In a perfect world, Dustin Byfuglien would still be a Blackhawk. So would Artemi Panarin, Nick Leddy and Andrew Shaw.

But this not remotely being a perfect world, Byfuglien and a score of other former Hawks have found success — some more than others — with other NHL teams.

Some are aging and approaching the end of their careers, but many are still productive and bring pangs of regret to Hawks fans, which brings us to the question we’re asking today.

Which team is better: Current Hawks or Former Hawks?

The purpose of the exercise is to assess the players, not a front office working within a system designed to force regular turnover. Mistakes have been made, sure, but any conversation about the last decade’s roster moves begins by pointing to three fresh Stanley Cup banners hanging in the United Center.

And off we go ...

Defensemen

Current Hawks: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Connor Murphy, Jordan Oesterle, Jan Rutta, Brandon Manning.

Former Hawks: Dustin Byfuglien, Nick Leddy, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Michal Kempny, Stephen Johns, Trevor van Riemsdyk.

This is the most lopsided of the three categories in either direction, and it’s not good for the Current Hawks. A unit that for years was a strength now reeks of uncertainty from top to bottom. Any team would still gladly take two-time Norris Trophy winner Keith, but he turns 35 this month and is coming off a down season.

Every other member of the defense — yes, even Seabrook — is a candidate to be a healthy scratch on any given night.

On the other hand, Byfuglien remains a force at 33, and at 27 Leddy is speeding into the prime of his career. The Former Hawks have the kind of depth teams crave with Kempny, Johns and van Riemsdyk available to create a solid third pairing.

The biggest question mark is Hjalmarsson, who endured an injury-plagued first season with the Coyotes but recently signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension. So let’s assume he’s healthy and will be blocking shots at a furious clip once again.

Verdict: Former Hawks.

Goalies

Current Hawks: Corey Crawford, Cam Ward.

Former Hawks: Carter Hutton, Antti Raanta.

Crawford has to be healthy for the Current Hawks to win this category. If he is, it’s a substantial advantage over a pair of solid goalies who have never been able to nail down starting jobs until recently.

There was a temptation to add emergency backup extraordinaire Scott Foster and his career 0.00 goals-against average to the Former Hawks roster, but come on, this is a serious endeavor. Like Foster, Hutton played one game for the Hawks before moving on to backup roles with the Predators and Blues. We’ll soon see if he can succeed as a starter for the Sabres.

We almost gave Raanta’s roster spot to Craig Anderson, but his 3.32 GAA last season and 37-year-old body scared us off.

Verdict: Current Hawks.

Forwards

Current Hawks: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat, Artem Anisimov, Vinnie Hinostroza, Brandon Saad, Chris Kunitz, Nick Schmaltz, Dylan Sikura, Victor Ejdsell, John Hayden, David Kampf.

Former Hawks: Artemi Panarin, Andrew Ladd, Ryan Hartman, Troy Brouwer, Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainen, Marcus Kruger, Michael Frolik, Phillip Danault, Tommy Wingels, Antoine Vermette, Richard Panik.