Forwards
10 Patrick Sharp
6-1, 199, shoots right
Born:
Dec. 27, 1981 (29), Winnipeg, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 74; Goals — 34; Assists — 37; Pts — 71; PIM — 38
Moving back from center to his natural position of wing — at least temporarily — could be an offensive boon for Sharp, who will be able to concentrate more on scoring with fewer defensive responsibilities.
13 Daniel Carcillo
6-0, 203, shoots left
Born:
Jan. 28, 1985 (26), King City, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 57; Goals — 4; Assists — 2; Pts — 6; PIM — 127
Nicknamed “Car bomb,” Carcillo is one of the league’s top agitators and is suspended for the first two games of the season. Has some offensive skills and is ticketed for left wing on the fourth line when he returns.
15 Andrew Brunette
6-1, 215, shoots left
Born:
Aug. 24, 1973 (38), Sudbury, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 82; Goals — 18; Assists — 28; Pts — 46; PIM — 16
Displays incredible durability, having missed just three games over the last nine seasons. Playing on a line with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa should bolster the veteran’s goal-scoring.
19 Jonathan Toews
6-2, 208, shoots left
Born:
April 29, 1988 (23), Winnipeg, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 80; Goals — 32; Assists — 44; Pts — 76; PIM — 26
The captain is coming off a season during which he set a career high in points and seems poised to surpass the number. Could challenge for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player.
22 Jamal Mayers
6-1, 222, shoots right
Born:
Oct. 24, 1974 (36), Toronto, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 78; Goals — 3; Assists — 11; Pts — 14; PIM — 124
A terrific leader, Mayers will provide stability both on and off the ice. Not afraid to come to the aid of his teammates, still can be effective on offense.
25 Viktor Stalberg
(injured list)
6-3, 209, shoots left
Born:
Jan. 17, 1986 (25), Gothenburg, Sweden
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 77; Goals — 12; Assists — 12; Pts — 24; PIM — 43
Will miss the first two weeks of the season with an injured knee suffered during an exhibition. Speedy winger could surpass career-high of 12 goals set last season if he can find chemistry with linemates.
28 Ben Smith
(injured list)
5-11, 207, shoots right
Born:
July 11, 1988 (23), Winston-Salem, N.C.
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 6; Goals — 1; Assists — 0; Pts — 1; PIM — 0
A hero during the 2011 postseason, Smith is the perfect example of a grinder who does whatever it takes to help his team. An effective penalty killer who has offensive upside.
29 Bryan Bickell
6-4, 233, shoots left
Born:
March 9, 1986 (25), Bowmanville, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 78; Goals — 17; Assists — 20; Pts — 37; PIM — 40
Coming off wrist surgery, Bickell needs to use his size to make an impact at both ends. Has a nice shot and can surpass last season’s career-high of 17 goals if everything falls into place.
36 Dave Bolland
6-0, 184, shoots right
Born:
June 5, 1986 (25), Mimico, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 61; Goals — 15; Assists — 22; Pts — 37; PIM — 34
Already banged up heading into the opener with an upper-body injury, Bolland needs to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season. Ranks as one of the NHL’s top defensive centers and is adept at shutting down opponents’ top lines.
37 Brandon Pirri
6-0, 183, shoots left
Born:
April 10, 1991 (20), Toronto, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 1; Goals — 0; Assists — 0; Pts — 0; PIM — 34
The rookie was recalled to replace the injured Dave Bolland on third line. Pirri is a natural center who will use this opportunity to showcase his talents to the Hawks’ hierarchy.
43 Brandon Saad
6-1, 202, shoots left
Born:
Oct. 27, 1992 (18), Pittsburgh
2010-11 statistics (Saginaw of OHL):
GP — 59; Goals — 27; Assists — 28; Pts — 55; PIM — 47
The second-round pick (43rd overall) in this year’s draft was the surprise of training camp and won a job over other prospects. At 18, already has the body type to play in the NHL.
67 Michael Frolik
6-1, 198, shoots left
Born:
Feb. 17, 1988 (23), Kladno, Czech Republic
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 80; Goals — 11; Assists — 27; Pts — 38; PIM — 30
A two-time 21-goal scorer with the Panthers, Frolik has the offensive firepower to reach — and surpass — that number. Also can play center, which will help the Hawks’ depth up the middle.
81 Marian Hossa
6-1, 210, shoots left
Born:
Jan. 12, 1979 (32), Stara Lubovna, Slovakia
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 65; Goals — 25; Assists — 32; Pts — 57; PIM — 32
After playing in three consecutive Stanley Cup finals, Hossa is rested and rejuvenated following the long offseason. Strong at both ends of the ice, he can be among league’s elite if he remains healthy.
