Morning Chirps: Robertson re-signs, IceHogs add another defenseman

The biggest fish in the summer of 2026 trade rumor pond re-signed with his team, but they only kicked the can down the road for a short time. Meanwhile, a division rival locked down one of their top defenseman. Get caught up with today’s Morning Chirps.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Justin Lynch thinks that Patrick Kane would be the perfect wingman for Connor Bedard.

• Kyle Davidson was on Toronto radio and had plenty to say about Kane, but would not comment on any specifics. However, his comments sure sounded like an offer is on the table.

• We had an extensive discussion about Kane and what would be the right deal to bring him in on yesterday's episode of the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast.

• Spencer Knight was on the NHL Network to help promote the 2026 Shoulder Check Showcase coming up at the end of the month.

• Tracey Myers also appeared on the NHL Network to talk about Bedard’s contract extension.

• The Rockford IceHogs signed defenseman Tommy Budnick to a one-year AHL contract.  The 22-year-old spent four seasons in the OHL before turning pro. He had three goals and 15 points in 43 ECHL games for the Wheeling Nailers last season.

• On this date in 1952, the Blackhawks purchased the contract of Detroit Red Wings star Sid Abel. The future Hall of Famer played in 42 games over the next two seasons, during which he became the last full-time player/coach in NHL history. He stayed behind the Blackhawks bench through the 1953-54 season.

• In 2008, the Blackhawks and Red Wings made a joint announcement with the Chicago Cubs and the NHL that the two teams would play each other at Wrigley Field in the 2009 Winter Classic.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, July 22: Gerry Desjardins and Mike McNeill.

NHL Chirps

• The Jason Robertson saga is over, at least for now. He signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Dallas Stars, avoiding arbitration. The deal has no signing bonus, so all $12 million is salary. General manager Jim Nill never moved off his price and got a deal done. However, Robertson will now be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so Nill has a year to figure out a long-term deal. He is eligible to sign an extension after Jan. 1.

• The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year contract extension with a $6.75 million AAV. Per PuckPedia, the deal starts with a full no-movement clause in 2027-28, which then transitions to a no-trade clause from 2028-29 to 2030-31, and then it’ll move to a modified NTC for the remaining four years of the contract, with a 16-team no-trade list from 2031 to 2033 and then an eight-team no-trade list for the last two years. While Marino is a solid defender at 5-on-5, giving a 29-year-old an eight-year deal may not look great in the back half of the deal.

• Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender believes in starting a negotiation by asking for a high price and working your way down. Elliotte Friedman reported that his camp gave the arbitrator hearing his case a $7.5 million value, with the team coming in at $2.8 million. The two sides can continue to talk until his arbitration case on Thursday.

• The New York Rangers added two former players to their developmental staff. Jonathan Quick has been named Director of Goaltending Development, while Derrick Brassard becomes a Player Development Assistant.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, July 22: Leo Labine, Sergei Zubov, Dmitri Kalinin, Kevin Fiala, Jason Robertson, and Marc Gatcomb.

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