NHL Season Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks



Last Season's standings: record- 26-43-13 for 65 points. The 'Hawks were an abismal 4th in the Central Division, 14th in the Western Conference.

In: Tom Preissing D (via trade w/ San Jose Sharks); Josh Hennessey D (via trade w/ San Jose Sharks); Martin Havlat F (via trade w/ Ottawa Senators); Bryan Smolinski F (via trade w/ Ottawa Senators; Vaclav Pletka F (via trade w/ Philadelphia Flyers); Micheal Handzus F (via trade w/ Phildelphia Flyers); Patrick Lalime G (prev. team: St. Louis Blues); Denis Arkhipov D (prev. team: Nashville Predators); Patrick Sharp F; Lasse Kukkonen D; Rene Bourque D; Mikael Holmqvist F; Duncan Keith D; David Koci D (prev. team: Pittsburgh Penguins); Carl Corazzini F; Jordan Hendry D; Radim Vrbata F; Brandon Bouchenski F; Jim Vandermeer D; Craig McDonald F (prev. team: Calgary Flames); Sabastien Caron G (prev. team: Pittsburgh Penguins); Tuomo Ruutu F

Out: Mark Bell F (via trade w/ San Jose Sharks); Tom Preissing D (via trade w/ Ottawa Senators); Josh Hennessey D (via trade w/ Ottawa Senators); Michal Barinka D (via trade w/ Ottawa Senators); Kyle Calder F (via trade w. Philadelphia Flyers); Eric Meloche F (via trade w/ Philadelphia Flyers); Matthew Barnaby F (new team: Dallas Stars); Mark Cullen F (new team: Philadelphia Flyers)

Season Outlook: Poor. The Blackhawks traded away three key players from last season in Mark Bell, Kyle Calder and Matthew Barnaby. They will have to hope that underachieving goalie Nikolai Khabibulan and underachieving back-up Patrick Lalime are better this season. Adrian Aucoin also had a bad year as a -13 player. The Blackhawks are going to be a young team with 23 players that are 25 or younger expected to have a good shot at cracking the line-up. Tuomo Ruutu will scare opponents with his tough play and dazzling speed. Cam Barker is looking to have a successful rookie year after a successful playoff run with junior team Vancouver Giants last year. Defensemen Brent Seabrook is looking to build on a good rookie year last year.

Season Prediction: The Blackhawks will struggle to a 14th place finish in the Western Conference, 4th in the Central Division.