10 Questions Chicago Blackhawks Must Ask in the Face of Current Slump

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team in free fall right now. Losers of their last eight games following a 3-0 loss in Phoenix Saturday, the 'Hawks are a team desperate for answers.

All I have for them, and for you, are questions.

Most of us were of the belief that things could not get worse in the second week of their marathon road jaunt. We were wrong. Extremely wrong. Chicago dropped three games out west by a combined score of 13-5.

All facets of the team are fair game here. I'll just start firing away.

1. What the Hell Happened?

On Jan. 20, Chicago bested Florida, 3-1. On that evening, they led the NHL with 64 points.

They have earned exactly one point since.

Detroit has opened up an 11-point advantage on the Blackhawks in the Central Division. The Blackhawks trail third-place Nashville, who they visit Tuesday, by five points.

The talk has gone from holding onto the top seed in the Western Conference to hanging on to a playoff spot in just over three weeks. Rest assured, the Coyotes closed the gap between them and the 'Hawks to three points after the win Saturday.

Colorado, who beat the Blackhawks 5-2 Tuesday night, is ninth in the conference, just five points behind Chicago.

2. Should Jonathan Toews Be Shut Down for a While?

Toews sat in the penalty box near the end of Satuday's loss, goaded into a retaliatory slash on Adrian Aucoin. The captain might have used that time to reflect on his team's misfortunes, but he would have needed more that the two minutes he spent there.

Toews won 11 of 16 draws Saturday, but his success rate has plummeted in this area. He had a goal and an assist in the Florida game, then just two assists since.

Against both the Sharks and Coyotes, Toews was a constant target for bullying tactics.

The captain is hampered by the injury to his hand sustained in that game with the Panthers, pure and simple. The fact that he's still out on the ice is a testament to his heart, but it could be time to sit him down for a game or two.

3. Does Any Deal Make Sense at This Point?

Stan Bowman insisted that no deals were on the horizon as the road trip began.

Is is possible that Bowman has made a few calls in the wake of Steve Montador and Niklas Hjalmarsson missing the last two games?

One can't be expected to come in and be an instant fix, but the Hawks might decide to take a shot at shaking things up with a trade.

With the recent injuries, the defense is the logical starting point. However, a case can be made in several areas.

4. Should Joel Quenneville's Seat Be Heating Up?

Quenneville has taken Chicago to the mountaintop, but is the ride coming to an end?

The Hawks have failed to respond to any of a number of embarrassing defeats. He can't seem to get the defense to listen. It can be argued that several players have been used in less-than-optimal fashion.

A change on the bench has sparked the Kings and Blues this season. Might management fire their Stanley Cup-winning coach just 18 months after Quenneville paraded through Chicago?

5. Who Could Take over the Reins?

If the Hawks were to fire Joel Quenneville, who replaces him on the bench?

Mike Haviland stepped in for a few games last year when Quenneville had some health issues and did all right. Would putting Haviland in a tumultuous position for his first head coaching job be a good idea?

Mike Kitchen? Not if you want to avoid a fan revolt.

Is there a name out there that gives you the confidence that he could spark the players?

6. Is There Some Sort of Daniel Carcillo Curse?

That's ridiculous. Carbomb's injury/suspension had nothing to do with any of this.

I mean, they were 16-12-4 in games he played in and 5-9-3 since his season ended.

It's just a coincidence, right?

7. Are the Special Teams the Key to a Turnaround?

Could this pitiful stretch have been tempered with some competent special teams?

Chicago has not notched a power-play goal on the road trip. The penalty kill has not been up to snuff. The only effective kill comes when the 'Hawks don't take any penalties.

The skill on both units is sufficient to be much better in these areas. Chicago might have two or three wins on this trip with even average production.

8. Could the Going Be Easier out East?

It sure can't get a whole lot worse setting off in another direction.

Of course, Chicago gets a Predators team that beat the Hawks twice to start this losing streak. Then come the Rangers—winners of seven of their last 10 and leaders of the Eastern Conference.

Columbus looms at the end of the trip, but they've won three games since Chicago last tasted victory, so who's the doormat in that matchup?

9. Is It Time to Panic?

Toews is hurt. Two defenseman are out of the lineup. Neither goalie is in great shape. Every goalie Chicago faces seems to be channeling Patrick Roy. They're giving up over three goals a game and can't score even when they're up a man.

The GM hasn't been able to swing a deal, and the head coach isn't getting through to the team.

Let me cue up my best Frank Drebin: "Move along, folks...nothing to see here!"

10. How Can I Get the Slumping 'Hawks off of My Mind?

I know it's freezing in the Chicagoland area this weekend, but get out and forget about the Blackhawks for a day or two. The third leg of this train wreck begins in Nashville Tuesday.

Believe me, the Hawks will be there for you to worry about then.

I'm going to take my kids to see The Phantom Menace in 3D. Maybe Jar-Jar Binks is less annoying in that extra dimension.

You could listen to some new tunes. Or some old tunes. Or a little of both. I'm trying out the new/old Van Halen album. Definitely better that the last Sammy Hagar effort and the Gary Cherone speed bump. If you like the classic lineup, you'll find a few tracks to latch on to. "She's The Woman", "Bullethead" and "As Is"  are my early favorites.

Heck, you could even pack up the family and take them all to Disney On Ice over at the United Center. On second thought, that's kind of how Chicago's troubles began.