Team Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

2010-2011: 97 points, 8th in Western Conference
Key additions: LW Andrew Brunette, LW Daniel Carcillo, D Steve Montador, D Sean O'Donnell, F Rostislav Olsez, G Ray Emery
Key departures: D Brian Campbell, RW Troy Brouwer, G Marty Turco, D Chris Campoli, C Jake Dowell, RW Fernando Pisani, RW Tomas Kopecky

Corey Crawford's success is key in Chicago.

Why they'll contend: The Hawks are still, at the core, the same team that won the 2010 Stanley Cup minus a few spare parts. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Marian Hossa still form an elite trio of forwards that are lethal on the power play that was 4th in the NHL last season. Andrew Brunette is a brilliant addition, adding some secondary scoring and solid two-way forward. Defensively the Hawks got tougher, trading softy Brian Campbell and his not-so-soft contract to Florida and opting to go with Steve Montador and Sean O'Donnell instead. This should bode well for the Hawks who at times were pushed around too easily. In goal the Hawks get an upgrade in Ray Emery over the aging Marty Turco which should be an upgrade behind Corey Crawford, who's ready to take another step forward in carrying the reigns. The Hawks had an evident Stanley Cup hangover in 2011, but in 2012 the Hawks should be more focused and ready to return to Cup-contender status. The Hawks have one of the best leaders in the game in Toews, the ability to score goals in bunches, an improved D corps and reliable goaltending; a lethal mix in a tight division which should lead the Hawks back to the top of the Western Conference.

Why they'll falter: After losing Kopecky, Brouwer, and Pisani, the Hawks lost a lot of secondary scoring. By relying on Toews, Kane, and Hossa too heavily, even being the dynamic players that they are, could be costly if the Hawks put all their eggs in one basket. The Hawks can definitely play a run-and-gun style but need to tighten up defensively if they want to compete in the West. Despite getting tougher on D and shedding his massive contract, Brian Campbell did put up 117 points over 3 seasons in Chicago which is not easily replaced from the back end. Corey Crawford excelled in 2011, but will he be able to continue to put up stellar numbers (33-18-6, 2.30 GAA, .917 SVP) in his sophomore campaign? The Hawks definitely have questions, as do most teams in the West, but are more fit to overcome them than many others. There is a lot of turnover in the locker room, some of which makes sense; but how much will Danny Carcillo cost them? How many extra penalties will the Hawks have to kill? Carcillo could be more of a clubhouse cancer than the Hawks needed, even if they want to get gritty; and frankly, the signing makes no sense. The Hawks are deep enough to make the run, the question is whether or not they'll be hungry and cohesive enough.

2012 prediction: 3rd in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Jonathan Toews, 33 G & 80 points
Bold prediction: Jeremy Morin will lead all Hawks in rookie scoring.

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