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5 early favorites to win the 2017 Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) holds the Stanley Cup after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) holds the Stanley Cup after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Why they could win the Stanley Cup

Even after a disappointing season that came to an end thanks to the St. Louis Blues in the first round, the Blackhawks will be returning a majority of their team for next season. People seem to think that this will begin the decline of the Blackhawks. It seems like every time people start thinking that the Blackhawks are dead, the team makes it a point to prove them wrong. As long as the Blackhawks have Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Corey Crawford, they’ll contend for the foreseeable future. They are a proven team who seems to know how to win in the postseason. Oh, and they have the best head coach in the NHL in Joel Quenneville.

Why they won’t win

The Blackhawks need to add more scoring depth to their lineup. Considering their cap situation, that will be tough to do even if they trade Andrew Shaw and find someone to take Bryan Bickell off their hands. They will have to find more guys like Artemi Panarin. Guys like him do not come along every season. Chicago was very lucky to find him and they’ll likely need to add more cheap, young guys like him to win the Stanley Cup. Good luck Stan Bowman.

Next: 3. Pittsburgh Penguins

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