Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- Let The Odds Be With You

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans! Despite the title of the post, we will not be breaking down the Hunger Games Trilogy. 

The odds for the 2018 Stanley Cup has been out for a couple of days now, and the Chicago Blackhawks are not one of the top 2 teams for the first time in some time which really makes you worried.

No of course the odds have no real bearing on who wins the Stanley Cup especially since the Hawks were on top of these rankings for the past several years. The last two seasons the Hawks were out of the playoffs after the first round which does make these summers really drag on.

The reason it makes you concerned about the Chicago Blackhawks is that if you drop in the preseason odds then you have to believe that the talent on the roster is either getting older, diminished or both.

If you ask me it’s a little of both.  The superstars for the Chicago Blackhawks are approaching their 30th birthday while Niklas Hjalmarsson arguably their best defensive defenseman is gone. Now it’s up to the stars to carry the team while Stan Bowman has to figure out a way to restock the system.

The Chicago Blackhawks youth starting with Ryan Hartman Nick Schmaltz, and Vinnie Hinostroza can make a huge step up this season after getting their first NHL seasons under their belts.

If you are asking, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers have better odds than the Hawks to win the Cup.

Here are some morning links to start your Thursday morning. 

If you missed it, look how the Chicago Blackhawks partied at the Andrew Shaw wedding (Blackhawks)

Let’s look at the Edmonton Oilers salary cap issues (Faxes From Uncle Dale)

Are Chicago Blackhawks tickets not as hot a commodity anymore (Hockey Buzz)

One of our favorite podcasts has a new episode up (Puckin Hostile)

Could Patrick Kane win another Hart trophy in 2018 (CSN)

Will Butcher plans on deciding where he will play in about a week (Bleacher Report)

Edmonton Oilers do not need to panic after yesterday’s signing (Oil On Whyte)

How the city of St. Louis has embarrassed itself (Bleedin Blue)

Welcome to the Chicago Blackhawks salary cap situation Edmonton (Pro Hockey Talk)

Next: 20/20 Blackhawks Vision

Vegas radio station apologizes for censorship of the team (Puck Daddy)