Morning Chirps: Trade season is far from over, Preds and Sharks hand out new contracts

Happy Monday! We have just two days before NHL free agency opens, so expect plenty of moves around the league. We’ll see if any of them involve the Chicago Blackhawks.

Blackhawks Chirps

• General manager Kyle Davidson has already had a busy start to the offseason with Bowen Byram and Andre Burakovsky trades and navigating the NHL Entry Draft. As Justin Lynch points out, his work this summer is far from over.

• My buddies at the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast and I gave our grades on the Blackhawks draft weekend on this mini-podcast.

• Frank Servaliii was on The FAN Pregame on Friday and had an interesting tidbit while discussing why the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t trade Matthew Knies ahead of the draft. He said that the Blackhawks were willing to give up the fourth overall pick for Knies, but a “roster player plus plus” on top of that. Davidson rightfully said, "Thanks, but no thanks." It feels like John Chayka may have overplayed his hand when it comes to Knies, but that might have been by design.

• The Blackhawks prospects started to arrive in Chicago for this week’s development camp. Don’t forget, all the practice sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Say hello if you’re coming out.

• On this date in 1990, the Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens swapped hometown players, as Denis Savard was traded straight up for Chris Chelios. Savard went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Habs in 1993 before returning to Chicago as a free agent that offseason. Chelios played 664 games with the Blackhawks, scoring 92 goals and 487 points. He won the Norris Trophy in 1993 and 1996. Both players have their respective numbers retired by the team.

• In 1995, Craig Hartsburg was named the 30th head coach in franchise history, replacing Darryl Sutter, who resigned a few days earlier.

• In 1998, former team captain Dirk Graham was named head coach, with Savard and Lorne Molleken completing his staff. His tenure lasted only 59 games, as he was fired after a 16-35-8 start and replaced by Molleken.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, June 29: Ty Arbour, Craig Hartsburg, Theo Fleury, and Drew Leblanc.

NHL Chirps

• Servalli was on Sportnet’s Big Show to discuss the ongoing Jason Robertson saga. He reported that the Dallas Stars had another deal lined up after the proposed trade with the Seattle Kraken that fell through. They were going to take the seventh overall pick acquired for Robertson and include it in a package to the Maple Leafs for Knies.

• Seravalli also reported that the Montreal Canadiens made a “massive” offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko. That’s a guy the Blackhawks should be asking about. A trade for him might make more sense than one for Robertson.

• The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract. He was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres with the 27th overall pick for the 20th pick of Friday’s first round.

• The Nashville Predators signed Jack Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract, as bottom-six players are starting to benefit from the rising salary cap.

• Patrick Kane has spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings on a trio of one-year contracts. General manager Steve Yzerman is still hopeful to bring Kane back for one more season.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, June 29: Rick Smith, Peter Sidorkiewicz, Brian Lawton, Mike Sillinger, Filip Hallander, and Matt Rempe.

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