Some Blackhawks sport bushy messes. Others have beards that barely cover their face. But all itched and scratched their way through interviews Tuesday in preparation for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins.
The Hawks have had 44 days to perfect their playoff beards. But the time of year where a select few NHL players hide their razors has almost reached its end.
Are the Hawks excited to part ways with their woolly facial walls? Or will they mourn the loss?
RedEye asked the Blackhawks about the pros and cons of sporting playoff beards.
PROS
Brandon Bollig: It's entertaining to see what guys can come up with. ... Sheldon Brookbank's is pretty patchy and he's older so we tease him. But there are some good ones on the team. I think Viktor Stalberg has a pretty good one. I can't really give best beard to myself, but I think I grow a pretty good one.
Sheldon Brookbank: My son likes it. He's just a little baby. He licked it one day. I've never had facial hair before, so that's something new for him I guess. He likes it, so that's good.
Nick Leddy: I guess the only benefit is if you think you look good with a beard. I'm not much of a beard guy, so I can't think of any. But mine's pretty thick. I'm proud of it. So that's good.
Michael Frolik: It only good when you can grow good, full beard. Like Bollig over here. He has pretty nice one. That about it. It not very nice.
Ryan Stanton: Not much. People around town might notice you when they wouldn't otherwise. And it may be better when you take a punch. It may cushion the blow. So that's nice, but that's about it.
CONS
Brandon Bollig: It starts to get real itchy. I have to put conditioner in it, as funny as that sounds. I started doing that last time I grew it out for a couple months and it doesn't itch too much if you do that.
Sheldon Brookbank: It gets in your lips. It starts growing in on your mouth and stuff. That's pretty gross. Plus, mine's not the best beard. So just walking around the town, people may think I'm being serious with this cheesy beard.
Nick Leddy: It's hard to dry off, that's for sure. That takes a lot of time
Ryan Stanton: With mine being red, they call me a ginger and stuff like that. So, whatever. And I get some food in it all the time. Crumbs collect in it. In the morning, eating my yogurt, I get that all in there and have to wipe it out. When you sleep -- I sleep with my face down -- so it gets really itchy when you're laying there.
Michael Frolik: It not good for guys, you know, that don't grow good. We joke about them. So that not good for them. Not good at all.