Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Bold Predictions for 2014-15 Season

Injuries and shoddy linemates have held back Patrick Kane from a true offensive breakout for years. Those excuses are gone this season, and his personal stat sheet will see the benefits.

Jonathan Toews scored at a 40-goal-per-82-game pace in both 2011-12 and 2012-13. The numbers will come; the real challenge for Toews is staying healthy long enough for them to accumulate.

Trevor van Riemsdyk was never expected to even challenge for a roster spot in Chicago, but he was flat-out better than the team's defensive prospects in the preseason and has more than earned a long look. He's surprisingly poised and intelligent in his own zone for a rookie; it's hardly out of the question to project van Riemsdyk as a quality No. 5 by season's end.

Chicago played dreadful hockey for much of the 2013-14 season and still came away from it with 107 points. With an improved roster and the more consistent focus that comes with chasing a Stanley Cup rather than defending one, the Blackhawks have a great shot at 120.

Long one of the most disrespected and under-appreciated members of the Blackhawks, 2014-15 is Corey Crawford's year to shine. He's already started things off brilliantly with a fantastic performance against the Dallas Stars, leading Chicago to a win in a game it should have lost by three or four.