Chicago Blackhawks: Ten best players of the 2010s

The Chicago Blackhawks have had a lot of really good depth pieces be a part of their core over the 2010s decade. None of them were better for them than Brandon Saad. He was drafted by the Hawks in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2011-2012 season but he only played in two games. He really exploded on the scene when he came back up during the short season in 2013. He came in and had ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 46 games with Chicago that year.

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Saad was nominated for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie during that lockout-shortened season. He came in third as he had a phenomenal season during Chicago’s great season that saw them win the President’s Trophy as the league’s top team. He would go on to win the Stanley Cup with the Hawks that year in 2013 and then once more in 2015. He has been such a great part of this team over the span of his time with them.

Saad was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets when it was time for him to sign a contract extension. He had a lot of success there but the Blackhawks didn’t really fare as well without him. They wanted to get him back but they traded Artemi Panarin to Columbus to get Saad back. Saad is a great player but Panarin is one of the best players in the world right now. Saad is currently still with the Blackhawks doing fine. It is not his fault that the Hawks did that. He plays hard every game and deserves recognition as one of the best players to play for them during the decade.