The 2014-2015 NHL season was extremely eventful, to say the least. The 2013-2014 Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, were shockingly absent during the post-season, alongside the fan-favorite Boston Bruins. There were quite a few fresh, young teams in the playoffs this season, but it was the Chicago Blackhawks who came out on top. The Blackhawks made history and became a dynasty, winning their third Stanley Cup in the last six years.
Led by Captain Jonathan Toews and Coach Joel Quennville, the Blackhawks emerged from a deep Western conference while facing adversity along the way. The loss of defenseman Michal Roszival early in the playoffs to an injury, as well as Corey Crawford's struggles against the Nashville Predators, made it anything but easy for the Blackhawks. Through all of this though, they proved that they were still the team to beat. By overcoming challenges using their veteran experience, constantly adjusting, and playing their best hockey when it mattered most, the Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lighting 2-0 in game six of the final, making them the champions. Chicago may have been very rainy on parade day, but there was a 0 percent chance of lightning (har-har).
However, with success also comes consequence. If any of you remember, when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, more than half of the team was traded due to the salary cap. Fans celebrated with heavy hearts this season, because they knew that just days after the celebration, there were going to be some big changes.
One thing I personally, and every other Blackhawks fan in the nation was completely caught off guard about, was the choice to trade 22-year-old left-wing Brandon Saad. He was a fan favorite, a great player, and he was young, meaning he hadn't even reached his full potential yet. (He was cute, too!) All season, Stan Bowman promised fans that re-signing Saad, who was a free-agent, was the organization's first priority. Well, that message must have gotten lost in translation somewhere, because Saad is long gone. He signed a six-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
We all saw the Patrick Sharp trade coming, but did not want to accept it. After ten years, and three Stanley Cup wins playing for Chicago, Sharp was traded to The Dallas Stars. (Sharpie looks WAY better in red, it's shame he has to wear that awful shade of green now). Defenseman Johnny Oduya was also sent down south to play with Dallas. One of my favorite goaltenders, Antti Raanta, was traded to the New York Rangers, while center Antoine Vermette returned to the Arizona Coyotes, and center Brad Richards (another favorite of mine!) signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Fans are still anxiously awaiting to hear about a deal with Marcus Kruger, as well as what the future holds for Bryan Bickell.
Not only were there major changes in Chicago's roster, but the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues also made some risky and baffling decisions this off-season.
This trade was a huge shock to anyone who watches hockey: Milan Lucic, one of the main faces for the Boston Bruins' organization, was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. Um, WHAT? Why would they do such a thing? Your guess is as good as mine, but Bruins fans were devastated when they got word of Lucic leaving. Big names leaving your team is always a huge slap in the face.
The Toronto Maple Leafs also made a big change in trading Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with next season, considering Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and now Kessel will be playing on the same line. The Anaheim Ducks also decided to part ways with left-winger Matt Belesky, who was a key part of their playoff run, while the New York Rangers traded forward Carl Hagelin to the Anaheim Ducks.
Lastly, but probably not the final big trade to be made this season, the St. Louis Blues traded TJ Oshie to The Washington Capitals. Oshie was dubbed a hero back in 2014 when he scored the winning goal in the U.S.A. vs. Russia game at the Sochi Olympics, and many Blues fans, like five-year-old Libby below, didn't take the news very well.
The 2015-2016 season is going to be very interesting, to say the least. It's hard to pick who will win this early (I wouldn't mind it being the Chicago Blackhawks again), but there are definitely some contenders in the making. I promise, this is something you don't want to miss. In other words, is it October yet?
