Central Division Preview
By Kyle Roberts
Jun 28, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) during the 2013 Stanley Cup championship celebration at Grant Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Blackhawks:
2012-2013 Record: 36-7-5 – 77 Points
Coach: Joel Norman Quenneville
Standings: 1st in Central Division, 1st in Western Conference. 2012-2013 Stanley Cup Champions.
Forwards:
Bryan Bickell – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp – Michal Handzus – Marian Hossa
Brandon Saad – Andrew Shaw – Jimmy Hayes
Brandon Bollig – Marcus Kruger – Ben Smith
Joakim Nordstrom
Defense:
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy – Michal Rozsival
Sheldon Brookbank
Michael Kostka
Goaltending:
Corey Crawford
Nikolai Khabibulin
Courtesy Jostens
Coming off a huge season and defeating the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Chicago Blackhawks have no reason to shake up the roster. And they didn’t. There are only a few new faces on this team. One of them is Joakim Nordstrom who was drafted 90th overall by the Hawks in the 2010 draft. Although he probably won’t see huge minutes, he fit well as a role player in camp and earned the right to stay on the big club for the time being. At one point the Blackhawks had a 24 point streak which propelled them to an early playoff berth. What will it take to stop them this year? Chicago clearly has the team to win and they’ll be defending their reign this season.