2011-2017 Reebok Edge 2.0 Wordmark
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Jerseys |
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Manufacturer: Reebok
Material: Edge 2.0 Home (Red): Jonathan Toews Size 52 Away (White): Marián Hossa Size 50 Stadium Series (2014): Brandon Saad Size 52 Winter Classic (2015): Andrew Shaw Size 52 Stadium Series (2016): Artemi Panarin Size 50 Winter Classic (2017): Niklas Hjalmarsson Size 50 |
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Jersey History |
The Hawks jersey train keeps chugging along in these next seasons. After the 2010-2011 season, Reebok decides to switch to the wordmark logo as their main logo. All jerseys starting in the 2011-2012 season would replace the vector logo on the back neck with the wordmark logo. Other than that, the jerseys were identical to seasons past.
Home
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Away
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The tagging on these jerseys are the same as the previous alternate and special events 2.0's. The hip tag would show material and proper cleaning.
Neck Tags
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Hip Tags
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This would be the start of dark days for collectors. To save money on manufacturing, Reebok decided to make their "authentic" jerseys in Indonesia where the replicas (Premiers) were made. These were made from Airknit material to replicate the 2.0's but did not include reinforced elbows, had a flimsy fight strap, sewed the "C" and tomahawks off center on the shoulders, did not sew on the Reebok wordmark logo on the back neck, and included only neck lining tagging in a neon green. These were dubbed Indo-Edges and along with Premiers were sold at Hawks retail stores. Actual Edge 2.0's were sold through separate retailers. The Blackhawks Convention continues on with auctioning game worn jerseys as do various social media groups.
So many outdoor games. Well the Hawks would retire the previous alternate jerseys, but after the success of the Heritage Classic and Winter Classic games, the NHL decides to cash in on outdoor games having multiple outdoor games starting in 2014 dubbed the Stadium Series. While the Winter Classic and Heritage Classic would use throwback/retro uniforms, the Stadium Series uniforms would include unique jersey designs. The Hawks would play in their first Stadium Series game in 2014 where the NHL had each team use a chrome logo since MillerCoors, more specifically Coors Light, was sponsoring the events. The design of these jerseys would be modeled off the old black alternate hawks jerseys but would include faux neck ties, a felt NHL shield on the neck (used on all special event jerseys till 2017), and a neon green neck lining tag. In 2015, the Hawks were selected to play in the Winter Classic again. These jerseys would be modeled after the 1957-58 jerseys and included 2015 Winter Classic inscription on the back collar. 2016 saw the Hawks play in another Stadium Series game where they would design Chicago-centric jerseys including the four stars of the Chicago flag on the collar. Lastly, the Hawks would play in yet another Winter Classic in 2017. Having run out of jersey ideas, the Hawks would model the logo of this jersey off the 1955 jersey and making slight differences to the style which was pretty similar to the 2015 Winter Classic jersey.
2014 Stadium Series Crest
2015 Winter Classic Collar
Chicago Stars on 2016 Stadium Series Collar
2017 Winter Classic Crest
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2014 Stadium Series "C" and Tomahawks
2015 Winter Classic "C" and Tomahawks
Felt NHL Shield
2017 Winter Classic "C" and Tomahawks
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Again, multiple patches were worn during this span of time. Each outdoor game had a special patch to commemorate the event which was included on the shoulder of each special event jersey from 2014-2017. 2017 also marked the 100th Anniversary of the NHL. All teams would wear a special patch on the sleeve of their jerseys for the entirety of 2017. The Hawks, continuing their dynasty, would reach and win the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2015. They wore a patch for each that were identical to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final patch with the corresponding year.
