Chicago Blackhawks: The 10 Worst Moments in Franchise History

While there have been numerous great moments in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks, there have been just as many low points. We will take a look at which ones crack this list and start a debate over what should be included or excluded.

By no means is this an end-all, be-all list, but simply a way to start the debate. These will be presented in chronological order.

The Death of Founder Frederic McLaughlin

In December of 1944, Frederic McLaughlin passed away and his family decided to sell the team to then Team President Bill Tobin. In hindsight, this was a big mistake.

Tobin, as it turns out, was in cahoots with the rival owner of the Detroit Red Wings, James E. Norris.

This led to a slew of one-sided trades that raided the Blackhawks of talent from 1945 to 1958, lasting until Arthur Wirtz and James D. Norris bought the team and ended over a decade of misery.

The Phil Esposito Trade in 1967

Still a sore spot to many of the Blackhawks faithful, this trade is considered one the most lopsided in NHL history.

In return for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield, the Blackhawks received Pit Martin, Jack Norris and Gilles Marotte from the Boston Bruins. The Blackhawks weren't expecting all three former Blackhawks to become the backbone for the dominant Bruin teams of the 1970s.

The only bright side to this deal was that Martin became a star player.

Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals

Six years after their last Finals appearance, the Blackhawks had a chance to win the fourth Cup in team history at home in Chicago Stadium with a 2-0 lead late in the second period.

Bobby Hull almost iced the game on a shot that hit the crossbar. Shortly afterward, Montreal's Jacques Lemaire scored on a long, weak slapshot from center ice.

The missed save by notoriously near-sighted goaltender Tony Esposito seemed to burst the Blackhawks' bubble. They never recovered for the rest of the game as Henri "Pocket Rocket" Richard scored two more times to seal the Habs' victory.

The Winnipeg Jets Calling Bobby Hull's Bluff in 1972

The World Hockey Association formed in 1972, and was not much of a talent threat until the great Robert Marvin Hull was signed to the largest contract at the time by the old Winnipeg Jets.

Initially, Hull was using the threat of jumping leagues as a negotiation tactic to get the Blackhawks to sign him to a deal worthy of what he had done for the team. Little did he know that the Jets thought he was serious when he joked to reporters about switching leagues for a million dollars.

The Jets offered a five-year, million-dollar contract that Hull signed with an additional million-dollar bonus and the rest is history.

Acquiring Bobby Orr from the Boston Bruins

While this seemed a good move at the time, the signing of Bobby Orr turned into a major disappointment.

Not only did the Blackhawks squander a roster spot, but they enraged the Boston Bruins front office.

Before officially becoming a free agent, Orr met with Chicago's front office to discuss potential terms on a deal. Harry Sinden, general manager of the Bruins, cried foul, but the NHL front office turned a blind eye.

Years later, it was revealed that Orr's agent and lawyer, Alan Eagleson, was good friends with not only Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz, but also commissioner John Ziegler.

The only bright side was the fact that Orr never cashed the checks for the games he did not play in.

The First-Round Loss to the Minnesota North Stars in the 1991 Playoffs

Once the 1991 playoffs started, fans were not expecting the letdown they would witness in the first round.

The Blackhawks were looking to add a Stanley Cup to the team's first Presidents' Trophy. They were in position to take it all, but the Cinderella North Stars had other plans.

Nothing seemed to go right for the Blackhawks against Minnesota, as they would wind up losing the series 4-2, which included an embarrassing  6-0 loss at home in the crucial Game 5.

The Firing of Former Anthem Singer Wayne Messmer

While it could be said that Wayne Messmer deserved to be fired for performing for two different teams, it seemed to mark the beginning of a slew of questionable choices on former owner Bill Wirtz's part.

Messmer was immensely popular with the Chicago crowd and always inspired fans to cheer even louder while offering his rendition of the National Anthem.

The Trading of Ed Belfour, Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios

While, yes the Blackhawks were in decline in the late 90s, Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick and Ed Belfour were the ones who helped lead the team closest to a Stanley Cup until its magical run in 2010.

These three were the class of organization during the decade, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Being Listed the Worst Franchise in Professional Sports in 2004

While it was bad enough that late owner Bill Wirtz had raised ticket prices by an average of $50, compound that with the decline in interest and the championship drought since 1961 and it was easy to see why ESPN made the decision.

The Blackhawks were in the darkest of days that would only be exacerbated by the last moment on this list.

The 2004-05 NHL Lockout

This was an issue that had a leaguewide effect.

The 2004-05 lockout only worsened what the Blackhawks were facing during the early part of last decade, with an inability to gain new fans or even draw back the old.

Just the Beginning

With this, I turn it over to the rest of you to add, drop and debate this starting point.