Seabrook looks to help Chicago Blackhawks regain the glory
No member of the 2017-18 Chicago Blackhawks has appeared in more hockey games than Brent Seabrook.
A Hawk his entire career, Seabrook watched the franchise go from completely ignored in 2005, '06 and '07 to the toast of the town just three years later.
Now, as Seabrook gets set to embark on a 13th season, he hopes the team can recapture the magic that coursed through the stadium, the locker room and the city while the Hawks were winning three Stanley Cup titles from 2010-15.
“The past is the past. The things we've done as a team and as an organization, none of us will ever forget that,” Seabrook said. “But we're moving forward. … We want to remember how it feels to be winners.”
The Hawks obviously haven't forgotten how to win, having gone 50-23-9 and claiming the top seed in the Western Conference last season. Playoff success, on the other hand, has been nonexistent since Seabrook and Co. lifted the Cup at the United Center on June 15, 2015.
So as we conclude our three-part series on who can help the Hawks once again climb the NHL mountaintop, we turn to Seabrook.
The Hawks' alternate captain has been a huge part of the team's championship runs, potting clutch goal after clutch goal.
But after a 14-goal regular season in 2015-16, Seabrook has managed just 4 in his last 90 games. And although Hawks defensemen aren't called on to score very often, those numbers need to improve.
“Anytime that big blast comes it's always a dangerous play,” said assistant coach Kevin Dineen. “It's coming from (up) high. When he's shooting the puck it makes a huge difference.”
Said Seabrook: “Something I can definitely work on more is finding ways to get my shot through. It's something the coaches have talked to me about and it's something I want to do.”
The reality of today's NHL is that players such as Seabrook, who carries a $6.875 million cap hit until 2023-24, must be difference-makers in both ends of the ice. There are only so many $1 million guys you can expect to outperform their contracts on a yearly basis.
“It was an up-and-down season,” Seabrook said of 2016-17. “I did a lot of good things and there a lot of things I can do better. Trying to build off the right things — being good in my own zone, trying to get the puck up to my forwards with speed and in good position and be in good position myself.”
Along with Duncan Keith, few defensemen are better than Seabrook at hitting wingers with stretch passes of 60, 70 and 80 feet. He piled up 36 assists last season, the second-highest total of his career.
One concern is in the D-zone, though, because the NHL is only getting faster and faster. Pundits can point to Corsi numbers or the plus/minus stat if they want, but the true test is with the eyes: Will Seabrook continue to hold his own with the likes of Viktor Ardvisson, Connor McDavid and Patrik Laine year after year?
As a cornerstone of the Hawks' defense, there's no wiggle room here — he must or the team won't flourish come April.
Off the ice, few voices carry more weight — or decibels — than the 32-year-old father of three. Young players find out in a hurry that it's not a good idea to be late for a practice, morning skate or a meeting.
“Nothing gets by him,” Ryan Hartman said. “You're a minute late or you're right on time, he's that guy that's almost sitting there waiting at the clock just to give you a hard time. But he does it all around. Messes with the trainers. … It's all in good fun.”
And when times are bad — like when the Hawks fell behind in their series vs. Nashville — Seabrook tried his best to rally the troops. Said Hartman: “He was the guy who was always, 'It takes one goal. It takes a couple plays and we're right back in this series.' ”
Another long journey begins Thursday night when the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins invade the United Center.
After that, a slew of difficult opponents take aim at the Hawks, so there's no easing into this campaign.
“It starts now,” Seabrook said. “It starts with getting after it, having a good start to the season, trying to roll that right throughout and being ready for the playoffs.”
And if everyone we've spotlighted over the last three days — Seabrook, Hartman, Jonathan Toews, Nick Schmaltz, Michal Kempny and Gustav Forsling — does their job, the Hawks will no doubt recapture the magic and have an excellent chance at once again lifting Lord Stanley's Cup.