For one, a large group of Hawks supporters exists.  The combination of a fan friendly shift in philosophy and a markedly improved product on the ice worked to make the Blackhawks relevant once more in the Windy City.  People know who you’re talking about when you rave about Kane, Toews, or Sharp. 

Last year coming into the season I think the overall feeling was waiting to see if this was a team that could compete with the Detroits and San Joses of the Western Conference.  After a run to the Western Conference Finals and a few key pick-ups in the off-season the Blackhawks are the favorites to play for the Stanley Cup in the minds of some.  Expectations are high and Chicago has the guns to meet them. 

There are two major changes worth mentioning.  First, the Hawks went out and signed former Red Wing Marian Hossa.  Hossa is a bona fide goal scorer and playmaker and despite his struggles in the playoffs last year he can take over any game.  Hossa may well be the piece that puts the Blackhawks over the mountain that is the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division.  Adding Hossa to an already potent attack should scare the hell out of opponents.  However, Marian is out until November or so after shoulder surgery. 

The second change is in the net.  After a stellar season last year, the loss of Khabibulin is major.  Huet was good at times last year and scary at others.  His performance in the last game of the Detroit series calmed down a lot of fans’ fears, but he’ll need to put it all together to get this team to where they want to go. 

Another addition that could end up being just as big is John Madden (not that John Madden), a top notch special teams player that put together a great run in New Jersey.  Other newcomers include Tomas Kopecky (Detroit) and Radek Smolenak (Tampa Bay), both forwards.  The blue liners remain pretty much the same, but you’ll notice Brent Sopel is back after missing last year due to injury.

One thing to watch early is the battle for the second goaltending spot.  Most teams only carry two goaltenders, but the Hawks have three, with Corey Crawford and Antii Niemi  backing up Huet.  My thought is that Niemi is only hanging around because the Hawks are in Finland, and Niemi is Finnish.  We’ll see what the roster looks like when the Hawks get back to take on Detroit on October 8th. 

Not sure how the lines will stack up, but I think Madden is a nice addition as a third line center and Kopecky fits in nice with Eager and whatever other bruiser they throw in on the fourth line.  Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg will be interesting to watch this season as well, to see how they progress. 

So how will the Blackhawks finish up?  Wow, good question.  The experience gained in the playoffs was so valuable last season and the Hawks certainly have the tools to overtake Detroit in the Central, with the Wings throwing some young guys in and demanding production.  I expect the Sharks to finish at the top of the Western Conference in the regular season, but I suspect the Blackhawks will be right behind them.  Another prediction: Duncan Keith finishes the season as a finalist for the Norris Trophy. 

Get ready Hawks fans, the season starts tomorrow afternoon when the Hawks take on the Florida Panthers in Finland at 11 am Central Time.