Are the Blackhawks still the favorites after the trade deadline?

The Chicago Blackhawks like most top teams in the NHL were busy during the last week before the trade deadline. As one of the best teams in the West and having the best player in the NHL this year in Patrick Kane. The future seems pretty bright for the defending champions looking to go back to back. The Blackhawks have become the gold standard in the NHL over the past six years, being able to move players while still maintaining their core of players. The Blackhawks have made the right decisions by taking chances on Brad Richards, Chris Versteeg and a few other veteran players. They have also been on of the best teams when it comes to cutting ties with players that are reaching the end of the usefulness. Their farm system has also been developing solid young players who have been able to come in and fill those roles for the Blackhawks.

But did they do enough at the trade deadline to solidify their status as Stanley Cup favorites. The Hawks made a deal with the Winnipeg Jets to bring back Andrew Ladd who last played for them in 2010 and was a major part of their first Stanley Cup team. The Blackhawks also traded defenseman Rob Scuderi to the Los Angeles Kings for Chirstian Ehrhoff. Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise also joined the Blackhawks, Phillip Danault and Chicago's 2018 second round pick went back to the Canadiens. In a minor league move the Hawks also added Drew MacIntyre from Carolina, Dennis Robertson went to the Hurricane in exchange. The move adds depth to the Blackhawks system and gives them more veteran goalies for their playoff run. 

These moves weren't major, but they added different elements to the Blackhawks who already had an extremely deep team. Ladd brings a level of familiarity to the Hawks first line playing on Toews wing, Ladd is coming off his best season and has been solid this season. He adds another weapon for the Blackhawks and when Marian Hossa comes back that line could be unstoppable. Fleischmann and Weise also add lower line depth for the Blackhawks along with some more playoff experience. Drew McIntyre also brings a solid amount of experience to the Hawks at the minor league level. He gives the Icehogs another veteran goalie behind Michael Leighton. 

All these moves just helped sure up the deep Blackhawks core, they are geared up for another deep run. On paper they look solid and on the ice they look even better, but anything can happen in the postseason. As long as their core can stay health and continue to produce the Blackhawks will be in good position. They could be the first team to win back to back Stanley Cups since the Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998. With the playoffs coming up it looks like the Hawks are primed for another Stanley Cup run.