5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Chicago Blackhawks This Offseason

By Nick Villano

5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Chicago Blackhawks This Offseason

Marian Hossa, Stanley Cup — The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off a dynasty-securing Stanley Cup season. They went through some of the best NHL teams, finally winning against the young, upstart Tampa Bay Lightning. This offseason could be described as tumultuous. For a team that should be a contender year in and year out, this offseason has definitely been their worst. Here are five issues the defending champs are still dealing with.

5. Cap Situation

Chicago Blackhawks

5. Cap Situation

Chicago Blackhawks — The cap situation in Chicago is not great (it's actually bad). They had to make multiple trades in order to get in a cap situation they could live with. They could not sign any free agents of note. This team is in a bad spot now that they have two players making over million per season.

4. Duncan Keith's Minutes

Duncan Keith

4. Duncan Keith's Minutes

Duncan Keith — Duncan Keith played major minutes in the playoffs last season. The work ethic was super human. He was everything to the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, we've seen before where a player puts a team on his back and ends up getting hurt the next season. A body can only take so much punishment. Every shift takes a little toll on the muscles and joints. He played over 715 playoff minutes, on top of 2,000 regular season minutes. It will catch up with him.

3. Stanley Cup Hangover

Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup parade

3. Stanley Cup Hangover

Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup parade — The Stanley Cup hangover is a real thing. The Kings dealt with it last season. The Bruins felt it after their Cup win, getting knocked out in the first round. The Blackhawks have played a lot of games the past three seasons. They could fall with everything going on.

2. Replacing Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp

Brandon Saad

2. Replacing Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp

Brandon Saad — Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp are no longer Blackhawks because of money. It is that simple. Sharp was still a great locker room presence and could get it done on the ice. Saad could be a budding superstar. This team did not do anything to replace their 95 regular season points and 26 postseason points.

1. Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane

1. Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane — If you haven't been under a hockey puck the past month, then you knew what the No. 1 issue was for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane is being investigated for rape. If he is charged, this could be a two-year ordeal, and that is if he is innocent. If he isn't, you are likely going to lose your star for good. You can't just replace Kane, and you definitely can't fix the reputation he left behind.

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Chicago Blackhawks

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