It's been a turbulent offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks as they were under a cap crunch and were forced to move some of their key players. They traded away wingers Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad and placed Bryan Bickell on waivers.
They also had to deal with the Patrick Kane situation that first started in the offseason. The Hawks winger has been accused of rape but he has not been charged yet. As the case wears on, it looks more and more like he will not be charged.
But amid all the changes, the Blackhawks will still have their top guns available on opening night. Johnathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford, and Kane will all be available to play against the New York Rangers. When it comes to crunch time, these are the players that step up for Chicago. In Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks last year, it was Toews' two first period goals that really set the tone of the game.
But like in years prior, it's always the young guys who step up and make the difference for the Blackhawks. Teuvo Teräväinen, who stepped up in the playoffs for the Hawks last year, will start on the first line alongside Toews and Marion Hossa. He will assume the place of Brandon Saad who was traded to Columbus in the offseason. He has good skill and has gained the trust of head coach Joel Quenville, something that is not easily attained.
The defenseman situation will be much better for the Hawks than it was last year. Duncan Keith was playing an insane amount of minutes for the Blackhawks as they were shorthanded at the back. They will bring back a lot of familiar faces with the exception of Johnny Oduya, who left in the offseason. But the Hawks made a move to lock up Brent Seabrook for the next eight years. The move may have restricted the Hawks in terms of cap space, but Seabrook has been a great defenseman for the Hawks and was going to be a free agent this summer.
Corey Crawford will be the starter for the Hawks in goal. He faced a goalie controversy as Scott Darling came in relief for Crawford and played well. But he settled down and played great in the Stanley Cup final, including a shutout in the Cup clinching win in Game 6.
It will be a roaring atmosphere for the Blackhawks as they face the New York Rangers in an Original Six matchup. The Rangers will be looking to move on from a disappointing Game 7 loss in MSG to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. It will be a madhouse in the United Center as the NHL gets underway for another season.