Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks face Penguins in season opener
Our daily look at Blackhawks news and the happenings around the hockey world.
The Chicago Blackhawks open their 2017-18 season Thursday when they face the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center.
HAWKS
**Hawks trade Kyle Baun to Canadiens for Andreas Martinsen (SCH)
**Hossa officially placed on long-term injured reserve (SCH)
**Hawks sign Cody Franson to 1-year, $1 million contract (SCH)
**Second City Hockey’s 2017-18 Blackhawks predictions (SCH)
**Second City Hockey’s 2017-18 NHL standings predictions (SCH)
**Hawks and Penguins battling on the ice, in the history books (Chicago Sun Times)
**Toews revamps game to try to rejoin elite centers (Chicago Tribune)
**Hawks will reach the 2017-18 Stanley Cup Playoffs (SCH)
**Second City Hockey’s NHL award predictions (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Pietrangelo gives Blues OT win over Penguins (St. Louis GameTime)
**Reaves is all business against former team (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
**RECAP: Maple Leafs score seven in win against Jets (Arctic Ice Hockey)
**Jets sign Nikolaj Ehlers to 7-year, $42 million extension (SBN)
**3 reasons why the Preds might not return to Cup Final (The Tennessean)
**On The Forecheck’s 2017-18 NHL standings predictions (On The Forecheck)
**What will Predators’ lines look like? (On The Forecheck)
**Wild T25U25: Joel Eriksson Ek at No. 3 (Hockey Wilderness)
**Mile High Hockey’s 2017-18 NHL standings, awards predictions (Mile High Hockey)
NHL
**SB Nation’s 2017-18 season preview (SBN)
**RECAP: McDavid scores hat trick in Oilers shutout over Flames (Copper N Blue)
**RECAP: Simmonds’ hat trick leads Flyers past Sharks (Broad Street Hockey)
**Ducks sign Josh Manson to new 4-year, $16.4 million deal (Anaheim Calling)
**Golden Knights can provide rallying point for Vegas after mass shooting (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
**Capitals sign Chiasson to 1-year deal (Japers’ Rink)
**Toffoli, Pearson aren’t just kids anymore for Kings (LA Times)
**Kings enjoying fresh approach under new coach John Stevens (LA Times)
**Coyotes announce leadership group (Five For Howling)
**3 key questions facing Panthers (Litter Box Cats)
HOCKEY WORLD
**Devils enter partnership with NWHL’s Riveters (New York Times)
**Dilks 30 Thoughts on new college hockey season (SBNCH)
**St. Cloud State preview: Huskies on the verge of stepping up (The Athletic)
**Minnesota preview: Can the Gophers win the ultimate prize? (The Athletic)
