BHN Puck Links: Wirtz Needs To Go, Bruins, NHL Trade Rumors

While the Boston Bruins are likely scattered around the world on beaches or chilling on a couch at home, there has been plenty of NHL trade chatter surrounding the team in the first 48 hours of their five-day break off the ice. 

Before we get to that though, one puck link must be addressed first and sadly for all the wrong reasons. Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz proved once again that the Blackhawks don’t get it and likely never will get it until the longtime dictator-like culture of the Wirtz era is wiped away. 

During a Blackhawks Town Hall Wednesday night, Wirtz wasn’t even asked to rehash the Kyle Beach case but rather got a Patrick Kane feed down low for the tip-in and he whiffed. …badly! 

Longtime Blackhawks reporter Mark Lazerus of The Athletic simply asked Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz (Rocky’s son), to show the fans how they’ve done what’s needed to never let what happened to Kyle Beach happen again? 

That’s when the tone-deaf Rocky snapped.

Here’s the full segment/video. Just ridiculous from Rocky Wirtz. pic.twitter.com/9k9QxKW0gI

— Wally Mazurek (@WallMaz35) February 3, 2022

The Beach and Chicago Blackhawks sexual abuse case has been well-documented. Beach, was a former Blackhawks player that filed a lawsuit in May, accusing the team of covering up his allegations and proof that he was sexually abused by former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup season for the Blackhawks. 

Beach’s lawsuit, first filed in May, shook the hockey world and led to the NHL team commissioning the law firm Jenner & Block to investigate Beach’s allegations. On Oct. 27, the firm released a report outlining how the Blackhawks management and coaching staff declined to report to police sexual assault allegations against then-video coach Aldrich in May 2010.

Amidst an onslaught of public disgust and criticism, general manager Stan Bowman stepped down and former Blackhawks and now former Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville, who was head coach of the Blackhawks in 2010, resigned as coach of the Panthers after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss his role in the Blackhawks’ response to Beach’s claims.

Clearly, though, all of that isn’t nearly enough! Until Wirtz is forced into resigning or selling the team, nothing will change with the evil, Communist regime in Chicago. 

Now onto the rest of your BHN Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

My partner-in-scribe, Joe Haggerty, gives his take on the state of the Boston Bruins at the midseason point. One thing is for sure, the turning point of the first half of the season came when head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to change the forward lines. (Boston Hockey Now)

If the Boston Bruins want to acquire J.T. Miller or Scituate, MA native Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks, it will likely cost them top prospect Fabian Lysell. (Boston Hockey Now)

National Hockey Now

While the Boston Bruins have a Top 5-7 Jack Adams candidate in Cassidy, the Montreal Canadiens could have a new head coach when they return from their break. Will they also have new players from the NHL trade market? (Montreal Hockey Now)

Speaking of teams in peril, is it time for the New York Islanders to throw in the towel? Will the Isles now be sellers on the NHL trade market? (NYI Hockey Now)

This is well worth the read, especially for those who refuse to acknowledge that racism still runs rampant throughout all levels of hockey. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson continues to get his nose dirty. (Washington Hockey Now)

So the Philadelphia Flyers are asking their fans how to improve the in-arena experience at the Wells Fargo Center? Maybe start with the product on the ice? (Philly Hockey Now)

Andrew Brunette has finally made the All-Star game. …as a coach. (Florida Hockey Now)

With the Colorado Avalanche on break and cruising towards a potential President’s Trophy, the Kroenke Sports empire is focused on the L. A. Rams and the Super Bowl. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Our man in Van, Rob Simpson, gives his take on the Canucks-Bruins NHL trade rumors. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

NHL 

Here’s Lazerous’ column on how Rocky Wirtz erased years of goodwill in just minutes. (The Athletic)

More disturbing news regarding Aldrich and how he lured his victims. (TSN)

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Pat Verbeek is the new general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. (Anaheim Ducks)