2014 Stadium Series
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2015 Winter Classic
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2016 Stadium Series
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2017 Winter Classic
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2013 Stanley Cup Final
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2015 Stanley Cup Final
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NHL 100th Anniversary Patch
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Team History |
2011-2012: The salary cap just keeps on rising. Well Atlanta having difficulties again, relocates their team to Winnipeg to bring back the Jets. The Jets would remain in Atlanta's division just for this season. The NHL would crack down on hits to the head this year as three young NHL enforcers would die during the off-season with ties to mental health issues from fighting. There would be more tragedy in the hockey world as the KHL's Lokomotive Yaroslavl's team plane would crash killing all but one on board. In lighter news, the Flyers would host this years Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on January 2, 2011. It was not on the 1st as it would have interfered with the final NFL game of the season where the Eagles would host the Redskins. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 4th in the Central Division, 6th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 45-26-11 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Hossa with 77pts followed by Sharp (69pts), Kane (66pts), and Toews (57pts). The Hawks would make the post season for the 4th consecutive season but would lose to the Coyotes in the first round. The underdog, 8th seed, barely got in Los Angeles Kings would make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals beating the Devils in 6 games to win their first ever title.
2012-2013: Well the collective bargaining agreement expired this year and with that another lockout happened. The owners wanted to decrease the players revenue shares as well as restricting players contract lengths. On January 6, 2013 an agreement was made to limit contract extensions to eight years and new contracts to seven with updated salary cap and floor terms and contract buyout options. The season would begin on January 19, 2013 and would include 48 regular season games. If you thought the 2010 Hawks team was good well this team blew them out of the water. The Hawks would not lose in regulation in 30 games going 24-0-6 from the end of last season. Their streak during this season would be 24 games going 21-0-3. This would be the second longest point streak in NHL history behind the 1979-80 Flyers with 35 games. They didn't lose a game in regulation in half the season! The goalie tandem of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery would really shine here with the duo letting in an NHL-low 102 goals and Emery setting a franchise record of 12 wins to start the season (12-0-0). Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 1st in the Central Division, 1st in the Western Conference, won the President's Trophy, and ended the season with a record of 36-7-5 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane with 55pts followed by Toews (48pts), Hossa (31pts), and Brandon Saad (27pts). Besides the President's Trophy, Toews would take home the Selke, Crawford AND Emery would win the Jennings, and Kane would take the Conn Smythe (which he would say belongs to Crawford). Again, winning the Conn Smythe means that the Hawks would make a deep playoff run, breezing through the Wild, battling through the Red Wings, dethroning the Kings, and beating Boston in 6 games for their second Stanley Cup in 3 years! The Hawks would be one of eight teams to win the President's Trophy and Stanley Cup in the same season.
2013-2014: Some shake-ups around the league this season and so many outdoor games. With the revival of the Jets, the league agreed on a new realignment of divisions. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings would move to the Eastern Conference and the Jets would move to the West. The league would also only contain four divisions (Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan) and playoffs would be seeded with the top three teams of each division making the post season with two wild card spots in each conference. Some rule changes as well, players with fewer than 25 games experience were required to wear visors and jerseys could no longer be tucked which would result in a minor penalty if not followed. Also touch up icing would be changed to calling icing once the defending player has reached the hash marks. The Winter Classic this year had the Red Wings host the Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on January 1, 2014. The Heritage Classic would return again as the Senators would face the Canucks at BC Place on March 2, 2014. The Stadium Series would also start this year with the Ducks facing the Kings at Dodger Stadium on January 25, 2014, the Rangers facing the Devils at Yankee Stadium on January 26, 2014, the Rangers again facing the Islanders at Yankee Stadium on January 29, 2014, and the Hawks facing the Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1, 2014. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 5th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 46-21-15 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Sharp with 78pts followed by Kane (69pts), Toews (68pts), and Keith (61pts). Keith would take home his second Norris trophy and be selected to the 1st All Star Team. Well this post season was tough, still a dominate post season team the Hawks would go through St. Louis and Minnesota only to face the also dominate Kings in the Western Conference Finals. What a series! I had no doubt in my mind whoever won this series would win the cup which they did with the Kings beating the Hawks in game 7 in overtime! The Kings would go on to defeat the Rangers in 5 games for their second cup in 2 years.
