Top 10 Blackhawks' Stories of the Decade

A matchup against the Devils is a fitting way to end the decade. You have two of the best teams in hockey going up against each other at the United Center. Chicago will be rocking in the New Year outside, but there will be plenty of noise inside the Madhouse on Madison as well.

And now, I look back at the 2000's with the Blackhawks' top 10 stories of the decade.

10. Kane Meets Taxi Driver
It cannot be all good news for this franchise. The past offseason was filled with controversy, and it included the 21-year-old Patrick Kane allegedly punching a Buffalo taxi driver. This was not the news his hometown, or the city of Chicago, wanted to hear. Yet, people associated with the incident said it was "overblown," and we have moved on.

9. 2001-2002 playoff team
You would think all the great stories come from the last three years, but there was a good Hawks team in 2001-2002 as well. They lost in 5 games to the rival Blues in Round 1, which was not very good, but the team finished the regular season with 96 points. They returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1996-1997 and actually took the first game of the series with St. Louis.

8. Hawks Lead In Attendance
There was a time when nobody cared about hockey in Chicago, and to see how fast things have changed, is pretty marvelous. Their stadium is nicknamed the Madhouse on Madison, and they lead the league in attendance this season. They led in that category last season as well, and had 20,000-plus for the preseason games as well.

7. McDonough Takes Over as President
He did wonders with the Cubs' franchise, and when the Blackhawks hired him in 2007, hockey fans had to expect the same type of wonders. Could he really do that, though, to this struggling franchise? That question has been answered quickly as McDonough has brought a fan convention and helped bring the Winter Classic to Chicago. Forbes' Magazine calls this franchise the "The Greatest Sports-Business Turnaround Ever," and McDonough is a big reason why.

6. Winter Classic
Speaking of the Winter Classic, that New Year's Day game last year was pretty special. They ended up losing 6-4 to Detroit after getting out to a 3-1 lead, but hockey at Wrigley Field was a fun event. It had the best rivalry in hockey, on what is one of the most recognizable sports' venues in the world.

5. Hossa Signs With Hawks
In 2008, the Hawks received Brian Campbell in the offseason. This past offseason, the Hawks received Marian Hossa. Hossa is a 40-goal scorer, and he scored two goals in his Chicago debut, after missing the first month and a half with an injury. He has played for a Stanley Cup participant the last two years, and his teams have lost both of those games. Chicago hopes this skilled veteran can win one this year.

4. Quenneville Hired, Savard Fired
It was a shocking move early in last year's season. The popular Denis Savard was fired four games into the season, with Chicago losing three of those four to start the year. Savard's team won the game right before his firing, but Chicago was ready to bring in Joel Quenneville. Quenneville was working as a scout for the Hawks, and the veteran returned to his coaching duties. The move has worked, and Savard remains with the team as an adviser.

3. Kane, Toews, Keith Sign on Same Day
Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith are three key players for Chicago, and their long contract extensions mean this team is ready to be good for a long time. They announced the moves on Dec 3 this season. Keith signed for 13 years, the longest contract in Blackhawks' history. Kane and Toews, the two symbols of Chicago's resurgence, signed for 5 years. These young Hawks' players will get to know Chicago very well.

2. Conference Finals
Similar to the Winter Classic, Chicago's great story ended with a loss to the Red Wings. Yet, three of the five games went to overtime, and nobody knew this team could get all the way to the Conference Finals last season. The Blackhawks defeated Calgary and Vancouver to get there, and the expectations are very high this season.

1. Bill Wirtz Dies, Rocky Takes Over
In 2007, longtime Blackhawks' owner Bill Wirtz passed away, and his son, Rocky, took over. It was a sad day, obviously, but the sadder part was that many Chicago fans were happy to see Bill Wirtz go. Rocky has done wonders for this city the last few seasons, while his dad sort of took Chicago out of hockey for a while. The games were not on television and nobody came to the United Center. Things have changed with Rocky taking over, and I am sure Bill is looking down with joy.