The popular spin these days is that the Blackhawks are definitely not screwed. Despite dimantling their Cup-winning team by sending 10 players from that roster to new teams this summer, they're just fine. They'll likely be the Central champion again and can continue to pursue their dreams of a modern-day dynasty.
Right.
While they still have Crybaby Patrick Kane and Captain Serious Jonathan Toews and I Eat My Own Teeth Duncan Keith in the lineup, they lost streaky Dustin Byfuglien, their nails golatender and even their shaky backup goaltender. Not to mention all of their key role players like John Madden and Adam Burish and Kris Versteeg.
Tonight we get our first look at them and, for those of you who are not blacked out by the Blues website, a chance to watch them live on streaming video. The Hawks haven't yet announced who will take the ice tonight, but there's a possibility that we'll see some of their stars, some serious no-namers and maybe even get an appearance from Hannu Toivonen. Yes, that one.
The Blues will be putting out a lineup backed by Jaroslav Halak and defended by Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, Erik Johnson, Ian Cole, Roman Polak and Nikita Nikitin. On offense we'll see B.J. Crombeen, Matt D'Agostini, David Backes, Brad Winchester, Jay McClement, Alex Steen, Patrik Berglund, Brad Boyes, Nick Drazenovic, Cam Janssen, David Perron, and T.J. Oshie.
This is your GDT, do your thing.