Morning Chirps: Kantserov opens KHL season, latest on Necas & Eichel extensions

Another work week begins, but it’s not that bad. The Chicago Bears kick off their season tonight. Be sure you're checking out our pals at Bear Goggles On for all your Bears coverage. Plus, there will be Chicago Blackhawks players taking to the ice before the week is over. Let’s get your day started with a piping hot batch of fresh Morning Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Yesterday, Todd Welter wrote about what can be expected of Lukas Reichel for the 2025-26 season under new head coach Jeff Blashill. This will be a crucial training camp because if he makes a bad first impression, he could be looking at an address change.

• Speaking of Riechel, he spoke to Ben Pop of the Chicago Sun-Times. He shared details of his innovative summer training as he is well aware of the importance of this season.

• The Kontinental Hockey League’s season opened up across Russia over the weekend. Metallurg Magnitogorsk beat Ak Bars Kazan 4-3 in a shootout. Blackhawks’ prospect Roman Kantserov had a rather pedestrian game. He has no points or shots on goal and won only four of his 13 faceoffs in 19 minutes of ice time.

• On this date in 1972, Team Canada was booed off the ice in Vancouver after losing 5-3 to the Soviet Union in the fourth game of the Summit Series. Dennis Hull scored Canada’s third goal in his series debut. Blackhawks defensemen Bill White and Pat Stapleton dressed for the contest, while Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito didn’t play.

• In 1980, former Blackhawks goaltender Harry Lumley was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He won 29 games in his two seasons with the Blackhawks, posting a 3.63 goals-against average (GAA) and five shutouts.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 8: Jack McIntyre and Michal Kempny.

NHL Chirps

• Colorado Avalanche fans might be getting nervous that forward Martin Necas hasn’t signed a contract extension yet. They don’t want to see a repeat of the Mikko Rantanen drama from last season. However, Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette thinks his camp might be waiting to see what Kirill Kaprizov gets from the Minnesota Wild before agreeing to a new deal. If he does eventually hit the open market this summer or is dealt at the trade deadline, Necas would look great in a Blackhawks uniform.

• Staying in Colorado, Emma Miller of Puck Prose says the Avalanche are facing a lot of questions as they head into a make-or-break season. This year could see them head back to Stanley Cup contention or their championship window get slammed shut.

• Speaking of big contract extensions, the Vegas Golden Knights are hoping to get one done with star center Jack Eichel soon. General manager Kelly McCrimmon told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic that Eichel’s deal is a top priority for the team. Lebrun added that negotiations are in the very early stages, but he’d be surprised if they don’t work something out.

• Ryan Clowe has stepped down as assistant general manager of the San Jose Sharks.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 8: Rogie Vachon, Paul DiPietro, Jay McKee, Marco Sturm, Teddy Purcell, Nino Niederreiter, Reid Boucher, and Jayden Struble.