Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #49 Alexei Zhamnov

Has there ever been a player in Chicago Blackhawks franchise history that was very consistent, and was the Captain of the team, yet so many fans despised more than Alexei Zhamnov.

Let’s be honest, no one ever really liked Alexei Zhamnov for the simple reason that he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for the fan favorite Jeremy Roenick.

Roenick had it all personality, courageous on the ice, USA too, and Zhamnov didn’t have any of that including not being a United States citizen.

Zhamnov was a very consistent scorer.  When he came up with the Winnipeg Jets, he once scored 5 goals in a game, but when he came to the Chicago Blackhawks his scoring was more like 20 a season which would have been fine to all if it weren’t for that Roenick trade.

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Zhamnov played 8 seasons with the Blackhawks, and was the Captain of the team from 2002-2004, but he only reached the playoffs once while wearing a Chicago Blackhawks uniform, and in those 5 games, Zhamnov failed to make the scoresheet.

He played in 807 career games while picking up over 700 points, so he always knew how to score, but to replace a player like J.R. was too much to ask for for any player let alone Zhamnov.

Zhamnov would be traded for a bunch of prospects and the draft pick that ended up being Bryan Bickell which is pretty cool I guess.

Zhamnov after leaving the NHL for good in 2006 is now a General Manager in the KHL.  It’s strange how one trade can be what people remember you for the rest of your career.

Next: 20/20 Blackhawks Vision

Only 49 days left until the season kicks off from the United Center! Can’t wait to hear Chelsea Dagger.