This article is part of our Team Previews series.
Last season, the Blackhawks continued to show what everybody in the NHL is finding out on an annual basis: it takes a Herculean effort to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. It hasn't been done in more than 15 years, when the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in the 1997-1998 campaign.
Though the Blackhawks failed to repeat, they still came awfully close to doing it, taking the Los Angeles Kings all the way to the seventh game of the NHL Western Conference Finals. It certainly didn't help their cause that 10 of the Blackhawks played during the 2014 Winter Olympics, leaving the team running on fumes during the playoffs. With that obligation not on the agenda for 2014-15, Chicago may justifiably be the favorites to walk away with their third Cup in six seasons.
Despite falling short last season, the Blackhawks offense was among the league's best, ranking second in the NHL with 3.18 goals per game. Unsurprisingly, the Blackhawks were able to place several of their skaters in the top 30 for goals scored, with Patrick Sharp (34), Marian Hossa (30), Patrick Kane (29) and Jonathan Toews (28) leading the way.
The Blackhawks made sure that offensive power would remain in place for this season and beyond, with the Wirtz family opening the pocketbook and re-signing both Kane and Toews to eight-year contracts. In addition, the offense was bolstered even more by the team's one major addition during the summer, Brad Richards, who inked a one-year contract. Richards
Last season, the Blackhawks continued to show what everybody in the NHL is finding out on an annual basis: it takes a Herculean effort to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. It hasn't been done in more than 15 years, when the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in the 1997-1998 campaign.
Though the Blackhawks failed to repeat, they still came awfully close to doing it, taking the Los Angeles Kings all the way to the seventh game of the NHL Western Conference Finals. It certainly didn't help their cause that 10 of the Blackhawks played during the 2014 Winter Olympics, leaving the team running on fumes during the playoffs. With that obligation not on the agenda for 2014-15, Chicago may justifiably be the favorites to walk away with their third Cup in six seasons.
Despite falling short last season, the Blackhawks offense was among the league's best, ranking second in the NHL with 3.18 goals per game. Unsurprisingly, the Blackhawks were able to place several of their skaters in the top 30 for goals scored, with Patrick Sharp (34), Marian Hossa (30), Patrick Kane (29) and Jonathan Toews (28) leading the way.
The Blackhawks made sure that offensive power would remain in place for this season and beyond, with the Wirtz family opening the pocketbook and re-signing both Kane and Toews to eight-year contracts. In addition, the offense was bolstered even more by the team's one major addition during the summer, Brad Richards, who inked a one-year contract. Richards is expected to fill the second-line center spot, an area of weakness for the team during its series against the Kings.
While Sharp, Hossa and Richards are on the other side of 30, the Blackhawks have some up-and-coming players that could easily replace those trio within the next couple of years. Brandon Saad and Jeremy Morin already look to be NHL-ready, while Teuvo Teravainen is one of the top prospects in all of hockey and may not be far away from a full-time role with Chicago. For now, it is believed that Richards will act as a stopgap to Teravainen, who is expected to start the season at AHL Rockford.
Kane and Toews get most of the publicity for the Blackhawks as the driving forces of the offensive attack, but top defenseman Duncan Keith has made a name for himself on the other end of the ice. Keith took home his second Norris Trophy in 2013-14, turning in one of the best seasons of his nine-year career with 60 points (included 21 on the power play) and a plus-21 rating.
And despite not getting the credit, Corey Crawford continues to deliver on the promise the club had seen in him when he was coming up the system. While his numbers were slightly down last season compared to the Stanley Cup campaign of 2012-13, Crawford remained highly effective, notching a .917 save percentage and a 2.26 GAA.
With visible strengths on offense, defense and in goal, along with a superb base of young talent in the system, the Blackhawks appear set up to contend in the Western Conference both this season and for several to come.
The Big Guns
Patrick Kane, RW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #3): Kane has carved out a reputation of being a top-notch producer during the regular season, before morphing into a superstar in the playoffs. Like the Blackhawks, fantasy owners are waiting for his otherworldliness during the playoffs to translate to the regular season. He still has not surpassed the 30-goal, 58-assist production he delivered in 2009-10. Kane certainly has the ability to reach 40 goals in a season given his silky moves and big shot, but only if he can avoid his spells of complacency over the 82-game schedule. Perhaps the acquisition of Brad Richards is exactly what Kane needs to top his career-bests, but we'd be more than happy with 30 goals and 75 points.
*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*
Jonathan Toews, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #11): The captain put up stellar numbers again last season, accruing 28 goals and 40 assists in 76 games. He is without a doubt one of the best centers in the NHL, but it might be a stretch for him to exceed the 32 goals and 44 assists he put up in 2010-11. Even if he fails to post elite numbers, Toews can be counted upon for 65 to 70 points and a strong plus/minus rating, thanks to the stable of talent surrounding him.
Duncan Keith, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #5): If there were people who didn't consider Keith among the best defensemen in NHL before last season, there are very few who would say the same now after he took home his second Norris Trophy. Keith's 55 assists in 79 games last season equaled his total in 2009-10 and led all defenseman in the category, offsetting his meager total of six goals. He can bring a little -- no, a lot -- of everything on the blue line, including blocks. We're glad to see his block numbers starting to decline, though. Someone as valuable as Keith shouldn't be stepping into 95 mph slappers with much frequency. Take him off the board as one of the first defenders chosen.