85 Rostislav Olesz
6-2, 213, shoots left
Born:
Oct. 10, 1985 (25), Bilovec, Czech Republic
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 44; Goals — 6; Assists — 11; Pts — 17; PIM — 8
Still rounding into form following knee surgery, Olesz provides versatility by playing either side of the ice and can kill penalties and even play on the power play if needed.
88 Patrick Kane
5-11, 181, shoots left
Born:
Nov. 19, 1988 (22), Buffalo, N.Y.
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 73; Goals — 27; Assists — 46; Pts — 73; PIM — 28
Will start the season at center after having played his first four NHL seasons on the right wing. Already a point-per-game player, Kane appears poised to surpass that and could be among league’s scoring leaders.
Defensemen
2 Duncan Keith
6-1, 200, shoots left
Born:
July 16, 1983 (28), Winnipeg, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 82; Goals — 7; Assists — 38; Pts — 45; PIM — 22
The long offseason should prove beneficial for Keith, who led the NHL in ice time last season. No reason to doubt he can return to level that won him the Norris Trophy as league’s top defenseman in 2010.
4 Niklas Hjalmarsson
6-3, 207, shoots left
Born:
June 6, 1987 (24), Eksjo, Sweden
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 80; Goals — 3; Assists — 7; Pts — 10; PIM — 39
Lost his defensive partner when Brian Campbell was traded to the Panthers. A very good stay-at-home blueliner, Hjalmarsson is looking to step into the play more and add some offense.
5 Steve Montador
6-0, 210, shoots right
Born:
Dec. 21, 1979 (31), Vancouver, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 73; Goals — 5; Assists — 21; Pts — 26; PIM — 83
A veteran who combines sandpaper and solid defensive play, Montador also has a good first pass out of the zone and can help spark the offense.
6 Sean O’Donnell
6-2, 238, shoots left
Born:
Oct. 13, 1971 (39), Ottawa, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 81; Goals — 1; Assists — 17; Pts — 18; PIM — 87
Veteran signed with the Hawks to make another run at the Stanley Cup after winning it in 2007 with the Ducks. A rough-and-tumble, stay-at-home defenseman, O’Donnell is a leader on and off the ice.
7 Brent Seabrook
6-3, 221, shoots right
Born:
April 20, 1985 (26), Richmond, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 82; Goals — 9; Assists — 39; Pts — 48; PIM — 47
One of the Hawks’ steadiest players, Seabrook hits, blocks shots, can chip in offensively and will protect his teammates if called upon.
8 Nick Leddy
6-0, 191, shoots left
Born:
March 20, 1991 (20), Eden Prairie, Minn.
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 46; Goals — 4; Assists — 3; Pts — 7; PIM — 4
Entering first season as full-time blueliner, Leddy still is learning on the job. He can move the puck and is getting better in his positioning. Will learn much while paired with Duncan Keith.
20 Sami Lepisto
6-1, 193, shoots left
Born:
Oct. 17, 1984 (26), Espoo, Finland
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 70; Goals — 4; Assists — 12; Pts — 16; PIM — 55
Signed as a free agent after the Hawks couldn’t come to terms with Chris Campoli, Lepisto plays a similar game in that he’s a puck-moving defenseman who can get it up ice and to the forwards.
32 John Scott
6-8, 270, shoots left
Born:
Sept. 26, 1982 (29), Edmonton, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 40; Goals — 0; Assists — 1; Pts — 1; PIM — 72
One of the league’s top enforcers, Scott has not lost a fight during his NHL career. When Scott is inserted into lineup for toughness, opposing teams will think twice before taking a run at any of the Hawks’ skill players.
Goaltenders
30 Ray Emery
6-2, 196, catches left
Born:
Sept. 28, 1982 (29), Hamilton, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 10; Wins — 7; Losses — 2; Overtime losses — 0; Save pct. — .926
Emery won the backup job in training camp as the team went with his experience over rookie Alexander Salak’s potential. Emery is a veteran who can perform well when starter Corey Crawford needs a rest.
50 Corey Crawford
6-2, 208, catches left
Born:
Dec. 31, 1984 (26), Montreal, Canada
2010-11 statistics:
GP — 57; W — 33; L — 18; Overtime losses — 6; Save pct. — .917
Entering the season as the starter for the first time in his career, Crawford is as technically sound as any goaltender in the league. He’s ready to carry netminding load on his back.
