The guys are back after a week off and we are officially in the dog days of summer with very little news going on in the world of hockey.

(0:00) Intro

(1:12) Anton Frondell is officially a Chicago Blackhawk as he has signed his entry level deal. The guys discuss why going back to Sweden and playing in the SHL is the better move for him. They also get very excited at some of the praise he has gotten from former Blackhawks Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger who make a big time player comparison.

(15:00) People continue to take shots at the Hawks and their rebuild plan and praise the Sharks who seem to be following the same plan as the Hawks. Tanner and Jarom take a deep dive look comparing the two organization and then go even deeper looking at Hawks prospects and compare them to other players and their development.

(44:15) The Hawks are on the big stage again as they will play the defending defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.

(45:45) The guys discuss the new CBA and some of the changes that will go into effect starting the 2026/2027 NHL Season.

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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What should be silly season hasn’t been off to a silly start as the draft went as expected and free agency was a dud for everyone but three teams.

(0:00) Intro

(4:39) The guys recap last weekends draft and how the new crop of Blackhawks prospects have a great balance of skill and size. Frondell was the man at number three and has already said and done the right things in his short time with the organization. Plus Tanner loves the Mason West pick and the high potential he has.

(37:02) July 1st should be an exciting and silly time but this free agent class was an absolute dud, from the cap going up and teams re-signing their players there was no fire works for majority of the league.

(48:37) The guys wrap up the show discussing the Hawks off season and why the fan base needs to manage their expectations and trust the process with the teams rebuild.

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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Happy NHL Draft Week to all that celebrate it, the guys are back with their final draft preview before the picks are made this Friday.

(0:00) Before they get into draft talk they open up discussing how great it is to see Jonathan Toews back in the NHL as it was announced that he will be signing with the Winnipeg Jets. Keeping up with Cup Era heroes, the guys congratulate Duncan Keith on being named to the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Class.

(13:13) Draft Talk kicks off with a refresher of where the Hawks 10 picks will be made and what are some of the key needs that Kyle Davidson and company need to address with these picks.

(21:30) Jarom then ask if after pick 3 does Tanner want to see the the Hawks go best player available or should it all be about what the team needs?

(24:45) Tanner Brings up the idea that it is very likely they will start to package some of these picks to move up in the first round. With that idea the guys look at who could the Hawks possibly work with to move up and what else they would need to include with draft picks to make this happen. Could a deal with the Islanders to help them get Schaefer and Hagens be a possibility?

(36:24) Jarom wants to know if there is any players on Tanners do not draft list or if he feels like with this draft class it is open season and anyone is worth picking. Jarom plays devils advocate that the Hawks need to look at this years picks as the last top five pick they will have because god willing they take major steps forward next year. Tanner strikes that thinking down quick.

(41:20) If the move for third overall is to trade it, what would make it worth it for the guys, Peterka? Knies? Rossi? Robertson?

(45:50) Bold Takes from the guys for the upcoming draft and not necessarily involving the Hawks.

(46:58) The guys recap their second draft ranking and then give their final draft rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft for players who could go at number 3 overall.

(55:05) To wrap the show up the guys talk about their expectations for the upcoming off season and how those expectations have already been set by the Hawks extending Ryan Donato and trading for Burakovsky. The big names might be off the board for the Hawks but there are a few more spots that need to be addressed so the guys give their summer wish list.

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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The guys are back talking more draft rumors including Frondell being the pick at three but now the rumors are turning to the team trading the pick for an impact player, what ever that might mean. (1:23)

Tanner brings up an interesting point on verbiage when it comes to offer sheet compensation and could this make it easier for the Hawks to take a shot at an RFA? (13:26)

Other Hawks News including Reichel to the Olympics and Soderstrom traded to Boston. (21:46)

What are they on? The guys take a look at a cool feature of PuckPedia, PuckGM and just look at ridiculous mock trades that were submitted there including one from Tanner. (27:54)

NHL Talk includes possible Toews destinations, Team USA first six players, and Cup Final Talk. (49:41)

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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This week on the Windy City Benders Podcast, the guys dive into a busy week of Hawks headlines starting with all the noise coming out of the NHL Combine. Cam Robinson suggests the Blackhawks are eyeing Michael Misa and could look to move up in the draft, while Ben Pope reports Kyle Davidson says the team’s internal draft board is still unfinished. With uncertainty around how teams like the Islanders and Sharks will draft, the top of the board remains wide open — and the Hawks are keeping options flexible.

We also talk about the Hawks reportedly skipping combine dinners, their possible shift away from prioritizing elite skating, and the strong internal stance on keeping Bedard and Nazar at center. Expect wingers to be the focus — and don’t rule out an aggressive trade up if the right name is there.

Then we touch on the CHSN Xfinity update as the highest-tier service becomes the go-to for Hawks games, sunsetting over-the-air options in the Chicagoland area. What does this mean for fans?

Plus: could Nikolaj Ehlers be a real fit in Chicago? Chris Johnston thinks so.

In our NHL roundup, we hit on Gary Bettman’s State of the Union, award chatter, Pete DeBoer’s firing, and give our latest thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final.

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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On this episode of the Windy City Benders Podcast, Jarom and Tanner dive deep into the latest Blackhawks rumors, including potential moves for Marco Rossi and Mitch Marner—do either actually make sense for Chicago?

They also break down the growing chatter around the Islanders, Sharks, and Hawks possibly trading up in the draft and why that might be a bit overblown. With the NHL Entry Draft just three weeks away, the guys reveal their updated draft boards and who’s rising and falling.

To wrap up Hawks Talk, they cover Jonathan Toews’ potential comeback, new coaching hires in both Chicago and Rockford, and the continued expansion of Fifth Third Arena.

Then it’s time for NHL Talk: what’s going on with the Dallas Stars behind the scenes, and who do the guys have winning it all in their Stanley Cup Final preview and predictions?

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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The Blackhawks have officially introduced Jeff Blashill as the next Head Coach. The guys talk about his press conference and their take aways from what they heard.

They touch on the importance of Team USA World Championship win on Frank Nazar and Alex Vlasic and how it could be an extra spark to take their games to the next level.

They wrap things up with a little playoff update.

Hosts:

Jarom @ZachJarom

Tanner @Broliethegoalie

X: @WCBPodcast

Instagram: @WCBPodcast

Facebook: WCBPodcast

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After lots of waiting and wondering the Blackhawks are expected to name Jeff Blashill the 38th Head Coach in franchise history. The guys break down his resume and discuss why this is a much better move than people think.

They also talk about how the Maple Leafs losing in the playoffs once again affects the Hawks in terms of drafting and adding fuel to the fire that Marner could be targeted by Chicago come July 1st. Tanner talks why that could be a good move and Jarom holds strong on why they need to avoid him at all cost.

Things get wrapped up with a little Conference Final previews and the guys give their picks on who will be heading to the Cup Final.