"It's hard to argue with those who believe the Blackhawks have been blessed in goal the last two years.

Team brass might have been confident and comfortable with Antti Niemi backing up veteran Cristobal Huet two years ago and Corey Crawford behind Marty Turco last season, but no one could have projected the success Niemi and Crawford would have in their first full NHL seasons.

No one foresaw Niemi going from an unknown backup to a Stanley Cup winner. And while the Hawks always have been high on Crawford, seeing him become a candidate for rookie of the year was a blessing at a time when the team needed some stability in net."