Chicago Blackhawks: 8 Questions Facing the Hawks in 2012

With a loss on Saturday night to the Nashville Predators, the Chicago Blackhawks went from first to fifth in the Western Conference standings.

The West is tight, and the Hawks will have to make every game count as every point is critical.

Three weeks into the new year, Hawks' fans and faithful are still wondering what the rest of 2012 has in store and if the Hawks will be competing for the Stanley Cup in June.

Some questions loom around the current state of the Hawks. Here are a few that will be answered in 2012.

How Bad Is Toews' Injury?

Patrick Sharp is one thing, but Jonathan Toews is another.

The Hawks have done all right without Sharp in the lineup. If Jonathan Toews is out for an extended period of time, what happens to the team? Toews is currently day-to-day with an upper body injury after leaving Saturday's game in the second period. 

Hold your breath, Hawks' fans. He is the straw that stirs the drink, the best two-way player in the league, and the Hawks cannot afford to lose him if they are going to remain cup contenders. 

What Moves Will Stan Bowman Make Before the Deadline?

Rumors are circulating, and the trade deadline is approaching. The Hawks are in need of a defenseman and possibly an additional forward.

It would be a surprise if Stan Bowman does nothing and leaves his team as is. At the same time, the Hawks did nothing before the deadline in 2010 and they ended up with a parade in June.

It's a different team and a different year. The Central Division and the Western Conference are more competitive this season. A move needs to be made, and the clock is ticking. 

Can the Hawks Solve Their Man Down Issues?

The Hawks are currently 27th in the league, killing 78.2% of their penalties. Will that be good enough to compete in the postseason?

They won't be facing the Columbus Blue Jackets' power play come playoff time. Most teams there will have the special teams to compete. Unless assistant coach Mike Kitchen can figure it out, the Hawks and their suspect penalty killing could have an early exit. 

Will the Young Guns Stay Hot?

For now, Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes have made a smooth transition to NHL hockey. 

Hayes' strong skating and ability to get to the net have been more than welcome, and something the Hawks desperately needed.

Shaw is rapidly becoming a fan favorite, sparking the team with his contagious intensity.

As the season moves along, will these two keep it up? Can they continue to mature in front of our eyes heading down the stretch? Time will tell. 

Is Corey Crawford the Guy?

The good news is that Ray Emery has proved to be a very steady backup. The bad? Corey Crawford, for the most part, has been hot and cold this season.

Crawford was yanked on Saturday night after surrendering four goals. Right before the holidays, Emery looked poised to take Crawford's job.

While it is not time to panic, would it be a shocker seeing Emery take over before the postseason? Maybe not. He has led a team to the Stanley Cup Finals before. 

Keep an eye on this developing situation.

Can Kane Snap out of His Funk?

Patrick Kane had no points against Nashville on Saturday night and was minus-two. He has 41 points in 49 games and is projected to finish with a career-low 69 points.

So the question is, what's wrong with Kaner? He came flying out of the gate this year and looked like a more complete and focused player. Recently, he has looked pedestrian.

There were times last season when Kane would go on a hiatus, but right now the team needs him to perform.  

Can Nick Leddy Play Defense?

Nick Leddy is good offensively and moves the puck well. Are we seeing the second coming of Mike Green? Are these going to be Leddy's only attributes?

Since December, Nick Leddy has been having a tough time clearing out in front of the net and is on the ice a lot when the opposition puts the puck in the net.

Leddy is currently minus-five on the season. That is the worst plus/minus of Hawks' defenseman.  

For a team that needs defenseman, Leddy needs to step it up. Would Bowman be so bold as to put him on the trade block? Of course, the Hawks would need a defenseman in return at the least, but if I was Bowman, I would listen to offers. 

Is This the Make-Up of a Cup Winner?

The NHL Central is a logjam, yet the Hawks are still one of the best teams in the West and in the NHL. Do they have the personnel and the tools to make another cup run? 

They may, but all Hawks' fans are hoping these questions become answers. Will they be the answers Hawks' faithful want? We shall see.