5 Burning Questions For Chicago Blackhawks Entering 2015-16 NHL Season

By Nick Villano

5 Burning Questions For Blackhawks Entering 2015-16 Season

Patrick Kane Situation — The Chicago Blackhawks have one obvious question that has been hanging over this team all preseason. That isn't the only question facing the team, however. Despite being the defending champions, this Blackhawks lost a lot from the previous year. These questions, including the obvious one, need to be answered before their season begins.

5. How Can They Improve The Power Play?

Chicago Blackhawks

5. How Can They Improve The Power Play?

Chicago Blackhawks — The Chicago Blackhawks were not a great scoring team last season. They just weren't. Despite their star power, they ranked 17th in the league in total goals scored. The power play was even worse. With the talent, skill and speed from all their skaters, you'd expect this team to score on half of their power play opportunities. They only scored around 17 percent of the time, and that needs to improve.

4. How Will New Toews/Kane Contracts Affect Future?

Chicago Blackhawks

4. How Will New Toews/Kane Contracts Affect Future?

Chicago Blackhawks — There have already been repercussions from the giant contracts for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Big contributors are no longer on the team thanks to the salary cap. In fact, next year they have $ 44 million dedicated to six players. That really hurts their ability to make moves.

3. Can They Replace Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp?

Chicago Blackhawks

3. Can They Replace Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp?

Chicago Blackhawks — In the offseason, the Blackhawks shipped away Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp. These two cogs were crucial to their Stanley Cup win. They got a nice package for both players, bringing back Artem Anisimov, Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt, but hese players don't compare to the what Saad and Sharp brought to the team.

2. How Will Minutes Affect The Core?

Chicago Blackhawks

2. How Will Minutes Affect The Core?

Chicago Blackhawks — Everyone knows the astronomical amount of minutes Duncan Keith put on his body last year, but each member of this team went on a grind. This isn't the first season they played that many games, either. In three seasons, the team has played 311 games. That is insane, and it may catch up with them this year. It happened to the L.A. Kings last season.

1. So... Patrick Kane?

Chicago Blackhawks

1. So... Patrick Kane?

Chicago Blackhawks — Patrick Kane's rape case is just confusing at this point. Every day the narrative changes. Right now he is on the team and fighting the charges. This is going to be over their heads until it goes away, if it does.

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