LATEST ARTICLES

The White Sox Opening Day Bullpen Will Include A Surprising Arm

One of the biggest battles in Spring Training has been the last few spots in the bullpen, as the White Sox traded away a good portion of receivers at the trade deadline last summer.

Chris Getz added a few relievers in free agency, like Tim Hill and John Brebbia who figure to both open the season with the club, but he also brought some potential bullpen arms in via trade and signed a bunch of non-roster arms to compete for the last few spots.

But, one surprising name is going to be joining them in the ‘pen, as it was announced today that Michael Kopech will be starting the season in the bullpen.

This is a bit surprising considering the turnover in the rotation. I think the White Sox were very interested in seeing Kopech step up this year and be a force in the rotation. Unfortunately, this Spring has not gone Kopech’s way, as he has struggled to a 7.71 ERA in 7 innings thus far. He has walked 6 batters and hit 2 in that timeframe, showing his lack of control from last year has continued into the spring.

Now, he could look to be the closer, as there is uncertainty around that role due to the trade of Gregory Santos. Ethan Katz sure thinks he has an opportunity to take over that role.

Besides Kopech, we can assume that Brebbia and Hill are in ‘pen as well. That leaves five spots up for grabs. You can assume that Crochet starts in the bullpen, leaving four more spots wide open.

The White Sox have already sent down Alex Speas and Bailey Horn, so those are two options that won’t make it on the roster on Opening Day. Shane Drohan might miss a large part, if not all of the season, leaving him out of the Opening Day roster as well. Prelander Berrora is dealing with an arm injury, so his status is in question too.

This leaves a clearer picture on who could break camp with the team. Jordan Leasure is a likely choice due to his prospect status and the way he has performed this spring. The same can be said about Deivi Garcia, as he too has looked fantastic thus far.

With the Dylan Cease trade brought Steven Wilson, and he is as accomplished as anyone else in the race for the ‘pen, so he will likely take one of the last spots. I think that the last spot goes to Tanner Banks, as he is a lefty and has the capability to pitch more than one inning.

This would be a bullpen of: Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet, John Brebbia, Tim Hill, Jordan Leasure, Deivi Garcia, Steven Wilson, and Tanner Banks. This is not a horrible ‘pen but there is still a long way to go before it is 100% set in stone.

The way the rotation shapes out will likely have an impact on the bullpen, but that is yet to be finalized, as there are still a lot of players in the running for the rotation.

This should be an interesting last few weeks of Spring Training, as I am sure that there will be plenty of surprise moves for the White Sox before Opening day.

Chicago Bears Stadium Project Hits Another Sticking Point

Recently, Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren announced a plan to work with the City of Chicago to help fund a publicly owned stadium on the lakefront. The stadium would occupy land currently used as a parking lot directly south of Soldier Field.

“(The bears) will contribute over $2 Billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families and fans and the general public in the city of chicago.”

Kevin Warren, Chicago Bears President

It’s not easy to get anything done in the city of Chicago. The Bears’ ownership has been down this road before. In the early 70s, owner George Halas had no choice but to lease Soldier Field. Wrigley Field did not have the seating capacity to remain their home field. The south end zone was only nine yards deep.

Halas signed a lease to play home games in Evanston, at Northwestern’s Dyke Stadium. Things were different then. The Big 10 Commissioner voided the deal. Halas turned his focus to finding property to build a home for the team, but 54 years later, the dream is still only a dream.

Shortly after the Bears announced their plans to put 2 Billion dollars toward a joint venture with the city for a proposed domed stadium, the ugly head of the notorious “Friends of the Park” showed, to no one’s surprise.

What Is “The Friends of the Park?”

FOTP is a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve the Public Trust Doctrine. The document, established a bond whereby no private entity could own property along the lakefront.

In a recent interview on 670TheScore, FOTP spokesman Fred Bates discusses the thoughts of the organization with Mark Grote and Dan Bernstein. The entire interview is available to watch on youtube. Find it here.

This isn’t the first time Friends of the Park has stymied lakefront plans. Just a few years ago the organization almost single handedly caused the Lucas Foundation to abandon plans for their “Star Wars Museum” om the area. After banging heads with “Friends” the museum plans were scuttled. The museum is currently under construction in California.

FOTP spokesman Fred Bates suggested the Bears build the stadium on the Michael Reese hospital site. There would be no interest for the Bears to build a stadium, private or public that far south (approximately 3-4 miles) from Soldier Field.

As Long as the Bears Own the Arlington Site The Possibilty of Building There Still Exists

Kevin Warren still has options in Arlington Heights. After the Bears’ bombshell announcement regarding plans for a proposed 2 billion dollar investment toward a lakefront stadium, the Mayor of Arlinton Heights reacted:

“We have all experienced the many twists and turns that this project has taken over the past three years and we find ourselves in a very similar situation today. The Village’s focus remains on finding a path forward to a successful redevelopment of the former Arlington Park site. The property remains a major asset to the community and region, and it has tremendous potential,” Mayor Tom Hayes said in a statement. “The Village has always acted in good faith and partnership with the Chicago Bears and the School Districts throughout this discussion, while protecting our community’s interests, and we will continue to do so as the process moves ahead.”

The Mayor added, Arlington Heights plans to continue to work with the team and area school districts, and while it is disappointing the two groups “have yet to resolve short-term property tax differences,” the village noted negotiations have brought the to parties close to an agreement.

Is a Resolution Coming?

The curse that is the Friends of the Park might be the breaking point. Don’t be surprised if the final home for the Bears new stadium is Arlington Heights.

White Sox Discussing Mike Clevinger Reunion

The White Sox have been “internally discussing” the possibility of bringing back starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Given the trade of Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech’s move to the bullpen per Chris Getz, the White Sox could use another veteran starting pitcher to eat innings and protect the younger pitchers on the staff. Michael Lorenzen’s name came up the other day as a possible free agent signing, and now Clevinger’s has as well.

Solid 2023 Season

Clevinger is a familiar face to Sox fans, as he was on the south side last season. The 33-year-old right-hander had a very good season in 2023, pitching to a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 4.28 FIP in 131.1 innings over 24 starts. He also compiled 3.3 bWAR and 2.2 fWAR. There is an argument that he was the best starting pitcher on the team last year, as he was better than Dylan Cease in several stat categories. Many White Sox fans were unhappy about Clevinger’s presence on the roster last season, but he performed on the mound. There is no disputing that.

Clevinger’s Baggage

However, the White Sox did not trade Clevinger at the deadline last year when they traded several other players, including starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn. The White Sox later placed him on waivers, but nobody claimed him. The lack of interest in him felt odd given that Clevinger had a good season and contending teams always need more starting pitching. But Clevinger’s situation involves more than just his production on the mound.

The lack of interest in Clevinger at that point was likely due to his contract. He had a $4 million buyout for 2024, and it was clear that no team wanted to take that money on for only a couple of months of his services at the end of the 2023 season. But Clevinger also had some off-the-field baggage that potential suitors knew about. That baggage could explain why he was unclaimed then and remains unsigned now. While there are still some unsigned free agents, most players have found a new home by this point. Clevinger has not, and there might be a reason for that.

Money To Spend

Earlier this offseason, Clevinger declined his end of a $12 million mutual option for 2024 and became a free agent. He passed up a guaranteed $12 million when he declined his mutual option, so it is fair to assume he is looking for a contract somewhere in that range. He will likely not sign for super cheap because of his productive season last year. The White Sox got Dylan Cease and his $8 million salary off the books following last night’s trade, so they should have enough wiggle room financially to sign another starting pitcher, whether that is Lorenzen, Clevinger, or someone else. 

Final Word

The White Sox starting rotation is full of question marks at the moment. No one currently projected to be in the rotation is even close to a sure thing. Signing Clevinger would help alleviate some of those concerns and bring stability to a rotation in flux.

Chicago Bears Finally Secure Badly-Needed Help At Center

People weren’t comfortable with the idea of Ryan Bates being the only option for the Chicago Bears at center going into this season. Well, that won’t be the case. The team has signed another. This time it is Coleman Shelton, who started several games in Los Angeles for the Rams under Sean McVay. He has experience in the type of wide-zone system new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron wants to run. While nobody would confuse him for a star, he was a big part of helping L.A. get back to the playoffs last season.

Across the past two years, Shelton has logged over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps. In that time, he allowed 47 pressures and six sacks. Not too bad for somebody with his limited experience. However, he truly shined last year in the running game, earning a 74.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. He was a big reason L.A. ranked a respectable 11th in rushing and running back Kyren Williams made the Pro Bowl. At the very least, he can be a dependable short-term option for the Bears until they’re in a better spot to find an answer in the draft.

It also should allow Bates to fulfill his ideal purpose as a primary backup.

The Chicago Bears continue to narrow their focus ahead of the draft.

This move doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t draft a center, but it’s like an assurance they won’t take one in the 1st round. As of now, the Bears have addressed several key roster needs, including running back, tight end, and free safety. Shelton takes care of the center spot as well. That leaves three primary positions left to tackle: quarterback, wide receiver, and edge rusher. Two of those will be addressed with their two picks in the 1st round next month. One of them is almost guaranteed to be a quarterback at #1, meaning Poles must determine if it will be an edge rusher or wide receiver at #9.

There is still time for that decision to become an easy one. It remains possible the Chicago Bears add a receiver or pass rusher at some point in the near future. They’re meeting with defensive end D.J. Wonnum today. Word is they’re exploring the receiver market. How each of those ventures go will steer their decision next month. Either way, Shelton’s arrival eases some of their burden. He may not be the stud everybody wanted, but he should be able to hold down the fort for a year.

Don’t Sleep On The Cubs Pursuing Pete Alonso Just Yet

Before the Chicago Cubs could reach an agreement with free agent Cody Bellinger, no one was really sure what to expect. They seemed to be putting a dangerous amount of stock in the youth and prospects coming through the system. But after Bellinger signed, the narrative changed drastically.

That’s a credit to what Bellinger brings to the table. But it also reflects how close the Cubs were to feeling like a real threat. Only a couple of holes on the roster remain to be adequately filled, but that can be found in-house easily.

The injury to Jameson Taillon stings, but the Cubs have plenty of help that can suffice in the meantime. Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski are familiar with starting and coming out of the bullpen and can keep the Cubs afloat for a month. Of course, signing an available free agent like Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell would put the rotation over the top. In the long run, though, the Cubs don’t necessarily need to spend this money. (We can argue big-money markets should spend all day, but I’m just being realistic with who’s paying the money.)

Third base remains a question. His bat needs to stay in the lineup, but the Christopher Morel experiment defensively has not gone well. Morel, Nick Madrigal, and Patrick Wisdom will be the three rostered to start the season with third base responsibilities. However, do not rule out seeing prospect Matt Shaw step up before the season’s end.

First Base Is Michael Busch’s To Lose

This brings us to first base, but not many questions remain. The Cubs traded with the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire Michael Busch and insert him into the lineup. There has not been an everyday first baseman for the home team at Wrigley Field since Anthony Rizzo was traded in 2021. The Cubs are hoping Busch is that for them.

Busch played first base in college, but that was the last time he was focused on that primarily. Although developing back into that craft, the Cubs are very public about their intentions for him to be the first baseman of the future. He’s been up to the challenge thus far, but there is a lot of pressure entering into his rookie season.

Busch has Cody Bellinger and Patrick Wisdom to back him up should things go array, but they aren’t the only option. There is not just one path to get to this point, but the Cubs could still very much be the long-term landing spot for Pete Alonso.

Pete Alonso To The Cubs Is Still A Possibility

Since before the 2023 deadline, we have heard about the possibility of New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso being moved. His contract with the Mets expires at the end of 2024, and they have yet to agree to an extension. The Mets have said they want Alonso to be a Met for life, but it’s borderline unlikely at this point.

The Cubs have been at the top of the rumor mill for Alonso with their obvious need at first base. The volume turned down significantly after the trade for Michael Busch and the signing of Cody Bellinger. But if you get into the weeds of those deals, you realize Alonso is still a real option for them.

Bellinger’s deal is for three years, but he has an opt-out after every season. So if he feels there’s a chance he can make more than $30 million per year elsewhere, he’ll take it. This opens the door for the Cubs’ top prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong, to claim center field as his own. It also leaves the Cubs without a sustainable backup plan for Busch at first base.

Alonso is a candidate for a trade or a signing, even with how the roster is constructed. Busch is a better third base option defensively than Christopher Morel. He could take third, with an incoming Alonso taking first. Adding Alonso’s bat to the lineup would be an immediate upgrade, regardless of how the dominos fall around him. If the Mets make him available, don’t count the Cubs out of making a move. And if he’s a free agent, the Cubs will be in talks with him about a deal.

Grading The Dylan Cease Trade

Well, it finally happened. After what felt like an eternity of Dylan Cease trade rumors, the White Sox finally pulled the trigger, sending Cease to the San Diego Padres. At the beginning of the trade rumors, the Padres were nowhere to be found, as they came on strong to the scene later than most teams.

The reason why Cease wasn’t traded earlier was due to GM Chris Getz’s high asking price, leading to believe that a trade before the trade deadline would be for an absolute haul. The White Sox did acquire four players, but on the outset, getting only one top 100 prospect doesn’t seem like the haul that many thought. However, after looking deeper into the trade, you will see that the White Sox got three talented prospects, along with a major league reliever.

Here is who was involved in the trade:

Three top 10 prospects from one of the best farm systems in all of baseball is a strong get for Cease, especially considering he struggled last year. A trade was coming at some point this year, and Getz thought this was a great haul and he pulled the trigger. Let’s dive into what the White Sox received.

First, Steven Wilson, the only player in the deal that has played in the major leagues, is actually an underrated get. He has pitched in two major league seasons, pitching in 50 + games in each season. He has thrown exactly 53 innings in both years. He has pitched to a 3.48 career ERA, which is very solid. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks at the top of the league in mainly every category, except for chase%, BB%, and groundball%. This might not help him out at Guaranteed Rate, but he still is a very solid reliever that could be flipped at the deadline, as he has 4+ more years of team control, making him valuable if he has another solid year.

The main headliner is Drew Thorpe who was one of the main pieces in the Juan Soto return for the Padres. He has the ability to be a staple in the White Sox rotation for years to come, potentially starting early this year. He immediately slots in as the White Sox 3rd best prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Drafted in 2022, he has flown through the minors, playing well at every level.

Despite his lower velocity fastball, he has well above average offspeed offerings that allow him to still be a strikeout pitcher. The best part about him, and what seems to be a focus of Getz this offseason, is that he keeps the walks down. Walks lead to runs, and if you keep batters off the bases, then you’re going to be in good shape. This was a fantastic pickup by the White Sox and he looks to be a potential ace for the White Sox in the future.

The next piece is Jairo Iriarte. He just turned 22 this offseason has performed very well in the minors. Last year he threw 90 innings, pitching to a 3.49 ERA and a 1.2 WHIP. He has a very lively fastball to go with some devastating off-speed pitches. The Padres had him mainly starting, but once he got to AA, he got some work in the ‘pen. He will likely stick in the rotation for the White Sox, as he has success to this point.

As the tweet points out, he can lose his arm slot, which leads to walks. If he can work with the White Sox developmental system to get a more repeatable delivery, he will be an elite pitcher. That is easier said than done, but he has had success despite that. This was a very solid pickup, and we could see him in Chicago this year.

The last piece is Samuel Zavala. He has no relation to former White Sox catcher Seby Zavala. This is the piece that some people are the most excited for. He is just 19 years old and will turn 20 at some point in the season. But despite his age, he has the plate command and discipline of a veteran major leaguer.

He is a bit further off in the majors, but he has all the writings of outfielder of the future for the White Sox. He has legit 20/20 potential and could be the steal of the trade. He will be a fun bat to watch in the minors this year, potentially making his way to AA at some point.

Overall, this was a very good haul for the White Sox and it might not set them back that far, as Chris Getz envisions 3/4 players playing in Chicago this year.

This would be a fantastic development, as we can get a better look at the arms we got in return. It takes a year or so for some pitchers to get acclimated to the major leagues, so the earlier they come up the better if they are truly ready.

Overall, I would grade this trade a B+ only because I know most people, including myself thought we were going to get a better headliner than the 80th best prospect in baseball. Despite that, we still got a great haul and Zavala continues to improve we may have gotten something even better than multiple top 100 prospects.

Former GM Gives Bears High Grade For D’Andre Swift Addition

The Chicago Bears haven’t been overly aggressive in free agency this year, but that doesn’t mean they’ve done nothing. Their biggest addition was their first, signing running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal to join their backfield. Along with Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, it gives the offense a deep and versatile group capable of handling any situation. However, lots of national outlets gave GM Ryan Poles low grades for the move, feeling it’s a loss whenever you pay a running back anything.

Not everybody shares that sentiment. Jeff Diamond is a former GM for the Minnesota Vikings. During his review of several free agent acquisitions, he took time to assess the Swift move. From his perspective, the Bears got one of the best running backs in what was a stacked class and didn’t overpay by any serious degree. He is by far their best option in the backfield now and brings something they’ve lacked for a long time: his ability as a pass catcher.

Chicago got a solid overall grade for the move.

The Chicago Bears are adding to their rushing attack with D’Andre Swift, who is among the top running backs in a loaded free agent class. Swift is coming off the best rushing season of his four-year career…

…Swift is a fine dual-purpose back who has 195 career receptions. Although his reception numbers dropped last season (39 catches, 214 yards) in the Eagles’ offense with their dominant wide receiver corps, Swift will provide an upgrade for the Bears as the No. 1 back over Khalil Herbert, who rushed for 611 yards to lead the team’s running backs.

GRADE: B+

Benoit’s Take: It’s simple: Running backs who can create their own space and contribute to the passing game still have value. Those who can only run are replaceable — even if they run really well. The Bears have verified what the film already showed: Swift is in that first group of backs.

D’Andre Swift isn’t a savior. He’s a piece to the puzzle.

The Bears didn’t sign him to rescue the offense. They envision him as a weapon for their next quarterback, whoever it ends up being. Not only is Swift a reliable runner, but his ability as an outlet in the passing game can be so valuable for a young QB. Credit must go to Poles for recognizing the need. With the backfield squared away, the focus has likely shifted to wide receiver. D.J. Moore is a man by himself at the moment. They could use two more reliable options before next season begins.

One would think Poles has earned some trust from fans. He seems to have a sharp eye for talent, especially when it comes to bargain hunting. D’Andre Swift might not have the same star power as a Saquon Barkley or a Josh Jacobs, but he’s been productive everywhere he has played. A creative offensive coordinator like Shane Waldron should find plenty of good uses for him. If Caleb Williams is the #1 pick for the Bears, as many suspect, that skill set will be familiar to the young quarterback based on what he had at USC.

It is a solid addition.

Justin Fields WILL Begin 2024 As The Bears Starting QB

The first wave of the 2024 Free Agency period has seen surprises and its share of head-scratching across the NFL landscape. Bears fans have expressed both shock and dismay with what Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles has done so far. Fans are perplexed with what hasn’t been done.

Ryan Poles Stays On His Chosen Path

Ryan Pace believes the best way to build a team capable of competing for champions is via draft capital. He then looks for free agents to fill roster gaps WITHOUT overspending. So far, the plan is working. He has built a top-ten defense in only two seasons.

Analyzing What Has Been Done So Far

The first order of business was re-signing CB Jaylon Johnson. Poles made good on his promise when he said “Jaylon isn’t going anywhere.” Johnson was given a 4-year $76 Million extension.

After the team released veterans Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, those vacancies were filled. Ryan Bates, who was signed to an offer sheet by Ryan Poles two years ago, was acquired in exchange for a 2024 5th-round pick. Bates immediately steps in as the starting center.

Poles then signed free-agent Safety Kevin Byard. Byard is an upgrade over the departed Jackson. Despite a down year in 2023, Byard was an All-Pro selection at Philadelphia and earned a Pro Bowl nomination in 2022. He is aggressive and not afraid of physical play.

New OC Shane Waldron gained a dynamic RB by signing former Eagles RB D’Andre Swift. Waldron utilizes a 2 TE set in his scheme so TE Gerald Everett was signed to a 2-year contract. Everett will complement Cole Kmet in the Bears’ new offensive scheme.

Remaining Team Needs

This year’s draft class is loaded with great prospects at wide receiver, edge, and center. Looking at what Poles has done in free agency, those positions are exactly what the Bears roster as currently constructed needs.

Ryan Poles Is Going To Trade The Top Pick

Ryan Poles has done a masterful job trading draft capital. There is reason to believe he will be very active this year as well. After filling roster gaps at Safety, Center, RB, and TE, Poles will begin to focus on the draft. Pay close attention to the players the Bears will bring to Halas Hall for their 30-player visits, each team is allowed.

The idea of trading the top pick is too hard to resist. It would not be surprising to see Ryan Pole make two or three trades on day one. Looking at the impressive prospects that would fill the holes listed above, trading for the draft capital to grab them this year makes sense.

Center

  • Jackson Powers-Johnson
  • Zach Frazier
  • Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
  • Tanor Bortolini

Edge

  • Dallas Turner
  • Laiatu Latu
  • Jared Verse
  • Chop Robinson

Wide Receiver

  • Marvin Harrison
  • Malik Nabers
  • Rome Odunze
  • Brian Thomas

Justin Fields Will Begin 2024 as QB1

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport dropped this bombshell earlier this week: The Bears have yet to shop Justin Fields

https://twitter.com/i/bookmarks?post_id=1767299969378361524

When you add up all the moves Poles has made as will as the moves yet made, it seems to paint the picture detailed above. Fields will get one last chance. The Bears would most likely refuse The 5th year option on Fields’ rookie contract, making this season a one year “prove it” deal.

DJ Moore Gives Bears An Inside Track To Top Remaining Free Agent

The Chicago Bears have been measured in their approach to free agency so far. That doesn’t sit well with a lot of fans, but it’s not hard to understand. GM Ryan Poles feels trying to make splashes on the veteran market is an easy way to get yourself into trouble. That is why he focuses his attention mostly on finding good bargains that help the team’s depth and special teams. Still, it feels like only a matter of time before the Bears take a calculated swing on somebody. No position seems more likely for that than wide receiver. The only question is who it might be. That is where DJ Moore comes in.

Rumors surfaced the Bears might be interested in veteran Curtis Samuel. That name is interesting for a few reasons. For one, he’s a good player. He has at least 600 yards in four of the past five seasons despite being stuck with some awful quarterbacks during that span. Another is the fact he shares a deep relationship with Moore. The two were teammates in Carolina from 2018 through 2020. During that time, they grew close on and off the field. It remained that way even after Samuel left for Washington in 2021.

“Those guys are like Batman and Robin,” quarterback Cam Newton said. “I don’t know who is Batman and who is Robin, tweedle-dee or tweedle-doo. But man, it’s good for me as quarterback to see those guys meshing extremely well.”

“Listen, from Instagram, to Twitter to on-field celebrations, I’ve always been kind of envious of their relationship.”

One can safely assume Moore is pushing his friend and former teammate to reunite in Chicago.

If he pulls this off, DJ Moore can do the Bears a big favor.

Samuel holds the final say. Reuniting with Moore is probably something he’d love. However, there are other factors in play. It is his responsibility to get the best possible contract he can since this might be his last chance for a decent payday. There is also the fact he has never played on a winning team in his career. He may not wish to risk joining the Bears, who have one winning season since 2013, and instead opt to sign with an organization with better odds of getting him to the playoffs.

Experts project it will cost around $8.5 million per year for a team to sign Samuel. That is plenty affordable for the Bears, who have the fourth-most cap space in the league. He would be a terrific complement to DJ Moore, as he was in Carolina. It also wouldn’t force Poles to focus on drafting a receiver at #9 overall, allowing him to take the best player available. Remember this connection as the receiver market gains momentum after Calvin Ridley finally signed. If the Bears land Samuel, they will be in good shape.

Moore will certainly be happy.

What’s Behind The Blackhawks’ Recent Scoring Explosion?

On Sunday, the Blackhawks hosted the Coyotes at the United Center and put up a season-high seven goals in a 7-4 win. Defenseman Seth Jones picked up four assists, Connor Bedard had two goals and a helper, and Colin Blackwell got himself a hat trick. It was an unprecedented offensive explosion that no one saw coming.

Just two days later, they did it AGAIN!

Tuesday night saw Chicago pick up a 7-2 win over the Ducks in its second straight seven-goal outing. In what was by far the most entertaining game of the year, Blackhawks fans were treated to 60 minutes full of goals, fights, and everything in between. Bedard once again helped lead the way, posting a team-high five points.

But for a team that still sits dead last in the NHL in goals scored per game, where did this sudden outburst come from? And, more importantly, is it sustainable?

Key Players

The Blackhawks have gotten key performances from some of their biggest names this week. That conversation, of course, starts with Bedard. His five-point performance was tied for the most points in a game by an 18-year-old in NHL history. With eight points in his last two games, Bedard now has 51 on the year. He’s exceeding even the wildest expectations set for him before the season and is clearly a huge part of his team’s success.

The biggest difference in Chicago’s sudden scoring outburst, however, has been Seth Jones. The Blackhawks’ highest-paid player has woefully underperformed in the scoring column this year, never picking up more than four points in a calendar month. In his past four games, though, he’s tallied three goals and four assists. His current heater has been a major contribution to his team’s offensive success.

Getting Healthy/Lineup Stability

The Blackhawks have finally recovered from the horrible injury bug that plagued them for the first several months of the season, which saw more of their cap dollars being spent on the injured list than on the healthy lineup at one point. Forward Andreas Athanasiou finally returned to the lineup Tuesday, reducing the team’s IR list to only Connor Murphy and Taylor Hall. In his postgame comments, head coach Luke Richardson noted the newfound stability:

“It’s taken us a while to get healthy, to get some line combinations working together for a while and we can try some other things down the stretch here but I think the goal is to keep pushing the guys to have the pace we had at the start of this game.”

– Luke Richardson

It’s hard for a team to find success without putting similar lines on the ice every game, but given the Blackhawks’ injuries and rebuilding status, the lineup has been a revolving door all season. These past few weeks, though, things have been more stable, and that appears to be having an effect on the success of those players. For lines like the top group consisting of Bedard, Philipp Kurashev, and Nick Foligno, it’s been a big boost.

A Splash in the Pan?

While Chicago certainly can’t expect to keep putting seven goals on the board every night, the new traction may be a sign of what’s to come. Given that Richardson has seemingly found the lineup he wants to stick with, the foundation is laid for at least some semblance of success. With 16 games remaining in the season, they’ll get a chance to see what a stabilized lineup can do, hopefully offering a sign of what’s in store for next year.