Are the Blackhawks good enough to repeat?
The Chicago Blackhawks had a magical 2009-10 season, playing tremendous hockey in the regular season, and then raising their game in time for the play-offs. The incredibly skilled and deep group was able to power through the Western Conference, and defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, after such a successful season it was clear that they would have to move several players in order to stay below the league salary cap. The Hawks had to part ways with a number of their role players including Ben Eager, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and John Madden. In addition, they were forced to trade away third line stand-out Kris Versteeg to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and weren't able to re-sign starting goaltender Antti Niemi, instead picking up Marty Turco to replace him.
The sudden exodus has left many asking whether or not they can compete the same way they did last season.
The fact is that the Hawks lost a number of important players, but their core group still remains one of the best in league. This year the Hawks should not struggle through the regular season, but they may have a more difficult time running over the competition in the playoffs.
Forwards
The key components are still there on offence for the Blackhawks, as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp are all coming back for 2010-11. Also, Troy Brouwer, and Dave Bolland will be back next season as well. These six forwards make up the Hawks top two lines, which still look to be among the most potent in the league.
The Hawks will count on guys such as Tomas Kopecky and newly acquired Viktor Stalberg to have break out season and contribute the way the departing talent did. This will be all important in the play-offs.
Defence
The defence remains mostly the same as Brian Campbell, Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson all return.
It remains unclear who will fill out the rest of the line up, as general manager Stan Bowman still have a couple of signings to make before he can ice a defensive-unit in 2010-11.
Nevertheless, the key for the Blackhawks is that these guys are returning. All four logged major minutes that season, and like the top two forward lines you would have a tough time finding a better top two defensive pairings anywhere around the league.
Goaltending
The departure of Niemi will no doubt effect the Hawks line-up, but by how much will not be certain until the play-offs begin.
In terms of stats and years played, Turco is a much better bet than Niemi. He has more experience, and although he is no longer as good as he used to be, he comes at a cheap price, and can still play with the best of them.
Regular Season
The Western Conference does not look to have improved much over the off-season. Perhaps the Vancouver Canucks can boast the most changed and enhanced line-up, but even they are not a lock to take first in the Conference.
The San Jose Sharks have lost captain Rob Blake and Evgeni Nabokov, and have replaced Blake with no one and Nabokov with Antero Niittymaki, who is unproven as a starter, meaning Chicago should challenge for first in the Conference
Post-Season
The Blackhawks are going to have the most trouble in the post-season. There is no doubt that their line-up is good enough to power through the regular season, much like they did last year. However, in the play-offs role players and grinders mean more than ever.
The loss of Byfuglien’s 16 points and Versteeg’s 14 are going to have to made-up somewhere, the Hawks just have to hope that they have developed or acquired the talent able to do so.
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