Chicago Blackhawks (1926-Present)

Historical Moments:
1926/27: With the folding of the Western Hockey League Frederic McLaughlin purchases the Portland Rosebuds moving them to Chicago to play in the NHL. The team, which became known as the Black Hawks first, took the ice on November 17th whey they beat the Toronto St. Paticks at the Chicago Coliseum 4-1. The Hawks would go on to finish in 3rd place in the American Division with a record of 19-22-3. However, in the playoffs they would be dominated 10-5 in a Total Goal Series against the Boston Bruins.

1927/28: In their second season the Black Hawks would take their lumps, as they allowed a league high 134 goals on the way to a league worst 7-34-3 record.

1928/29: The Black Hawks struggles continue as they score the fewest goals with 33 and allow the most at 85 while finishing with the worst record in the NHL again at 7-29-8.

1929/30: On December 15th the Black Hawks play their first game at Chicago Stadium, one of the premier indoor facilities in the world, built at a cost of $7,000,000, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1. The new arena had a positive effect on the Black Hawks as they win more then their previous 2 season combined finishing in 2nd place with a 21-18-5 record. In the playoff they would fall in overtime of Game 2 in a total goal series 3-2.

1930/31: In their 2nd season in Chicago Stadium the Black Hawks continue to improve finishing in 2nd place with a solid 24-17-3 record. In the playoffs the Black Hawks experience success for the first time as they reach the finals for the first time by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers in Total Goal Series. In the finals the Black Hawks would set a NHL record in game 2 as 18,000 fans packed Chicago Stadium to see the Hawks beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime to even the series up. As the series moved to Montreal the Hawks to a 2-1 series lead with another win in OT, but in the end the Habs would prove to strong winning the last 2 games to claim the Stanley Cup.

1931/32: Despite a losing record at 18-19-11 the Black Hawks make the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row by finishing in 2nd place. However, in the playoffs the would be blow away by the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 in a Total Goal Series.

1932/33: The Black Hawks host the first afternoon game in the history of the NHL losing to the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at Chicago Stadium on March 19th. Losses seemed to be a habit all season for the Hawks as they finished in last place with a16-20-12 record.

1933/34: The Black Hawks rebound off their disappointing last place season by finishing in 2nd place with a 20-17-11 record. In the playoffs they would stun the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in a total goal series winning in overtime at The Montreal Forum. Staying in Montreal the Hawks would make the finals by blowing apart the Maroons 6-2 in another goal series. In the finals the Black Hawks would get off to a fast start as they limit the Detroit Red Wings to 2 goals in the first 2 games. Goalie Chuck Gardiner suffers a broken nose in Game 3 as the Wings exploded for 5 goals. However, Gardiner would return in Game 4 and blanked the Red Wings until Harold Marsh scored the game winner at 30:05 over overtime, giving the Black Hawks their first Stanley Cup. However, the joy would be short lived as playoff hero Chuck Gardiner died of a brain tumor, at the age of 29 just 2 months after sipping form the Stanley Cup.

1934/35: Coming of their first Stanley Cup the Black Hawks finish in 2nd place with a solid 26-17-5 record, missing their first Division title by just 1 point. However, in the playoffs the Black Hawks would be blanked 1-0 by the Montreal Maroons led by Tommy Gorman who a year earlier led the Hawks to the Cup.

1935/36: The Black Hawks put together another respectable playoff season s they finish in 3rd place with a 21-19-8 record. However, in the playoffs they would lose 7-5 shoot out to the New York Americans.

1936/37: The Black Hawks take the ice in the final games of the season, with a team made up exclusively of American Born players, after struggle mightily all season finishing in last place with a terrible 14-27-7 record.

1937/38: The Black Hawks continue to struggle finishing with a 14-25-9 record. However, by finishing in 3rd place they sneak into the playoffs. In the first round the Black Hawks would stun the Montreal Candies in 3 games taking the series finale in overtime 2-1. In the semifinals the Hawks continued to play their best hockey as they beat the New York Americans in a 3-game series. Already the worst team ever to make the finals the Black Hawks faced the playoffs without their star goalie Mike Karakas, who broke his toe. To replace him the Hawks sign Americans goalie Alfie Moore, who back stops a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto for Game 1. However, Moore would not be allowed to play in any more games as NHL commissioner ruled him ineligible. After minor league goalie Paul Goodman allowed 5 goals in a Game 2 loss, Karakas returned with a steel-capped boot. Karakas would allow just 2 goals in the final 2 games as the Black Hawks claimed their 2nd Stanley Cup. On the roster for the Black Hawks were a Stanley Cup record 8 American born players (Carl Dahlstrom, Roger Jenkins, Virgil Johnson, Mike Karakas, Alex Levinsky, Elwin "Doc" Romnes, Louis Trudel and Carl Voss).

