Chicago Blackhawks fans should be worried about team’s direction

The Chicago Blackhawks defense has gotten worse with the departure of Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson and it will cause the team many problems in the upcoming season.

Chicago Blackhawks fans should be worried about where the organization is headed. I usually have complete confidence in what the Blackhawks are doing. They are the one team in Chicago that I am never worried about. But things have changed. Don’t get me wrong I still think this team can make the playoffs, but their current version is not better than last year’s team.

Corey Crawford is still one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and continues to prove people wrong. This upcoming season might be his toughest season yet. I have no problem with Crawford. I think he has done a great job.

The Blackhawks will still score goals, but my biggest issue is the defense. I was shocked when the Blackhawks traded Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Coyotes. I understand why they made the trade but still, I didn’t expect it. Niklas Hjalmarsson is so underrated and he does all the dirty work.

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In that trade, the Blackhawks received forward Laurent Dauphin and defenseman Connor Murphy. The Blackhawks really like Murphy, but there is a lot of unknown to his game. Murphy will probably partner with Duncan Keith, which is a great thing for him because Keith usually brings the best in his partners. You always knew what you were getting from Hjalmarsson. The defense has gotten worse without Brian Campbell and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

I understand Duncan Keith is really good and Keith is more of a household name than Hjalmarsson, but Hjalmarsson was the team’s best defender. He would always put his body on the line to block shots. You didn’t really see that from other Hawks players. The Blackhawks top six got better largely because they acquired Brandon Saad in a trade with the Blue Jackets.

Another big thing that I am worried about is the backup goalie situation. Corey Crawford will probably play more games this season than any other season, but still, he will need to have a couple of games off. Last season the Blackhawks had one of the best backup goalies in the league in Scott Darling, but now you don’t know what you are going to get from Anton Forsberg.

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The Blackhawks will probably still be a playoff team, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they don’t make it. This team has got worse largely because the defense got worse. It going to be an interesting season for the Blackhawks, and there is a lot of pressure on this team after getting swept in the playoffs.