2014-2015: Well this was a mumpy season as the mumps would outbreak for the first half of the season leading to new NHL sanitizing standards. The Hawks would again play in the Winter Classic taking on the Capitals at Nationals Park on January 1, 2015. Only one Stadium Series game would be played with the Sharks taking on the Kings at Levi's Stadium on February 21, 2015. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 4th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 48-28-6 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Toews with 66pts followed by Kane (64pts), Hossa (61pts), and Saad (52pts). Toews would take home the Mark Messier Leadership Award and this time Keith would take the Conn Smythe. Which of course means that the Hawks would make another deep playoff run, beating the rivaled Blues, sweeping the Wild, taking down the Ducks in a tough 7 games, and defeating the Lightning for their third Stanley Cup in 5 years solidifying their dynasty for the early 2010s!
2015-2016: A couple exciting rule changes this year as overtime would turn into 3v3 before going to the shootout. The league also introduced a coach's challenge where the coach could challenge certain disallowed goals. The Bruins would take on the Canadiens this year for the Winter Classic at Gillete Stadium on January 1, 2016. There were two Stadium Series games this season with the Hawks playing yet another game against the Wild at TCF Bank Stadium on February 21, 2016. The other would have the Red Wings take on the Avalanche at Coors Field on February 27, 2016. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 3rd in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 47-26-9 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane as he finally would break the 100 point mark by 6 followed by Artemi Panarin (77pts), Toews (58pts), and Brent Seabrook (49pts). Kane would blow away the competition winning the Art Ross and the Hart Memorial Trophy with Panarin winning the Calder. The Hawks would make their seventh post season debut but would ultimately fail losing to the Blues in the first round in 7 games. The Sharks would finally make a push to the finals but would fall short losing to the Penguins in 6 games.
2016-2017: The NHL turns 100 years old this season as they would setup a series of events to celebrate. The first being the Centennial Classic where the Maple Leafs would host the Red Wings at BMO Field on January 1, 2017. There would also be multiple documentaries and a daily "Time Capsule" to celebrate certain events in the NHL's history. The NHL would also have a "Centennial Truck Tour" where a mobile museum would drive around to different cities. The Winter Classic would be played the day after the Centennial Classic where, for the fourth consecutive outdoor game in a row, the Hawks would play the Blues at Busch Stadium. The Heritage Classic would also return with the Jets taking on the Oilers at Investors Group Field on October 23, 2016. There would only be one Stadium Series game as the Penguins would face the Flyers at Heinz Field on February 25, 2017. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 1st in the Central Division, 1st in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 50-23-9 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane with 89pts followed by Panarin (74pts), Toews (58pts), and Keith (53pts). Kane would be selected to the 1st All Star Team with Keith and Panarin being selected to the 2nd All Star Team. Even though the Hawks had a strong season, they had a terrible post season getting swept by the Predators in the first round. Nashville would go on to the finals though facing the Penguins who would win back to back titles in 6 games.
2012-2013: Well the collective bargaining agreement expired this year and with that another lockout happened. The owners wanted to decrease the players revenue shares as well as restricting players contract lengths. On January 6, 2013 an agreement was made to limit contract extensions to eight years and new contracts to seven with updated salary cap and floor terms and contract buyout options. The season would begin on January 19, 2013 and would include 48 regular season games. If you thought the 2010 Hawks team was good well this team blew them out of the water. The Hawks would not lose in regulation in 30 games going 24-0-6 from the end of last season. Their streak during this season would be 24 games going 21-0-3. This would be the second longest point streak in NHL history behind the 1979-80 Flyers with 35 games. They didn't lose a game in regulation in half the season! The goalie tandem of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery would really shine here with the duo letting in an NHL-low 102 goals and Emery setting a franchise record of 12 wins to start the season (12-0-0). Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 1st in the Central Division, 1st in the Western Conference, won the President's Trophy, and ended the season with a record of 36-7-5 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane with 55pts followed by Toews (48pts), Hossa (31pts), and Brandon Saad (27pts). Besides the President's Trophy, Toews would take home the Selke, Crawford AND Emery would win the Jennings, and Kane would take the Conn Smythe (which he would say belongs to Crawford). Again, winning the Conn Smythe means that the Hawks would make a deep playoff run, breezing through the Wild, battling through the Red Wings, dethroning the Kings, and beating Boston in 6 games for their second Stanley Cup in 3 years! The Hawks would be one of eight teams to win the President's Trophy and Stanley Cup in the same season.
