Through 37 games the Chicago Blackhawks seemed ordinary with a 20-13-4 record. Now, if you follow this team you know there is nothing ordinary about them, or their incredible success. From game 38 to game 49 they went on a real tear, winning a franchise record setting 12 straight games. That's what elite teams do, and the Blackhawks are an extremely talented ELITE team.

Winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons tells all you need to know about this team's level of play. They are winners in every sense of the word. Yet, after fighting to control their salary cap issues they were forced to lose some fairly quality players prior to get under the salary cap limit.

Who Left?

Players like Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya, Patrick Sharp, Antoine Vermette, and Brad Richards all found new addresses.

But, as champion teams do -- they adjusted. In the Sadd trade for instance, they acquired Artem Anisimov who has contributed 18 goals, 14 assists in 55 games. Sadd has 35 points in 53 games thus far for the Columbus Blue Jackets. A fairly equatable trade for both teams, and the Hawks saved on the salary cap by signing Anisimov to a five-year $22.75 million contract, as opposed to Saad who demanded and received a six-year $36 million contract. 

Ring one up for the deft dealing of Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman.

More Roster Trimming

They had more trimming to do, and lost Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars. Oduya signed as a free agent. Sharp and Blackhawks defenseman Stephen Johns were traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt.

Antoine Vermette was more than thrilled to go back to the Arizona Coyotes, and Brad Richards was a marginal player, at best. 

'Rookie' Sensation Big Addition

The key addition that added more strength to the Blackhawks line-up this season has got to be rookie Artemi Panarin. Panarin is considered a rookie only because at 24, this was his first NHL season. He had played six seasons in two different Russian leagues, and has some advantages over other rookies vying for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of-the Year honors.

Panarin is tearing up the NHL with 18 goals, 32 assists in 55 games. He is odds on favorite to win the Rookie of-the Year award. But, more importantly he is helping the Chicago Blackhawks continue on yet another march to win their fourth Cup in seven years.

How do you spell DYNASTY?