Morning Chirps: IceHogs schedule released, Carlsson staying put

Could one of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks of all time be returning to the team? The notion is picking up steam among the national pundits. Plus, the AHL schedule is out, and the largest offer sheet in league history was matched. Let’s get to the Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Even though the Blackhawks will be without Connor Bedard to start the season, Ryan Gagne looked at where his production ranks among other first-overall picks.

• Justin Lynch looked at which unrestricted free agents remain unsigned and whether any of them make sense for the Blackhawks with Bedard on the shelf.

• Mason West put to rest any fears that he might be tempted to continue his football career, while also embracing the challenges of joining a stacked Michigan State team in the fall.

• More national insiders have mentioned that a reunion between the Blackhawks and Patrick Kane could be in the cards. The Athletic asked what makes more sense, coming back to Chicago or a homecoming in Buffalo.

• The American Hockey League released its full 2026-27 schedule. The Rockford IceHogs will open the season on home ice against the Milwaukee Admirals on Oct. 3 and will conclude on April 10 versus the Chicago Wolves. The 72-game schedule consists of 58 games within the Central Division. Here is a game breakdown for their 11 opponents: Wolves (12), Admirals (10), Grand Rapids Griffins (10), Iowa Wild (10), Manitoba Moose (8), Texas Stars (8), Bakersfield Condors (4), Toronto Marlies (4), Hartford Wolfpack (2), Providence Bruins (2), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2).

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 10: Alain Nasreddine and Reese Johnson.

NHL Chirps

• As expected, the Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. The 21-year-old is the highest-paid player in the league with his $18 AAV. The most interesting thing about the team’s press release is that ownership had the first words, not general manager Pat Verbeek.

"“Matching the offer sheet was an easy decision, as Pat has intelligently left enough cap space to give us the ability to retain Leo. We have extremely high expectations for Leo. We firmly believe he will continue his strong growth trajectory and become one of the truly elite centers in the league, while continuing to make a strong impact in our community.”"

Ducks owners Henry & Susan Samueli

• Ansar Kahn reported that Dylan Larkin expanded his trade list to now include the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help Steve Yzerman a whole lot, as they are another team that is near the salary cap limit and won’t want to give up much from their NHL roster. Kahn says he asked for Wyatt Johnston and was quickly turned down.

• Chris Johnston perfectly summed up the Dundon family making up the first two rows of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup engravings.

• Former Blackhawks forward Steve Sullivan was named the new head coach of the Toronto Marlies, who won the Calder Cup in June. He is the ninth head coach in franchise history, replacing John Gruden, who was promoted to the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff. Mark Giordano was named as one of Sullivan’s assistants.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 10: Glenn Resch, Ikka Sinisalo, Blake Wesley, Adam Foote, and B.J. Crombeen.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow