Morning Bag Skate: 7-7-19

There was no news on the Blackhawks’ front Saturday.

Elsewhere in Chicago sports, the Red Stars’ rally came up short in a 2-1 loss to Sky Blue. The Fire fell 1-0 to Sporting KC. The Cubs beat the White Sox 6-3 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

On Sunday, the United States women’s national soccer team (Red Stars’ Morgan Brian, Tierna Davidson, Julie Ertz and Alyssa Naeher) will defend their World Cup title against the Netherlands in France. Fire midfielder Djordje Mihailovic and the USMNT defend their Gold Cup title against Mexico at Solider Field. The Sky host the Dallas Wings. The Cubs and White Sox play again.

(Photo: Patrick Lalime)

BLACKHAWKS

Reliable, relaxed de Haan ready to refresh Blackhawks’ defense, on and off the ice (Chicago Sun-Times)

Marcus Kruger signs 2-year contract with ZSC Lions (SCH)

Exploring new Blackhawks forward Ryan Carpenter’s penalty kill numbers (SCH)

Blackhawks should use tandem system with Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner (SCH)

Andrew Shaw: ‘The Mutt is back baby!’ (SCH)

NHL free agency: Blackhawks news, rumors, updates (SCH)

CENTRAL DIVISION

Projecting the Wild’s ideal forward lines: Is it enough to get back to the playoffs? (The Athletic)

NHL

Sabres sign Marcus Johansson to 2-year, $9M deal (Die By The Blade)

HOCKEY WORLD

As women’s hockey remains divided at professional level, NHL focuses on grassroots (The Athletic)