Which Blackhawks Legends Should Join Marian Hossa Up In The Rafters?
This past season, the Blackhawks announced that Marian Hossa's legendary number 81 would be retired and hanging from the rafters, joining the likes of Glenn Hall, Stan Mikita, and Tony Esposito. The Blackhawks have famously been stingy with retiring numbers, but there is no player from the modern era more deserving of such an honor than Hossa. During his tenure with the Blackhawks, Hossa tallied 415 regular season points and 73 playoff points. Marian Hossa will go down as the most influential free agent signing in Blackhawks's history, maybe even Chicago sports history. With Hossa's number going to the rafters, what other Blackhawks players should join him?
Patrick Kane is a 100 percent guarantee to have his number 88 retired. Amassing a staggering 1,180 points so far in his career, Kane has a chance to break the Blackhawks all time scoring record. Kaner has also had numerous big moments in his career, always showing up with crucial goals in the playoffs when the Blackhawks needed them most. With 3 Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, Olympic medals, and numerous other NHL awards, Kane may go down as the greatest Chicago Blackhawk and U.S. born player of all-time.
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews is also a lock to have his number 19 retired whenever he decided to hang up the skates and call it a career. While his health over the last few seasons has affected his play in extreme ways, Captain Serious was a critical piece of the puzzle during the Dynasty Era. Toews has eclipsed the 1,000 games played mark and has 852 career points during his Blackhawks tenure. Toews has also won 3 Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, Olympic Medals, and various other NHL awards. Toews also always seemed to score when the team needed a big goal and stayed calm during the most nerve-wracking moments in the playoffs.
Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith was backbone of the blue line for his entire 16-year career with the Blackhawks. Keith was a workhorse, not afraid to lay a big hit, wind up for a big slapper from the top of the circle or log over half a game of ice time on any given night. Like Kane and Toews, the sure-fire Hall of Famer has some impressive hardware in his trophy case. Keith tallied 625 points in over 1,200 games played in a Blackhawks sweater. The stamina and consistency of play Keith brought to the team helped the Blackhawks goaltenders sleep easier at night. Keith should be honored with a number retirement and cement his legacy as one of, if not the best, defensemen the Blackhawks have had in the modern era.
Brent Seabrook
Out of all the players listed above, Brent Seabrook is the least likely to have his number retired. While Seabrook was instrumental to the Blackhawks success early in the Dynasty Era, his play tapered off quite quickly after signing his contract extension. Although Seabrook has played over 1,100 games in the NHL and tallying 464 points, he was never in discussions for individual awards and was never the best defenseman on his own team. While his stats and lack of individual achievement may hurt his chances, I think that Seabrook should have his number retired. He was the type of player who knew his role and never wavered whenever the team needed him. Seabrook was right in the middle of all the action in the playoff years, earning the nickname «Mr. Overtime» from his teammates. Any number retirements or dedications to Stanley Cup team would be incomplete without Brent Seabrook. Whether you loved him or hated him, Seabrook was an instrumental piece to the puzzle that you hold in the forefront of your greatest Blackhawks memories.
What do you guys think? Should all of these players have their numbers retired? Is there anyone else who is deserving to join them up in the rafters at the Madhouse on Madison?
| POLL | ||
Do you think all four players will have their number retired? | ||
| Yes! | 89 | 69 % |
| NO! | 40 | 31 % |
| List of polls | ||
