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Fantasy hockey preview: Chicago Blackhawks

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Fantasy hockey preview: Chicago Blackhawks
Defending Stanley Cup champions the Chicago Blackhawks are still a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. The club may have lost several depth and role players over the off-season, but they managed to hang onto their core. The level of talent in the team’s core has many hockey experts predicting the Blackhawks will finish in the Western Conference’s top three.
The amount of fantasy hockey talent on the Blackhawks is incredible; do not be surprised if the team’s entire first two lines and part of their third ends up selected. Their fire power up front alone makes the club a fantasy hockey gold mine.
Forwards
The Blackhawks' forward group is brimming with talent and potential and a number of their players should be expected to go in the first two rounds. Nevertheless, the first player likely to be selected is Patrick Kane. Last season Kane shot the lights out with 30 goals and 88 points, while going plus-20 with nine power play points (PP) and six game-winning-goals (GW). Jonathan Toews should quickly follow Kane as he is able to put up impressive numbers across the board, earning 68 points, a plus-22 rating, nine PP, and one of the League’s top face-off percentages in 2009-10.
Marian Hossa is poised for another outstanding season after only playing 57 games last year due to injury. In a shortened season Hossa still notched 24 goals and 51 points, while going plus-24, with two short-handed goals (SH) and four GW. Even after an injury-plagued season Hossa is worth a first round selection.
The Hawks have a number of players who could slot in on the first two lines and see their production jump significantly. Troy Brouwer and Dave Bolland were with the club last year and could be ready for impressive seasons. Brouwer tallied 22 markers last year with 66 PIMs, so expect those numbers to be inflated. In addition, the newly acquired Viktor Stalberg could play a major role in the club. Stalberg has tons of speed and size and could be ready to break out with a skilled Hawks side.
Defence
On the back end, the Hawks are rock solid with several all-star candidates in their ranks. Duncan Keith is likely to be the first defenseman taken in most fantasy pools and after a season of 69 points, with a rating of plus-21 and 51 PIMs, it is warranted. Brian Campbell is also likely to be selected fairly high after notching 38 points in 68 games last year.
In the middle of the pack Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson are solid picks. Seabrook is not the most offensive defenseman, but still accumulated 30 points last year with a rating of plus-20 and 59 PIMs. Hjalmarsson is slightly more risky as the 23-year-old is heading into only his second full National Hockey League season and was only able to notch 17 points in 77 games last year. Nevertheless, the youngster has shown great promise and a move to the second pairing should help increase his stats.
Goaltending
After the much publicized departure of Stanley Cup winning goaltender Antti Niemi, the Blackhawks chose to go with veteran Marty Turco.
With the inexperienced Corey Crawford slotted in as the Hawks back-up, Turco is expected to see the vast majority of the time. Turco had an off-year last season, but is considered a prime candidate for early fantasy selection, because of the Hawks overall talent level and his propensity to play a lot of games. Expect Turco to suit up for just over 60 games this season, reaching close to 40 wins.
The Blackhawks have incredible fantasy depth and the majority of their talented players are expected to go in the opening rounds. Players such as Kane, Toews, Keith and Hossa are bona fide first round selections, especially in rotisserie pools.  

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