Chicago Blackhawks: ‘Ex-Hawks’ Filled With Champions

Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a save during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Goaltenders – Antti Niemi (Starter, Dallas Stars), Antti Raanta (Backup, New York Rangers), Ray Emery (Third-String, Philadelphia Flyers)

Deep down, everyone wanted to see to Anttis in the same locker room, and the Ex-Hawks have that opportunity.

Niemi earns the starting job because of his experience, but Raanta is the goaltender of the future. Raanta is a tall, lanky goalie who got bumped out of Chicago by the surging Scott Darling. Raanta’s 1.89 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in 14 games are nothing to scoff at. He’s a talented netminder who will take over for the aging and regressing Niemi in a year or two.

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Emery had to make the team, if for no other reason than he is another body. It seems like just yesterday Emery had posted a 17-1 record and a .922 save percentage for the 2013 Blackhawks. Now, he’s a third-string alternative in case of emergency for the Ex-Hawks. How the mighty have fallen.

It’s crazy to believe that a team of former Blackhawks could contend for a playoff spot in the NHL, but the Ex-Hawks are a pretty decent bunch. They likely don’t have the defensive chops or goaltending to win a Stanley Cup, but it’s not hard to imagine this team actually making the postseason.

Next: Analyzing The Blackhawks' Offseason Losses

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