Chicago Blackhawks’ 5 Most Interesting Questions As Offseason Progresses

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Mar 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger (16) and left wing Ryan Hartman (C) congratulate right wing Marian Hossa (81) on his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Blackhawks fans have had a decent amount of time to let it sink in that their team will not be winning the Stanley Cup in 2017, so why not look to the future and see what that holds?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are rolling on without the Chicago Blackhawks this week, as all four conference semifinal series have officially gotten underway. They all produced thrilling Game 1s … not something we would associate with the Blackhawks’ first-round exit against Nashville.

But it’s time to leave that behind, if you’re a Blackhawks fan. Enjoy some postseason hockey, but also think ahead to the future of the organization.

That’s what this post is doing today. There are tons of questions surrounding the Blackhawks, as many speculate their championship window that spans back to the start of this decade may be closing or closed.

So what kind of things do the Blackhawks have to think about this offseason? I’m taking a look at five of the most interesting topics.

5. Could Marian Hossa retire?

No one wanted to ask this question after the Predators swept the Blackhawks. It’d be a more fitting question if the Blackhawks had lost a grueling Game 7 to be ousted valiantly from the playoffs. But after a sweep … best to save that question for later.

It is one worth wondering about, though. Hossa will be closing in on age 39 by the time the 2017-18 season begins, and while he had a nice rebound campaign this year, you have to wonder if he sees the Blackhawks’ title window as closing/closed and feels it’s time to walk away.

Hossa continued to deal with nagging injuries throughout the season. While it was nothing major, that stuff piling up over time can take its toll.

The Blackhawks would no doubt like to have Hossa return from an on-ice standpoint. It was clear this season he could still go at a certain level. The one thing to think about, though, is that the Blackhawks are in the realm of taking a $5.275 million cap hit per season on a guy who may stay a third-liner in the future.

I’m not saying the Blackhawks should try to force out Hossa by any means. He deserves to leave the team and game on his own terms. But we’re entering a really interesting spot where his career is in its twilight and the Blackhawks are trying to improve on the fly with no cap space. Should make for some interesting fan debates this summer.

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