Zawaski: Putting The Blackhawks' Explosive Offense In Perspective
By Jay Zawaski-
(CBS) -- The Blackhawks' explosive offense is no secret to those who watch them play on a regular basis. Chicago fills the net more than any team in the NHL. In fact, their league-leading 169 goals is 14 more than the second-ranked St. Louis Blues (who have played four fewer games).
In their 46 games this season, the Hawks have scored five or more goals 18 times. They've score six or seven goals on seven occasions.
The Blackhawks also feature five players with 15 goals or more. Patrick Sharp leads the team with 25 goals, Patrick Kane has scored 23 times, Jonathan Toews had dented the net 16 times, while Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad each have 15 goals.
Impressive, right? Well, get this:
Hossa and Saad would lead 11 of 30 NHL teams in goals.
That's right.
Eleven NHL teams don't feature a scorer with more than 15 goals. Of these 11, six are playoff* teams:
Boston* – Reilly Smith, 15 goals
Buffalo – Cody Hodgson, Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis, 8
Calgary – Mike Cammalleri, 13
Detroit* – Pavel Datsyuk, 15
Florida – Brad Boyes, 11
Los Angeles* – Jeff Carter, 15
Nashville – Craig Smith – 12
New Jersey - Michael Ryder - 14
NY Rangers* – Brad Richards, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin, 11
Philadelphia* – Wayne Simmonds, 14
Phoenix* – Mikkel Boedker, 13
Now let's take a look at overall points. The Blackhawks' top five point producers are Kane (54), Sharp (47), Toews (45), Keith (43) and Hossa (35). Eleven more NHL teams (three playoff* teams) don't feature a player with more than 35 points.
Buffalo – Cody Hodgson, 8 G / 11 A / 19 PTS
Calgary – Jiri Hudler, 12 G / 23 A / 35 PTS
Carolina – Eric Staal, 10 G / 25 A / 35 PTS
Columbus – Ryan Johansen, 16 G / 16 A / 32 PTS
Florida – Alex Barkov, 7 G / 15 A /22 PTS
Los Angeles* – Anze Kopitar, 13 G / 22 A / 35 PTS
Minnesota – Mikko Koivu, 8 G / 27 A / 35 PTS
Montreal* – PK Subban, 7 G / 26 A / 33 PTS
Nashville – Shea Weber, 10 G / 19 A / 29 PTS
NY Rangers* – Brad Richards & Mats Zuccarello, 11 G / 20 A / 31 PTS
Winnipeg – Bryan Little, 14 G / 20 A / 34 PTS; Dustin Byfuglien 10 G / 24 A /34 PTS
Keep in mind that two of the Hawks' better offensive prospects, Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin, are currently playing in Rockford. Next season, one of hockey's top offensive prospects could join the Hawks as well. Finnish centerman Teuvo Teravainen (19 years old) led Team Finland to a gold medal at the recent World Junior Championships. In those seven WJC games, Teravainen contributed 15 points (2 G / 13 A), including three assists in the gold medal game vs Sweden.
The Blackhawks' system is so loaded with offensive talent, they may have to find themselves dealing a player or two. There's simply no room on the roster at this point.
*All stats through Wednesday, Jan. 8.