The Blackhawks made lots of moves last season including trades that sent some of their best players away because of salary problems as well as bringing in former Blackhawks. The Blackhawks lack the depth on offence and defence of a true Stanley Cup contender but because of their core players they are still one of the favourites to win. If some of the young players in the bottom-six forward or bottom-four defence can improve they could be on to their fourth cup since 2010.
Arrivals/Departures
Arrivals: Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp, Connor Murphy, Tommy Wingels, Lance Bouma, Jean-Francois Berube, Anton Forsberg, Jordan Oesterle
Departures: Artemi Panarin, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Scott Darling, Marcus Kruger, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Brian Campbell, Johnny Oduya, Dennis Rasmussen, Tyler Motte
Forwards:
The Blackhawks top-six forward group is still as good as any in the league but the bottom six is very unknown as it needs some young players to step up. Patrick Kane is the best right winger in the NHL as he probably has the best dekes and moves scoring unreal goals and making crazy passes. Jonathan Toews is coming off a down year but he is still among the best players in the game but he may need to increase his scoring this season. Brandon Saad is coming back to the Blackhawks after a short stint in Columbus to fill in for Marian Hossa who will miss the whole season with a skin disorder. Saad plays a 200-foot game like Hossa. Artem Anisimov will center Kane's line as the two have created a great chemistry together. Patrick Sharp also returns to the place where he won three Stanley Cups as he looks to get back to form after two off years with the Stars. The final member of the top six will be Richard Panik who crushed his career high in points last year improving from 17 to 44. Ryan Hartman was good as a rookie last season scoring 19 goals and bringing a physical element to the Blackhawks forward group. Nick Schmaltz had an OK rookie season and will need to improve a lot to gives the Blackhawks depth down the middle. After a season split with the Sharks and Senators, Tommy Wingels comes in to likely play third-line minutes. Lance Bouma who is a good shot blocker but struggles to do anything else will be a fourth-line winger alongside feisty Jordin Tootoo who continues to remain in the league despite less fighting. The third-line center spot will probably be Vinnie Hinostroza's but it could also go to Tanner Kero. Tomas Jurco will be the other depth player who adds more skill than Bouma or Tootoo. Alex DeBrincat is the Blackhawks' best prospect as he could make the jump this year too and take one of the bottom-six forward roles or even earn a spot alongside Patrick Kane.
Defenceman:
Duncan Keith is the best defenceman of the generation as he has won everything there is to win for a defenceman: Keith has three Stanley Cups, two Olympic Gold Medals, two Norris trophies and a Conn Smythe trophy. Keith was recently revealed as one of the top 100 players in the NHL alongside teammates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Keith still ranks in the top-three defencemen alongside Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman. Brent Seabrook is the only other proven defenceman on the roster but he has lost a step with age. Seabrook is still a solid top-two defenceman who provides leadership and will show the young guys what it takes to win. The Hawks moved on from Niklas Hjalmarsson for cap reasons and coming in to replace him is Connor Murphy. Murphy has been a good defenceman on Arizona's bottom pair but he will have to take a big step as he will lace up the skates next to Duncan Keith. Veteran Michal Rozsival is still on the top six even though he is no longer capable of being a reliable player. Michal Kempny spent half of last year with the NHL club playing so-so; he will need to take the next step as top-four minutes are coming. The other two defencemen on the roster will likely be Gustav Forsling and Erik Gustafsson as they compete for a spot on the bottom pairing.
Goaltending:
Corey Crawford is still a very good goalie who will keep the Blackhawks in many games and make up for a weak defence. Last year, Scott Darling provided excellent backup play when Crawford was off his game but that won't be an option this year after he was traded to Carolina. When Crawford does not play, the goaltending situation could be a mess as Jean-Francois Berube and Anton Forsberg are both unproven backups.
Projected Lineup:
Brandon Saad
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Jonathan Toews
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Richard Panik
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Patrick Sharp
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Artem Anisimov
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Patrick Kane
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Tommy Wingels
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Nick Schmaltz
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Ryan Hartman
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Lance Bouma
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Vinnie Hinostroza
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Jordin Tootoo
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Alex DeBrincat
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Tanner Kero
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Tomas Jurco
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Duncan Keith
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Connor Murphy
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Michal Kempny
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Brent Seabrook
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Michal Rozsival
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Gustav Forsling
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Erik Gustafsson
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Jordan Oesterle
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Corey Crawford
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Jean-Francois Berube
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Anton Forsberg
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Top 10 Players:
10. Ryan Hartman
9. Richard Panik
8. Patrick Sharp
7. Artem Anisimov
6. Brandon Saad
5. Brent Seabrook
4. Corey Crawford
3. Duncan Keith
2. Jonathan Toews
1. Patrick Kane
Projected Finish: 101 Points (2nd in Central)
Last Year: 109 Points (1st in Central)
Photo credit for Brandon Saad goes to http://www.foxsports.com/. Patrick Kane goes to http://bleacherreport.com/. Duncan Keith goes to https://www.usatoday.com/. Jonathan Toews goes to https://www.nhl.com/.
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