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Chicago Blackhawks: Is the dynasty coming to an end?

By Josh Marshall

Jun 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks players pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks players pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Blackhawks have been a force to be reckoned with in the NHL since 2010, but are we starting to see the end to a dynasty?

After winning three Stanley Cup Championships since 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks seem to be at a crossroads. Players are getting older and management is trading away key players for unknown reasons. Blackhawks fans are upset with management for the first time in a very long time.

After hearing Marian Hossa would miss the entire next season, many Blackhawks fans expected Stan Bowman and company to make some moves. However, I don’t think many fans expected to see the two trades unfold like they did.

Recent trades

Bowman decided to ship off top defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Arizona Coyotes for a couple young players. Then, basically minutes later, they sent 2016 Rookie Of the Year Artemi Panarin to Columbus. The Blackhawks would receive Brandon Saad in exchange for Panarin, which is exciting. Saad is a great two-way player, however, he’s no Panarin. At least in my opinion.

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I have realized that many Blackhawks fans feel differently about this trade. Some describe Panarin as a “product” of playing with Patrick Kane. I personally do not agree with this at all. Panarin has put up 151 points in his first two NHL seasons. 151 points. You cannot fake that kind of production. Kane is great but he was not a deciding factor on all of those points. Panarin is a big-time talent who the Chicago Blackhawks are going to miss tremendously.

As we look back on these trades, it’s hard not to get a little upset with Bowman and company. Yes, Bowman is one of the best at what he does in the NHL. But it is difficult to see what he is trying to accomplish here. That’s the beauty of sports and being a fan of a team, you get attached to players and it’s hard to see them go.

Window closing?

For me, I think the Chicago Blackhawks still have a tremendous talent pool on their roster and in the minors. That being said, I think the window for more championships is potentially closing slowly. With players getting older, things are going to change. Hossa will be out for the season, someone will need to step up in his place. Can that someone be Brandon Saad? I’m not sold on it just yet.

Next: Why losing van Riemsdyk hurts Blackhawks

This season is going to be a big one for the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s going to show us which players are stepping up and which players are getting old and probably need to be shipped out-of-town.

To sum things up:

In Bowman We Trust?

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