The key to Chicago's powerhouse lineup came when the Blackhawks got high draft picks in the mid-2000s and nabbed Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in back-to-back seasons. Both are signed through 2021, as is Duncan Keith. Here is how their core was built:
Chart: Blackhawks built a dynasty
May 8, 2015 at 5:13AM
Draft: W Patrick Kane, first round (first overall) 2007; C Jonathan Toews, first round (third overall), 2006; D Duncan Keith, second round, 2002; D Brent Seabrook, first round, 2003; G Corey Crawford, second round, 2003; W Brandon Saad, second round, 2011; W Bryan Bickell, second round, 2004; D Niklas Hjalmarsson, fourth round, 2005.
Free agency: W Marian Hossa, 2009, 12-year, $63 million contract.
Trade: W Patrick Sharp, 2005, from Philadelphia for Matt Ellison; D Johnny Oduya, 2012, from Winnipeg for second- and third-round picks.
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Rather than selling the future to go star hunting, Minnesota teams have taken a different approach with less obvious moves — and now it’s paying off with dominant seasons and championship aspirations.
