The Chicago Blackhawks have recently found themselves in a period of mediocrity, and it appears the front office has decided to make an attempt to bring the team back to relevancy. General Manager Stan Bowman made a couple of unexpected splashes this offseason, including adding legendary goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury and stud defensemen Seth Jones. Bowman also added significant role players such as Jujhar Khaira and Jake McCabe.
However, the Blackhawks’ biggest addition may have come internally, with the return of “Captain Serious,” Jonathan Toews. Toews missed last season due to non COVID-19 related health problems, and he appears ready to make up for lost time this season. Toews will reunite with his buddy Patrick Kane and look to see how much magic they have left.
In my opinion, Stan Bowman realized something this off-season that Blackhawks fans have been fearing for a long time; Toews and Kane can only play for so long. Hawks fans have said their goodbyes these past few years, some being harder than others. Just to name a few, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford, Andrew Shaw, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp have all seen the hourglass run out in the past handful of years.
The addition of big names like Fleury and Jones means this team is going to do all they can to win now. There’s no reason to go into a rebuild when you have Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the team, and neither of them wants to play for any other franchise. It’s time to give the veterans one more chance at glory.
The Chicago Blackhawks are attempting to make a last-ditch attempt at a Stanley Cup run, but can they do it?