The Athletic: The death of Johnny Gaudreau devastated the Blue Jackets. Other pro teams have known such sadness, too. We spoke w members of the ‘01 Vikings (Korey Stringer) and ‘93 Indians (Tim Crews, Steve Olin) to learn how they coped w tragedy. #CBJ nytimes.com/athletic/57740…

There’s pressure on the Blackhawks for the first time in many years to be competitive and keep their fans’ attention. Read Mark Lazerus⁩’ column ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/57805…

After two years of organizational tanking following several years of organizational ineptitude, it's high time the Blackhawks start showing at least some progress toward this future we keep talking so much about. Column: nytimes.com/athletic/57805…

Big congrats to Mike Folta, who is leaving the Rockford IceHogs to become the radio play-by-play man for the Utah Hockey Club.

Judd Sirott is the new TV voice of the Bruins. Joe Brand is the new radio voice of the Penguins. Mike Folta is the new radio voice of the Utahans. Nick Olczyk is doing TV for Utah. And Eddie Olczyk, of course, is the Kraken analyst. Blackhawks broadcast alums all over the place!

Artyom Levshunov is out four weeks, "maybe a little more," per Kyle Davidson. Laurent Brossoit out four weeks, maybe a little less.

Does Connor Bedard have specific numbers in mind for his second season? "I'd never tell you, but I have stuff in my head."

Kyle Davidson said that no assurances regarding playing time were made to the veterans brought in. Said the message on the first day of camp was that this should be a difficult team to make, and a difficult team on which to keep your spot.

Gritty lives in Philadelphia. That is the context.

NEW POWERS & LAZ: Mark Lazerus and I share our early thoughts on Blackhawks training camp Listen here: patreon.com/posts/early-bl…

Blackhawks camp observations from Day 2 from Scott Powers and me, including a possible clue about a future jersey retirement: nytimes.com/athletic/57827…

So much humor, whimsy and joy, as they say. No matter the cruel, soul-crushing way in which it inevitably ends, this has been my favorite Mets season in a long, long time.

New POWERS & LAZ: Scott Powers and I hit the backup podmobile to discuss the first two days of training camp: patreon.com/posts/early-bl…