Morning Chirps: Kirby Dach re-signs, Connor McMichael gets paid

Thursday was a big day with the National Hockey League releasing the full season schedule! Now we just have to wait for September to get here before hockey begins again. Thankfully, the season starts earlier this year, so there is less time to wait.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The Blackhawks' 2026-27 schedule was released yesterday. We’ll let you know about some of the biggest dates across the NHL later today.

• Chris Chelios got some inside information on where Patrick Kane is going to play next season. His source? Patrick Kane, himself!

• Speaking of Kane, Jake Rivard says Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks should do whatever it takes to bring him back.

• Our “What If?” week continues with a look back at a very recent scenario. Maya Smith writes about what the Blackhawks would look like right now if they had never traded for defenseman Bowen Byram.

• Josh Prost wrapped up our busy day on the website by looking at two popular Rockford IceHogs players who were rewarded with NHL contracts this summer.

• On this date in 2023, Connor Bedard celebrated his 18th birthday by signing his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. He’s scored 75 goals and 203 points in his first 219 NHL games. Who knows? Maybe he will celebrate his 21st birthday later today by signing his contract extension.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 17: Jason Strudwick and Connor Bedard.

NHL Chirps

• Former Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach got a new deal from the Montreal Canadiens. His new one-year contract is worth $3.6 million. He’s missed 150 games in his three seasons with the Canadiens, so he needs to prove he can stay on the ice before he ever gets a long-term contract.

• Connor McMichael inked a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues. He was acquired from the Washington Capitals last month for Jordan Kyrou. He scored 14 goals and 46 points last season, after netting 26 goals in 2024-25.

• Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere met the media on Thursday after signing Trevor Zegras to a four-year contract extension. The press conference gave him a chance to publicly address the Leo Carlsson offer sheet for the first time. Here’s what he had to say:

"It was noticed around the league. What I hope, too, is that it’s noticed by our fans and by our players that we’re serious. The players did their part last year. We’re trying to do ours. We’re going to keep trying to improve the team to give them the best chance to be a contender for years to come."

• EA Sports gave us a preview of NHL 27, which includes a new focus on creating authentic atmospheres. If you pay attention to the video below, you’ll hear “Chelsea Dagger” and see Frank Nazar’s 6-7 goal celebration.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 17: Jack Laviolette, Shorty Green, Carson Cooper, Bryan Trottier, Marc Savard, Ben Guite, Ryan Miller, Loui Eriksson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Nick Bjustad, and Marat Khusnutdinov.

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