Chicago Sports

Back on Feb. 20, Blackhawks interim coach Derek King included a curious preface –“If he decides to continue to be a better person” –when discussing Kirby Dach’s still-lofty potential.

The negative implications of that comment might’ve been purely unintentional.King did immediately say “better player,” too, and he might not have intended for those phrases to be interpreted separately. But the comment might’ve alternatively indicated that, behind the scenes, King had taken issue with some of Dach’s behavior.

After practice Tuesday, King provided some possible clarity. Asked if he’s seen any evolution in Dach’s attitude or personality this season, he said the former third overall pick has lately done a “much better job of not slamming doors, breaking sticks and looking so frustrated.”

King’s distaste for such dramatic, visible displays of emotion has been firmly established. He joked after the Hawks’ loss in Vegas on March 26 that “close to $2,000 worth of hockey sticks [were busted] out there today.” He likes when his upbeat, glass-half-full attitude rubs off on his team, so it’s hardly surprising Dach’s often gloomy aura this winter could’ve rubbed him the wrong way.

But it sounds like King has seen improvement –not only from Dach but also from many of the Hawks’ less-mature players –in terms of patience and calmness in the face of adversity or misfortune.

“It’s an emotional game, and I get it,” he said. “I just don’t like to see it all the time. Sometimes a guy is going to get upset [and] break his stick on the bench or slam a door. But you can’t do it after every mistake you think you made, or [after] a bad shift, or [if] you missed a goal or you did something.

“I haven’t seen it [as much]. It has been a lot better. The one guy who has improved a lot is Dach.”

It’s probably not a coincidence Dach has been off social media for more than three months now, having deleted his apps around New Year’s Day to help block out the criticism and pressure from fans.

Indeed, Dach said himself Tuesday his effort to be more present has made a difference.

“I’ve always been pretty confident in my play and things I can do on the ice,” he said. “It’s just nice to take a break. You get away from things. You don’t really hear about things anymore, not even critics or social media that way. It’s nice to shut the phone off and just enjoy life a little bit more.”

Dach’s on-ice performance since Feb. 20 has been an exaggerated microcosm of his overall career to date: poor offensive results, good defensive results.

He touts just four points in 18 games during this span, meaning his tepid season stats (24 points in 66 games) now nearly match his rookie totals (23 points in 64 games). But he also has conceded only 26.0 opponent scoring chances per 60 even-strength minutes, the best among all Hawks forwards still on the roster.

He understandably wants to excel in both regards eventually, and his lack of progress so far toward that goal is concerning. But rushing or getting restless about the process’s pace won’t help, and Dach seems to be learning that.

“He wants to be the best player on the ice all the time, and it’s frustrating why he’s not,” King said. “I keep telling him it’s something you’ve got to build. It will come. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Note: Marian Hossa will sign a one-day contract Thursday during a United Center event before the Hawks-Kraken game to retire as a Blackhawk. His last NHL appearance came with the Hawks in 2017, but he technically finished his career under contract with the Coyotes.

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With their home opener a week away, the White Sox on Tuesday unveiled its 2022 concessions that will have fans eating well while cheering for a deep post-season run.

The White Sox offered a first look at newly concocted offerings as well as fan favorites and an extensive craft beer list inside the renovated Wintrust Scout Lounge. There was also a peek at White Sox’s newest jersey variations like the soccer- and hockey-inspired jerseys that will be handed out to the first 20,000 fans later this season.

“There is something unique and special about the game of baseball when people walk into the ballpark for the first time in the spring and you see the green grass, smell the dogs and onions and you hear the crack of the bat,” said Brooks Boyer, White Sox’s chief revenue and marketing officer.

Fans will see different menus depending on where their seats are located.

People sitting at Guaranteed Rate Field’s 100- and 500-level concourses can expect some new items as well as some classics. For instance, Buenos Nachos will still be serving its beloved loaded Nacho Helmets and Froman’s Cheddar Pierogis will be back by popular demand.

Those looking to try something new can grab one of the three new sandwiches at Chef’s Signature Carvery Sandwiches. The California Turkey Club is served on King’s Hawaiian bread with turkey, provolone, bacon, avocado and leaf lettuce with sun-dried tomato mayo.