2013-2014: Some shake-ups around the league this season and so many outdoor games. With the revival of the Jets, the league agreed on a new realignment of divisions. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings would move to the Eastern Conference and the Jets would move to the West. The league would also only contain four divisions (Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan) and playoffs would be seeded with the top three teams of each division making the post season with two wild card spots in each conference. Some rule changes as well, players with fewer than 25 games experience were required to wear visors and jerseys could no longer be tucked which would result in a minor penalty if not followed. Also touch up icing would be changed to calling icing once the defending player has reached the hash marks. The Winter Classic this year had the Red Wings host the Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on January 1, 2014. The Heritage Classic would return again as the Senators would face the Canucks at BC Place on March 2, 2014. The Stadium Series would also start this year with the Ducks facing the Kings at Dodger Stadium on January 25, 2014, the Rangers facing the Devils at Yankee Stadium on January 26, 2014, the Rangers again facing the Islanders at Yankee Stadium on January 29, 2014, and the Hawks facing the Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1, 2014. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 5th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 46-21-15 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Sharp with 78pts followed by Kane (69pts), Toews (68pts), and Keith (61pts). Keith would take home his second Norris trophy and be selected to the 1st All Star Team. Well this post season was tough, still a dominate post season team the Hawks would go through St. Louis and Minnesota only to face the also dominate Kings in the Western Conference Finals. What a series! I had no doubt in my mind whoever won this series would win the cup which they did with the Kings beating the Hawks in game 7 in overtime! The Kings would go on to defeat the Rangers in 5 games for their second cup in 2 years.
2014-2015: Well this was a mumpy season as the mumps would outbreak for the first half of the season leading to new NHL sanitizing standards. The Hawks would again play in the Winter Classic taking on the Capitals at Nationals Park on January 1, 2015. Only one Stadium Series game would be played with the Sharks taking on the Kings at Levi's Stadium on February 21, 2015. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 4th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 48-28-6 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Toews with 66pts followed by Kane (64pts), Hossa (61pts), and Saad (52pts). Toews would take home the Mark Messier Leadership Award and this time Keith would take the Conn Smythe. Which of course means that the Hawks would make another deep playoff run, beating the rivaled Blues, sweeping the Wild, taking down the Ducks in a tough 7 games, and defeating the Lightning for their third Stanley Cup in 5 years solidifying their dynasty for the early 2010s!
2015-2016: A couple exciting rule changes this year as overtime would turn into 3v3 before going to the shootout. The league also introduced a coach's challenge where the coach could challenge certain disallowed goals. The Bruins would take on the Canadiens this year for the Winter Classic at Gillete Stadium on January 1, 2016. There were two Stadium Series games this season with the Hawks playing yet another game against the Wild at TCF Bank Stadium on February 21, 2016. The other would have the Red Wings take on the Avalanche at Coors Field on February 27, 2016. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 3rd in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 47-26-9 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane as he finally would break the 100 point mark by 6 followed by Artemi Panarin (77pts), Toews (58pts), and Brent Seabrook (49pts). Kane would blow away the competition winning the Art Ross and the Hart Memorial Trophy with Panarin winning the Calder. The Hawks would make their seventh post season debut but would ultimately fail losing to the Blues in the first round in 7 games. The Sharks would finally make a push to the finals but would fall short losing to the Penguins in 6 games.
2016-2017: The NHL turns 100 years old this season as they would setup a series of events to celebrate. The first being the Centennial Classic where the Maple Leafs would host the Red Wings at BMO Field on January 1, 2017. There would also be multiple documentaries and a daily "Time Capsule" to celebrate certain events in the NHL's history. The NHL would also have a "Centennial Truck Tour" where a mobile museum would drive around to different cities. The Winter Classic would be played the day after the Centennial Classic where, for the fourth consecutive outdoor game in a row, the Hawks would play the Blues at Busch Stadium. The Heritage Classic would also return with the Jets taking on the Oilers at Investors Group Field on October 23, 2016. There would only be one Stadium Series game as the Penguins would face the Flyers at Heinz Field on February 25, 2017. Still coached by Joel Quenneville and led by captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks finished the season 1st in the Central Division, 1st in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 50-23-9 (W-L-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Kane with 89pts followed by Panarin (74pts), Toews (58pts), and Keith (53pts). Kane would be selected to the 1st All Star Team with Keith and Panarin being selected to the 2nd All Star Team. Even though the Hawks had a strong season, they had a terrible post season getting swept by the Predators in the first round. Nashville would go on to the finals though facing the Penguins who would win back to back titles in 6 games.
