Blackhawks Season Preview: From $62.8 million to 20 cents – 10 Questions The Blackhawks Must Answer (6-10)

The PIB Blackhawks season preview will take a different direction than some of the other previews that I’ve already linked up to in the Shots From The Slot – Windy City Puck Links articles. Here, let’s highlight 10 questions to monitor as the season progresses.

For questions 1 to 5, check yesterday’s article. Now let’s continue with questions raised 6 through10:

6. How will Patrick Kane handle all the exposure?

In TSN’s ‘Hawks season preview, they think “Twunny Cent” Kane will be the NHL’s most scrutinized player this season (TSN). That might be the case heading into the season, but I think that will quickly be put to rest. He’s done and said all the right things since the incident that needs no more discussing. This might even prove to heighten his awareness and improve his focus, resulting in an even more dangerous offensive force.

7. What effect will Blackhawk player participation in the Olympics have on the club?

The impact of this will not be able to be gauged until well into the playoffs. In 2006, the Red Wings had no less than 4 players on Team Sweden’s gold medal winning squad. The President Trophy winning Wings squad, however, was upset in the 1^st round by the Oilers. Did the intense Olympic competition eventually drain the likes of Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Holmstrom and Kronwall? Hard to say for certain as the spoiler team Oilers did climb and scrape their way to the Cup finals (losing to the Hurricanes). Several Blackhawks are in the hunt to join their countries respective Olympic squads.

As I reported from the Team Canada Red and White scrimmage game, Duncan Keith and Jonathon Toews are very strong candidates to make powerhouse Team Canada’s team, with Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp likely on the outside looking in. PIB’s own co-author Jim Neveau covered Team USA’s orientation camp and Patrick Kane will obviously be donning the red, white and blue in Vancouver 2010 barring any injuries. I could also see the versatile Dustin Byfuglien making that squad as well. Of the remaining ‘Hawks, Hossa will be suiting up for Slovakia.

I am definitely all for NHL player Olympic participation. I am just saying there maybe ramifications as the grueling hockey season wears on. There might be only a certain amount of time even the most elite players can go to the well, after such an intense event as the Olympics.

8. Has the Bowman hockey genius gene rub off on new Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman?

PIB’s Jim Neveau provided an excellent in depth review of Stan Bowman’s situation in Chicago back in July (THW). Financial decisions galore will be of utmost importance as the ‘Hawks face a major cap crunch next season and beyond. While his predecessor Dale Tallon made typhoon-like splashes in the offseason for both good and bad reasons, Bowman’s two transactions thus far in his short tenor include an exchange of draft picks with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2010 2nd-round pick for Toronto’s third-round pick in 2011 and a 2011 second-round pick) and claiming Radek Smolenak off waivers a few days ago. Blackhawks faithful can only hope that even a small portion of his father’s hockey magic and genius have rubbed off on Stan.

9. Who is this year’s Blackhawks breakout player?

While last season seemed to be “Year Of The Blackhawk Breakout”, who will emerge this year and translate potential into reality? Last season, guys like Dave Bolland, Cam Barker, Andrew Ladd and rookie of the year finalist Kris Versteeg all had tremendous breakthrough seasons. The candidates this year include netminders Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Jack Skille. My vote actually goes for one of the guys who has already “broken out” – Cam Barker. I predict this to be the season the 3^rd overall pick, behind Ovechkin and Malkin, truly breaks out and elevates his game to the next level.

10. How much does the loss of Adam Burish impact the team?

I covered Burish’s injury in depth last week in the inaugural “Blackhawk Down” column. As I stated in that article: “Taking the agitator role to another level, heart-and-soul, fourth line plugger Adam Burish will miss the majority of the season, after tearing his ACL Sunday night. Burish brings good penalty killing ability, physical play and shot blocking all to the rink, all the time. Beyond that, though, is his ability to get deep under the skin of the opposition’s key players – he truly basks in the glory of that role. While the ‘Hawks have plenty of young players with the ability to jump into the lineup, it’s the intangibles that Burish brings to the team that will be sorely missed.” As noted in one of the “Shots From The Slot” articles, Jesse Rogers rates Adam Burish’s loss to the ‘Hawks as a 5/10. (ESPN) How would you rate the loss? PIB gives it a 6/10.

What questions do you think the Blackhawks face this upcoming season? Post your comments below. Alternatively, you can email me at hockeyspy@gmail.com and/or follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/hockeyspy

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