Chicago Blackhawks: 10 Statuesque Legends for Your Consideration

The Chicago Blackhawks honored legends Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita with a pair of statues outside the United Center in a ceremony before Saturday night's game with Colorado.

To say they were well deserved is an understatement.

The two longtime 'Hawks were the first to receive statues. Is there room for more?

Here are 10 former Blackhawks that could someday merit permanent enshrinement in bronze.

Glenn Hall

Hall's sweater number is in the rafters, it would stand to reason that his likeness be patrolling the grounds. How about casting his image in iron, in reference to his consecutive games streak?

Hall played 502 consecutive games in net from 1955 to 1962. 10 of his 18 seasons in the NHL were spent in Chicago.

Tony Esposito

Tony-O was a mainstay in the crease for the 'Hawks between 1969 and 1984. The Blackhawks ambassador has three Vezina Trophies and was a big part of the Chicago teams of the early 70's that appeared in two Stanley Cup Finals.

His number 35 has been immortalized. I would believe that any plans for further statues will include Esposito.

Charlie Gardiner

Gardiner deserves the posthumous honor as a nod to the history of the franchise.

The only goalie to captain a team to a Stanley Cup in 1934, Gardiner played most of that season with a tonsilar infection that led to his death at age 30 from a brain hemorrhage.

A charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1945, Gadiner more than merits consideration.

Ed Belfour

Belfour is a newly-minted Hall of Famer. He is right up there with Hall and Esposito in career longevity and achievements. He can boast two Vezinas, four Jennings Trophies, the 1990-91 Calder award and a Staley Cup with Dallas.

The Eagle didn't depart on the best of terms with the organization, but that can be said for a lot of players, including Hull.

Some would say Belfour didn't spend enough time in Chicago to merit a statue, and they would have a strong argument.

Denis Savard

Savard was drafted by the 'Hawks in 1980, and spent 13 seasons in two stints with the club. Behind only Mikita and Hull in points scored with the organization, Savard is also a Hall of Fame player and Blackhawks ambassador.

How about immortalizing the master of the spin-o-rama mid spin?

Steve Larmer

Larmer is a long shot for a statue. I mean, the team hasn't seen fit to retire his sweater, despite Larmer being third among all-time 'Hawks in goals and the stalwart of the lineup throughout the 1980's.

Larmer would be another candidate for an iron memorial, having played in 884 straight games for the Blackhawks.

Doug Bentley

Bentley played 12 seasons for Chicago, mostly through the 1940's. He is still 12th in franchise history in scoring.

A statue for Bentley wouldn't seem to be in the cards, but would be a nice nod to an earlier era by the organization.

Pierre Pilote

Pilote is a Hall of Famer and a member of the 1961 cup team with Mikita and Hull. His number hangs in the rafters of the United Center.

Why not represent the great tradition of Blackhawks defenseman, especially one with three Norris Trophies?

Keith Magnuson

Maggie's battling spirit embodied in bronze would make for a real feel-good moment at the Madhouse.

One of the franchise's all-time favorites, Magnuson spent 13 years in the organization as a player. Two of those seasons were as coach.

A former captain of the 'Hawks, Magnuson would be a logical choice for a statue.

Doug Wilson

Wilson is Chicago's all-time scoring leader among defensemen. His 779 points are fifth in franchise history.

A member of the 'Hawks for 14 seasons, Wilson may not hold an iconic status conducive to a statue. It doesn't help that he's spent most of his days following his playing career as a member of the Sharks organization.

Unless the Blackhawks plan on shelling out the bucks for a bevy of memorials, it would appear that most of these players may be waiting awhile for their likeness to be forged. I'd say Hall, Espostio and Pilote would be the first considered if more memorials are planned.