
How will Chicago Blackhawks fans decide which team(s) to root for in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when their favorite team isn’t in the playoffs?
It’s simple: root for former Blackhawks.
There are several former Blackhawks players and coaches set to have their teams compete in the playoffs along with Illinois natives Craig Anderson of Barrington (Washington Capitals), J.T. Compher of Northbrook (Colorado Avalanche), Ryan Hartman of West Dundee (Minnesota Wild), and John Moore of Winnetka (Boston Bruins).
The individuals below include former Blackhawks players and coaches in their current roles with their respective teams.
Central Division
Carolina Hurricanes
Teuvo Teravainen
Steel alum: Jaccob Slavin
Florida Panthers
Anthony Duclair, Gustav Forsling, Lucas Wallmark
Others: Joel Quenneville (head coach), Andrew Brunette and Ulf Samuelsson (assistants)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jan Rutta
Nashville Predators
None
East Division
Pittsburgh Penguins
None
Washington Capitals
Craig Anderson, Trevor van Riemsdyk
Boston Bruins
Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Kevin Dean (assistant)
Steel alums: John Moore, Dan Vladar
New York Islanders
Nick Leddy
North Division
Toronto Maple Leafs
Justin Holl (CHI 2010 second-rounder) is with Toronto, but the highest level he reached with Chicago was two games with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
Edmonton Oilers
Dominik Kahun, Slater Koekkoek
Jim Playfair (assistant coach)
Winnipeg Jets
Marko Dano
Jamie Kompon (assistant coach)
Montreal Canadiens
Phillip Danault, Michael Frolik, Erik Gustafsson
West Division
Colorado Avalanche
Dennis Gilbert (also Steel alum), Brandon Saad, Carl Soderberg
Vegas Golden Knights
Robin Lehner, Mattias Janmark
Ryan McGill (assistant coach)
Minnesota Wild
Ryan Hartman
Brett McLean (assistant coach)
St. Louis Blues
Steel alum: MacKenzie MacEachern
