The Blackhawks won their seventh-straight game, Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker returned to the United Center with the Wizards and new Manny Machado rumors surfaced. Here's what you might have missed from the weekend in Chicago sports:
Blackhawks
Behind a dominant performance from the second line, the Blackhawks extended their winning streak to seven games on Sunday. Now that they're back in the playoff picture, what exactly is the team's ceiling for the 2018-19 season?
Corey Crawford returned to Blackhawks practice on Saturday for the first time since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 16. The team is not putting a timeline on his return, though it is a positive step nonetheless.
Friday, Chris Kamka broke down the numbers from the Blackhawks' winning-streak, while Pat Boyle, Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish discussed the team's chances at making the playoffs on the latest Hawks Talk Podcast.
Former Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling is taking a leave of absence from the Carolina Hurricanes.
News
Bulls
The returns of Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker to Chicago did not take long. After the Bulls traded the duo to the Wizards on Wednesday ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, Portis and Parker matched up against their old team on Saturday.
Parker looked like the player many thought he might be with the Bulls on Saturday, while the emotional night ended in success for Portis. Matt Peck, David Watson, and John Sabine discussed life without Portis and Parker and their returns to the United Center on the latest Bulls Outsiders Podcast.
Friday, Portis shined in his Wizards debut, as did the Bulls in Otto Porter's team debut. Lauri Markkanen slapped the sophomore slump across the face, leading the Bulls to a 125-106 win over the Nets.
Check out Mark Schanowski's latest NBA Draft Big Board following the Bulls' acquisition of Porter.
The Bulls said they'll continue evaluating Kris Dunn. If more of the same keeps happening, it's clear they will need an upgrade at the position.
MLB
According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, neither Manny Machado or Bryce Harper wants to sign before the other player. Also, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf prefers to "chase the market rather than set it."
The Yankees reportedly offered Machado a seven or eight-year contract worth $220 million.
MLB is unlikely to add a designated hitter to the National League until at least 2022. Doug Glanville looks ahead to baseball's future with a universal DH.
MLB is reportedly considering the Cubs and Cardinals as two teams for its matchup in London in 2020.
While the Cubs do not have one of the top farm systems in baseball, they are excited over their next wave of prospects.
Yu Darvish said that he wants to "do something special for Chicago and the Cubs"
Other
As the 2018 NFL season fades away, the Bears' 2019 schedule is still forming based on changes around the NFL.
The Packers hired Dick Butkus' nephew as an assistant coach. Also, the Bears might have helped the Patriots take down the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.