Chicago Blackhawks' Awards for the 1st Half of the 2014-15 Season

The Chicago Blackhawks have not played award-winning hockey the last three weeks, as they have gone just 6-4-1 since Dec. 20.

It's reminiscent of their mediocre start to the season that placed them in the middle of the pack in the Central Division.

However, Joel Quenneville's team was in championship form in between those two lulls, and anyone who has studied the Blackhawks' play this year realizes they have a chance to contend for yet another Stanley Cup.

That's what Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith desperately want, and it seems likely that it's just a matter of time before they go on another hot streak in the second half of the season like the one they were on from early November to mid-December.

The NHL does not give awards based on half-seasons; however, we look at the Blackhawks' first half of the 2014-15 season and offer up these awards.

Team MVP: Patrick Kane

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

When it comes to all-around play, responsibility and leadership, there's little doubt that Jonathan Toews is the most important player to the Blackhawks. It has been that way since he was a rookie in the 2007-08 season.

While Toews is Mr. Steady, Patrick Kane has long been Mr. Spectacular. His remarkable skill level allows him to stick-handle the puck in the tightest situations, accelerate into open spots and score the biggest goals. Teams like the Flyers, Kings, Bruins and Wild have all felt his wrath in key playoff situations.

Kane has always carried his share of the load during the regular season as well, but there's something different about his contributions this year. He has displayed increased maturity in recent seasons, and it seems he is able to make game-changing plays on a near nightly basis.

Kane is leading the way for the Blackhawks in scoring. He has already scored 20 goals and 27 assists in 43 games, and he has six power-play goals to go along with five game-winners. He has a plus-nine rating this season along with an impressive 14.6 percent success mark on his shots on goal.

Quenneville wants him on the ice as much as possible, as Kane is averaging 19:55 of ice time per night, which ranks first among Chicago forwards.

Any time Kane is on the ice in a close game late in the third period or overtime, there's a feeling that he's going to do something memorable. That feeling has been rewarded quite often.

Most Improved Player: Kris Versteeg

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Kris Versteeg is not in the lineup right now because he suffered a left hand injury after a puck struck him during the Winter Classic on New Year's Day in Washington.

However, it is not a long-term injury, and he could be back in the lineup by the end of the month or early February. When he returns, it will be a big boost to the Blackhawks lineup. Versteeg had been skating well and putting the puck in the net with regularity prior to the injury.

He has scored nine goals and 18 assists in 34 games, and he has been quite responsible in his own end. He leads the Blackhawks with a plus-15 rating, and Quenneville was playing him an average of 16:01 per game.

That's a far cry from what he did last year after the Blackhawks reacquired him in a trade from the Florida Panthers early in the season. He scored just 10 goals and 19 assists and was a non-factor in the playoffs with a goal and two assists in 15 games.

Versteeg has been alert, aggressive and opportunistic this year, and he will make the Blackhawks a more dangerous team when he returns to the lineup.

Best Defenseman: Duncan Keith

There are no surprises in this category, as Duncan Keith remains the Blackhawks' best defenseman and is still one of the best at his position in the league.

You wouldn't expect anything else from a player who is a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy. Keith has remarkable offensive instincts and regularly puts them on display. He is so adept at carrying the puck and skating it out of the defensive zone to start the Chicago attack.

Keith is a pinpoint passer who can put tape-to-tape passes on the sticks of the Blackhawks' highly talented offensive players. He has scored six goals and 20 assists, and he has the ability to put together multiple-point games on a regular basis.

He has a plus-12 rating and is averaging 25:57 of ice time per game. Keith's presence on the ice means good things usually happen for the Blackhawks, as his on-ice Corsi mark of plus-18.66 percent indicates, per Behind the Net.

Unsung Player Award: Marcus Kruger

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

The Blackhawks have slew of superstars, and that's probably the main reason they are considered perhaps the league's strongest threat to win the Stanley Cup this year.

However, they also have their share of blue-collar workers who are never in consideration for the All-Star team but make valuable contributions anyway. They will go into the corners, fight the hard battles and play strong defensive hockey.

Marcus Kruger has been that kind of player for the Blackhawks this year, and he has been on top of his game. His numbers are ordinary with just four goals and eight assists, but Quenneville taps him on the shoulder when the Blackhawks are short-handed, and Kruger does a sensational job of killing penalties.

The Blackhawks have the top-ranked short-handed team in the league, as they are killing 89.2 percent of their opponents' power-play situations.

Kruger gets in the passing and shooting lanes, has excellent anticipation and is one of the team's most responsible players.