GDHQNHL15_2pg-Chicago Blackhawks 1

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Chicago BLACKHAWKS Key Additions: C Brad Richards Key Subtractions: LW Brian Bollig, C Michal Handzus, C Pierre-Marc Boucard Strengths: High-scoring first and second lines. Solid defensive group. Weaknesses: Penalty Kill and questions in goal following last year’s playoff. Offense Blackhawks fans will not have to worry about their team putting the puck in the back of the net. The team from Chicago led the NHL in goals scored last season, led by a multitude of scorers. With five players totaling 20 goals or more, including two 30-goal scorers, and six players with 60 points or more, they should undoubtedly be among the highest-scoring teams in the NHL once again in the upcoming season. With a bevy of talented forwards, the Blackhawks may have the best trio of first-line forwards in the entire league. With captain Jonathan Toews (28 goals, 40 assists) centering Patrick Sharp (34 goals, 44 assists) and Marian Hossa (30 goals, 30 assists) on the wings, teams had a difficult time containing this threesome en route to the playoffs. While the top-line is impressive, general manager Stan Bowman decided a little bit of depth was necessary for the second scoring line. Bowman brought in center Brad Richards over from the New York Rangers this off-season to center wingers Brandon Saad (19 goals, 28 assists) and Patrick Kane (29 goals, 40 assists). With a young set of wingers pushing the pace, the Blackhawks are hoping that Richards’ leadership on that line will also turn into points. There is still more hockey in the skates of the former Stanley Cup winner. One player that could make an appearance later in the year is Teuvo Teravainen. A long shot to make the team at the start of the year; he could eventually push his way on to the big club. A highly touted 20-year old center, he will get the first crack at the lineup if any of the players in the top-six, especially Richards, do not live up to expectations. Defense Any set of defensemen that is led by a two-time Norris Trophy has to be pretty good, and this group surely does not disappoint. Duncan Keith, the reigning top defensemen in the NHL, is one of the best pure skaters in the game today. His skating ability, combined with his ability to pass with such precision has made him the cream of the crop amongst NHL blue liners. With 61 points (6 goals, 55 assists) as a 30-year-old, Keith is still in the prime of his career and has the ability to put a couple more Norris Trophies on his mantel. While Keith is definitely the premier defensemen in this group, there are other players on the roster that any team would want. One such player is Keith’s partner, Brent Seabrook. Seabrook has proven to be as steady as they come over the last several years as he hasn’t had a negative plus/minus since his second year in the league. Not only is he reliable defensively, but he has also added offense to his game, producing over 40 points twice in the last four years, including 41 points (7 goals, 34 assists) last season. After a top pair that is perhaps the best in the league, the Blackhawks have a reliable second pair defense with the Swedish duo of Niklas Jonathan Toews Bill Smith/NHL/Getty Images WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION


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