The Chicago Blackhawks are the new Stanley Cup champions, and as a salute, I’ve compiled my thoughts throughout the season on the talent in Chicago.
Norris Trophy Candidate for best defenseman led directly to Duncan Keith who ranked second with career highs in goals (14), assists (55) and points (69). Keith played all 82 games this season for the third time in his five-years with the NHL. Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL draft, Keith went in the second round as the 54th overall pick. Keith also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Playing for the Team USA was Patrick Kane who drew more attention to the talent of the Blackhawks. Out of all the wingers, Kane was an anticipated star on the roster for crowds in Vancouver. Playing for the talented young Chicago Blackhawks, Kane has emerged with 64 points this year and a plus 17 rating. He’s good and doesn’t make mistakes.
The Preseason reports could not ignore the emerging Blackhawks as Cup contenders. My pre-season rant of the Chicago Blackhawks- Take no prisoners. Out for blood. Now that the Hawks have Marian Hossa the team should be amazing. Right? Let’s hope so after all the hoopla surrounding the team of Toews, Kane, Keith and some other good players that don’t get noticed as much: Dave Bolland, Andrew Ladd, and Brent Seabrook. Deep-dish pizzazz or digging deeper into a cheesy situation.
But one cannot ignore the quality players on the Chicago roster- great players for great fantasy teams. The stand-out for me this year was noted twice by me as a favorable fantasy pick:
Troy Brouwer (RW) Chicago Blackhawks. If you don’t own a Blackhawk player, shame on you! Pick one up now. Brouwer is only 12% owned and may be your best Hawk bet right now as most of the team already has a spot on rosters. His play has caught the attention of fantasy writer Matt Romig.
Troy Brouwer (RW) Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago fans have had their down time, but this year the Hawks are a contending team who could be a challenge for San Jose. Brouwer has been scoring and posted 19 PIMs in one game if you have a league where PIMs count.
Going into the playoffs, many hockey fans were not surprised by the Chicago run.The Blackhawks have been building from a dusty past. The surge in strength skipped a generation and is now a rip-roaring party for the new generation of Blackhawks fans. Dustin Bfugylien is the most underrated player on the team. His name is mentioned as a great player, but in the past he’s been a hit or miss. Now, his contribution to the team can explode further as he lends might and confidence to the game.
Captain Jonathan Toews has created cohesion within the team. Each game holds a goal, an assist or a hit from any one of the guys. The unsung hero is Joel Quenneville leaving the basement Avs and culminating in a conference championship two years after taking over in Chicago. And he’s going to the Stanley Cup playoffs. And Toews was named MVP and Stanley Cup Champion
Don't Cross My Blue Line 