Corey Crawford, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #12): Crawford might not have equaled his lockout season numbers in 2013-14, but he still ranks among the best netminders in the business. There doesn't seem to be anything that will slow him down, except injuries, of course. Expect him to start 55 to 60 games and finish in or around the league's top 10 in wins, save percentage and GAA.
On the Rise
Brandon Saad, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #17): Saad showed some flashes of potential in his first full season in the NHL, finishing sixth on the Blackhawks in scoring with 47 points. It represented a sizable step forward for Saad, who doubled his output in goals from 10 to 19. Saad will only turn 22 when the season starts and should only see his numbers climb from here, especially as he continues to improve upon his obvious chemistry with Patrick Kane. Barring an injury, Saad will continue to rise up the list of forwards in the league. A point total in the mid-to-high 50s aren't out of the question this season.
Jeremy Morin, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #80): Morin is expected to assume a larger role in the Blackhawks offense this season after a modest, yet fruitful 24-game run in 2013-14, during which he potted five goals and six assists. The 21-year-old has excelled at every level of hockey, and while he won't be earmarked for a top-six role, he should still easily double his output for this season. Or more.
Two to Watch
Andrew Shaw, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #47): Shaw registered his first 20-goal season in 2013-14, tacking on 19 assists for good measure in his first full campaign in the NHL. The grinder has speed to burn, and his strong results have hiked up the Hawks' expectations for him this season. The team hopes this is just the beginning of some great things to come, perhaps making Shaw a 50-point sleeper for the upcoming season.
Brad Richards, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #22): Could Richie be the answer as the Blackhawks' second-line center? Richards was bought out by the Rangers after the season and promptly signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Hawks. Sure, that's an easy decision when he'll still make $51 million off his Rangers deal. But it's clear he wants another Cup. His presence should help Chicago balance their scoring, and he could end up skating with Patrick Kane...that is, if his gradually-slowing wheels can keep pace. If so, he could easily top last year's production of 20 goals and 31 assists.
Don't Overrate
Marian Hossa, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #18): Hossa, 35, did not show his age during the past regular season, as he delivered 30 goals, 30 assists and a plus-28 rating. But his lack of scoring in the postseason -- two goals in 19 games -- could portend a downturn for the 2014-15 season. We can't help but think this is the start of a decline, but he should still contribute 50 to 55 points with a solid plus-minus rating. There's fantasy value in that for sure.
Patrick Sharp, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #5): Sharp broke out from behind the shadows of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane last season to lead the Blackhawks in several categories, including goals (34), points (78) and shots on goal (313), all of which represented career marks. While Toews and Kane got the headlines, Sharp skated under the radar and finished 12th in points, 10th in goals and 15th in assists in all of the NHL. Opposing teams will surely be ready for him this year. And the addition of Brad Richards along with the growth of some young players like Brandon Saad may make it hard for him to replicate last season's numbers. Still, we'd be happy with 30-plus goals and a point total in the high-60s.
Nick Leddy, D (RotoWire Position Rank: 54): Leddy has strong puck-moving skills and at 23 years old, still has youth on his side. But his offensive numbers seem to have flat-lined (seven goals and 24 assists) even though the team gave him more of a green light to shoot. He continues to run hot-and-cold with his coaches, but we're hoping that each passing year brings a little more maturity to his game. We're hoping for 35-plus points this season.
Top Prospects
Teuvo Teravainen, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #4): Hopes for Teravainen starting with the Blackhawks this season probably were dashed with the signing of Brad Richards. The Blackhawks could choose to use the 20-year-old on a lower line, but most likely, he'll be bound for AHL Rockford when the new season begins. He still is targeted as the team's second-line center in the long-term, but that would most likely come after the 2014-15 season.
Ryan Hartman, RW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #65): Hartman made quite an impression in his first taste of professional action last season, registering three goals and four assists in limted action for AHL Rockford. A first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Hartman has previously spent time in the junior ranks at OHL Plymouth and with the U.S. National Development Team. Of his many strengths, Hartman's adept passing ability and smooth skating shine the brightest. The Blackhawks will probably keep Hartman at Rockford for the entire 2014-15 season for additional seasoning, as the team is no rush to fill a forward spot.
Mark McNeill, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #76): McNeill logged his first full season as a professional in 2013-14, scoring 18 goals and dishing out 19 assists over 76 games for AHL Rockford. His pedigree as a first-round draft pick in 2011 would seem to solidify him as one of the team's better prospects, but with the Blackhawks already well-stocked at the center spot, it's not certain when he might permanently arrive in the NHL.
Adam Clendening, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #85): Clendening is an offensive-minded defender who has toiled in the AHL for two straight years. He loves to play with the puck, rather than dish it off, and he is especially good on the point with the man advantage. He'll soon knock on the Hawks' door, but he does need a bit more time developing his own-zone game before he can meet the tough expectations of coach Joel Quenneville. Dynasty-league owners should keep him on their radar.
