Morning Chirps: Blackhawks trade deadline plans, Nylander flips the bird

The Chicago Blackhawks will hit the practice ice later this morning as they have plenty to work on, including finding the right line combinations. Be sure to follow along as I’ll keep you updated from the Blackhawks Ice Center throughout the morning.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The Blackhawks continued their stretch of games against elite teams and fell apart in the third period versus the Florida Panthers. This recent run of games is a good teaching moment for the young core, as they are facing the teams they want emulate.

• We broke down the good and the bad from the loss on the CHGO Blackhawks Postgame Show and shared our own Hockey Fights Cancer stories.

• NHL insider Frank Seravalli stopped by the CHSN pregame show again and shared his insight on the upcoming NHL trade deadline, saying that the Blackhawks will be sellers.

"I don’t think there’s any indecision there. I don’t think the Blackhawks have any disillusion about where exactly their place is in the standings, and when the time is going to be right to strike. They’re going to try to take advantage of some of the pending UFAs that they have in their lineup to continue to stockpile and build up that asset pool. "

Frank Seravalli

• In addition to Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy, Seravalli also mentioned captain Nick Foligno as a potential trade chip. However, Foligno will only be moved if he’s interested in chasing a Stanley Cup. He finished by saying Anton Frondell will be their deadline addition.

• Marek Vanacker scored the game-winning goal and recorded an assist in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 7-1 beating of the Barrie Colts. The power-play tally was his OHL-leading 34th goal of the season, three ahead of fellow Blackhawks’ prospect Jack Pridham. Vanacker is riding a six-game point streak, has five straight multi-point games, and has eight goals and 16 points in his last 11 games.

• On this date in 1963, Glenn Hall blanked the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 to become the 13th goaltender in NHL history to record 50 shutouts.

• Four years later, Stan Mikita scored his 200th career goal during a 4-3 win over the Red Wings.

• In 1978, only 527 diehard fans braved a severe blizzard to make the trek to the Chicago Stadium to watch the Blackhawks host the Cleveland Barons. Those hardy souls were treated to a 5-0 win and Tony Esposito’s 62nd career shutout.

• In 1991, Doug Wilson scored his first career hat trick to lead the Blackhawks in a 5-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was the second defenseman in team history to net a hat trick, with Dick Redmond doing first against the Colorado Rockies on Feb. 12, 1977.

• A decade later, Steve Sullivan set a franchise record for the fastest two shorthanded goals by the same player, when he scored twice in 51 seconds during a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. However, this game is remembered for Sullivan’s interaction with a rambunctious fan. He was heckled by this guy after taking a stick to the face. However, he was there to enjoy the moment when the same fan was hit in the head with a puck. Karma remains undefeated.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Jan. 26: Vic Lynn, Glen Skov, and Blake Hillman.

NHL Chirps

• San Jose Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev is nearing a return to the lineup and is expected to play before the Olympic break begins. The former Blackhawks forward has missed the last six weeks with an upper-body injury. He had six goals and 15 points in 31 games before getting hurt.

• While the Maple Leafs were losing 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche, TSN cameras caught William Nylander in the press box, and he told them they were number one. According to Chris Johnston, he could face some sort of punishment from the NHL for the incident, which he has already apologized for. The star forward has missed 11 of the last 15 games with a groin injury, but has skated over the past few days. His status for Team Sweden is still up in the air.

• The Netflix series Heated Rivalry has been a huge success and is bringing a lot of attention to ice hockey from new avenues. The show’s stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, took part in the Olympic torch relay through Italy as it heads to Milan.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Jan. 26: Frank Nighbor, Fred Barrett, Dale McCourt, Wayne Gretzky, Mitchell Chaffee, and Peyton Krebs.