In hockey, wingers have a simple job: score goals. As easy as it sounds, it
takes a lot to be a top winger in the NHL. The Chicago Blackhawks are lucky to
 have had plenty of strong wingers throughout the history of their franchise,
but a few stand out much more than the others.

Here is a look at the best of the best.3. Marian Hossa

When Hossa first signed with the Hawks after two consecutive Stanley Cup Final
losses with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, he told the Chicago
 Tribune, "When I look at Chicago, I think it';s an exciting team. They are
big, strong and fast. I see a nice future in Chicago. I had a great time in
Detroit. I was hoping we could get something done, but with today';s economy
and the salary cap, it';s really hard to sign all of the star players on a
team. I was hoping to sign a long-term deal, and Chicago made a great offer."
(from "Marian Hossa transformed the Blackhawks from wannabes to winners",
Chicago Tribune - 7/18/18).

Little did Hossa know, he would receive his first Stanley Cup less than a year
later and two more would follow. He would become one of the most famous members
 of the franchise and become a member of the 500-goal club. Even those most
optimistic about Hossa underestimated how successful he would be.Marian Hossa
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hossa scored 525 goals and 609 assists in his 19-season long NHL career. He
scored 186 goals and 229 assists during his eight seasons with the Hawks.
Further solidifying his reputation as a goal-scorer, Hossa became the 44th NHL
player to reach the 500-goal mark on Oct. 18, 2016.

He did not participate in the 2017-18 season due to health issues and announced
 he was "done playing hockey" in May 2018. In July 2018, his contract was
traded to the Arizona Coyotes in a multiple-player deal.

According to Blackhawks historian Bob Verdi NHL.com:

"Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are the superstars here," Hossa would say. "I
am not a star. I just do what I do, the best I can, and I';m just a small piece
 of the puzzle here."

His numbers and popularity among fans speak to the contrary. Hossa will be
remembered for years to come as one of the Hawks'; greatest superstars.2.
Patrick Kane

When one looks at Kane';s career achievements, it';s hard to believe that he is
 only 29 years old. He is still in his prime, yet can retire tomorrow and
retire a legend. Prior to the 2015-16 season, arguably the best season of his
career, Kane had three Stanley Cups, an Olympic silver medal, a Calder Trophy,
and a Conn Smythe Trophy under his belt. At the end of that historic season,
the then-27-year-old Kane became the first American-born player to take home
the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award.

It';s hard not to think of making history when one thinks of Kane. He was the
first first-overall draft pick in franchise history and scored the game-winning
 overtime goal to win the Hawks'; first Stanley Cup in 49 years in 2010. In
January 2017, he was one of the six active NHL players (as well as the
youngest) to be added to the 100 Greatest NHL Players list.Chicago Blackhawks
 right wing Patrick Kane . (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Images)

When it comes to his accomplishments, Kane is not only proud but is sure more
will come in the future, as he told NHL.com, "Consistency is what I';m
probably most proud of. I';ve had some slumps, but for the most part, I';ve
been able to figure things out. It';s been quite a ride. I';ve played my whole
career, and I hope to play the rest of my career in Chicago. As a rookie,
coming from my home in Buffalo, I was a little overwhelmed. The size of the
city, the traffic. But it';s the best possible place to play hockey. The fans
are unbelievable, the organization is first class, and even with the players
we';ve had to let go of because of the salary cap, we';ve had a nice run. Three
 Stanley Cups, and it';s not over yet."

In his 11 seasons in the NHL, all with the Hawks, Kane has tallied 312 goals
and 516 assists in 822 games. He';s not only one of the best goal scorers on
the Hawks, but in the NHL overall. Only a little over a decade into his career,
 Kane has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Hawks of all
time.1. Bobby Hull

As one of the two Hawks with a statue outside the United Center, Hull is a
legend. Like Kane and Hossa, he was a prolific goal-scorer. In his 16 seasons
with the NHL, 15 were with the Hawks as well as 604 of his 610 goals and 549 of
 his 560 assists. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and was
added to the 100 Greatest NHL Players list in 2017.

He retired in 1980 with a long list of impressive career achievements,
including becoming the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in a season
 in 1965-66, three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies, one Lester Patrick
Trophy, one Lady Byng Trophy, and one Stanley Cup. All of these impressive
achievements were in his 15 years with the Hawks.

When he departed from the Hawks after the 1971-72 season to play with the
Winnipeg Jets of the WHA, losing him was something they would never forget.
Teammate for 15 years Stan Mikita later told the Chicago Tribune, "After
Bobby left to play for Winnipeg in the World Hockey Association, we were never
the same - even to this day. Bobby was the big gun who could break the game
wide open. If Bobby had been with us in '73, we would have won the Stanley
Cup, not Montreal." (from "Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull formed special bond with
 Blackhawks", Chicago Tribune - 8/7/18).Bobby Hull (THW Archives)

Known as the "Golden Jet," Hull is known for having one of the best shots in
NHL history. As teammate Glenn Hall, who was traded to Chicago from the Detroit
 Red Wings in 1957, told NHL.com, "The best part about coming to Chicago was
that Bobby Hull was on my side. But I still had to face him and his shot in
practice. The idea was not to stop that thing, but to avoid getting killed.
Every once in a while, Bobby would fire the puck, and it would fly into the
stands at the Stadium. If the cleaning ladies were up there, you should have
seen them scatter. They looked like Olympic sprinters."

Hull was more than a goal scorer and made it a priority to entertain fans.
According to NHL.com, Hull once said, "Fans who pay good money to watch us
play hockey deserve to be royally entertained. This is show business, and
we';re here to put on a show."Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita

Even if his statue wasn';t outside the United Center and his jersey wasn';t
hanging from the rafters, Hull would still be known as the most iconic winger
in franchise history. A winger';s job is to score as many goals as possible.
Hull not only succeeded in that field but remains a fan favorite long after his
 retirement, forever cementing his legacy.

All stats are from NHL.com.

The post Top 3 Wingers in Blackhawks History appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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