Blackhawks' Sustained Success Draws Comparisons To Bulls' Dynasty
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With the Blackhawks off to a strong start in the Western Conference Final, some fans see the team following the pattern of another Chicago sports juggernaut.
WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports the Blackhawks already have won two Stanley Cups in the last four years, leading some fans to compare them to another team that dominated its league while playing at the United Center: the 1990s Bulls.
"Oh yeah. I mean, you've got the rock star crew like you had with the Bulls. You've got Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith," one fan said.
Are The Blackhawks The Next Chicago Dynasty?
"They're definitely going to be a run for a dynasty. As long as we keep Toews and Kane together, we'll be good," another said.
Other fans feared the salary cap would force an eventual breakup of the Blackhawks' star leaders.
"It's kind of hard for that nowadays in professional sports," one fan said. "It's all about money. So, you know, guys are going to move on."
For now, fans will just have to enjoy the current season, and a possible shot at a third Stanley Cup.
Bob, a season ticket-holder since 1978, said he's noticed more new fans with the team's resurgence over the past several years, following a long stretch of dismal hockey in Chicago from the late 90s until the team drafted Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
"It's a little crowded. I used to like when there was no crowds, but I mean I like and I'm happy for the team that they're coming out," he said. "But it was more my building when I walked in and nobody was around."
The Blackhawks haven't had to worry about empty seats for quite some time. They've sold out every game since March 2008.
