👋 Good morning!

Another night, another couple of incredible playoff games.

But that Celtics-Knicks series will be an especially incredible watch for the next week or so.

New York stealing one in Boston is massive, but in true Tom Thibodeau fashion, they’ll need to wrap this series up quickly, or the fatigue will hit like a freight train.

Gosh, what I’d do to enjoy those Thibs-led teams in Chicago again…

He hasn’t really changed, which is why I can’t imagine him winning a ring in today’s NBA. But since firing him after five straight playoff appearances:

THIBS: 5 playoff appearances.
BULLS: 2 playoff appearances.

Kings of the first Play-In game, though.

– Patrick Norton

Unlucky Lotto

Entering Monday night’s lottery, the Blackhawks possessed the second-best odds for the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Instead, they’ll be picking third.

• The New York Islanders jumped to the No. 1 spot despite having a 3.5% chance of winning the lottery. The San Jose Sharks, who had the best odds at No. 1 (25.5%), slipped to No. 2.
   

• It’s the third straight year the Blackhawks will pick within the first three picks. Two years ago, the Blackhawks won the lottery to move up from the No. 3 spot to draft Connor Bedard No. 1 overall. Last year, the Hawks stayed put in the lottery and took Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 pick.
   

• The Blackhawks have only ever won the lottery and the rights to the No. 1 overall pick twice in franchise history: 2007, when they selected Patrick Kane, and 2023, when they took Bedard.

I love hockey. But I’m far from an expert when it comes to prospects, so I enlisted the list of our very own Jay Zawaski to help introduce a few options of who could be available with the No. 3 pick:

1. MICHAEL MISA, C
   6-foot-1, 184 lbs.

2024-25: Saginaw (OHL) » 62 goals, 72 assists in 65 games.

It’s unlikely Misa will be available when the Blackhawks pick third in the draft, but anything can happen.

If he’s available, GM Kyle Davidson should run to the podium and tackle anyone in his way.

Misa scored 62 goals in 65 games with Saginaw last season and has been a consistent scorer for years. His skating and hockey IQ are high-end, and he’s the type of player any NHL team would love to build around.

2. PORTER MARTONE, RW
   6-foot-3, 208 lbs.

2024-25: Brampton (OHL) » 37 goals, 61 assists in 57 games.

Martone brings size that the Blackhawks desperately lack in terms of high-end, top-six potential forwards. While his skating is just average, his net-front play and power forward style could pay dividends when Chicago starts participating in playoff games again.

3. JAMES HAGENS, C
   5-foot-11, 177 lbs.

2024-25: Boston College (NCAA) » 11 goals, 26 assists in 37 games.

Hagens is an excellent skater and puck handler, but at 5-11, he’s a little on the small side, especially considering the forwards already in Chicago’s system. That said, the kid can flat out play.

Does one inch really make or break an NHL career? Of course it doesn’t. Additionally, his skating is good enough to get him out of trouble, much like Frank Nazar.

Thank you, Jay! Appreciate the help!

GO DEEPER: Mario Tirabassi looked at a possible scenario in which the Blackhawks actually land Misa

Quick Hits

SIGH OF RELIEF: Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after Monday night’s win that Shota Imanaga’s hamstring strain is “very mild”. Imanaga was added to the 15-day IL earlier yesterday after leaving Sunday’s loss in pain while clutching his left thigh.

Imanaga will still likely spend more than the 15-day minimum on the injured list while he recovers fully, but this won’t be a long-term issue.

In the meantime, Counsell named Chris Flexen and Cade Horton as possible choices to pick up the slack in the rotation during Imanaga’s absence. The injured left-hander’s next scheduled start was Saturday in New York against the Mets.

POP-A-SHOT: If you read yesterday’s newsletter, you may have seen that Kevin Wells set the high score on our new-ish office Pop-A-Shot at 87 points on Sunday.

Will Gottlieb simply could not let that stand, smashing the record and posting a 95 shortly after the conclusion of yesterday’s Bulls podcast.

95 — that’s the record to beat. For what it’s worth, I hit 77 and am considering retirement.

You can celebrate GOAT’s accomplishment by checking out his first offseason Bulls mailbag, which you can find here!

Beautiful. Historic. Chicago-style*.

*Corey mentioned in a follow-up tweet that the hot dog stand was out of sport peppers.

Today!

📺 CHGO Bears
12:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube

⚾️ White Sox @ Royals
6:40 on CHSN

⚾️ Cubs vs. Giants
6:40 on Marquee

📺 CHGO Cubs
POSTGAME on CHGO Cubs YT

Talk to you tomorrow!