I know it’s a bit early, but I’ve been thinking about how
the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks forward lines could look
next season without any injuries.
The first line will look almost entirely the same from the
cup run this past year. On the wings I have
Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane and breakout playoff performer Bryan
Bickell. These exceptional wings are
centered by one of the best two-way forwards in the league in captain Jonathan Toews. The main reason for this pairing was that
when the three played together in games 4, 5, and 6 against Boston they
combined for 13 points.
Next comes the second line, I think this line will be the
most important if they want to repeat. In the middle is rookie sensation Brandon
Saad, who looks to have a breakout season after his phenomenal rookie
season. On the wings are veteran wingers
Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Saad’s
job is not guaranteed as Brandon Pirri who led the Rockford IceHogs in scoring
last season.
The third line will also have to be effective. With Andrew Shaw, Michael Handzus, and Jimmy
Hayes two out of three of those players got second line time last season. Shaw had many big goals at big times in the
postseason. Handzus also had a solid
postseason. And with big-man Jimmy Hayes
there will be no shortage of toughness on this line.
The fourth line will only have one returning member from the
cup-winning fourth line in Marcus Kruger.
This line has a little bit of everything. It has the checker that a fourth line needs
in Brandon Bollig. A playmaker in Marcus
Kruger and an offensive skill player in Ben Smith could be the missing piece on
the line. With all the pieces in place
Kruger could have a breakout season.
The Hawks only lost one major offensive player in Dave
Bolland but knowing how good of a coach Joel Quenneville is….the Hawks are
poised for a repeat.
Bickell Toews
Kane
Sharp Saad
Hossa
Shaw Handzus Hayes
Bollig
Smith Kruger
THE 2013 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
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