Around The NHL in 30 Days: Chicago Blackhawks

The Fansided NHL Network, that SenShot is proud to be a member of, is embarking on its NHL preview. Each day in September, one of its members will be posting a preview for their club.  SenShot will look at their preview, and let you have a look.  After that, we will provide our own perspective.  Jared will handle the Western Conference teams while Tony will look at the East.

The Chicago Blackhawks definitely matter again after so many years of ineptitude.  They are one year removed from a Stanley Cup, and although there have been many changes to the roster in the past 14 or so months, the key pieces are still there.  Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Bolland, Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson are the core of the club, and as long as they are kept together the Hawks will at least have a contender.

The folks at Blackhawk Up have posted their take on the upcoming season,

"Ah, to bring Jeremy Roenick to tears again.Make no doubt about it, that’s the mission this year. After suffering through the worst post-Stanley Cup cap crunch of any team since the lockout, the Chicago Blackhawks have re-emerged with most of that core still intact and retooled for what we hope is another deep run in 2012.Looking at the names on the roster, one can’t help but get giddy with anticipation. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Dave Bolland, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook; is there a better core group in the NHL? The simple answer is “No.” Aside from solid years from the departed Brian Campbell and rookies Corey Crawford (.917 Sv%, 2.30 GAA) and Brian Bickell (17 G, 37 Pts), these guys for the most part dragged around a group of has-beens and never-should-have-been-yets, and still came within an overtime goal of taking down the Presidents’ Trophy winners and hated rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. With a long summer to recharge and another year’s experience under their belts, this still young crew will have a much better – and much deeper – supporting cast this season."

You can read the rest of the Hawks’ preview HERE

Now for SenShot’s take on the 2010 Champs:

The Hawks had a bit of a letdown, understandably, after having such a long season and eventful summer post-cup.  It is time for them to get back to business.

Kane’s injury has to be a concern for the Hawks, as it is the type that can linger for some time.  Corey Crawford put up decent numbers after assuming the #1 job from a disappointing Marty Turco.  It wouldn’t surprise me if training camp invitee Ray Emery pushed Crawford for the starting position.

Are the Hawks a Stanley Cup team?  The core is still there, but the supporting cast isn’t as strong as it was in 2010.  Those supporters are now playing prime roles in other cities.  They are still a lock for the playoffs in my opinion, and once there, as the saying goes, anything can happen.  Would they be my favorite to win the Cup?  No.

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