The Chicago Blackhawks signed Tommy Wingels and Lance Bouma because of their style of play. They are gritty forwards that hit people.
Both players would have lead the Blackhawks in hits last season. The Blackhawks were last in the NHL with an average of 14.4 hits per season. Since the Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews era began, the Blackhawks have been a team that consistently gets out hit. Since 2008, the highest the Blackhawks have ranked in hits is 2010-11 at 15th. They have ranked last in 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015-16, and 2016-17.