Marcus Kruger Days Until The Blackhawks Season Opener

May 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie

Corey Crawford

(50) hands the puck to center

Marcus Kruger

(16) against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

We had so much fun doing our Countdown to Faceoff series last season that we decided to do it again. The calendar has turned into September ,we look at jersey numbers from past and present as we count down the days until October 9th and opening night against the Dallas Stars.

We are down to 16 days left in the Blackhawks offseason and today we kick off the Blackhawks preseason while looking at current Blackhawks #16 Marcus Kruger. Kruger made it to Chicago as the next 2nd line center as a rookie, but he’s carved out his niche with the Hawks as a 4th line center who is excellent at the Penalty Kill. The past two seasons he’s excelled at the PK while leading the 4th line that can be extremely annoying to play against.

Kruger is able to throw in a goal here and there and for some reason is on the receiving end of a big check per night, but he always pops up and is ready for the next shift. Rumor has it that this will be Kruger’s last season but there has been reports that Kruger’s agent is trying to get Kruger a new contract with the Blackhawks.

There have been a lot of Blackhawks to have worn #16 including current Blackhawks TV color commentator Ed Olczyk so here’s a look at the Blackhawks to have worn 16.

1. Bep Guidolin-1948-1952 Guidolin played in 262 games with Chicago scoring 46 goals and 91 assists.

2. Dave Creighton-1955 Creighton played in 49 games with the Hawks scoring 7 goals and 7 assists before heading to the New York Rangers.

3. Johnny Wilson-1956-1957 Wilson appeared in 140 games picking up 42 goals and 39 assists.

4. Chico Maki-1963-1975 Maki played his entire 841 NHL game career with the Blackhawks scoring 143 goals and 292 assists during his 14 year career in Chicago.

5. Kirk Bowman 1976-1978 Bowman played in 88 games with Chicago scoring 11 goals and 17 assists.

6. Rich Preston 1980-1984 Preston appeared in 429 games scoring 96 goals and 127 assists.

7. Ed Olczyk-1985-1987 1999-2000 Olczyk was the 3rd pick of the 1984 NHL draft while started and ending his career with the Hawks. Olczyk was sent to Toronto early in his career with Al Secord for Steve Thomas and Bob McGill. Most new Blackhawks fans know Olczyk as one of the best NHL color analysts in the game today.

8. Michel Goulet-1990-1994 Goulet played in 1,089 NHL games and picked up his 500th career goal wearing a Blackhawks jersey. Goulet played his final 276 games in Chicago scoring 92 goals and 115 assists.

9. Kris King-2001 King played his last 13 games of an 849 NHL game career with the Blackhawks scoring 1 goal before retiring.

10. Matt Ellison-2003-2006 Ellison 3 goals and 10 assists during his two seasons with the Hawks before taking his talents to Philadelphia.

11. Radim Vrbata-2005-2007 Vrbata played two seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. During his stay with Chicago Vrbata scored 27 goals and 48 assists in 122 games.

12. Andrew Ladd-2007-2010 Ladd is the current Captain of the Winnipeg Jets, but Ladd was an important part of the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship. Ladd played in 184 games with the Hawks scoring 37 goals and 62 assists. During the 2010 playoffs, Ladd scored 2 goals and 3 assists.

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