👋 Good morning!
Well, that was a bummer.
Congratulations to ex-Bull Alex Caruso on his second championship. It’s been a little over a year since he was traded to the Thunder. June 20, 2024, to be exact.
I just wish we’d gotten a more competitive game. Sure, the Pacers led heading into the second half, but it felt like pure adrenaline keeping them alive after Tyrese Haliburton went down. And a 15-minute halftime completely killed their momentum.
This isn’t to say this championship gets an asterisk next to it. The Thunder were the best team all year long, and I’m not entirely sure a healthy Haliburton changes who’s hoisting the trophy at the end.
But we were robbed of a great Game 7 after one of the NBA’s best Finals in recent memory. Gross.
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Jonathan Toews returns,
signs with Winnipeg
The Blackhawks’ former captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion is returning to the NHL after two years away from the game. Jonathan Toews will officially sign a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets when free agency opens on July 1st.
Toews, a native of Winnipeg, hasn’t played since becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. The 37-year-old missed 28 games that year due to lingering effects of COVID-19 before returning for the final seven games of the season.
He missed the entire 2020-21 season due to complications with chronic inflammatory response syndrome. However, he did not miss a single game in the two seasons prior.
Blackhawks’ statement on Toews’ return to hockey: “The entire Blackhawks organization would like to congratulate Jonathan and welcome him back to the NHL.
“The work he's done over the past two years to make his return is a testament to his resiliency and determination — the same qualities that our fans fell in love with and continue to define him as a player.
"The NHL is better with Jonathan on the ice, and we’re excited to celebrate him when he returns to the United Center with Winnipeg this season.”
Toews on signing with his hometown club: “I’m grateful to be making my return to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets. It’s very special to come home and play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba. The Jets have been on the rise over the last few seasons, and I’m eager to join the group and help however I can.”
Truth be told, I’m not ready to see Toews in another team’s sweater. Sure, we’ll get over it as we did when the Blackhawks traded Patrick Kane. But I think it’ll be a longer adjustment.
As for Toews, it’s great news that he feels physically capable of undertaking the NHL grind, and now he’ll have a shot at going out on his own terms.
The NHL schedule won’t be released until the middle of July, but the first time Toews hits the ice at the United Center next season will be the most meaningful experience in that building since the team won its last Stanley Cup a decade ago.
Yes, even bigger than Kane’s return on the same day as Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement.
Maybe the Blackhawks can make it even more special by ensuring Kane is in the building for Toews’ triumphant return by extending an offer when free agency opens next week… (I won’t hold my breath)
⚾️ Summertime Sweepstakes ⚾️
Rate & CHGO are giving away a pair of tickets to the Rate Club for Cubs-Sox at Rate Field on July 26th.
All you have to do to enter? Download the Rate app and enter at:
No purchase necessary—just good vibes & great seats!
SOSA COMES HOME: After 21 years away from Wrigley Field, Sammy Sosa was finally welcomed back to The Friendly Confines on Friday afternoon for the Cubs’ series opener against the Mariners. Sosa, along with former first baseman Derrek Lee, will be officially enshrined in the club’s Hall of Fame in September.
SHO-TIME: Shota Imanaga will make his return to the Cubs this week against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Craig Counsell. Imanaga hasn’t appeared with the major league club since suffering a left hamstring strain in May.
After a few appearances in the Arizona Complex League, Imanaga made a rehab start with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate on Friday, tossing 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out eight.
EXTRA NUGGETS:
The Cubs designated RHP Génesis Cabrera for assignment on Saturday. Cabrera signed with the Cubs last month after being released by the Mets, but struggled mightily in nine appearances, allowing four home runs and nine earned runs in 9.1 IP.
Pete Crow-Armstrong became the fastest player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season for the Cubs last Thursday after clubbing his 20th homer in the team’s 74th game of the year. Next milestone? Joining Sammy Sosa as the only other member of the Cubs’ 30-30 club.
SERIES WINNER: All Miguel Vargas does is hit clutch doubles. The White Sox's infielder came through for the club again on Sunday with a two-out two-run double in the eighth inning to give the Sox the late lead. Grant Taylor, two weeks removed from his ML debut, picked up his first career save.
The win also marked the club’s first series win on the road since taking two out of three against the Reds in Cincinnati during the second week of May.
ROSTER FLURRY: The Sox made several moves over the weekend, including recalling RHP Wikelman González, optioning RHP Owen White to Triple-A, selecting the contract of LHP Jake Palisch, and placing RHP Davis Martin (forearm) and LHP Cam Booser (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list.
The club then optioned Palisch to Triple-A on Sunday and activated RHP Adrian Houser from paternity leave.
TRADE ALERT: The Blackhawks traded Joe Veleno to the Utah Hockey Whatever They’re Called Now for RW André Burakovsky on Saturday.
Burakovsky, 30, tallied 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) in 79 games last season.
Veleno was acquired by the Blackhawks at the trade deadline from Detroit in the deal that sent Petr Mrazek back to the Red Wings.
Additionally, defenseman TJ Brodie cleared waivers on Sunday, which allows the Blackhawks to buy out the final year of his contract. Brodie signed a two-year deal worth $7.5 million last offseason, but contributed just 10 points in 54 games.
We had such a great time yesterday with the bigs and little from @BBBSA for Field Day❤️
— #CHGO Sports (#@CHGO_Sports)
5:15 PM • Jun 22, 2025
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