CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 16/17 SEASON PREVIEW

REVIEW 2015/16
When Lord Stanley became the perennial waiting for a team, no less, it can be devastating. Just ask any Blackhawks fan who witnessed the St. Louis Blues eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year. This suppression of contention was followed by an active offseason in which we saw several renowned players leave Chi-town. Do these movements leads the Hawks have a better chance or worse to hoist the Cup this year? Let's find out.

BEST LINES OF LAST YEAR
Artemi Panarin - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane
Andrew Shaw - Jonathon Toews - Marian Hossa
Richard Panik - Marcus Kruger - Ryan Hartman
Andrew Desjardin - Nick Schmaltz - Teuvo Teravainen

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook

Brian Campbell - Niklas Hjalmasson
Michal Kempny - Trevor van Riemsdyk

Corey Crawford

Losing Shaw is sure to disappoint Hawks fans, but it was inevitable. With Panarin intensify and proves to be most reliable winger left the team, losing Shaw was not as debilitating as anticipated. The real question is whether the team can afford to move Hossa to the front line Kane, both have shown a clear link to various points throughout the season last year. The team definitely has a more balanced offense with Hossa now the second line, but it is hard to argue with the type of production that both attackers are able to while playing together.

LINES PLANNED FOR 2016/17
Artemi Panarin - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane
Richard Panik - Jonathon Toews - Marian Hossa
Ryan Hartman - Marcus Kruger - Ryan Garbutt
Andrew Desjardin - Nick Schmaltz - Viktor Tikhonov

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell - Trevor Daley
Michal Kempny - Niklas Hjalmarsson

Corey Crawford

The additions of Garbutt and Daley certainly add much needed depth to the Hawks team, allowing Joel Quenneville a little extra space for creativity when designing the lines. This team enters the season with aspirations of the Stanley Cup, with the cornerstones of their dynasty still rooted in Chicago, it's hard to imagine any of the trips made this offseason derail such an ambition.

The most important development to follow to enter the season remains the health Duncan Keith. Keith retired from playing in the World Cup for rehabbing his right knee which underwent a meniscus tear last season. It should be ready for the start of the season, but that could easily change if the medical staff worry about him re-injure the knee.

According vegasinsiders.com, the Hawks are still the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, according to bookmakers. If anything, the team has improved this season, especially in relation to their long-term aspirations. That said, the NHL is as competitive as ever, so any playoff series they earn will be well deserved.

MY PREDICTION
Hawks lose the Anaheim Ducks in the finals of the Western Conference, after another 100-point season.