An Italian Grinder is served on Italian bread with ham, Genoa salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato and a signature sauce. Then there is the Caprese Sandwich that is served on herbed focaccia with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil vinaigrette and balsamic glaze

New to all Classic Stands is the Pretzel-Wrapped Bratwurst, a quarter-pound bratwurst wrapped in sea-salted pretzel dough.

“There will be two stadiums, ourselves and Milwaukee, we’re the only two major league stadiums that will be offering this product this year so we are very excited to have that,” said Bret Donaldson, executive chef with Delaware North. “Not a complete exclusive but certainly close to it.”

Those looking to cool down and want something sweet can find comfort with Rainbow Cone — a Chicago classic for nearly 100 years. Fans can choose from among five flavors: orange sherbet, pistachio, Palmer House, strawberry and chocolate.

Craft beer lovers will be able to pick from 75 beers from 46 breweries at the new Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge. Eleven breweries are making a debut this year with more than half of the breweries being headquartered in the Chicago area.

Ryan Craig, executive chef of Levy Restaurants, said they have been planning the 2022 season menu for the club and suites level since the White Sox’s final game last year. This year includes a sausage board with butcher, hand-crafted sausages that are locally sourced, beer cheeseburger sliders, and an Italian hoagie.

Craig said they are excited about the new Horchata Churro Milkshake, which was created by his sous chef.

“A real showstopper, he makes the horchata and blends it with vanilla ice cream and, of course, we have the giant cinnamon sugar churro sticking up at the top,” Craig said.

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The Public League football schedule is changing this fall, and Phillips coach Joe Winslow is all for it.

There will be less of an emphasis on the Prep Bowl playoffs and more on getting the elite CPS teams better prepared for the IHSA postseason.

It’s an ongoing push, especially after Public League teams went 2-20 in the first round of the state playoffs last season and only Phillips got as far as the quarterfinals.

Under the new format, the Public League playoffs — which decide the CPS representative in the Prep Bowl — will be cut back to eight teams and won’t start till after the regular season.

Previously, Week 9 was reserved for the first round of the Public League playoffs and other crossover games. Now, all Public League teams will know their entire schedule from the beginning of the season.

In the top two conferences, the Red Bird and Land of Lincoln, teams will play five league games and two crossovers against the other elite conference.

“It creates more competition and gives me more [playoff] points going into the state playoffs,” Winslow said. “That’s definitely a plus.”

It’ll also end some of the late-season scrambling for the elite CPS programs in terms of scouting. Until now, they had to have multiple potential opponents on their radar not just for the IHSA postseason, but also for that city playoff game in Week 9.

“I would rather play nine [locked-in] games,” Winslow said. “If it’s a Kenwood or Simeon, we can prepare for them. [Instead of] ‘who we got this week? Payton? What the heck do they run?’ In the first quarter, you’re trying to figure out people.”

Besides providing schedule certainty, the new format also can help the top CPS teams ramp up for the higher caliber of play in the IHSA postseason.

The hope is that playing another elite Public League opponent in Week 9, rather than a lower-seeded team from a different conference, might help make CPS more competitive on the state level.

“It’ll definitely prepare you for the bigger games downstate later in the season,” Winslow said.

Elsewhere, the top two conferences will have two new members. Brooks moves up to the Red Bird after winning the Big Shoulders last fall, while Clark joins the Land of Lincoln after sharing the Prairie State title with Payton. Dropping down are Perspectives and Lincoln Park.

Evanston-bound

Anthony Birsa didn’t expect to make a commitment so soon.

“I always thought it would be sometime in the summer,” said the Joliet Catholic junior, who is the state’s consensus No. 11 prospect in the class of 2023.

An offensive line mainstay for the defending Class 4A state champs, the 6-5, 270-pounder got his first Division I offer in October from Eastern Kentucky.

Then the process gained momentum after the season when offers came from several Mid-American Conference schools. Iowa State was Birsa’s first Power Five offer.

In January, he started talking with Northwestern.

