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NHL Chicago Blackhawks

Top 5 Chicago Blackhawks Who Impressed During Preseason

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Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Most Impressive Players During Preseason

Chicago Blackhawks Preseason
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To go with the batch of the usual suspects, there were several somewhat surprising standouts for the Chicago Blackhawks during the preseason. Here's a look at the five most impressive Blackhawks players during the exhibition period.

5. Duncan Keith

Duncan Keith
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5. Duncan Keith

Duncan Keith
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Duncan Keith looked strong in four games of preseason action, picking up four assists and showing off the same speed and active defensive play that won him the Norris Trophy in 2013-14.

4. Scott Darling

Scott Darling
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4. Scott Darling

Scott Darling
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Scott Darling was perfect in net for the Blackhawks during the preseason, posting a shutout and turning aside all 30 shots he faced in about 90 total minutes of action. He looks like an adequate long-term option as Chicago's backup goaltender.

3. Andrew Shaw

Andrew Shaw
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3. Andrew Shaw

Andrew Shaw
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Three goals in four exhibition games was all it took for Andrew Shaw to get promoted from the third line up to the second with Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad.

2. Kris Versteeg

Kris Versteeg
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2. Kris Versteeg

Kris Versteeg
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Kris Versteeg finally looked like himself again, displaying the agility and high-level offensive creativity that went missing from his game last year. Unfortunately, a lower-body injury will knock him out of Chicago's lineup for the first three weeks of the 2014-15 regular season.

1. Trevor van Riemsdyk

Trevor van Riemsdyk
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1. Trevor van Riemsdyk

Trevor van Riemsdyk
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Undrafted Trevor van Riemsdyk was the surprise of the Blackhawks' training camp and preseason, showing tremendous poise and defensive awareness for a player who had never before played a single second of professional hockey. He has a great shot to nail down a spot on Chicago's third pairing.

Sean Sarcu is a Chicago Blackhawks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.