Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- All Downhill Now

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans! It’s all downhill now with only 3 days standing in between us and opening night, so I don’t know about you but i’m excited! 

It is interesting that if you start listening to National writers and podcasters, they are predicting that this could be the year that the Hawks aren’t factors in who ends up winning the Stanley Cup.

If Joel Quenneville keeps Alex DeBrincat on the team, I really like the Blackhawks Top 3 lines, with the fourth line a total crapshoot.  A team with 3 top lines is always a tough team to play against and a team that can win a lot of games.

More from Blackhawks News

• Blackhawks vs Flames: Date, Time, Lineup, Betting Odds, More
• Three Takeaways from the Blackhawks’ Win vs Vancouver
• Blackhawks: Why Derek King is the Right Coach moving forward
• Marc-Andre Fleury Carries the Blackhawks to a 4-2 Win vs Seattle
• Instant Reaction: Blackhawks top Kraken for first time in history

Now if you have concerns about the defense, I totally understand that. You have Duncan Keith and a whole lot of question marks.  Can Brent Seabrook not age before our eyes, and can Connor Murphy be a replacement for Niklas Hjalmarsson.  Of course there is the question of the bottom pairing.  Yes, this concerns me, but I feel like the offense will be bailing out the defense some this season.

Of course the Chicago Blackhawks still have Corey Crawford to stop everything that gets past the defense.  It would be nice to see Crawford have a injury free season, or at least have nothing weird happen to him season.  Every year he starts out on fire and appears to carry the team, but whatever freak injury or surgery happens to him in the middle of the year kind of brings him back down to just a very good goalie.

So it’s October, and there are two games this week! I can’t wait to watch some real hockey for the first time since Mid April!

Here are some morning links to start your work week! 

What did Joel Quenneville have to say after the Blackhawks final preseason game (Blackhawks)

The Chicago Blackhawks are counting on Corey Crawford to be solid at the beginning of the season (Tribune)

Artem Anisimov is adjusting to his new linemates this preseason (Pro Hockey Talk)

What should we expect from the Captain Jonathan Toews this season (Faxes from Uncle Dale)

Brandon Saad looking back at the greatness of Team North America (CSN)

How does the jump in penalties change the NHL landscape (FanRag)

Sad News as Hall of Fame Broadcaster Dave Strader passed away from cancer (NHL)

What are the opening night lines predictions for the Predators (Predlines)

The Winnipeg Jets have a great prospect in the name of Kyle Conner (Sportsnet)

Next: John Hayden deserves a spot on the roster

Young NHL Stars are finding new ways to train for the upcoming season (SI)