the games!

Blackhawks Chirps

• General manager Kyle Davidson has done a great job building the Blackhawks’ prospect pool, but now is the time to add to this talented group of youngsters with players who can help them win as soon as next season.

• Anton Frondell took in his first Chicago Cubs game on Friday and threw out the first pitch. He was good luck as the Cubbies walloped the New York Mets 12-4.

• Nobody sold more jerseys this season than Blackhawks star Connor Bedard. He finished ahead of everyone in the league, with his buddy Macklin Celebrini coming in 10th.

• The Rockford IceHogs’ two-game series against the Texas Stars to wrap up the season did not get off to a great start. The Stars rolled to a 6-1 victory, with captain Brett Seney scoring the IceHogs’ goal. Drew Commesso gave up five goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Olivier Rodrigue in the third period. These two will finish up the regular season later tonight.

• Roman Kantserov was the hero on Friday as his overtime goal sent Metallurg Magnitogorsk to the KHL semifinals. The series-clinching goal was his first point in the five-game series against Torpedo. He has three goals and five points in 10 playoff games. Metallurg will take on AK Bars in the semifinals.

• On this date in 2009, Jonathan Toews scored his first two Stanley Cup Playoff goals as the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

• One year later, the Blackhawks picked up their first of 16 postseason wins by beating the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Goaltender Antti Niemi made 23 saves for his first career postseason victory and shutout.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 18: Stephen Johns.

NHL Chirps

• The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Patrik Alvin on Friday after three and a half seasons with the team. Team president Jim Rutherford said the new general manager will get to decide whether to retain head coach Adam Foote or bring in his own guy.

• The Winnipeg Jets held their end-of-the-season media day yesterday, and it was quite the barnburner. First, Toews revealed that he had not yet decided whether to play next season, but if he did come back, he wants to play for the Jets. The better question is, do they want him back?

• However, it was goaltender Connor Hellebuyck who provided the fireworks. When asked if this season’s failures would make him rethink his future, his long pause was deafening. He also questioned if management could bring in the pieces needed, since Winnipeg is not an attractive destination for free agents.  

• Patrick Kane will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He told reporters yesterday that he believes there is mutual interest between him and the Detroit Red Wings in returning next season. Kane, who became the highest-scoring American-born player, had 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games this season.

• You didn’t ask for them, but you’re going to get my first round predictions anyway:
  Avalanche over Kings in 5
  Stars over Wild in 6
  Golden Knights over Mammoth in 6
  Oilers over Ducks in 6
  Sabres over Bruins in 6
  Lightning over Canadiens in 7
  Hurricanes over Senators in 5
  Penguins over Flyers in 7

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, April 18: Al Sims, Valeri Kamensky, Vladimir Tsyplakov, Francois Leroux, Oleg Petrov, Dan LaCouture, Scott Hartnell, Mika Zibanejad, and Dominik Shine.

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