1938/39: Coming off their stunning run to a Stanley Championship the Black Hawks crash back to reality finishing in last place with a terrible 12-28-8 record.

1939/40: After a terrible season the Black Hawks make it back into the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a 23-19-6 record. Getting into the playoffs the Hawks traveled in style becoming the first NHL team to fly to a game. However, their round trip was unrewarding as they are swept in 2 straight by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1940/41: The Black Hawks make the playoffs for the 2nd straight season despite a terrible 16-25-7 record. Along the way goalie Sam LoPresti sets a NHL record with 80 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Bruins on March 4th. LoPresti, would make history again when he is pulled for an extra skater, the first time that now common strategy was used in a NHL game. In the playoffs the Black Hawks would knock off the Montreal Canadiens in 3 games before being swept by the Detroit Red Wings in 2 straight in the semifinals.

1941/42: The Black Hawks continue to play sub-.500 hockey but make the playoffs with a 22-23-3 record. However once in the playoffs it would be a quick exit as they fall to the Boston Bruins in a 3-game series.

1942/43: With the NHL reduced to 6 teams making the playoffs becomes harder and the Black Hawks are on the outside looking in fishing in 5th place with a 17-18-15 record.

1943/44: On February 20th the Chicago Black Hawks and Toronto Maple Leafs play the only scoreless, penalty-free game in NHL history. The game, handled by referee Bill Chadwick, took just 1 hour and 55 minutes to play. The Hawks would go on to make the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a 23-23-5 record. In the playoffs the Black Hawks would stun the Detroit Red Wings in 5 games to make the Finals. However, in the finals the Black Hawks would go down easily as they are swept by the Montreal Canadiens in 4 straight games.

1944/45: Tragedy strikes the Black Hawks when founder Frederic McLaughlin dies. On the ice the Hawks would struggle as they finish in 5th place with a terrible 13-30-7 record.

1945/46: With Max Bentley capturing the scoring title, and the Hart Trophy the Black Hawks finish in 3rd place with a record of 23-20-7. However, in the playoffs the Hawks would be swept in 4 straight by the Montreal Canadiens, while being out scored 26-7.

1946/47: Despite Max Bentley winning his 2nd straight scoring title the Black Hawks struggle all season allowing an NHL high 274 goals while finishing in last place with a 19-37-4 record.

1947/48: Max Bentley scores the game-winning goal in the first official All-Star Game on October 13th. However less then a month into the season he would be dealt away to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Gus Bodnar, Gaye Stewart, Bob Goldham, Bud Poile, and Ernie Dickens. Without Bentley the Hawks would finish in last place with a 20-34-6 record.

1948/49: The Black Hawks escape last place but can't make into the playoffs as they finish in 5th place with a 21-31-8 record.

1949/50: The Black Hawks struggles continue as they finish in last place for the 3rd tine in 4 years with a 22-38-10 record.

1950/51: The Black Hawks continue to be the worst team in the NHL as they miss the playoffs for the 5th straight year while finishing in last place again with a horrendous 13-47-10 record.

1951/52: The lone highlight of another otherwise awful year comes on March 23rd when Bill Mosienko scores 3 goals in 21 seconds against the New York Rangers. However, in the end the Black Hawks would finish in last place again with a 17-44-9 record.

1952/53: The Black Hawks are sold to a group led by James D. Norris Jr. and Arthur M. Wirtz prior to the start of the season. The Hawks show immediate dividends making the playoffs for the first time in 6 years with a record of 27-28-15. In the playoffs they would give the Montreal Canadiens all they could handle leading after 5 games. However, the Habs would out score the Hawks 7-1 in the final 2 games and would go on to win the Stanley Cup.

1953/54: The Black Hawks crash back down to reality finishing in last place again with a horrendous 12-51-7 record. Along the way to the worst record in franchise history the Hawks score the fewest and allow the most goals in the NHL.

1954/55: Tommy Ivan is named the teams new General Manager, but the struggle continue for the Black Hawks who finish in last place again with a 13-40-17 record.

1955/56: The Black Hawks continue to be a dreadful team finishing in last place for the 3rd straight season with a 19-39-12 record.

1956/57: The Black Hawks continue to reside in the NHL cellar finishing below 20 wins for the 6th time in 7 years with a record of 16-39-15.

1957/58: Glenn Hall and Bobby Hull make their Chicago debuts as the Black Hawks escape last place. However once again they would miss the playoffs with a record of 24-39-7.

1958/59: The improvement of the Black Hawks continues as they make the playoffs for the first time in 6 years with a 3rd Place 28-29-13 record, as Stan Mikita makes his debut. However, in the playoffs the young Hawks would be clipped by the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1959/60: For the first time in 18 years the Black Hawks make the playoffs in consecutive seasons, by finishing in 3rd place with a record of 28-29-13. However, once again in the playoffs they are taken out quickly by the Montreal Canadiens this time falling in 4 straight.

1960/61: For the first time in 15 years the Black Hawks finish the regular season with a winning record, finishing in 3rd Place with a record of 29-24-17. In the first round the Black Hawks were matched up against the Montreal Canadiens, who were seeking their 6th straight Stanley Cup, for the 3rd year in a row. However, this time it would be different as Glenn Hall blanked the Habs in the final 2 games as the Hawks reached the finals in 6 games. In the Finals the Black Hawks get off to a fast start as Bobby Hull scored 2 goals in a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1. After 4 games the series would be tied at 2 games, when Stan Mikita blew open Game 5 late, as the Black Hawks took a 6-3 win. With all the momentum on their side the Hawks would win Game 6 going away to claimed their 3rd Stanley Cup Championship and first since 1938.

1961/62: Coming off their Stanley Cup Championship the Black Hawks again put together a solid season finishing in 3rd place with a record of 31-26-13. In the playoffs the Hawks would reach the finals for the 2nd straight season by up rooting the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games. However, in the finals the Black Hawks would fall to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games despite a spectacular series from Stan Mikita who set a record for points in a playoff season.

1962/63: Glenn Hall's record 502 consecutive games in goal streak comes to an end as he misses an early season game with a pinched nerve. However, it would only be a temporary set back as Hall takes the Vezina Trophy as the Black Hawks finish in 2nd place with a 32-21-17 record. However, in the playoffs they would be stunned in 7 games by the Detroit Red Wings losing the final 2 games by a combined score of 11-4.

1963/64: The Black Hawks come with in 1 point of their first Division Title in franchise history as they finish in 2nd place with a solid record of 36-22-12. However, in the playoffs the Hawks are knocked off by the Detroit Red Wings for the 2nd year in a row falling in 6 games.

1964/65: Stan Mikita wins the league scoring title but Bobby Hull is singles out as the MVP, winning his first Hart Trophy as the Black Hawks finish in 3rd Place with a record of 34-28-8. In the playoffs the Black Hawks finally solve the Detroit Red Wings rallying form a 3-2 to deficit to reach the finals in 7 games. However, in the finals the Hawks would fall to the Montreal Canadiens in 7 games, as they were unable to win a game in Montreal in a series in which the home team won all 7 games.

1965/66: Bobby Hull wins his 2nd straight Hart Trophy while capturing the league's scoring title as the Black Hawks finish in 2nd place with a solid record of 37-25-8. However, in the playoffs the Hawks would be tripped up by the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games.

1966/67: Stan Mikita captures the scoring title and the Hart Trophy as the Black Hawks finish in first place for the first time in franchise history, with a record of 41-17-12. However, in the playoffs the Hawks would be buried by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games.

1967/68: Even with Glenn Hall departing for the expansion St. Louis Blues the Black Hawks make the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a record of 32-26-16 as Stan Mikita claims his 2nd straight Hart Trophy while winning the scoring title. In the playoffs the Black Hawks would beat the New York Rangers in 6 games before falling to the Montreal Canadiens sin the Eastern Finals in 5 games.

1968/69: The Black Hawks string of 9 straight playoff appearances comes to an end as they finish in last place with a record of 34-33-9. Following the season the Hawks would claim Goalie Tony Esposito off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens for $25,000, in the hopes he could fill the void left behind by Glenn Hall.

1969/70: Bobby Hull scores his 500th career goal as Tony Esposito wins the Vezina and Calder Trophies during a season in which the Black Hawks finish with a league best 45-229 record. In the playoffs the Hawks would make quick work of the Detroit Red Wings, sweeping them in 4 straight. However, in the Eastern Finals the Hawks would be swept by the Boston Bruins in 4 straight.

1970/71: Realignment sees the Chicago Black Hawks moved to the Western Division. Playing a division made up mainly of recent expansion teams the Black Hawks win easily with a record of 49-20-9. In the first round the Hawks would win easily as they swept the Philadelphia Flyers in 4 straight. However, in the semifinals the Hawks need all they could muster to knock off the New York Rangers in a hard fought 7-game war. In the finals the Hawks found themselves in another battle against the Montreal Canadiens. All looked bright when they jumped out to a 2-0 lead at home in Game 7. However, Henri Richard would score to goals as the Canadiens rallied to take the cup with a 3-2 win.

1971/72: The Black Hawks win their 2nd straight Division Title with a record of 46-17-15. In the playoffs the Hawks again appeared to be flying high as they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in 4 straight. However, in the semifinals they would end up being the ones swept by the New York Rangers. Following the season Bobby Hull would stun the Black Hawks and the NHL when he signs a contract with the Winnipeg team in the upstart WHA, which even goes as far to name the team Jets after him.

1972/73: Despite the loss of Bobby Hull the Black Hawks remain the power in the West winning their 3rd straight Division Title with a record of 42-27-9. In the playoffs the Hawks would play even better as they reached the finals by knocking off the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers in 5-game series. However, in the finals the Black Hawks would be done in again by the Montreal Canadiens who claim the Stanley Cup in 6 games.

1973/74: The Black Hawks top the 100-point mark but settle for 2nd place with a solid record of 41-14-23. In the playoffs the Black Hawks would reach the semifinals again by crowing the Los Angeles Kings in 5 games. However in the semis they would be beaten by the Boston Bruins in 6 games.

1974/75: Under a new 4-division format the Black Hawks are placed in the Smythe Division. The Hawks would make the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place with a 37-35-8 record. In the playoffs the Hawks would overcome an 8-2 loss in Game to beat the Boston Bruins in 3 games. However, in the 2nd Round the Hawks would be knocked off by the Buffalo Sabres in 5 games.

1975/76: The Black Hawks capture the Smythe Division with a record of 32-30-18. However, in the playoffs the would be swept in 4 straight by the Montreal Canadiens after a first round bye.

1976/77: The Black Hawks acquire Bobby Orr prior to the season, with the hopes the aging star could help improve their defense. Meanwhile Stan Mikita scores his 500th career goal as the Black Hawks make the playoffs while finishing in 3rd place despite a terrible 26-43-11 record. In the playoffs it would be a quick exit as they fall to the New York Islander s in 2 straight.

1977/78: The Black Hawks win the Smythe Division for the 2nd time in 3 years with a record of 32-29-19. However, after a first round bye the Hawks would be swept in 4 straight by the Boston Bruins.

1978/79: Despite a poor 29-36-15 record the Black Hawks win a weak Smythe Division. However, in the playoffs would come a dose of reality as they are swept in 4 straight by the New York Islanders. The sweep was the Hawks 16th straight loss in the playoffs establishing a professional sports record that has yet to be broken.

1979/80: The Black Hawks win the Smythe Division for the 3rd year in a row with a record of 34-27-19. In the playoffs the Hawks would finally end their losing streak as they sweep the St. Louis Blues in 3 straight games in the 1st round. However, in the 2nd round the Hawks would feel the wrath of the broom again as they are swept in 4 straight by the Buffalo Sabres. Following the season Stan Mikita would retire ending a 23-year career.

1980/81: The Black Hawks make the playoffs again, by finishing in 2nd place with a record of 31-33-16. However, in the playoffs they would be burnt by the Calgary Flames in 3 straight games.

1981/82: With realignment the Black Hawks are moved to the Norris Division, as they make the playoffs with a 4th place finishing and a 30-38-12 record. In the first round the Hawks would stun the first place Minnesota North Stars 3 games to 1. In the Norris Final the Hawks again would rise to the occasion as they beat the St. Louis Blues in 6 games. However in the Campbell Conference Finals the Hawks would be knocked off by the Vancouver Canucks in 5 games.

1982/83: The Black Hawks don't wait until the playoffs to get hot as they win the Norris Division easily with a record of 47-23-10. In the playoffs the Hawks again would dominate the Norris as they reach the Campbell Finals by beating the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota North Stars losing just 1 game in each series. However, once again the Hawks would slip in the Campbell Finals falling to the Edmonton Oilers in 4 straight.

1983/84: Despite a poor 30-42-8 record the Black Hawks make the playoffs by finishing in 4th place. In the playoffs the Black Hawks would not go easily as they fought the Minnesota North Stars al the way to Game 5 before losing 4-1.

1984/85: The Black Hawks make the playoffs for the 16th year in a row by finishing in 2nd place with a record of 38-35-7. In the playoff the Black Hawks would sweep the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 23 goals in 3 games. In the Norris Finals the Hawks and Minnesota North Stars would light up the scoreboard scoring a combined 62 goals in 6 games as the Black Hawks won the last 3 games in overtime to win the series. However, in the Campbell Conference Finals the Hawks would fall to the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games.

1985/86: The Black Hawks win the Norris Division regular season by finishing with a record of 39-33-8 record. However, in the playoffs they would be stunned by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 3 games. Following the season in a move hat only effected merchandise and publications the Black Hawks remove the space in their name and become the Blackhawks.

1986/87: The Blackhawks have to scramble to keep their 18-year playoff streak alive as they finish in 3rd place with a record of 23-37-14 avoiding last place by just 2 points. In the playoffs the Hawks would make a quick exit as they are swept in 4 straight by the Detroit Red Wings.

1987/88: Despite a poor 30-41-9 record the Blackhawks make the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place. In the playoffs it would be another quick exit as they are beaten by the St. Louis Blues in 5 games.

1988/89: Despite an awful 27-41-12 record the Blackhawks make the playoffs by finishing in 4th place in the weak Norris Division. However, in the playoffs the Blackhawks would raise their level of play as they stun the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games. Staying hot in the Norris Finals the Hawks would beat the St. Louis Blues in 5 games. However, the Blackhawks Cup dreams would end up in ashes as they are beaten by the Calgary Flames in 5 games.

1989/90: The Blackhawks would play consistent hockey all season as they win the Norris Division with a record of 41-33-6. In the playoffs the Hawks would barley survive a 7- game war with the last place Minnesota North Stars. In the Norris Final the Hawks would need 7 games again as they beat the ST. Louis Blues. However, in the Campbell Conference finals they would be slipped up by the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games.

1990/91: With rookie Eddie Belfour winning the Calder and Vezina Trophy the Blackhawks win the Presidents Trophy for the best record in the NHL at 49-23-8. However, in the playoffs the Hawks would be stunned by the Minnesota North Stars in 6 games.

1991/92: The Black Hawks make the playoffs for the 23rd straight season as they finish in 2nd place with a record of 36-29-15In the playoffs the Blackhawks would get past the St. Louis Blues in 6 games winning the last 3 games to start a playoff winning streak. The streak would continue through the Norris Finals as they swept the Detroit Red Wings in 4 straight. The streak would reach 11 as they beat the Edmonton Oilers in 4 straight to reach the Finals. However the streak would come to an end in the Finals as they blow a 3rd period lead in Game 1 at home to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins would go on top win the next 3 games to complete the sweep.

1992/93: Ed Belfour becomes just the 5th goalie to post a 40-win season as the Blackhawks win the Norris Division with a record of 47-25-12. However, in the playoffs the Hawks would be stunned in the first round as they are swept in 4 straight games by the St. Louis Blues.

1993/94: In the Final season at Chicago Stadium the Blackhawks make the playoffs for the 25th straight season by finishing in 4th place in the Central Division with a record of 39-36-9. In the playoffs it would be another quick exit as the Blackhawks are buried by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games.

1994/95: The debut of the Blackhawks at the state of the art United Center is delayed until January 25th by a lockout. However for the sellout crowd of 20,536 it was worth the wait as the Blackhawks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1. In the playoffs the Blackhawks would survive a tough 7-game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. In the 2nd round the Hawks would sweep the Vancouver Canucks in 4 straight. However, they needed 3 wins in overtime to do so. In the Western Conference Finals the Blackhawks playoff run would come to an end as they are beaten by the Detroit Red Wings in 5 games.

1995/96: The Blackhawks would put together another solid regular season finishing in 2nd place with a record of 40-28-14. In the playoffs the Blackhawks would easily extinguish the Calgary Flames in 4 straight. However, in the 2nd round they would be buried by the Colorado Avalanche in 6 games.

1996/97: The Blackhawks would make the playoffs for 28th year in a row by finishing with 8th seed in 5th place with a record of 34-35-13, as star goalie Eddie Belfour is traded away after a fall out with management. However, it would be a quick exit as they are beaten by the Colorado Avalanche in 6 games.

