The Latest Breaking News from Blackhawks

A larger, public goodbye is planned for Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz on Wednesday at the United Center. But on Tuesday, it was a love fest of the city’s movers and shakers, remembering their friend with laughter and a few tears.

Connor Bedard is an obvious choice for No. 1, although he won’t be a prospect for long. After him, Kevin Korchinski, Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar headline an increasingly talented list.

Rocky Wirtz, who won three Stanley Cup titles as owner of the Chicago Blackhawks and presided over the team during one of the NHL’s biggest scandals, has died

Wirtz, who died Tuesday in Evanston after a brief illness, made a dynasty out of the Hawks. His investment on and off the ice after taking over in 2007 led to three Stanley Cups and a tremendous surge in popularity. But the Hawks’ sexual assault scandal complicated his legacy.

Kurashev’s new contract will carry a $2.25 million salary-cap hit, representing a big raise over his $750,000 cap hit last season.

While bouncing from the Bruins to Wild to Sharks to Kraken, Donato has gained a versatility that appealed to the Hawks in free agency this summer. He has maintained steady offensive production, too.

The Hawks would be wise to take advantage of Bedard’s mere $950,000 base salary-cap hit for the next three years. Performance bonuses, however, could net Bedard up to $4.5 million.

Kyle Davidson has argued that Kane and Toews’ presences were so enormous that they inadvertently prevented any young Hawks players from growing into leaders themselves.

The United Center, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks are changing soft drink sponsors, with PepsiCo becoming the new face.