| Why are the Hawks so good now? What lead to the | | | | the Hawks are drafting a lot better and management |
| resurgence of the Blackhawks? Why did it take so | | | | is more willing to spend money in order to compete. |
| long for the Hawks to be a contender? These will be | | | | This leads me to the next question of why did it take |
| the questions that I will answer throughout my article. | | | | so long? |
| The Hawks have played poorly in the past due to | | | | The philosophy of management of the past was not |
| poor drafting, the reluctance of management to go out | | | | to spend money or play the home games on television. |
| and sign a top player in free agency or re-sign a | | | | When Rocky Wirtz took over the franchise, the |
| current top player. | | | | franchise came back to life. He put home games on tv |
| It looks to me that these problems have been | | | | and this played a huge role in my opinion. If you look at |
| addressed. The previous general manager, Dale Tallon | | | | the crowds of games before Rocky and after, it is |
| has drafted really well and traded well before he was | | | | night and day, the place was empty and now it's |
| re-positioned with the Hawks. Patrick Sharp was | | | | packed. This plays a role because it gives the Hawks |
| acquired from the Flyers for a player that is playing in | | | | the feeling of home ice advantage. It is hard to get |
| the minors. Look at Patrick Sharp now; he is a top | | | | pumped up for a game when you can hear a needle |
| contributor on the Hawks. The Hawks have been a lot | | | | drop in the stands. Now, when the Hawks skate onto |
| better with trades now. Also, we have drafted very | | | | the ice, you can barely hear yourself talk. I believe it's a |
| well very well the past four to five years. Duncan | | | | lot more fun to play in front of thousands then nearly |
| Keith, Brent Seabrook, David Bolland, Patrick Kane, and | | | | an empty arena. Furthermore, management has |
| Jonathan Toews are only a few players that the | | | | played a crucial role in the resurgence of the mighty |
| Hawks have acquired via the draft. It is evident that | | | | Blackhawks. |