“I loved the coaches, I loved everything about it,” Birsa said. “I saw the pictures of the facility, but when I visited I was totally blown away.”

Being able to play in the Big Ten and close to home made it an easy call for Birsa to give the Wildcats a verbal commitment on March 4.

“I felt that’s the place I was meant to be,” he said.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto, a source confirmed late Monday.

It’s a reported $4.2 million deal for the 36-year-old starter, arguably the best pitcher available on the free agent market, and it helps the Sox absorb the loss of veteran right-hander Lance Lynn, who is having knee surgery Tuesday in Chicago.

With spring training concluding for the Sox on Tuesday and Opening Day just three days away on Friday, Cueto will likely open the season at Triple-A Charlotte. Cueto signed a minor league deal, which is pending a physical.

Cueto, 36, posted a 4.08 ERA over 114 2/3 innings last season with the Giants, appearing in 22 games (21 starts). He owned a 20 percent strikeout rate and a 6.1 walk rate.

“Much love to the fans of the San Francisco Giants,” Cueto posted on Twitter late Monday. “You guys are the best. I will miss you. Bobby Evans, Dick Tidrow, Erwin Higueros, Jeremy Shelley and the rest of the amazing staff in SF…thanks for everything. Let’s get to work Chicago.”

Cueto is a two-time All-Star, with the Reds in 2014 and Giants in 2016, and has finished in the top six in Cy Young Award voting three times during his career.

Cueto owns a 135-97 record and 3.45 ERA over 14 seasons with the Reds, Royals and Giants.

Manager Tony La Russa said Monday that Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech will start the first three games of the season in Detroit this weekend. He said Dallas Keuchel will follow them when the team returns home to face the Mariners next week, but didn’t name a fifth starter, although Vince Velasquez and Reynaldo Lopez are stretched out.

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The Chicago White Sox and right-hander Johnny Cueto are in agreement on a minor league contract.

The deal is worth up to $4.2 million, prorated for days spent in the big leagues, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Cueto, 36, started 21 games for the San Francisco Giants last season and went 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in what was a resurgent campaign for the two-time All-Star.

The righty fills an immediate need for the White Sox, who recently lost starter Lance Lynn for more than a month due to a knee injury.

Cueto holds a career ERA of 3.45 across 14 seasons in the majors.

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MESA, Ariz. — Cubs minor-leaguers are trickling out of camp this week, with their season openers scheduled from Tuesday through Friday.

The roster of prospects heading to Low-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend is eye-catching, including James Triantos, Jordan Wicks, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin Alcantara, Owen Caissie and DJ Herz. All that talent at the Single-A level also begs the question: When is the Cubs’ next championship window?

After tearing down at the trade deadline last season, the Cubs supplemented their roster this offseason, notably adding right-hander Marcus Stroman and outfielder Seiya Suzuki. But they are far from the favorites to win the National League Central.

Even as they added, however, they continued to hammer home president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s mantra of keeping ”one eye on the present and one eye on the future.” In part, ”the future” means signing players such as Suzuki and Stroman to multiyear deals and having prospects such as outfielder Brennen Davis and right-hander Caleb Kilian in Triple-A, on the precipice of the big leagues.

An extended run, however, would rely on even younger talent, such as 18-year-old shortstop Cristian Hernandez, who is already the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect. And that depends on the development of Cubs first-round draft pick Ed Howard (2020) and recent trade acquisitions such as Reginald Preciado.

”I think the future’s bright,” vice president of player development Jared Banner said in a conversation with the Sun-Times. ”I think there’s no other way to look at it. We have a lot of talent in the pipeline, and that’s always the goal — to keep replenishing that talent — and that’ll be a focus of ours moving forward, as well.”

In the Cubs’ ideal world, several of their teenage prospects would soar through the ranks from Single-A, like the members of their last championship core did. Javy Baez debuted three years after the Cubs drafted him out of high school, but Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, who cracked the majors less than two years after being drafted, already were polished college players when the Cubs selected them.

”There’s a real poise about all the guys that are coming over,” manager David Ross said last week of the minor-leaguers who have played in major-league spring-training games. ”You can tell they’re taking advantage of the opportunity.”

Caissie hit .556 in four big-league spring-training games. Triantos logged three hits in five at-bats. Ross highlighted defensive plays by Howard, Crow-Armstrong and Luis Vazquez.

The Cubs added four of those five players through the draft and trades in the last couple of years.

”This group was no slouch before,” Banner said. ”It’s even that much more impressive now.”

The Cubs’ championship window came early last time around, with their young hitters prying it open in 2015, nearly four years after Hoyer and predecessor Theo Epstein took charge of baseball operations in November 2011.

There’s no guarantee they’ll get so lucky this time. And Cubs fans’ expectations are higher than they were a decade ago, when the lovable losers were in the midst of a century-long World Series drought.

The Cubs have taken steps to replenish their farm system and to put pieces in place they can build around. The next step is pushing their chips — in the form of player spending — to the center of the table.

When the Cubs will take that step remains to be seen, but they only can ask their fans to wait for ”the next great Cubs team” for so long.

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Cubs 15, Sox 9

Velasquez misses bats

Right-hander Vince Valesquez struck out five, walked two and was charged with two runs on two hits over 2 1/3 innings in Mesa, Ariz. He said his role hasn’t been communicated but it looks like fifth starter. “I’m proud of the progress I’ve made all spring,” said Velasquez, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal March 14. “This is probably just the beginning of what I’m capable of doing.”

Sluggers connect

Luis Robert (.353) had three hits including a two-run double, raising his Cactus League leading RBI total to 12; Tim Anderson (.429) had two hits including a double and Cub killer Eloy Jimenez ripped a tracer of a home run to left field against David Robertson. Jimenez (.324) has three homers this spring. Right fielder AJ Pollock was scratched due to a head cold and his replacement, Andrew Vaughn (.435), had three singles. Danny Mendick (.125) also homered.

Gonzalez, Severino optioned

Infielder Romy Gonzalez and left-hander Anderson Severino were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. Gonzalez, who hit two homers this spring, was competing with Mendick for a utility spot, and Severino and Bennett Sousa were considered the top relievers competing for a No. 2 lefty role behind Aaron Bummer. Sousa recorded one out and gave up four hits, including a homer to former Sox Nick Madrigal. He struck out two.

New catcher incoming

Catcher Reese McGuire, acquired from the Blue Jays in a trade for Zack Collins Sunday, is scheduled to make his first and only start of the spring for the Sox.

On deck

Sox at Padres, Peoria, 2:05 p.m., Michael Kopech (1-0, 4.50) vs. Blake Snell (0-1, 13.50). Liam Hendriks, Aaron Bummer and Kyle Crick — who hasn’t allowed a run over six spring relief appearances and figures to make the Opening Day roster — are also scheduled to pitch in the Cactus League finale for Sox (8-10). Crick has allowed one hit. Kopech, named as the third starter in the rotation Monday, is scheduled for three innings.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — It wouldn’t be a White Sox season without some adversity.

It wouldn’t be a White Sox opener without a key player down and out for months.

“It definitely hurts. It’s definitely a blow for the team,” right-hander Lucas Giolito said.

Last year it was Eloy Jimenez and Adam Engel going down for extended time with injuries in spring training. This year it’s All-Star right-hander Lance Lynn and lefty reliever Garrett Crochet. Lynn (knee surgery) will miss at least two months and Crochet (elbow) is out for the season.

The Sox also lost Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal for long stretches last year but managed to piece things together and post winning records in every month en route to a 93-win season.

This time, injuries are are biting where it really hurts — the pitching staff — posing a different and perhaps more challenging problem.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bit [of a downer],” shortstop Tim Anderson said. “But we know what game we’re playing. There’s always a chance of that happening in baseball. We have to keep our head above water till guys get back.”

“There’s only one way to respond if you want to win,” closer Liam Hendriks said, “and that’s keep on plugging on.”

The bullpen also lost Craig Kimbrel via trade, meaning almost a fourth of the Sox pitching staff has been lopped off since the start of spring training, although Kimbrel has had one foot out the door since November.

“You deal with it, you handle it, you ingratiate the young guys who can come up and take the spots, make sure they’re doing it the right way and build up the next generation,” Hendriks said. “This happens to every team every year and you just roll with the punches and go for it.”

Even with a healthy Lynn, the depth of the rotation seemed vulnerable, what with Carlos Rodon left to walk in free agency, Rodon’s replacement Michael Kopech starting for the first time in the majors and having his innings monitored, and Dallas Keuchel coming off the worst year of his career.

The Sox were in the Sean Manaea derby but finished behind the Padres, who acquired the lefty from the Athletics for two prospects.

General manager Rick Hahn said the offseason extends through the end of spring training, so there’s time to bolster the staff but not much. Free agent Johnny Cueto, 36, who posted a 4.09 ERA over 21 starts for the Giants last season, is still out there. Otherwise, the depth in house will be put to the test.

“We know that we have a ton of depth,” Giolito said. “We know, despite losing key players here and there, we’re still very very talented and we’re very focused on our goals.”

A “ton” is a stretch, but that’s a staff leader talking, supporting his guys when a valued star and leader is on the shelf.

“Lance will miss some time, but he’ll be back for a significant portion of this season and he’s going to be hugely important to our success,” Giolito said. “For him it’s all about getting right and getting healthy. In the meantime, we’ll pick up the slack where need to.”

And keep pushing, as Anderson said.

“Put it together like we did last year through the injuries,” Anderson said. “The guys on the pitching staff have a point to prove as well, it’s just next man up, slide in the slot and make something happen. We’ll be praying for the guys who are hurt but we understand the situation and the task ahead of us.”

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — It wouldn’t be a White Sox season without some adversity.

It wouldn’t be a White Sox opener without a key player down and out for months.

“It definitely hurts. It’s definitely a blow for the team,” right-hander Lucas Giolito said.

Last year it was Eloy Jimenez and Adam Engel going down for extended time with injuries in spring training. This year it’s All-Star right-hander Lance Lynn and lefty reliever Garrett Crochet. Lynn (knee surgery) will miss at least two months and Crochet (elbow) is out for the season.

The Sox also lost Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal for long stretches last year but managed to piece things together and post winning records in every month en route to a 93-win season.

This time, injuries are are biting where it really hurts — the pitching staff — posing a different and perhaps more challenging problem.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bit [of a downer],” shortstop Tim Anderson said. “But we know what game we’re playing. There’s always a chance of that happening in baseball. We have to keep our head above water till guys get back.”

“There’s only one way to respond if you want to win,” closer Liam Hendriks said, and that’s keep on plugging on.”

The bullpen also lost Craig Kimbrel via trade, meaning almost a fourth of the Sox pitching staff has been lopped off since the start of spring training, although Kimbrel was known to have one foot out the door since November.

“You deal with it, you handle it, you ingratiate the young guys who can come up and take the spots, make sure they’re doing it the right way and build up the next generation,” Hendriks said. “This happens to every team every year and you just roll with the punches and go for it.”

Even with a healthy Lynn, the depth of the rotation seemed vulnerable, what with Carlos Rodon left to walk in free agency, Rodon’s replacement Michael Kopech starting for the first time in the majors and having his innings monitored and Dallas Keuchel coming off the worst year of his career.

The Sox were in the Sean Manaea derby but finished behind the Padres, who acquired the lefty from the Athletics for two prospects.

General manager Rick Hahn said the offseason extends through the end of spring training, so there’s time to bolster the staff but not much. Free agent Johnny Cueto, 36, who posted a 4.09 ERA over 21 starts for the Giants last season, is still out there. Otherwise, the depth in house will be put to the test.

“We know that we have a ton of depth,” Giolito said. “We know, despite losing key players here and there, we’re still very very talented and we’re very focused on our goals.”

A “ton” is a stretch, but that’s a staff leader talking, supporting his guys when a valued star and leader is on the shelf.

“Lance will miss some time, but he’ll be back for a significant portion of this season and he’s going to be hugely important to our success,” Giolito said. “For him it’s all about getting right and getting healthy. In the meantime, we’ll pick up the slack where need to.”

And keep pushing, as Anderson said.

