Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview 2011-12
Chicago’s 2010 Stanley Cup victory is forgotten, they got through a difficult 2010-11 season, and almost pulled off a remarkable recovery from 3-0 down in their first round series against Vancouver. Although they will be disappointed with their season, their comeback effort in that series was a testament to the talent of the core of this team. GM Stan Bowman made adjustments with the aim of constructing a deeper and more balanced roster. It should be noted that with the Cup win and cap trouble that followed, Bowman didn’t have the opportunity to do that last offseason.
The list of names leaving is extensive and includes a good, but expensive defenseman in Brian Campbell, gritty wingers Tomas Kopecky and Troy Brouwer, and a host of useful depth players including Chris Campoli, Fernando Pisani and goaltender Marty Turco. The replacements leave this roster looking in more balanced shape. Ray Emery should be an efficient back-up to Corey Crawford. Veterans Steve Montador and Sean O’Donnell make the blue-line bigger and tougher. Andrew Brunette gives the team a scorer in front of the net, Rostislav Olesz is a good third line forward still with offensive upside, while Daniel Carcillo and Jamal Mayers bring some more of that much needed sandpaper to the lower lines. This is a tougher, deeper and more organised roster for coach Joel Quennville to work with.
Forwards
Quennville’s forward lines were not particularly clear to start with and they have been made less clear due to injuries in training camp. Viktor Stalberg will start the season on the IR after showing promising signs early on in preseason. Patrick Sharp has just been declared fit, while Ben Smith is day-to-day after taking a hit to the head in a preseason game. Daniel Carcillo is suspended for the first two regular season games after abusing officials in Game 4 of Philadelphia’s playoff series against Boston.
The result of all this is that 2011 second round draft pick Brandon Saad has made a remarkable run and could start on the opening night line-up. It seems sensible given the Blackhawks injury troubles at forward for Saad to get a nine-game look before the franchise makes a decision. Saad has been playing alongside Jonathan Toews for most of the preseason, he could remain on that line with Brunette filling the other wing. Brunette was an excellent addition to this forward group, he is a proven goalscorer and gets his goals playing a determined game in front of the net. Patrick Kane look set to start the season at center, though Sharp could do the honours after being declared fit. Either way, Sharp, Kane and Marian Hossa fill out what is one of the league’s best top six. Sharp may take some time to adjust, but the Kane/Hossa combination has performed very well in the preseason, and it looks like Quennville wants to test it out in regular season play.
David Bolland will be the fixture of the third line. Bolland is one of the most under-rated third line centers in the league, he has a good stick and good speed. He also has the ability to chip in offensively as well. The rest of the lines are very uncertain right now. Michael Frolik will probably figure to play on the third line, possibly with Rostislav Olesz playing the other wing. That trio would be good defensively, while having the ability to add depth scoring. Jamal Mayers, Daniel Carcillo and Bryan Bickell could be a starting combination on the fourth line once Carcillo returns. Smith’s status is uncertain, but he had been enjoying a good camp before he went down, both he and Stalberg could earn top nine spots once they return from injury. This looks like a very good and deep group of forwards when everyone is healthy.
Defense
Bowman and Quennville have stated their intention to keep eight defensemen on the roster for the time being. Chicago possesses eight NHL standard defensemen, and might choose to rotate them. Expect much better and more consistent season’s from Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The pair never quite got it going in 2010-11, but that wasn’t so surprising considering the long 2009-10 season, and the fact that the pair regularly see 25-30 minutes of ice time. Seabrook still had 48 points, and Keith 45, but both should return to their best in 2011-12, and potentially challenge for Norris Trophy consideration.
Niklas Hjmarlsson returns to the second pair, though his partner isn’t certain right now. Veteran Steve Montador is one option, while Nick Leddy is also competing for top four consideration. Leddy had a useful rookie season showing off an excellent skill set, it will be interesting to see how he progresses this year. Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto will probably rotate around the final spot with John Scott also in the mix.
Goaltending
Corey Crawford had to establish himself as the #1 goaltender last season, he won’t have that challenge this year. Crawford starts as the team’s undisputed #1 after posting a .917 save percentage and 2.30 GAA last year. He has good poise and a sound technique, so shouldn’t suffer too much of a drop off in performance this year. If he does, Bowman has recently signed the man he considers best for the back-up job, Ray Emery. Emery has had his fair share of ups and downs, but when healthy, he has proven an able NHL goaltender. The team also has Alexander Salak in the AHL.
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