Morning Chirps: Blackhawks preseason TV schedule, Kaprizov saga continues

Happy Training Camp Eve, Chicago Blackhawks fans! The roster and schedule have been released. Just one more sleep until new head coach Jeff Blashill holds his first practice tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, two of the best players in the National Hockey League are entering their respective camps without contract extensions. The Blackhawks remain connected to one of them, if he were to become available.

Blackhawks Chirps

• In case you missed it yesterday morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Blackhawks are bringing veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk on a professional tryout contract (PTO). The team later confirmed this by including him on the official training camp roster.

• Of course, there were the expected overreactions to this on social media. There is minimal downside to giving Grzelcyk a look. He provides you with some insurance in case one or more of the youngsters are ready to break camp with the NHL club. Also, you can’t depend on Connor Murphy to play all 82 games, so he gives you another veteran if he makes the club. And finally, agents remember things like this because you’re giving their clients a tryout, not just for your team, but for the entire league.

• Todd Welter gives you three Blackhawks prospects who have the potential to make their National Hockey League debuts this season.

• There is little doubt that Teuvo Teravainen was one of the most reliable Blackhawks’ forwards last season. Jeff Marroon writes that consistent linemates can make 2025-26 even better for the skilled veteran.

• Will we get a Wyatt Kaiser contract done today? Stay tuned to find out.

• In case you’re wondering about the preseason broadcast schedule, it appears that all six games will be shown on the Chicago Sports Network.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 17: Frank Ingram, Grant Mulvey, and Valeri Zelepukin.

NHL Chirps

• The Athletic’s Michael Russo has been all over the ever-evolving Kirill Kaprizov story. He was on the Daily Faceoff Rundown yesterday and reported that the Minnesota Wild have not asked for a trade list. He listed the Blackhawks as one of the teams he thinks would have interest in making a trade.

• Russo also posted these fun betting odds on where Kaprizov will land.

• TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that teams are calling Wild general manager Bill Guerin, but he is not entering offers at this time.

• Few national writers are as plugged in as Chris Johnston of The Athletic. He recently shared everything he’s hearing about Connor McDavid and his contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been eligible for an extension since July 1, but will enter training camp without a new deal in place.

• The Utah Mammoth announced they are bringing in seven players on PTOs. Among them is goaltender Dylan Wells, whose only NHL appearance came with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 17: Claude Provost, Gene Carr, Jim Ludvig, Scott Arniel, Rob Zaumer, Shawn Horcoff, Sheldon Keefe, Mason Raymond, Alex Ovechkin, Michael Bunting, Austin Matthews, Mario Ferraro, and Karsen Dorwart.