“Put it together like we did last year through the injuries,” Anderson said. “The guys on the pitching staff have a point to prove as well, it’s just next man up, slide in the slot and make something happen. We’ll be praying for the guys who are hurt but we understand the situation and the task ahead of us.”

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Alex Caruso let the media know on Monday, that while his back tightness was still an issue, the guard planned to play against Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Good thing, because with just four games left in the regular season and so much uncertainty with what the playoffs will look like for the Bulls, it’s all hands on deck.

With everyone idle for Monday’s NCAA Tournament championship game, and a complete meltdown from Miami very unlikely at this point, here are the three most logical matchups for the Bulls in Round 1 as it stood going into this last week:

Philadelphia 76ers

Games left: Four (at Indiana, at Toronto, Indiana, Detroit).

Where they stand: Philadelphia is the team that currently matches up with the Bulls in the first-round No. 4 vs. No. 5. The 76ers, however, also have the easiest schedule left in the Eastern Conference, so their seeding could change.

How it went: Philadelphia swept the Bulls in all four meetings in the regular season, beating them by an average of 10 points. The closest game was the first meeting, in which the Bulls lost by five in the “City of Brotherly Love.”

Concerns for the Bulls: MVP candidate Joel Embiid has owned the Bulls throughout his career, never losing in 11 previous meetings. This season alone, he’s averaged 32.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 52.9% from the field and 47.1% from three. The addition of Tristan Thompson was supposed to help the Bulls have another body to throw at Embiid, but the big man put up 43 against Thompson back in March, and has always dominated him.

The Bulls can win if: James Harden has a history of disappearing in the playoffs, but that still doesn’t give the Bulls any answer for Embiid. The other issue is Nikola Vucevic’s offense obviously goes stagnant against Embiid. Vucevic missed one of the games, but still only shot 36.6% from the field. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine have scored the ball well in the four games, but need help. Vucevic would have to make Embiid work on the defensive end for any chance.

Milwaukee Bucks

Games left: Four (at Chicago, Boston, at Detroit, at Cleveland).

Where they stand: The Bucks own the tie-breaker with the 76ers. Realistically, however, the first round meeting for the Bulls could be their division rivals from the Central just based on the remaining schedule.

How it went: The Bulls were actually competitive in two of the first three meetings, and still have a crack at the defending champions Tuesday at the United Center.

Concerns for the Bulls: The last meeting in Milwaukee was full of concerns for the Bulls, as DeRozan and LaVine were each held to 21 points in the blowout. Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday is a lockdown defender, able to make life hard for either Bulls All-Star. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 30 and 15 in the three games this season.

The Bulls can win if: Forget trying to stop Antetokounmpo. The Bulls don’t have the personnel to do that. It’s about letting him get his, keep him off the offensive glass, and try and slow down everyone else. Holiday has given the Bulls issues in all three games, so it feels like an Alex Caruso mission to slow him down. They also have to make sure Khris Middleton doesn’t get cooking.

Boston Celtics

Games left: Three (at Chicago, at Milwaukee, at Memphis).

Where they stand: The Celtics were holding the No. 2 seed down by a half-game, but also have the most difficult schedule left of the three potential Bulls opponents. That included what could be a playoff preview on Wednesday, when Boston comes to the United Center.

How it went: The Bulls and Celtics split the first two games, with the rubber match this week. The Bulls stunned the Celtics in Boston back on Nov. 1, coming back from a 19-point second-half deficit to win by 14. The second meeting was a two-point Celtics win, but Zach LaVine did not play.

Concerns for the Bulls: No team in the East has been better than Boston since the All-Star Game, especially on the defensive end. The Celtics were a completely different team in the first two meetings, with coach Ime Udoka seemingly figuring out his personnel and how to best utilize it.

The Bulls can win if: The Robert Williams III knee injury was huge for Boston on both ends of the floor, but they still have a physical presence in the middle with veteran Al Horfrod and Daniel Theis. Where the Bulls can get Boston, however, is in experience. DeRozan has been to a conference finals, while Caruso has won it all. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown showed an early-season tendency to live and die from three, so the Bulls can always hope the duo reverts back to that mentality.

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