Morning Chirps: IceHogs bring back familiar face, Blues lose top forward in practice

The Chicago Blackhawks will return to the practice ice today, but without Connor Bedard. We expect to receive an update on his status later today, and as soon as we have word, we will pass it on to you! Until then, enjoy your Monday Morning Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Yesterday, our Todd Welter focused on three young players facing adversity for the first time in their professional careers.

• The Rockford IceHogs brought back a familiar face on Sunday. They reacquired forward Rem Pitlick from the San Diego Condors in exchange for defenseman Tyson Feist. Pitlick scored 14 goals and 33 points during his 27 games with the IceHogs in 2023-24. He added a goal and five points in four Calder Cup Playoff games that spring. He has six goals and 15 points in 24 games for the Condors this season. He will definitely add some much-needed scoring pop to the Rockford offense, especially with Nick Lardis in Chicago.

• Vaclav Nestrasil is showing why the Blackhawks' scouting staff was so high on him last summer. He’s having a terrific freshman season for UMass, with 10 goals and 20 points in 18 games. He will play for Czechia in the upcoming World Junior Championship. Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times recently caught up with the young power forward, who admitted that he’s even exceeded his own expectations this year.

• On this date in 1929, the Blackhawks played their first game at the Chicago Stadium. Over 14,000 fans filled the new arena to watch their favorite team beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1. In the second period, Vic Ripley scored the first goal in Madhouse history and added another tally 35 seconds later.

• In 1965, Bobby Hull scored four goals to cap off a five-point night during an 8-4 win over the Boston Bruins. He finished the 1965-66 season with 54 goals, a new NHL single-season record.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 15: Hugh Coflin and Mike Bluden.

NHL Chirps

• According to San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Michael Misa was not held out of Canada’s World Junior Championship training camp because of injury. They just wanted to keep him back for a couple of extra days of his conditioning loan to the San Jose Barracuda. He is still expected to play in the tournament, but one wonders if the recent injury to Will Smith will change those plans.

• The St. Louis Blues can’t buy a break when it comes to the health of their forwards. While Alexey Toropchenko returned to practice on Sunday, Dylan Holloway suffered a lower-body injury. He was assisted off the ice, unable to put any weight on his injured leg. Head coach Jim Montgomery did not have an update and considered him questionable until further evaluation. Hollaway has eight goals and 17 points through the first 33 games of the season.

• The Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild debuted their new players after their blockbuster trade on Friday. Zeev Buium scored the game-winning goal and recorded an assist as the Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1. Marco Rossi also made his team debut in his first game back from injury. He had a shot on goal and three blocked shots in the winning effort.

• Quinn Hughes became the first Norris Trophy winner to ever play for the Wild on Sunday. He also scored in his debut, helping Minnesota beat the Bruins 6-2.

• After the game, Hughes said he’s “extremely open-minded” about signing a long-term contract extension in Minnesota. He appreciates the Wild giving up so much to acquire him, and that he won’t forget it.

• Kirill Kaprizov scored twice for the sixth 20-goal season of his career, passing Zach Parise and Marian Gaborik for the most in team history. He also tied Mikko Koivu for the second-most goals by a Wild player with 205.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Dec. 15: Art Jackson, Ric Seiling, Mario Marois, and Yanni Gourde.