Blackhawks Bytes: Vlasic, Nazar, Levshunov, Del Mastro, Spellacy – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks
Welcome to this preseason edition of Blackhawks Bytes, a series featuring quotes and comments from players, coaches, managers, reporters and fans alike about everything. Chicago Blackhawks. The aim of this ongoing column is to capture a slice of the current situation, attitudes and culture surrounding the group. Please join me as we entertain ourselves with the everyday, albeit interesting aspects of human nature; the power of words.
The Blackhawks have made significant improvements this offseason, despite having one of the deepest pools in the league. This only serves to make the wait for hockey season that much longer. But it's finally less than a month away from opening night! On October 8, the Blackhawks will become the first franchise to match the newly crowned Utah Hockey Club.
Ahead of the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase this coming weekend, let's take a look at what some Blackhawks players and prospects have to say about their summer and the upcoming campaign.
Vlasic Is Working On Adding Offense To His Game
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times recently caught up with defenseman Alex Vlasic (who recently signed a six-year contract with the Blackhawks) to discuss his summer training schedule. Hailing from nearby Wilmette, IL, Vlasic is one of the few players who skates in Chicago during the offseason, which is Fifth Third Arena where the Blackhawks practice throughout the season.
Vlasic had a breakout campaign last season, establishing himself as one of the league's best defensive players, despite it being his first full NHL season. That is no small thing. With that in mind, the 23-year-old is trying to follow a similar offseason approach in preparation for the 2024-25 season.
Typically with smaller players, Vlasic is trying to fill out his frame and gain more size and strength. But everyone wants to work in certain ways to get better. Vlasic said,
If you look at all the good players in this league, they are always trying to find different ways to improve their game. For me, my defensive game is probably my strongest suit right now. I really need to keep working on that. But I believe in focusing on the skills you can't really make your game better.
So, Vlasic decided that one of the things he could do was focus on his offensive skills, especially his slap shot. Best known as a defensive player, he only scored two goals last season. Adding an offensive weapon to his repertoire makes sense.
That was one of the biggest things I wanted to work on this summer – having that threat from there, having the ability to shoot the puck at 95 miles an hour. If it doesn't go in, it hits someone or causes chaos in front of the net.
Even if you don't shoot the puck, if you're known to have that threat, that opens up passing lanes because people will be getting into lanes thinking you're going to shoot it.
Bring on the next Brent Seabrook! However, it is good to hear that Vlasic is already trying to improve his game and become more dangerous, even if that is not his role in particular. We will have to see what other goals come out of Vlasic's focus this summer.
Nazar Ready for Training Camp Competition
While Vlasic is almost certain to make the list, there are others who are in the same position they were in a few seasons ago. Many talented prospects are looking for a spot on the roster, though most may end up with the Rockford IceHogs for most of next season.
Related – Top 5 Nationally Broadcast Games to Watch in 2024-25
Defender Frank Nazar is one of those who may make a tough decision on the coaching staff. He has a leg up because he participated in three games with the Blackhawks in the 2023-24 season, scoring his first NHL goal. He also has a talented pedigree, with 13 nominationsth overall in the 2022 Draft.
Nazar will play in Tom Kurver's Prospect Showcase this weekend in St. Louis. Louis (assigned as the top center during the Blackhawks' recent practice) and is excited about the upcoming training camp. He also has the right attitude about the Blackhawks adding five veterans in the offseason.
It's been my whole life leading up to where I got, and it's another time where I find my place on the team and show the guys that I deserve to be there and put in all that work, and I know it's all going to happen. Exercise.
(from 'Can Frank Nazar earn a full-time role with the Blackhawks this season? He's up for the challenge', The AthleticCHI – 9/4/2024)
Nazar has been focusing this offseason on handling the puck at the wall, to better compete with the hard and fast competition that is the NHL game. He also had the opportunity to participate in informal skates with none other than former Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. Nazar had only good things to say about the experience.
Frank Nazar on skating with Patrick Kane in Chicago this summer: “It was unbelievable. He's an unbelievable player, and you can learn from him and see him come off the ice and do all his tricks. He actually hit me with one of his signature spin-o-ramas at one point. He… pic.twitter.com/qCHwhkJ6uv
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@Croumeliotis) September 11, 2024
Can Nazar push into the opening night lineup? Definitely one of the biggest stories to follow in the coming days and weeks.
Levshunov's injury comeback
We learned on Tuesday (September 11) that Artyom Levshunov will not participate in the aforementioned tournament due to an injury to his right foot. Considering the defenseman was the No. 2 overall draft pick of the Blackhawks last June, this is really disappointing. The 18-year-old appears to have shot his foot in training recently, and will be wearing a walking boot and sidelined for several weeks.
But IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen, who is also coaching this weekend, gave a positive response.
“He was upset. He wanted to play and he wanted to continue. What motivates him is that he said there was not much pain.”
-IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen on Artyom Levshunov to miss the upcoming exhibition due to a foot injury pic.twitter.com/Yu7s3GMBcU
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) September 11, 2024
Levshunov was seen on the training bench watching, and looked upset. If he is truly sidelined for two weeks, that would put his return on Sept. 25, which is also the Blackhawks' first exhibition game. Training camp officially starts in one week (Sept. 18).
Related – 2 Reasons The Blackhawks Were Right To Pick Artyom Levshunov
Hopefully Levshunov's injury is minor, and he can get back on the ice sooner rather than later.
Del Mastro Happy With IceHogs' Season
Ethan Del Mastro is another prospect to be excited about. He was named an AHL All-Star last season, and recorded seven goals and 37 points in 69 games with the IceHogs (plus a goal and an assist in four playoff games). The Blackhawks were impressed enough to give him a two-game extension at the end of their 2023-24 campaign.
But with so many defensemen ahead of him on the depth chart, Del Mastro figures he'll be ready for the IceHogs again this season.
#Black people defenseman Ethan Del Mastro has been fired for Rockford's upcoming season, which will include many Chicago prospects. pic.twitter.com/EMMIpvNPgd
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) September 11, 2024
It will certainly be fun to watch both the Blackhawks and the IceHogs this season. Coach Sorenson said he is “happy with the deepest group of players he has had to work with since joining the organization”. I know I'm thinking about attending a few IceHogs games this coming season!
Spelling is Fast!
One last report of this kind for Blackhawks Bytes. Forward AJ Spellacy was a third round pick (72nd overall) in the 2024 Draft by the Blackhawks. He will also participate in the prospect's competition, and is known for his skating ability, speed and level of competition. Sorenson said seeing him in person,
Anders Sorensen today on Blackhawks 3rd pick AJ Spellacy:
“Man oh man, he can swing. He almost took me out with one drill. I saw him coming and I was like, 'If he hits me, it's over.'
– Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) September 11, 2024
Spellacy projects to move forward, and he was used as a third-line center in the Blackhawks' practice on Tuesday. He will likely return to his OHL team, the Windsor Spitfires, next season. But his style of play makes him someone Blackhawk fans will root for. Another name we will be following as we head into training camp.
Related – 8 thoughts on the Blackhawks 8 Picks in the 2024 Draft
That's it for this edition of Blackhawks Bytes. Player quotes are one of the best ways to get to the personal side of hockey. That's why I've made it my goal to continue this streak throughout training camp and the regular season. Please let me know on your social media who you would like to know more about. I will do my best to accept your request!
Is it October yet?!
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