The latest score on the Blackhawks’ core
BY BEN MEYER-ABBOTT bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com April 25, 2012 10:14PM
Phoenix Coyotes v Chicago Blackhawks - Game Three
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Updated: May 28, 2012 8:53AM
A minor tweak or major overhaul?
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman expressed a lot of faith in his core Wednesday.
‘‘When you look at the guys we’re talking about, they’re all-star type players, they’re difference-makers in the organization,’’ Bowman said.
Here is a look at how they did this season:
Jonathan Toews
Backcheck: The Hawks’ captain was in contention for the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP before missing the final 22 games of the regular season with a concussion.
One-timer: The biggest takeaway this season for Toews was to not risk his health by playing through a head injury.
Patrick Kane
Backcheck: Kane fell off his point-a-game production from the previous two seasons with a career-low 66 points, including just 12 on the Hawks’ struggling power play.
One-timer: Kane carried the Hawks as a center down the stretch. Bowman wants to see him there next year.
Patrick Sharp
Backcheck: The Hawks’ regular-season MVP, Sharp battled through a wrist injury to lead the team in goals (33) and plus/minus rating (plus-28).
One-timer: Lackluster postseason, but solidified elite status.
Marian Hossa
Backcheck: Finished regular season with a team-best 77 points before his postseason was cut short by Phoenix Coyotes headhunter Raffi Torres.
One-timer: One of the most durable players in the NHL faces a long offseason recovery.
Dave Bolland
Backcheck: Matched a career high with 19 goals and remained coach Joel Quenneville’s No. 1 option when looking to shut down opposing team’s top lines.
One-timer: One of the most talented grit players in the league; the Hawks could use another player or two like Bolland.
Duncan Keith
Backcheck: The defenseman came up short for a second consecutive season in trying to match his Norris Trophy-level play during the Hawks’ Stanley Cup-winning season in 2010.
One-timer: No Hawk has more asked of himself than Keith. More depth behind him would help.
Brent Seabrook
Backcheck: With nine goals and a plus-21 raiting, the 27-year-old defenseman enjoyed one of his best all-around seasons.
One-timer: Seabrook was the Hawks’ best defenseman this season and the team’s best player in the playoffs.
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Backcheck: Two seasons after the Hawks opted to keep him over goalie Antti Niemi, Hjalmarsson was passed up by 21-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy on the depth chart.
One-timer: Three-year deal set to expire at the end of next season raises trade prospects.
