Blackhawk Rising

Blackhawk Rising
rBy Lloyd Poast
rTHE CHICAGO SPORTS REVIEW
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rEveryone loves the excitement and challenges of a new beginning. There’s something exhilarating about witnessing a spark in its early formative stage and seeing it grow into something truly special. The Chicago Blackhawks may now be at that crossroads between mediocrity and a shooting star.
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rThe Blackhawks, whose logo has been ranked among the most attractive in all pro sports, are a proud member of the original six NHL franchises and boast a talented alumni, including the likes of Denis Savard, Tony Esposito, Jeremy Roenick, and Chris Chelios. But though Chicago is rich in history, the recent past has not been so kind. Their on-ice struggles have been well documented, while off the ice controversial moves – such as ownership’s refusal to have home games televised locally – have left fans feeling alienated.
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rThe upcoming NHL season is the dawn of a new era for the team. After spinning their wheels near the bottom of the standings for the last decade, the Blackhawks finally appear ready to move into the NHL’s fast lane. If things continue to fall into place, and all the planets are perfectly aligned, this could be an exciting time to be a hockey fan in Chicago.
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rWith a few key moves having been made in the off-season, the 2007-08 lineup will be a solid mix of youth and experience. GM Dale Tallon added a trio of veteran forwards to compliment the team’s youthful core. He signed centers Robert Lang and Yanic Perreault as free agents and made a trade to acquire winger Sergei Samsonov from Montreal.
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rBoth Lang and Perreault are in their mid thirties and on the downside of their career, but Lang still piles up enough points to be worthy of maintaining his top six forward status, and Perreault is widely considered to be one of the best face off men in the league. Both will provide a steadying veteran presence for the team’s youth movement.
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rSamsonov is the most intriguing of the three and could be an interesting reclamation project. He’s only 29 years old and a dynamic offensive talent who won the Calder Trophy during his rookie year. If he can regain the scoring touch that he seemed to lose during his tenure as a member of the Canadiens, the ‘Hawks will have a much more balanced attack.
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rAnother veteran player that Chicago desperately needs a bounce back season from is goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. The "Bulin Wall" has never really been the impact goalie the ‘Hawks envisioned when they signed him to a huge free agent contract two years ago. He was once considered one of the game’s elite, and at age 34 he should still be able to turn things around.
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rOn the opposite end of the spectrum, the Blackhawks will be relying heavily on several players in the dawn of their careers. Chicago has one of the deepest pools of prospects in the NHL, and several should be ready for prime time.
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rThey won the lottery for the entry draft in June and used the first overall pick to select highly touted winger Patrick Kane, from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Blessed with world-class skills that have left a few NHL scouts saying he is the best stickhandler in all of hockey, he should be a virtual lock to make the team this fall.
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rJonathon Toews is another high-profile rookie that should be making his NHL debut this October. The third overall draft pick from 2006 may not turn into the pure goal scorer that Kane is, but he plays a solid all-around game and is the more well-rounded of the two.
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rThey could make up two thirds of a great line and terrorize opposing defenses for years to come. They both have that "you should have seen them when…" factor, and it’s extremely rare for fans to have the opportunity to watch two potential Calder Trophy candidates playing for the same team.
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rOther potential rookies to watch out for include offensive defenseman Cam Barker, high scoring forward Dave Bolland, and power forward Michael Blunden. All three are blue-chippers and should be impact players in the not-too-distant future.
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rIn addition to the rookies and veterans, there’s a trio of young Blackhawks entering the prime of their careers who truly hold the keys to the team’s success in the next few years.
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rMatin Havlat, acquired from Ottawa at the start of last season, is a true game breaker and one of the league’s most entertaining players. When he’s on, he can take spectators out of their seats with a dazzling array of moves; making the high price of admission seem a bargain. If he can stay healthy (something he hasn’t been able to do the last couple of years) he could finally break out and fulfill his calling as one of the game’s elite.
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rTuomo Ruutu is another player that’s been badly bitten by the injury bug. He plays with a reckless, hard-hitting style that’s entertaining to watch but has taken a major toll on his body. He has a serious back problem that has put his career in jeopardy, but at only 24 years old still carries the potential to be a franchise player.
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rThe youngest of this promising threesome, at only 22, is blue-liner Brent Seabrook. He’s a blue chip, all-around defenseman that carries the potential to hit 50 plus points, while taking care of things in his own end. It would not be surprising to see him wearing the team’s captaincy one day.
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rAlthough the Blackhawks may not be ready to take the yellow brick road to the Stanley Cup, they are definitely headed in the right direction after years of futility. The groundwork for a rise up the NHL ladder has been laid, and it ought to result in greater attendance at the United Center. Hockey fans in Chicago should brace themselves for a rollicking, exciting, suspense-filled ride that could eventually end with the Blackhawks’ rank in the standings matching that of their esteemed logo.