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1999-2000 Stat Leaders Stat  Leader  No.  Goals  Tony Amonte  43  Assists  Steve Sullivan  42  Points  Tony Amonte  84  +/-  Steve Sullivan  20  Shots  Tony Amonte  260  Ice Time (F)  Alexi Zhamnov  22:06  Ice Time (D)  Boris Mironov  24:54  Faceoff Pct.  Ed Olczyk  59.86%  Hits  Bryan McCabe  196  PP Pts.  Doug Gilmour  20  SH Pts.  Tony Amonte  6

Is this the year the coaching merry-go-round stops for the Blackhawks? After disposing of three coaches (Craig Hartsburg, Dirk Graham and Lorne Molleken) in three seasons -- which conversely led to missing the playoffs all three years -- head of hockey operations Mike Smith is confident he has found stability in Alpo Suhonen. Smith believes the European-born Suhonen will get more out of a team that moved with all the precision of a log in the water last season. "I'm a believer in flow, in a creative, fast-paced game," said Suhonen when he was introduced as the team's coach May 21.

It's fine to be optimistic. But the club isn't equipped to play Suhonen's style. And fans haven't been overly enthused with Smith's moves since he came aboard last season, evidenced by a recent Town Hall meeting that allowed fans to air complaints. Another miserable season could further alienate an already depleted fan base.

For more on the Blackhawks, bookmark this page and check back Wednesday, Oct. 11 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.

BRIGHT SPOTS		GRAY AREAS
RW Tony Amonte has been a model of consistency since joining Chicago in 1994. He has averaged 34 goals per season since then and needs 10 goals to reach the 300 plateau. The Blackhawks will rely on goalie Jocelyn Thibault to play 60-65 games. Last season he finally came into his own, posting a respectable 2.76 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Suhonen's influence. The Finnish coach understands the European style of play as well as anyone. He has worked with Smith before (in Winnipeg) and should provide a calming effect on a team in search of direction. Steve Sullivan was a pleasant surprise last year, compiling 22 goals and 64 points. Blackhawks were tough in overtime last season, going 5-2-10.		Scoring. Outside of Amonte (who had 43 goals), no one approached 30. Michael Nylander (24), Eric Daze (23), Alexi Zhamnov (23) and Steve Sullivan (22) don't provide enough. Daze. He has been on the precipice of a breakout season, but after six years in the league, he has yet to "put it all together" The defensive corps. Boris Mironov is solid, and Anders Eriksson, Alexander Karpovtsev and Dean McAmmond are average. But there isn't much after them on the blue line. Need to cut down on goals allowed (245). In the Western Conference, Calgary (256) and San Jose (251) gave up more. Hmmm, try figuring this one out. As part of the deal that sent Doug Gilmour to the Sabres last season, Chicago agreed to pay half of the $6 million owed to him this year.

Comings
Player	Pos.	From	Via
Nolan Baumgartner	D	Washington	Trade/re-signed
Kevin Dean	D	Chicago	Re-signed
Aaron Downey	RW	Chicago	Free agent
Steve Dubinsky	C	Calgary	Free agent
Anders Eriksson	D	Chicago	Re-signed
Michal Grosek	LW	Chicago	Re-signed
Casey Hankinson	LW	Chicago	Re-signed
Chris Herperger	LW	Chicago	Re-signed
Mark Janssens	C	Philadelphia	Free agent
Alexander Karpovtsev	D	Toronto	Traded
Chris McAlpine	D	Atlanta	Free agent
Dean McAmmond	LW	Chicago	Re-signed
Michael Nylander	C	Chicago	Re-signed
Nathan Perrott	RW	Chicago	Re-signed
Steve Poapst	D	Chicago	Re-signed
Rob Tallas	G	Boston	Free agent
Marty Wilford	D	Chicago	Re-signed
Valeri Zelepukin	LW	Philadelphia	Free agent

Goings
Player	Pos.	To	Via
Radim Bicanek	D	Columbus	Expansion
Jeff Daw	C	Minnesota	Expansion
Dallas Eakins	D	Calgary	Free agent
David Ling	RW	Dallas	Trade
Bryan McCabe	D	Toronto	Trade
Derek Plante	C	Philadelphia	Free agent
Todd Rohloff	D	Washington	Free agent
Remi Royer	D	Washington	Trade

Prospect Watch
Pavel Vorobiev, RW, 6'0", 182
Born: May 5, 1982 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Acquired: 2000 draft, first round (No. 11 overall).
Central scouting lists had him billed as the top European player. He has impressive puck skills, creativity and is extremely strong and well balanced. He is a player who also plays with a mean streak, willing to do the gritty work.

Get the Highlighter
Thurs., Oct. 5 at Buffalo: Season begins in Buffalo with 'Hawks getting a look at a player that used to define the heart and soul of the team, Doug Gilmour.
Thurs., Oct. 12 vs. Detroit: Old adversary Detroit kicks off home opener. Blackhawks were 3-2-1 against Wings last year, and 2-0-1 at Joe Louis Arena.
Sat., Nov. 11 at Toronto: The 'Hawks begin a brutal eight-game road trip at Toronto that could define their season.
Fri., Jan. 26 at Colorado: Final trip out West ends seven games later in Phoenix. Will they better the 17-19-5 road record from last season?
Wed., Feb 21 vs. Detroit: Last game against rival Red Wings comes early this season.

Quoteworthy
"That's bull---- and I'm not going to do that."
--Smith, when a fan tried to pin him down on an exact date for another Stanley Cup appearance.

Team-by-team previews compiled by CNNSI.com's Ken Klavon, Jamie MacDonald and Jimmy Traina.

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