Bobby Hull ‘fearlessly’ predicts a Game 7

Elliotte Friedman takes an in depth look at the resurgence of the Chicago Blackhawks in the Chicago sports scene.

Hockey Hall of Famer and Chicago Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull knows what it takes to win. He says today’s Blackhawks have it too and it will lift them to victory in a must-win Game 6 Wednesday.

“I fearlessly predict that the Hawks are going to come out ready to play, and there will be a seventh game — and that’s the one we’ll have to watch,” Hull told The Jeff Blair Show on Sportsnet The Fan 590 Wednesday.


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The 1961 Stanley Cup champion, two-time Hart Trophy winner and three-time Art Ross recipient is a mainstay at the United Center — both in the rafters, where his No. 9 hangs “with the pigeons” as well as in the stands, where he proudly attends Blackhawks home games.

He believes Wednesday’s Game 6 won’t be the final time he watches his team win this post-season.

“I’ve gotta believe that the Blackhawks are the guys with the big hearts and the most character and you’ll see that in the Finals playing for the Stanley Cup again this year,” said Hull.

LISTEN: Bobby Hull talks Blackhawks on The Jeff Blair Show

Hull is particularly fond of the Blackhawks’ dynamic forward duo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

“You see what Patrick Kane can do when he’s hot. When he’s hot, he’s like a pepper sprout,” said Hull. “And when Johnny Toews takes over, he is the best player in the National Hockey League.”

“John had the mind and the outlook of a grown man when he was 20 years old,” he said. “He never, ever did anything wrong, never said anything wrong. He just was mature enough to take charge, and when they asked him to be captain, he was ready. Even at the young age that he took over, he was ready.”

Hull, too, was very young when he joined the NHL and says he understands the challenges that Toews and Kane faced.

“I came into the league when I was 18 but was not ready and it took me a couple years to realize how the game should be played, and these guys took off right from the beginning and led the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cups — and they’re on their way to a third.”

Gun to his head, who would he choose to be no. 1: Toews or Kane?

“I would pull my knife and take both of them,” he said. “Those two should not be separated.”

Barring injuries, said Hull, both players are on their way to the Hall of Fame.

“There’s no doubt about it, when these kids get finished they will be so proud to have their banners lifted to the ceiling like Mr. [Stan] Mikita and [Glenn] Hall and [Tony] Esposito and [Keith] Magnuson and Pilote and I,” said Hull. “They are two magnificent young players that Chicago is so fortunate to have, and the hockey world is so fortunate to be able to watch them.”

And if Hull’s predictions are accurate, we’ll be watching them for a little while yet.

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