Scott Nichol, C (FA, Cgy); Ville Nieminen, RW (FA, Pit); Deron Quint, D (FA, Phx)
Mike Eastwood, C (FA-Pit); Todd Gill, D (FA-Fla); Casey Hankinson, LW (FA-Ana); Sami Helenius, D (FA-Europe); Matt Henderson, RW (FA-Europe); Kent Huskins, D (FA-Fla); Andrei Nikolishin, C (T-Col); Chris Simon, LW (FA-NYR); Dmitri Tolkunov, D (T-Fla)
Jocelyn Thibault is one of the most underrated but most well-rounded goaltenders in the NHL. Strong technically, Thibault moves well side to side and is almost always square to the puck. Add in a quick glove hand, and it's no wonder the 28-year-old Thibault is the Blackhawks' No. 1.
The only issue in Chicago's goaltending is whether they have a capable backup to take the load off Thibault, who played 62 games last season (26-28-7) and appeared tired as the season came to an end.
It's projected that rookies Michael Leighton and Craig Andersson will battle for the No. 2 job over veteran Steve Passmore. Leighton and Andersson are both big netminders — six-foot-two — but it's believed that Leighton will have the edge because of his solid glove hand.
The Blackhawks looked strong in the first half of the season but went on a downward spiral after the Jan. 19 strip club incident where Theoren Fleury, Phil Housley and Tyler Arnason got into an altercation with the club's bouncers and missed team curfew.
The incident reportedly split the team, and Chicago's performance in the second half showed the lack of chemistry.
The good news for the Blackhawks is this is a new season. Troubled Fleury is in a substance abuse treatment program and is no longer with the team, and Alex Zhamnov is now the team's captain, taking over from Housley, who was traded at the deadline to Toronto.
Defensively, the Blackhawks have five utility men and no stars. Jon Klemm, a formidable second-line defenceman in his Colorado days, is the team's top blueliner, if that is any indication. Steve Poapst, oft-injured Alexander Karpovtsev, up-and-comer Steve McCarthy and Nathan Dempsey round out the rest of the crew.
A healthy Eric Daze would be a start for Chicago. The six-foot-six forward has the talent to be an all-star again but was impeded by a variety of injuries in '03. He did pocket 22 goals and 22 assists in just 54 games last year, giving some indication that he could step up if injury-free.
Zhamnov and workhorse Steve Sullivan were the team's top point getters last season, while youngsters Kyle Calder, Mark Bell and Arnason showed promise. If this group stays healthy and finds much-needed chemistry, the Blackhawks could push for a playoff spot in the West.
Keep an eye out for Finnish rookie Tuomo Ruutu. The rough-and-tumble prospect has been impressive in training camp and pre-season games and could make an immediate impact in Chicago.
Arguably this team's problem is their lack of fire on the ice, but that's not the case with Thibault. He lays out his desire to win every night. When the team isn't performing, Thibault keeps them in games, as evident with his .915 save percentage. Though Zhamnov wears the "C," Thibault is the Blackhawks' true leader.
