For the second consecutive year, the Chicago Blackhawks are out in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This time in dramatic fashion – a sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators.
Factor in the Blackhawks' consecutive first-round exits along with the massive changes in Los Angeles, and it’s an indication of how the power has now shifted in the NHL.
The powerhouse Kings and Blackhawks are no longer powerhouses. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has done a remarkable job in Chicago finding new and creative ways to keep the championship window open for the Blackhawks and faces a challenge this summer with his aging roster one year older.
Here’s where he should focus: