The Ultimate List of Top 10 21st-Century Blackhawks – As Ranked by The Forest Scout

Stanley Cup; Chicago Blackhawks

Every Blackhawks fan is buzzing about Connor Bedard, the first overall pick who has the potential to rejuvenate Chicago’s team. If Bedard lives up to expectations, the future looks promising. As we discuss the changes in the team throughout the years, let’s take a trip down memory lane and rank the top ten Chicago Blackhawks players who kept us excited.

#10: Forward, Brandon Saad. Saad played 499 games with the Hawks and was part of their 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup victories. Known for his gritty playing style, Saad scored 114 goals and provided 127 assists, often putting the Hawks ahead with the first goal of the game.

#9 Defenseman, Niklas Hjalmarsson. Hjalmarsson played from 2007-2017, appearing in 623 games and achieving a +106 rating. He won the Stanley Cup three times with the Hawks and was a fearless defenseman who would sacrifice his body to block shots.

#8 Forward, Andrew Shaw. Shaw played with fire on the ice, even returning after getting his face cut open to continue playing. In his time with the Blackhawks, he scored 75 goals, provided 76 assists, and accumulated 339 penalty minutes. Shaw’s physicality and determination kept the energy flowing.

#7 Defenseman, Brent Seabrook. Seabrook spent his entire career with the Hawks, playing in 1,114 games and scoring 464 points. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 220 pounds, Seabrook was an intimidating leader. His grit in the corners and in front of the net contributed to Chicago’s Stanley Cup victories, particularly his clutch performances in the playoffs.

#6 Forward, Marian Hossa. Hossa was an offensive weapon, known for his precise passes and quick release. In 534 games, he scored 186 goals and provided 229 assists. Hossa’s offensive prowess made him a superstar, although he narrowly missed out on the top 5.

#5 Goalie Corey Crawford. Crawford played his entire career with the Hawks, demonstrating both outstanding and challenging seasons. In 488 games, he achieved 260 victories with a save percentage of 91.8%. Crawford made unbelievable saves when the team needed him most, and his vocal leadership showcased his desire to win.

#4 Forward, Patrick Sharp. With 749 games played, Sharp contributed 249 goals and 283 assists to the Hawks. As an important part of both offense and defense, he wore the “A” for assistant captain and fulfilled the role admirably. Sharp’s hockey intelligence and consistency, evident in his 3 Stanley Cup wins, made him a standout player.

#3 Forward, Patrick Kane. Known as “Showtime,” Kane embodied clutch performances and pure talent. Throughout his remarkable career spanning 1,161 games, he scored 446 goals and provided 779 assists. Kane’s list of accolades include the Art Ross trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, the Calder Memorial Trophy, and the Conn Smythe Trophy. His magical hands and ability to perform under pressure were unmatched, even though his defensive capabilities were occasionally lacking.

#2 Forward and captain, Jonathan Toews. Toews played all 1,067 games with the Hawks, scoring 372 goals and providing 511 assists. With the nickname “Captain Serious,” Toews excelled in breakaway situations and displayed a physical presence on the ice. He always had his teammates’ backs and was never afraid to drop the gloves when necessary.

#1 Defenseman, Duncan Keith. Keith played in 1,192 games, recording 105 goals and 520 assists. In 2010, he was recognized as the league’s top defenseman and was awarded the Norris Trophy. Keith’s remarkable stamina was his standout quality, with an average time on ice of 26 minutes per game during his prime. He was an elite lockdown defenseman with exceptional hockey IQ and stick skills. Keith’s powerful slap shots were awe-inspiring, cementing his legacy as one of the greats. His number deserves retirement.

Honorable mentions go to Brian Bickell, Marcus Kruger, and Johnny Oduya.