Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Offseason Report: Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, left, passes the puck to right wing Patrick Kane (88) during the second period of a hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 3-1. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

AP

From July 16-Aug 16, we’ll be profiling all 30 NHL teams by recapping what they did this offseason and previewing their upcoming campaigns.

2011-12 season

45-26-11, 101 points. Sixth in the Western Conference. Fourth in the Central Division. Lost to Phoenix in the first round (4-2).

Additions

Sheldon Brookbank. No really, that’s it.

Departures

Cristobal Huet, Sean O’Donnell (retired), Brendan Morrison, Andrew Brunette

2012 Draft

1st Round, 18th overall — Teuvo Teravainen (Jokerit - Finland)

Looking back

If there was an upside to Chicago’s disappointing season it’s that they could score goals plenty. They finished sixth in the league in goals for and had five players score 20 or more with a sixth player (Dave Bolland) end the year with 19. Patrick Sharp topped the team with 33 and survived a season that saw captain Jonathan Toews miss 23 games with injury. While Patrick Kane went through the motions, Marian Hossa had a huge year up until Raffi Torres took his head off in the playoffs.

Chicago’s main problems came in goal, however, thanks to a season filled with regression for starter Corey Crawford. His goals against average jumped by almost half a goal and his save percentage fell off 14 points compared to last season. Ray Emery was perfectly mediocre as his backup. While both guys saw spurts where they looked like they’d seize control of the starting job, they both turned out to be just average.

Looking forward

The Blackhawks bring back virtually the same team as last year. A fully healthy Toews and a more focused Kane can help pick up the offense even more. If Hossa can return to full speed after his massive concussion in the playoffs would be huge. Chicago still hasn’t figured out what to do about a No. 2 center, however. Even the Capitals found a way to address that issue finally.

On defense, things are strong as ever. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are studs while Nick Leddy brings hope he can become their permanent second pairing fixture. Chicago could use a bounce back season from Niklas Hjalmarsson, however, as the remainder of the blue line corps shapes up to be a slew of third-pairing guys. Maybe rookie Dylan Olsen can rise to the challenge.

Goal remains a major question mark with both Crawford and Emery returning. No wonder why the Blackhawks have been sniffing around at Roberto Luongo’s availability. The thought of him donning the black and red has been haunting Hawks fans all summer. On the upside, the rest of the Central Division saw big losses and have lots of questions. Staying pat might’ve been GM Stan Bowman’s best move.

Have your say

Vote in our poll and let us know what you think of the Blackhawks’ 2012-13 outlook in the comments section.

[polldaddy poll="6418014"]