NHL Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks dipped after winning it all in 2010 but look good to challenge again. Charlie Boccanegra has the latest from the Windy City.

The Blackhawks tanked last year, struggling to make the playoffs before losing to the Canucks the first round. Chicago lost a huge amount of secondary depth. But those problems have been addressed and the Blackhawks are counting on a core of young players to bring Lord Stanley back to Chicago. I expect the Hawks to be rejuvenated after a full summer of rest and some time to get used to the secondary role players on the team having a full makeover.

Their chances are just as good as any team in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup, and they’re a very attractive NHL betting price to do so at 11/1. Better yet is the +225 about Chicago winning the Central. The Red Wings are listed at -120 and there is no way the gap between these two great teams is twice as much.

So why is this a Cup Contending team? Let’s start on the back end with two of the best defenseman in the NHL in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. In particular Keith is arguably the best overall defenseman in the NHL and will be considered for the Norris Trophy on an annual basis.

Joining them is steady underrated stay at home defender Niklas Hjalmarsson, along two more solid veterans in Neil O’Donnell and Steve Montador.

The real key could be youngster Nick Leddy who was acquired in the Cam Barker trade two seasons ago. He has all the skills to become an elite puck moving defenseman and a key top four contributor.

Upfront the combination of Kane, Toews and Sharp could be the best trio in the league due to their skill, speed, scoring touch and great defensive awareness. The Hawks also have a great depth with Marian Hossa and grinder David Bolland.

Hawks management have done a good job of trying to fill the void left by some of the depth players leaving last off season by signing Andrew Brunette this off season and acquiring Michael Frolik from the Panthers at the deadline last year. They can help alleviate some pressure of the top four forwards and give the Hawks similar depth to their Cup winning season.

Chicago has also upgraded in net, going full time with Corey Crawford who was sensational in the second half of the year and in the playoffs. This is even considered an upgrade over Anti Niemi with whom they won the cup two years ago.