Chicago Blackhawks 2012-2013 Season Preview - Tazer19's Dynasty

Tazer19's Dynasty Blog

Chicago Blackhawks 2012-2013 Season Preview

Posted on November 19, 2011 at 04:21 PM.

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There were some good things taken away from last thing, mostly the pain and sting that comes with a first round playoff exit which should lend plenty of motivation to this returning group of players.

FORWARD LINES:

Line # 1

LW - Patrick Sharp / C - Jonathan Toews / RW - Patrick Kane

Analysis: The boys are back in town so to speak. The lethal trio has been re united to start the season. The reason for this is the hope that these three will form a top # 1 line in the NHL. Too many times last year the Hawks were searching for the consistent scoring, hopefully these three can find it, because you know the chemistry is there.

Line # 2

LW - Milan Lucic / C - Dave Bolland / RW - Marian Hossa

Analysis: Maybe the biggest key to success for the upcoming season for the Hawks, can Dave Bolland be that second line center that the Hawks need. Early in the season he was, late, he wasn't, and that might have hurt the Hawks scoring depth. Lucic is being dropped to the second line to add some grit and help puck retrieval. If Dave Bolland becomes that guy, then the Hawks have one of the best 1-2 combo's in the league.

Line # 3

LW - Jeremy Morin / C - Brad Marchand / RW - Dan Carcillo

Analysis: Say hello to Jeremy Morin, he would have been # 1 on the "in the system" report (to come shortly), but with a good camp he has made the team and will skate on the third line. The sky is the limit for the young sniper on the wing, and what two better guys to skate with him to protect him, Marchand and Carcillo. This line should be the premier shut down line for the Hawks, and this is another line that relies on Dave Bolland on the second line. Rumor has it, that if things are not working, and soon, Bolland could be moved back to a familiar role on the third line, then Marchand would move to wing. Like the sand paper, speed, and skill on this line.

Line # 4

LW - Kyle Beach / C - Marcus Kruger / RW - Viktor Stalberg

Analysis: A line full of intrigue. Viktor Stalberg, coming off a solid season last year (40 points) will be asked to povide speed, and a scoring touch to the 4th line. With his improved ability in his own zone, he has earned the trust from Coach Q to take on this role. One of the other bright spots last year was the play from Beach, and Kruger. Both are expected to take a step further this year, and if they do they could be the prototypical third line players in a couple years. Ideally Kruger would be the third line center, he's not there yet, but has shown flashes of that.

ON THE BACKEND

Defensive Pairing # 1

D1 - Brent Seabrook / D2 - Duncan Keith

Analysis: Could be one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL, and they are re united this year. For part of the year they were broken apart, mostly because of the lack of depth on the blue line at the NHL level for the Hawks, with that being improved these two should be back to playing at a high level, and 25 minutes a night, if not more.

Defensive Pairing # 2

D3 - Niklas Kronwall / D4 - Niklas Hjalmarsson

Analysis: Guess what D pairing scares the crap out of any forward in the NHL? This one. These guys are mirror images of one another, and they with punish you given the opportunity. The Hawks D was rated in the top five last year in terms of goals against per game, expect that to improve. This pairing is very exciting for the Hawks, I don't see a downside to the acquisition of Kronwall. A three year deal for a 31 year old two way defenseman, this is shaping up to be one of the best top 4 in the league.

Defensive Pairing # 3

D5 - Nick Leddy / D6 - Steve Montador

Analysis: They are a third pairing, but they could be a second pairing on any team in the NHL. Nick Leddy was outstanding last year, and many think that the injury to him at the end of the year was a big reason why the Hawks couldn't get out of the first round in the playoffs. Montador is what you see is what you get, a steady D man that will allow Leddy to take his offensive chances without having to worry about is partner. This is a vast improvement over last years D core, hopefully it pays off for the Hawks.

GOALTENDING

The Men Manning the Net
G1- Corey Crawford / G2 - Alexander Salak

Analysis: This could be the perceived weakness, or at least the weakest link to this years Hawks squad. Crawford is a legit #1 goalie, and performed like that last year in the regular season. However, he was sub par in the playoffs, by no means was he the only reason the Hawks were ousted early, but he was clearly run down. He played 70 games, and that is too many in my opinion, so the focus shifts to Salak. Can he, at his age, and lack of experience handle 20 games this year? If the answer is yes, then the Hawks looks good entering the playoffs, if the answer is no, don't be surprise if GM Stan Bowman uses some of his free cap space to bring in a veteran backup for one year.