2011-12 Record: 45-26-11 (101 points)
Lost to Phoenix in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Jonathan Toews
Last season's Blackhawks were a shell of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2010. They were also not the gritty team that nearly made the 3-0 playoff deficit turn in their favor in 2011. Offense was never the problem, though Jonathan Toews missed time with a concussion issue, Patrick Kane had career lows in scoring since his rookie year, and Marian Hossa was concussed by a Raffi Torres hit in the playoffs. Defense, namely goaltending, was a major issue, and it reared its ugly head when Corey Crawford let in some soft goals in the playoffs. Special teams also took a nose dive, as the Blackhawks ranked in the bottom third in both the power play and penalty kill. The Blackhawks didn't add much, with only Sheldon Brookbank joining the Blackhawks this season, so much of the team's success this year will have to be dependent on bounce-back seasons from players such as Crawford and Kane and recovery from injuries by the likes of Toews and Hossa. On the positive side, expect no less than two prospects to make an impact this year, as Brandon Saad and Brandon Pirri will likely make the team out of training camp and Phillip Danault and Mark McNeill could join sometime during the season.
Prediction: 5th in the West
Band: The Atlas Moth
Much like the Chicago-based doom metal band, the Blackhawks' season was not pretty. However, there is still talent and it will work somehow.
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