1997/98: The Blackhawks 28-year playoff streak comes to an end as they finish in 5th place with a record of 30-39-13. The streak falls just 1 year short of the Bruins record streak of 29 years.

1998/99: The Blackhawks struggles continue as they miss the playoffs for the 2nd straight year by finishing in 3rd place in they newly realigned Central Division with a record of 29-40-12.

1999/00: After 28 years of playoff hockey the Blackhawks can't seem to get back into the postseason as they miss the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row with a record of 33-39-10-2.

2000/01: In one of the most embarrassing season in Blackhawks history the team misses the playoffs for the 4th year in a row finishing tied with expansion Columbus Blue Jackets in points with an awful record of 29-40-8-5.

2001/02: With new coach Brian Sutter, and the emergence of stars like Eric Daze the Blackhawks reemerge as a playoff contender as they finish in 3rd place with a record of 41-27-13-1. However, in the playoffs the Blackhawks would make a quick exit as they fall to the St. Louis Blues in 5 games. Making matters worse is that Captain Tony Amonte is allowed to walk away as a Free Agent.

2002/03: A year after making the playoffs for the first time in 5 years the Blackhawks returned to mediocrity and missed the playoffs for the 6th time in 6 years posting a record of 30-33-13-6, as the loss of Tony Amonte was felt hard by the team who lacked a proven goal scorer. Meanwhile the signing of Theo Fleury would blow up in the Hawks face as the erratic one time All-Star played in just 54 games before being suspended for substance abuse.

2003/04: Early on the Blackhawks played competitive hockey with a 6-5-3-0 record on November 7th. However Goalie Jocelyn Thibault would be lost for the season with a hip injury and the season would go straight down hill as they went on a 14 game winless streak, while winning just 6 of their next 40 games as they settled at bottom of the Western Conference. As the season wore on the Blackhawks began to focus on the future trading away Steve Sullivan and Captain Alexei Zhamnov at the deadline, as the Blackhawks finished dead last with a dreadful record of 20-43-11-8, which marked one of the worst seasons in Blackhawks history. Highlighting the embarrassing season was a game on February 29th when more hockey fans in Chicago went to see the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers at the Allstate Arena, then to see the Blackhawks face the Florida Panthers.

2004/05: Season Cancelled Due to Lock Out

2005/06: Following the Lock Out, new GM Dale Tallon set about resurrecting the Blackhawks by signing free agent Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who won the Stanley Cup in 2004, and Defenseman Adrian Aucoin. However, both players were plagued by injuries, along with Eric Daze who played just one game and contemplated retirement, as the Blackhawks remained down at the bottom of the Central Division Standings, as they started with a 3-8 October and never recovered. Once again the Blackhawks would finish well out of the playoff chase as they finished in 4th Place with a terrible 26-43-13, which was the third worst record overall in the NHL. Following the season the Blackhawks tried again to change the team with off-season moves, acquiring Martin Havlat and Brian Smolinski in a three team deal with the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.

2006/07: The Blackhawks would once again get off to a slow start, as Martin Havlat who made an immediate splash with seven goals in his first seven games before he got bit by the injury bug. As the Blackhawks again sat near the bottom of the Western Conference on November 26th with a record of 7-12-2, Coach Trent Yawney was fired and replaced by longtime fan favorite Denis Savard, who would get off to a good start in his coaching career by winning his first three games. However, the problems the Blackhawks faced were not going to be fixed, simply by a coaching team as a whole rebuilding effort top to bottom was still required as they were never a factor in the playoff chase, finishing in 4th Place with a 31-42-9 record. However, the poor season would turn into good fortune as they won the draft lottery picking OHL Star Patrick Kane first overall.

2007/08: Prior to the start of the season, longtime Blackhawks President Bill Wirtz died at the age of 78 on September 26th after a battle with cancer. Unpopular with fans and media, his passing was treated as if he were Ebenezer Scrooge, as fans booed a moment of silence before the October 8th home opener. Wirtz had been nicknamed "Dollar Bill" for his frugal dealings regarding free agents as many blamed him for the Blackhawks futility, as his ownership group was named the were the worst franchise in sports by ESPN. In a sign things were changing, the team's new President Rocky Wirtz finally agreed to allow Blackhawks home games to air on local television reversing a long held policy from his father. On the ice rookie Patrick Kane made an immediate impact averaging more then a point per game in his first month in the NHL, while Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks 2006 first round pick also had a solid first month giving Blackhawks fans hope for the future for the first time in years.