2010 Chicago Blackhawks Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in an interesting position. Sure they met the short term goal and won the Stanley Cup, but it has cost them long term in Salary Cap headaches and a lot of roster turnover. Some players were traded, some were not resigned, and Goalie Antti Niemi left town after an arbitrator awarded him a 2.75 million dollar salary the Hawks could not afford to pay. Despite a roster purge the Blackhawks may not be out of it for the 2010-11 season, a solid core remains.
Head Coach Joel Quenneville enters his third season behind the Blackhawks bench. In his time in Chicago he is 97-44-19, and the Stanley Cup gives him a little credit for all on the fly decisions he has made over the years. He and General Manager Stan Bowman, son of Hockey Legend Scotty Bowman, were able to keep Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. He is this team’s breakout candidate as he will be the third defensemen behind the all star pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.
Just ahead of a trio of very intriguing prospects the Blackhawks have a lot of young talent, which will have to step into larger roles in this season. Dave Bolland recovered from back surgery to score 16 points in 16 games. Jake Dowell, Bryan Bickell, Troy Brouwer, and Tomas Kopecky all will get a chance to expand their roles.
Key Additions- D John Scott, C Jeff Taffe, G Marty Turco, D Ivan Vishnevskly, C Chris DiDomenico, C Phillippe Paradis, LW Jeremy Morin, and LW Viktor Stalberg
Key Subtractions- D Brian Sopel, LW Ben Eager, LW Andrew Ladd, RW Dustin Byfugllen, C Colin Fraser, D Richard Petiot, D Danny Richmond, C mark Cullen, LW Kyle Greentree, RW Akim Allu, RW Adam Brush, RW Kris Verteeg, and G Anti Niemi
