The Chicago Blackhawks as '85 Bears

Even though we are all hockey nuts in this part of the FanSided universe, we all know the NFL is king here in the United States. And the Chicago Bears rule the second city. They are the one team everybody can agree on. They make Northsiders and Southsiders come together on Sundays. Basketball fans who don’t like hockey can cheer for the Bears alongside hockey fans who don’t like basketball. We can all be miserable together watching the Bears do Bears things.

This season could be different….but we’ve heard that before. Not only is it new head coach Ben Johnson’s first season, but it is also the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team. For those of you who weren’t around for that special season, that team was full of badasses who just steamrolled teams. Think of the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks, but bigger and meaner. They had so much swagger, then recorded a song about winning the Super Bowl before the season started, then went out and did it in dominating fashion.

So, with the Bears kicking off their season tonight, I thought it would be fun to compare six current Blackhawks to players from the legendary '85 Bears.

Connor Bedard as Walter Payton

Walter Payton is an icon. He is on the Mount Rushmore of Chicago athletes. He was one of the greatest running backs ever to play the game. He could make you miss with his speed and agility, or just put his head down and run you over. During the 1985 season, he rushed for 1,551 yards, caught 49 passes for 483 yards, and scored 11 touchdowns.

Now, Connor Bedard has a long way before he even sniffs Payton’s legacy. But, for this exercise, the comparison works. Bedard is the most gifted player on this team, as Payton was for the Bears. The Blackhawks' offense goes as Bedard does, and he is the one player every opponent needs to be aware of at all times.

Jason Dickinson as Mike Singletary

The ’85 Bears defense was something that was never seen before, and has rarely been seen since. They were fast, mean, and dominating. If the defensive line didn’t swallow you whole, the linebackers shut you down fast. And if you were lucky enough to survive the first two waves, the secondary squashed your hopes. Mike Singletary was the leader of that historic defense. He called the signals from the middle of the field and led his troops into battle.

The Blackhawks don’t play defense anywhere as well as that Bears team did. But Jason Dickinson has many of the same qualities that Singletary had on the gridiron. He is the team’s best defensive forward and one of the veteran leaders in the locker room. He can be seen directing traffic in the defensive zone and plays with the same tenacity as Samurai Mike did.

Frank Nazar as Jim McMahon

Jim McMahon wasn’t the best player on the ’85 Bears, but as the quarterback, he did what was needed to win. He wasn’t the biggest or most talented quarterback in the league, but he played to his strengths, and the results spoke for themselves. He was known as the “Punky QB” for his outspoken attitude and style. He played with a confidence and swagger that made him one of the most popular players in Chicago history.

Frank Nazar has a lot of those qualities in him. He’s not quite as in your face as McMahon was, but he has the confidence and swagger in his game. He’s heard the criticisms about his size and game and loves proving people wrong. Nazar plays with the same chip on his shoulder as McMahon did, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts rolling in the endorsement deals and takes this city over.

Spencer Knight as Gary Fencik

The ’85 Bears defense was full of big stars and even bigger personalities. Gary Fencik had a certain style and grace about him. He was ahead of his time when it came to training and staying in shape. While guys like Steve McMichael, Richard Dent, and Dan Hampton got the spotlight, he just went about his business and was one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the league.

Much like Fencik was on the football field, Spencer Knight is the last line of defense on the rink. He patrols the crease like Fencik did in the secondary, making sure nothing gets past him. Bedard and Nazar will get the glory when things are going right, and Knight will quietly go about his business of keeping pucks out of the net.

Oliver Moore as Willie Gault

Willie Gault didn’t become an NFL wide receiver because he had the best hands or ran crisp routes. He got his chance because he was a burner. He played football and ran track at the University of Tennessee and made the 1980 United States Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Summer Games. Gault demanded attention every time he lined up wide, and if you took your foot off the pedal for even a split second, he toasted you down the field.

Oliver Moore’s speed is his best attribute, and it will be used as a weapon. Opposing defenses will need to be mindful of where he is every time he hops over the boards. When Gault ran deep routes, it opened up the underneath for the Bears to gain chunks of yards. Moore will have the same effect for the Blackhawks. While he’s blazing up the boards, the middle of the ice will open up for his linemates, and then defenders will have to pick their poison.

Ryan Donato as Matt Suhey

Matt Suhey was the fullback for the ’85 Bears. He excelled at a position that essentially doesn’t exist in today’s game. He was the guy who did whatever was asked of him. He was the change of pace back that ran between the tackles. He was there for the short-yardage and goal-line situations. He did the dirty work that many others wouldn’t do. But he was also an essential part of the team. He still rushed for 471 yards and caught 33 passes. He even had the first touchdown of Super Bowl XX.

Ryan Donato plays hockey like an old-school NFL fullback. He embodies the spirit of Suhey. Whether it’s winning board battles in the corner, paying the price in front of the net, finishing a body check, or leading the rush, Donato does it all. Suhey’s contributions were often overlooked because of the players around him, and you can say that about Donato. He doesn’t look for the accolades, just results.

The ’85 Bears haven’t had to buy a drink in Chicago for 40 years. I mean, even the punter had his own car dealership for crying out loud! If this young core of Blackhawks can get to that same status in town, that means Kyle Davidson’s rebuild went even better than envisioned. They have a long way to go even to enter the conversation, but it will be fun to watch them take another step this season.