Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews Needs to Spearhead a Core Rebound

As the Chicago Blackhawks renew their quest for Lord Stanley's Cup, it's nice to think that the added toughness and experience obtained this summer has returned the Blackhawks to a favorite in the Western Conference.

Make no mistake about it, however. The ultimate success of the 'Hawks lies in the core.

Two-thirds of Chicago's $60 million payroll is committed to eight players. The health and performance of these players will dictate the team's fortunes for the next several seasons. How they rebound from last season's up-and-down title defense is as big a factor for the Blackhawks as the performance of any of the new acquisitions.

Just to clarify, my definition of Chicago's "core" is the nucleus of the championship squad of 2009-10. That includes Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

If you want to include Corey Crawford in that core group, that's fine. He's holding down a vital spot between the pipes for the next three seasons.

No disrespect to Michael Frolik and Steve Montador, who also signed multi-year deals this summer. Until they log a full season as 'Hawks, however, let's term them as long-term role players.

The player who is front and center of the core is Toews. No surprise there. Toews is continuing to develop as team captain and learned many lessons while in defense of the cup.

Toews is a young man who has no taste for losing. He is beginning to vocalize that sentiment with more frequency in the locker room. This is important in that Brian Campbell, one of the guys who voiced the urgency of the playoff push earlier that most, is skating with a different team.

It will be nice to have leadership in the locker room in the form of guys like Andrew Brunette and Sean O'Donnell. That said, Toews should look at year four of his captaincy as an opportunity to be the catalyst of the core's resurgence.

Whether you believe Chicago's "cup hangover" was more real or perceived, the longer summer should revitalize the core in both mind and spirit.

To put it simply, Keith needs to find motivation from day one this season.

Hossa has been one banged-up skater over the last two seasons. Will a longer break be enough to allow him a full season on the ice?

Bolland, coming off a concussion late last spring, could breakout with his best season if his body allows. Kane and Sharp also missed time with injuries in 2010-11. Kaner is still recovering from wrist surgery.

Behind it all should be Toews and company refusing to accept early season doldrums and an early playoff exit.

How will this group come out of the gate in October? Every day we're one step closer to finding that out.