Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Wild Wednesday Rewind goes back to 1926, when Chicago's NHL team came to be.
With the help of a special guest, actor, comedian and Chicago's own Jeff Garlin, let's look at how the Chicago Blackhawks name came to be, including how the team was called the Black Hawks until the 1986-87 season.
Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media. And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.
Promo image credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is completing a four-year, $17.7-million contract.
Eligible for UFA status on July 1, the 28-year-old couldn't have picked a better time for a career season.
Bennett is coming off a career-best 51-point regular season. The versatile, agitating two-way center is also burnishing his reputation as a clutch post-season performer. He's tied with Mikko Rantanen for the lead among playoff goal-scorers with nine, putting himself among the favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Panthers management reportedly reopened contract extension talks with Bennett in March. He could be receptive to staying put, but could seek to double his current $4.425 million average annual value on his next contract. That could make him too expensive for the Panthers to retain.
Bennett would be the best center available if he tests the UFA market, where several clubs will bid for his services.
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be among his suitors. Michael Traikos recently observed that the Leafs will have over $22 million in cap space if they don't re-sign pending UFA forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares. He recommends they use that cap space to pursue Bennett if he goes to market on July 1, a sentiment shared by Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun.
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic believes Bennett would be the best UFA option for the St. Louis Blues to address their need for a second-line center. However, the cap-strapped Blues might have to free up some salary, perhaps by placing defenseman Torey Krug on LTIR if his playing days are over.
Rutherford's colleague Kevin Kurz suggested Bennett would make a good free-agent target for the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. Bolstering their depth at center is a priority this summer, which could lead them to free agency if suitable options aren't available in the trade market. With $26.7 million in projected cap room for 2025-26, they can afford Bennett if he's available on July 1.
Bennett could also be on the Montreal Canadiens' radar. Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazetterecently included the Panthers' star among several UFA options to address the Canadiens' need for a second-line center.
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Former Detroit Red Wing Tomas Tatar has inked a two-year contract with EV Zug of the Swiss National League, seemingly signaling the end of a 14-year NHL career for the Czech scoring forward.
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Tatar spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Red Wings, accruing 115 goals and 107 assists for 222 points in 407 games. He was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2018 Trade Deadline for a first, second, and third round draft pick (that first would become Joe Veleno).
After Vegas, Tatar made stops in Montreal, Colorado, Seattle, and enjoyed two tenures in New Jersey, including what seems to have been his final NHL season—seven goals, 10 assists in 74 games this year for the Devils.
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From a Red Wings perspective, Tatar was part of a generation of players that (through no fault of its own) couldn't manage to live up to the lofty standard Detroit had set for itself, amidst a steady exodus of Hall of Fame–caliber talent.
After 14 seasons, Tatar played 927 games, scoring 227 goals and providing 269 assists for 496 points. That he's just shy of a few milestones (1,000 games played and 500 points) suggests perhaps Tatar might harbor fantasies of a return to fight across those lines or perhaps Tatar is satisfied with the work he's done and keen to continue his career in Europe.
Do you have a favorite memory of Tatar in Detroit? If so, let us know in the comments.
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