What’s new with the Chicago Blackhawks? That’s what this page is all about.
The Team Spirit Line Change website begins where the Team Spirit books end.
That’s because hockey never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!
Take a look at some of the Blackhawks collectibles I have in my home.
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Updates
2022-23 Season
Season Preview: Chicago fans expected to see their team make it to the postseason last spring and were disappointed when the Blackhawks didn’t. This year, they would love just to get close to the playoffs. They would also love to see longtime superstar Patrick Kane on the ice all year, but that may not happen either. The Blackhawks are rebuilding, and many NHL clubs will be offering good young players in a trade for Kane. So Chicago is pinning its hopes on veterans Seth Jones, Tyler Johnson, and Jonathan Toews, along with goalie Petr Mrazek. That may not be enough to get where they need to go.
2021-22 Season
Season Recap: A slow start cost coach Jeremy Collitin his job and made it impossible for Chicago to reach the playoffs. Among the few bright spots were the play of young stars Alex DeBrincat, who scored 41 goals, and veteran Patrick Kane, who led the club with 66 assists. Newcomer Seth Jones—the son of NBA All-Star Popeye Jones—became the leader of the defense after joining Chicago after in an off-season trade.
December 9, 2021: Marc-Andre Fleury shut out the Montreal Canadiens for the 500th win of his career. Only two other goalies—Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy—have 500 victories.
Season Preview: No team took more chances than the Blackhawks over the summer. Hoping to surround their two longtime stars—Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews—with championship-caliber players, they picked up goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and talented defenseman Seth Jones. While Duncan Keith is gone after many great seasons in Chicago, the Hawks’ defense should be fine thanks to Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy. Chicago fans will keep an especially close eye on Kirby Dach, a special player who was sidelined with a broken wrist for much of last year. He and Kane will have Alex DeBrincat as a linemate, forming a fearsome threesome.
2020-21 Season
Season Recap: Chicago began the year on fire but let too many opponents score comeback wins to make it to the playoffs. Patrick Kane was the team’s best player, while Kevin Lankinen had a good year in goal and Alex DeBrincat showed he could be a major star.
Season Preview: The Blackhawks will count on veterans Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to play winning hockey, but all eyes will be on young stars Adam Boqvist and Kirby Dach, who hope to join their teammates soon as household names in Chicago. Young forwards Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat should improve, but defensive leader Duncan Keith may be nearing the end of his career; the club will need others to step up and fill his shoes.
2019-20 Season
Season Recap: Chicago returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016–17 and upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. The Black Hawks didn’t make it past the next round, however, falling to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Patrick Kane led the team with 33 goals and 51 assists, with Jonathan Toews finishing second with 60 points. Beyond these two veterans, Chicago has many up-and-coming stars, which should make for an exciting 2020–21 season.
Season Preview: Two years without a playoff appearance was a wake-up call for the Blackhawks, who spent the summer improving their defense. They traded for defensemen Olli Matatta and Calvin de Haan, and added Robin Lehner to share goaltending duties with Corey Crawford. Rising stars Alex Nylander and Dylan Strome should join Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Alex DeBrincat as the team’s main scoring threats.
2018-19 Season
Season Recap: Chicago fans were shocked when the team missed the playoffs for the second year in a row—despite a winning record. Patrick Kane had a sensational season with 44 goals and 66 assists, while Alex DeBrincat and Jonathan Toews combined for 76 goals. But the scoring dropped off sharply from there, and the defense gave up 22 more goals than the offense scored.
February 27, 2019: Patrick Kane scored the game0-winning goal against Anaheim with 17 seconds to play. Kane became the first NHL player to score 40 goals in the 2018–19 season.
Season Preview: Chicago fans are still wondering how their team missed the playoffs last year. A season-ending injury to goalie Corey Crawford was the main cause. This year Crawford and Cam Ward should share the position. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will lead the Blackhawks’ offense again, with help from Brandon Saad and young gun Alex DeBrincat. Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and rookie Henri Jokiharju will hold down the defense.
2017-18 Season
Season Recap: For the first time in a decade, Chicago failed to make the playoffs. Solid seasons from Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat could not make up for a poor second half, which saw the team win just seven games on the road. An inexperienced defense and a head injury suffered by goalie Carey Crawford doomed the Blackhawks’ season almost from the start.
January 20, 2018: Patrick Kane scored a goal against the Islanders to give him 800 points for his career. He joined Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard and Steve Larmer as the only Chicago players to reach 800 points.
Season Preview: After losing in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, Chicago made a number of moves over the summer to get back to its old winning ways. To do that they brought back players from their glory days, including Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad. Jonathan Toews will lead the club as usual, while Patrick Kane providing the scoring punch.
2015-16 Season
Season Recap: With Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews at the peak of their skills, many fans thought Chicago would return to the finals. Instead the Blackhwaks lost to the Blues 4–3 in the opening round. Kane had the finest year of his career, leading the NHL with 106 points and winning the Hart Trophy as MVP. Goalie Corey Crawford led the league in shutouts, but the full team effort wasn’t there in the postseason.
Season Preview: Winning a championship means giving out a lot of raises, so the Blackhawks had to trim some salaries over the summer. The core of the team is still good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup thanks to superstars Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith. Chicago picked up a promising young player in a trade named Teuvo Teraveinen, who will join Toews and Kane on the #1 line.
2014-15 Season
October 26, 2014: Marian Hossa scored against the Ottawa Senators for his 1,000th career point. Only 79 other players in history had reached quadruple-figures.
Season Preview: Chicago fans are still wondering how they didn’t win the Stanley Cup last season. They are also wondering what could keep them from righting that wrong. The Blackhawks have loads of talent, including Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. All rank at or near the top of the NHL at their positions. Add veteran free agent Brad Richards to the mix as a second-line center, and the team looks ready for a big year.
2013-14 Season
March 19, 2014: Coach Joel Quenneville won his 700th career game, against the St. Louis Blues—the first NHL team he coached. Only two other coaches have more victories: Scotty Bowman (1,244) and Al Arbour (782).
Season Preview: What do you do for an encore after winning a Stanley Cup? Win another one! The Blackhawks made sure to keep their key players from the championship team, and will count on the experience and leadership of Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Jonathan Toews. Who might be the X Factor as the Hawks get close to playoff time? Rookie Brandon Pirri is a good bet to make an impact by season’s end.
More Go-To Guys
More Fun Facts
League Leaders
In the Stanley Cup Finals
SEASON | OPPONENT | RESULT |
---|---|---|
1930–31 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 2–3 |
1933–34 | Detroit Red Wings | Won 3–1 |
1937–38 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Won 3–1 |
1943–44 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 0–4 |
1960–61 | Detroit Red Wings | Won 4–2 |
1961–62 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Lost 2–4 |
1964–65 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 3–4 |
1970–71 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 3–4 |
1972–73 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 2–4 |
1991–92 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Lost 0–4 |
2009–10 | Philadelphia Flyers | Won 4–2 |
2012–13 | Boston Bruins | Won 4–2 |