Time for celebrating is over as Hawks get back to work
The most memorable off-season in Blackhawks history, one filled with Stanley Cup celebrations and dramatic roster change, is over.
The process of defending the Stanley Cup begins on Saturday when the Hawks report to training camp.
Ten players who helped win the organization's first championship in 49 years are gone, but that hasn't diminished the Hawks' belief that they will again be in the mix to become the NHL's first repeat champion since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98.
"Everybody is going to be gunning for us and we're going to be targeted and we should be aware of that challenge," coach Joel Quenneville said.
There aren't a lot of critical questions facing the Hawks going into training camp, but here are a few on the list:
Q. What will the dramatic roster turnover mean?A. It means the Hawks are no longer the deepest team in the NHL, and that depth made a big difference in terms of winning the Stanley Cup.But the cupboard isn't bare. The Hawks return their top four defensemen in Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson as well as their four most dangerous scorers in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp along with top defensive center Dave Bolland.Q. Who will be missed the most?A. In dealing Dustin Byfuglien to Atlanta, the Hawks lost size, versatility, net presence and big-game production. But it may not be until the playoffs before we know how much big-game players Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Kris Versteeg and Antti Niemi are missed.Q. What newcomers should fans be excited about?A. Goalie Marty Turco is a three-time all-star who should have plenty left in the tank at age 35. After several down seasons in Dallas, Turco is motivated to join the best team in the league.Left wing Viktor Stalberg, acquired from Toronto in the Versteeg deal, has a huge upside and all the tools to be a good player. A great skater, he should fit right in the Hawks' up-tempo system. Don't rule out Stalberg landing on the top line with Toews and Kane.Q. Is Turco the answer in goal?A. There's no reason to think he can't be. Turco has a 2.31 career goals-against average, which ranks second among active goaltenders. Turco's leadership and ability to handle the puck should prove to be a strong addition.Q. Is the backup goalie job settled?A. It is as long as Corey Crawford doesn't have a horrible preseason. After waiting patiently for five years in the minors, the former second-round draft pick deserves the opportunity to show he can play in the NHL.Q. How many jobs are available?A. Assuming the Hawks keep 13 forwards it would mean six jobs are open there. The leading candidates to fill those spots are Stalberg, Fernando Pisani, Bryan Bickell, Jack Skille, Ryan Potulny and Jake Dowell.On defense it's going to be difficult for any prospects to crack the top seven of Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Halmarsson, John Scott, Jordan Hendry and Nick Boynton.Q. Who could be the sleepers to make this team?A. It's certainly possible a prospect could emerge during training camp and win a roster spot. Wingers Kyle Beach, Igor Makarov and Jeremy Morin should be watched closely.Beach scored 52 goals in juniors last season and brings a physical presence. Makarov and Morin are scorers.On defense, keep an eye on Ivan Vishnevskiy. He was acquired from Atlanta in the Ladd trade and is quick with a good shot. Nick Leddy and Shawn Lalonde need to have special camps to make it.Q. How will the top two lines shape up?A. Look for Toews to play with Kane and Sharp with Hossa. Troy Brouwer and Tomas Kopecky should fit in somewhere on the first two lines unless someone such as Stalberg shows he can be a top-six forward.Q. Who will join Bolland on the checking third line?A. Pisani is certainly a prime candidate for one of the wings. After that it could be Stalberg, Potulny, Bickell or Skille.Q. Is Kane ready to take the next step?A. Scoring 40 goals and 100 points should not be out of the question. Kane has improved each of his first three seasons, going from 21 to 25 to 30 goals. He had 88 points last year and will be eyeing bigger numbers now that he has established himself as one of the game's elite players.Q. Where does Toews go after being the Olympic MVP and Conn Smythe Trophy winner?A. The Hockey News recently ranked the Hawks' captain the fifth-best player in the NHL behind only Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Miller and Pavel Datsyuk. In terms of ability and leadership, Toews should continue to move closer to Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic status.Q. Will the Hawks be as abrasive without Adam Burish, Byfuglien, Ladd and Ben Eager?A. The answer to that must be provided by newcomers such as Scott, Dowell, Bickell and Skille. Seabrook is still around and he has a mean streak. Now might be the time for Hjalmarsson to step up the nasty, particularly in terms of open-ice hits.Q. Is Scott a true heavyweight?A. At 6-feet-8 and 258 pounds he needs to be. Scott has said he will be there to stand up for his teammates and he is sure to be tested as a fighter in the preseason by the Blues' Cam Janssen and Detroit's Aaron Downey.Q. What's the biggest challenge facing the Hawks?A. Simply being the Stanley Cup champion and being ready to face the opposition's best effort every night.