Emma: Blackhawks Left With Sour Taste In Long Summer

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Flying high above Michigan Avenue next to old glory was a red flag and that famed logo.

Always one for production, the Blackhawks made their presence known at their annual convention in Chicago on Friday. Their fans flocked the streets, donning sweaters with 19 and 88 on a summer day. Legends like Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito returned, joining the current stars like Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford, Duncan Keith and more.

Kane even brought his new hardware, the Hart Trophy and Lindsay Award. The Blackhawks brass of coach Joel Quenneville, general manager Stan Bowman, president John McDonough and more surrounded their MVP, wearing the looks of pride. But there's a notable absence at this Blackhawks Convention.

The Stanley Cup is in Pittsburgh this summer, not Chicago.

"Could've, would've, should've," Quenneville said.

Throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs, Quenneville watched and kept thinking the same thought: Why not us? His Blackhawks fell to the Blues in a seven-game first-round series, and as the playoffs wore on, Quenneville watched, sizing up his team's chances against each opponent St. Louis faced.

Naturally, hockey's winningest active coach doesn't handle losing well. Game 7 is still present in many of the Blackhawks' mind.

"Could that have been us?" Quenneville would often ask himself through each round. "How would we have been doing?"

Added Keith: "We weren't happy with how the season ended."

Long summers in hockey mean extended time to regroup from the grueling season. Keith appreciated the chance to get his legs fresh after playing major minutes in seemingly every game. But long summers also indicate failure.

The Blackhawks squandered their series with the Blues. They fell in Games 3 and 4 on their home ice, then battled back to tie the series but couldn't quite escape from the hole they dug.

Last summer, the Stanley Cup was everywhere with the Blackhawks -- traveling through Chicago's attractions and watering holes, then trekking across the globe. It was a summer of celebration, the Blackhawks' third title in six years.

For all that production value, the atmosphere at Blackhawks Convention feels incomplete without Lord Stanley's prize as the guest of honor.

"You kind of have a sour taste in your mouth," Kane said of how the season ended.

To the credit of their leaders, the Blackhawks always seem to find a way. They're resilient in a sport that seeks parity. It seemed as if they were constructed to reclaim the Cup, but their greatest weakness, a lack of defensive depth, was revealed.

Bowman went out and brought Brian Campbell back to his "home" of Chicago. A member of the 2010 championship team, Campbell was itching for another chance with the Blackhawks. He now joins a younger, faster team, Quenneville believes.

Of course, with the Blackhawks, it's all about chasing a championship with their core.

"That's my goal, and that's the team's goal every year," Campbell said with a smile as he considered bringing the Cup back to Chicago.

Once again, the Blackhawks will be among the favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup next season. You can't ever count them out as long as Jonathan Toews, Kane and Keith are in town.

Each summer, the Blackhawks reshuffle the roster around their core. They enter the 82-game slate and largely thrive with a tough stretch in there somewhere. Eventually, the Blackhawks find their way to Cup contention. Last season, they were right there in position to advance on in their pursuit, but couldn't finish in St. Louis.

"At the end of it, there's an appetite to get back to try to win," Quenneville said. "It's been a long summer."

This weekend, the Blackhawks bust out their red carpet, bring back their legends and fly in their players, then open the Hilton doors and welcome in their fans. The McDonough operation knows how to create flash and flare around their weekend in Chicago.

Yet, this Chicago summer is one without celebrations. The Blackhawks hate long summers.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.