Chicago Blackhawks: The 2011 Season Should Make Fans Excited for 2012 and Beyond

Not many people knew how to read the 2011 version of the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks.  Yes, we had won the Stanley Cup in 2010, but salary cap issues loomed, and players had to be moved in order to comply with the NHL salary cap.

Dustin Byfuglien, the man who made Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo's life as goalie a living nightmare and caused so much havoc it front of the net, was traded away to Atlanta, along with tough guy Ben Eager and shot blocker Brent Sopel.  

Kris Verteeg, a guy that got under the skin of guys twice his size and scored many meaningful goals, was traded away to Toronto.  

Stanley Cup star goalie Antti Niemi spurned Chicago and signed a large offer sheet with the San Jose Sharks.  These were pieces that were put in place for a reason: to win a Cup.  They did that, and as soon as we proclaimed these guys as our new found sports heroes, we had to reluctantly say goodbye to some of our beloved players.

The year was a roller coaster.  Some days, the Blackhawks looked like they had won the Cup the previous year.  Other days, it was looking like even making the playoffs was a pipe-dream. The year started with Marty Turco in goal and ended with Corey Crawford having an unforgettable rookie season.  We got to know new players, we got to see various line combinations and see a former top-prospect get shipped out of the city.

If you were to tell me that the Blackhawks were to be the eight-seed and we would have to face Vancouver as the one-seed, including the type of year they had, I would have still thought to myself, "How pissed off is Vancouver right now; Chicago could be the most talented eight-seed ever to skate in the playoffs."  

After the first three games, I wasn't as confident, but still optimistic.  And over those last four games of the series, the Chicago Blackhawks showed the world that they will be around this kind of meaningful hockey for a long time.  Jonathan Toews belongs there, Patrick Kane belongs there, Corey Crawford proved that he belongs there and the city of Chicago should be elated for what's to come with the mighty Chicago Blackhawks.

No Salary Cap Mess This Offseason

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers, Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhaws, Duncan Keith #2 of of the Chicago Blackhawks an

Last season, Chicago had no choice but to trade away some beloved players that captured the heart of Chicago during the 2010 Stanley Cup run.  Fans knew it was coming, but didn't know to what effect it would have on the team and fans alike.  The Blackhawks don't need to worry about this nearly as much as they did last summer.

Unrestricted Free Agents (freedom to sign anywhere)

Jordan Hendry

Marty Turco

Fernando Pisani

Ryan Johnson

Tomas Kopecky

Restricted Free Agents (Chicago has first offer basically, then arbitration ensues etc..)

Corey Crawford

Troy Brouwer

Chris Campoli

Michael Frolik

Viktor Stalberg

Jake Dowell

 Not too many names on these lists.  In my opinion, Kopecky has been stellar when he has played and would love for him to come back.  He is also only 29 years old.  

Corey Crawford could have one of the best situations in the NHL as the new stud between the pipes in Chicago, and will for sure re-sign.  

Frolik and Stalberg really came on towards the end of the year, especially Frolik, who had to get adjusted to a new team after coming over from Florida in the Jack Skille deal.

 The interesting name on this list is Troy Brouwer.  Last season at this time, he would be a no-doubter to me, but he really took a step back this season.  I would love for Troy to come back to Chicago, but wouldn't be surprised to see him elsewhere.

Youth

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Ben Smith #57 of the Chicago Blackhawks is introduced to the crowd as 'the star of the game' after scoring the winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanl

Remember the random call-ups that performed well in the playoffs? What about all the youngsters Chicago acquired in trades last season?  Some of these guys have already made their mark on the NHL, and we aren't talking about 22-year-old captain Jonathan Toews or 21-year-old star Patrick Kane.  These are the guys I'm talking about.

Ben Smith - 22  (three goals on six shots vs. VAN)  

Nick Leddy - 19  (averaged 15 minutes of ice time vs. VAN)

Marcus Kruger - 20  (one assist, plus-two vs. VAN)

Michael Frolik - 22  (two goals, three Assists, plus-three vs. VAN) 

Viktor Stalberg - 24  (one goal, even vs. VAN)

Bryan Bickell - 24  (two goals, two assists, plus-four vs. VAN) *missed Game 7

A lot of what we should be excited about doesn't show up on the stats sheets, even though these guys held their own against Vancouver.  Ben Smith was huge in late game situations and won game 6 in overtime.  Frolik was always pushing the puck forward and scored Chicago's first ever penalty shot goal in the playoffs.  Leddy was the youngest player in the NHL at one point and still was able to get solid ice time in the first round.  Marcus Kruger is showing signs of a typical Swedish center that will play and be productive for a long time.  I could keep going, but you get the idea.

Long Contracts for Star Players

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 26: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks is congratulated by Marian Hossa #81 and Brent Seabrook #7 after scoring the game tying goal during the third period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during th

Just take a look at how long Chicago fans will be able to enjoy some of the great hockey provided by these Windy City stars.

Captain Jonathan Toews (22) signed until 2015

Patrick Kane (21) signed until 2015

Dave Bolland (24) signed until 2014

Niklas Hjalmarsson (23) signed until 2014

Brent Seabrook (25) signed until 2016

Marian Hossa (32) signed until 2021

Duncan Keith (27) signed until 2023

The names, ages and lengths of their contracts speak for themselves.  Expect nothing less than success in Chicago.

Corey Crawford

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 26: Goalie Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a pad save against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Apr

Not only did Chicago's 26-year-old netminder manage to steal the starting goalie position from veteran Marty Turco, he sprinted with the starting position in hand and never looked back.  After Game 7, Crawford was the top trend on Twitter...not just in Chicago, but worldwide.  People noticed his heroic efforts in trying to keep hope alive for the Blackhawks.  Outstanding save after outstanding save, hockey fans watched a young goaltender turn into a confident force for the future.

Crawford is an restricted free agent this summer, but Chicago will lock him up really soon; you can count on that.  I'll let this video of Corey Crawford end the slideshow on an upbeat note.

**click the word video**