Chicago Blackhawks’ Fans Need To Brace For A New Reality

Kirby Dach #77, Patrick Kane #88, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Kirby Dach #77, Patrick Kane #88, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
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Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Corey Crawford #50, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Honestly, in my mind, the ‘Hawks top guys are always going to be the top guys. It is scary to think that we are going to have to move forward without some of them one day.

Father time catches up to everyone eventually. I did not think that time has flown so much. It seems like just yesterday, Toews and Kane were in their early 20’s winning Stanley Cups. What happened!

Players age and eventually have to step away from the NHL. While I think that Toews and Kane still have five or so years left before we need to worry about them stepping away from the game, I do believe we might start seeing them take on a smaller role.

Patrick Kane can still carry the Blackhawks, but that comes at a cost. Kane was not as productive this postseason, and it might have been because Jeremy Colliton and company overplayed Kane. Jonathan Toews has been the Blackhawks number one center for a decade, but maybe we need to start seeing him play pass the mantle over to Kirby Dach or Dylan Strome.

Even Duncan Keith can not continue to carry our defense. While he does not need to take as limited of a role as Brent Seabrook moving forward, maybe the Blackhawks need to let some new players step up to the plate.

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