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Player History |
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Brandon Saad: Well Saad is one of those players that went from loved to mixed reactions in Chicago. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Saad would spend some time in the OHL before being drafted 43rd overall by the Blackhawks in 2011. He would spend the next season in the OHL but joined the Hawks for two games in the regular season and two playoff games. He would spend the beginning of the 2012-13 lockout in the AHL but would join the Hawks full time once the NHL came back. He would spend three seasons with the Hawks helping them win Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015. After the 2014-15 season Saad was traded as a pending restricted free agent to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would sign a 6 year deal with the Blue Jackets and break his career high in goals and points the next two seasons with the team. With the loss of Hossa, the Hawks would trade back for Saad in 2017 in a questionable move as the Hawks would trade away a dynamic scorer in Artemi Panarin. Seems like 3 seasons with the Hawks is the maximum as he's traded away again, with Dennis Gilbert, in 2020 to the Colorado Avalanche for Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm. The Avalanche, running into cap problems of their own, would not re-sign Saad after the 2020-21 season and he would go on to sign with the St. Louis Blues for five years. He plays with the Blues today.
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Saad is labeled as a "Hossa-lite" by having a solid two-way play style while also able to produce on the score sheet. Saad is a pretty consistent 20 goal scorer hitting the mark 4 times in his career. He was also able to score a career high 31 goals and 53 points his first season with the Blue Jackets. That season he was also selected to the 2016 NHL All Star Game making his first and only appearance so far. Over his 12 seasons in the NHL Saad has played in 863 games and has scored 253 goals and 499 points. He has seen the postseason as well playing in 103 games scoring 27 goals and 55 points. Saad represents the US internationally and has played in the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championship winning gold and the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. He would represent Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Will add more as his career progresses.
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Andrew Shaw: Shaw sure did earn his nickname, Mutt, over the course of his career. He was the catalyst on every team he played for and man was he a pest. Born in Belleville, ON, Shaw would get drafted 139th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011. He would join the AHL Rockford IceHogs that year and saw a good amount of games with the Blackhawks that season. He would play again in the AHL during the 2012-13 lockout, but he was able to solidify himself on the Hawks after lockout had ended. He was an integral part in the Hawks Stanley Cup wins in 2013 and 2015. Shaw would stay with the Hawks until he was traded in 2016 to the Montreal Canadiens for two second round draft picks. Shaw would have his best season points-wise with the Habs scoring 19 goals and 47 points during the 2018-19 season. The suspensions slowed down as Shaw caught the injury bug. He would get traded back to the Blackhawks, with a seventh rough pick, for a second and seventh round pick. He would miss most of the games back with the Hawks due to a concussions and would unfortunately be forced to retire in 2021.
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Shaw was one of the best agitators in the league and was known to constantly chirp throughout games. He would cross the line at times though earning himself suspensions in the AHL and multiple suspensions in the NHL. But he would show up in big moments and really shined during the playoffs. He's still the only player I know who loves shin pads and purposefully headbutted the puck into the net, which wasn't allowed of course. He would play in 544 games scoring 116 goals and 247 points in 10 seasons. Being the player he was he also racked up 573 PIMs. He would score similarly in the postseason seeing it for 73 games, scoring 16 goals and 35 points, and racking up 123 PIMs. Hoping the best for Shaw and his family and curious to see what he does now his hockey career is over.
