Model No. 2: Tanking in Chicago (2003 ~ 2007)
With three Stanley Cups in the past six years under coach Joel Quenneville, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the best examples of successful tanking. The star power is there, and the wins are there, unlike in Edmonton. The Canucks hate both the Blackhawks and the Oilers though.
Top-Five Picks of Significance
- Patrick Kane, First Overall (2007)
- Jonathan Toews, Third Overall (2006)
- Cam Barker, Third Overall (2004)
Other notes of significance
- Chicago used three coaches over the tanking seasons. Brian Sutter was let go, soon followed by Trent Yawney and Denis Savard.
- Only two years’ worth of tanking paid off. Only Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are the top-five picks that have had success in the NHL.
- Ever since the final year of tanking, Joel Quenneville has made sure that the Blackhawks reached the playoffs, even to this day.
- And during Quenneville’s tenure, Chicago’s average attendance has not dipped below 21 000 per game. When Chicago was tanking, they averaged about 13 000 per game.
Tanking in Chicago: Quick and Opportunistic
The Hawk Dynasty is strong and so was the rival hatred between Chicago and Vancouver. But notice that some household Blackhawk names are not on the top-five picks of significance. Where are the Crawfords, the Keiths, the Hossas, and the Seabrooks?
Call it luck or superb drafting and player development, but the Chicago Blackhawks have done a terrific job of snatching late-round gems. But do not overlook the fact that all the players that the Blackhawks have selected in the past four years combine to have played just 106 NHL games to date.
Note these gems that the Blackhawks have selected in their tanking years, but not with the top picks:
- Niklas Hjalmarsson, 108th overall in 2005
- Dave Bolland, 32nd overall in 2004
- Bryan Bickell, 41st overall in 2004
- Troy Brouwer, 214th overall in 2004
- Dustin Byfuglien, 245th overall in 2003
- Corey Crawford, 52nd overall in 2003
- Brent Seabrook, 14th overall in 2003
Notice the fine balance of defencemen and forwards. Because of the great picks in Byfuglien, Crawford, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson, the Blackhawks could pull off an “Edmonton Oiler” drafting strategy with their own top picks in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
And also do not be fooled with all these top picks working out to be top players. Cam Barker, who actually had a stint in Vancouver, will testify.
Veteran presence was not neglected in Chi Town. Jaroslav Spacek was on the 2005-06 lineup (albeit traded to Edmonton mid-season), alongside Matthew Barnaby and Martin Lapointe. Do not forget Adrian Aucoin, either.
Next: Model No. 3: Tanking in Florida