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LAS VEGAS — The Chicago Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup window shut permanently with the demise of their defense.
Johnny Oduya left in free agency. Niklas Hjalmarsson was traded. Brent Seabrook couldn’t physically maintain his high level. Duncan Keith tried to carry the load, but it wasn’t enough as younger and older reinforcements failed to fill the holes.
Now, after years of defensive struggles, the blue line is the first area Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has worked to...