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Artemi Panarin: If Panarin never comes back to the Hawks, he'll officially be the one that got away. Born in Korkino, USSR, Panarin would not be drafted into the NHL. He would begin his professional hockey career playing in the KHL with Vityaz Chekov in 2008-09. He would spend some time between the KHL and MHL (Russian Junior League) until joining the team full time during the 2010-11 season. Not producing well, he would be traded to SKA St. Petersburg in 2013 and helped the team win the Gagarin Cup in 2015. Keeping an eye across the pond, the Blackhawks would entice him enough to join the team and signed him to an entry level contract in 2015. He would instantly click with Patrick Kane and dominate his first NHL season winning the Calder. He would continue his dominance next season as well earning him a 2 year contract, but the Hawks, always running into cap issues and losing Hossa, would trade him to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He would finish his contract here but would not re-sign. He would go on to sign a 7 year deal with the New York Rangers where he currently plays.
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Panarin's play style is very similar to Patrick Kane's. He's a speedy playmaker who can pick his shots when necessary. The chemistry he had with Kane could have been legendary, but leaving the Hawks didn't stop his scoring. Instead he elevated it. He's scored 30+ goals 3 times and scored 20+ for every season besides the shortened 2020-21 season. Panarin has scored 70+ points every season, except for the shortened 2021 season, in the NHL with a record high 96 points in the 2021-22 season. He definitely could've broken 100 points but thanks again COVID. He would eventually go on to break this barrier in the 2023-24 season with 120 points. In his 9 NHL seasons he's played 672 games, scored 265 goals, and collected 781 points. He's done just as well in the postseason playing 73 games scoring 21 goals and 61 points. For the KHL, he would spend 5 seasons here playing in 263 games wile scoring 76 goals and 183 points.
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He would have his best year in the KHL in 2015 by playing in the 2015 All-Star Game, being named to the First All-Star Team, and of course winning the Gagarin Cup. Panarin represents Russia internationally. He's won gold in the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. He's won silver in the 2015 IIHF World Championship and bronze in the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Championship. He would also participate in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Will add more as his career progresses.
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Niklas Hjalmarsson: In his prime, Hjalmarsson was the best defensive defenseman in the NHL. It's also the last jersey in my collection of the core Blackhawks who won the three Stanley Cups. Born in Eksjö, Sweden, Hjalmarsson was drafted 108th overall by the Blackhawks in 2005. He would play in the Swedish junior league, HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden's second highest league), and the Swedish Elite League before joining the Hawks organization in Rockford in 2007. He would play up and down the AHL and NHL until solidifying his spot on the Hawks roster at the end of the 2008-09 season. He would become one of the best shutdown defensemen eating as many pucks (blocking shots) as minutes on the ice. He would play in the Serie A, the top league in Italy, during the 2012-13 lockout. He would play 10 seasons with the Hawks until he got traded in 2017 to the Arizona Coyotes for Connor Murphy and Laurent Dauphin. He would play four seasons for the Coyotes, but the injury bug would eventually come around and he would miss significant time during his season in the desert. On July 25th, 2021, Hjalmarsson would quietly announce his retirement from hockey, but as a surprise would unretire and sign a one year contract with his hometown team HV71 in the SHL. He would then retire again after this season in 2023.
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I always thought he wore reinforced shin pads though as he would block so many shot and would remain unharmed. I also loved when he would get mad. It didn't happen often but when it did, anyone in his path was in trouble. Being a defensive defenseman, Hjalmarsson is not known to rack up points. He's played in 821 games scoring 25 goals and 172 points. Being a part of the Hawks dynasty he saw the postseason a lot. He played in 137 games scoring 2 goals and 29 points. Hjalmarsson was a part of the 2010 contract debacle for the Hawks as he signed an offer sheet with the San Jose Sharks. Chicago would match the offer forcing them to let Antti Niemi go. Hjalmarsson represents Sweden internationally and has done pretty well for himself in international tournaments playing in at least one of every major tournament.
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He's played in the IIHF U18 World Championship winning Bronze in 2005. He's played in the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2007. He's played in the IIHF World Championship in 2012. He's played in the Winter Olympics winning silver in 2014. Lastly, he's played in the World Cup of Hockey winning bronze in 2016. The Hawks defensive core and just general core during the dynasty was just impressive. Defensive defenseman never get the praise they deserve nationally, but Hawks fans knew that when Hjalmarsson stepped on the ice that the other team was not going to score.
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