Filed under: Blackhawks, Western
There are many good reasons why it's exceptionally tough to repeat as a champion in virtually any sport.The nature of the Stanley Cup Playoffs -- combined with the salary cap in the NHL -- conspire to make it even harder in hockey. The Chicago Blackhawks learned that this summer, as close to a dozen players who were a part of their championship in June will be playing elsewhere to start the 2010-11 season.
Despite that high turnover, general manager Stan Bowman was able to keep his team's core intact. Players like forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, along with defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook return to aid Chicago's title defense. There might be a mix of youngsters and strangers around them, but the team kept their unquestioned best players around, and that could be a huge deal going forward.
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