2012 NHL Playoffs: 10 Questions Following the Chicago Blackhawks' Early Exit

The Chicago Blackhawks have questions to answer within the organization. They can begin working on them starting today.

The offseason starts for the 'Hawks following their elimination from the playoffs at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes. Like last season's first-round exit, Chicago faces a lot of issues to be addressed this summer.

Some have been nagging at the 'Hawks for ages. Others were revealed over the course of the series. Following a disappointing exit, let the questions begin.

1. What Is Marian Hossa's Immediate Future?

Hossa is currently resting at home on the heels of the Game 3 hit from Raffi Torres. His summer seems to be one of recovery.

Hossa logged a healthy regular season for the first time in his Blackhawks career, but still faces a summer of uncertainty. How severe are his injuries, and will the offseason be enough time to heal from them?

2. What Was the Deal with Jamal Mayers?

As recently as a week ago, Jamal Mayers was GM Stan Bowman's best pickup last summer. He provided leadership and grit galore. Mayers looked to be a guy who might be brought back for next season.

That was before Joel Quenneville scratched Mayers in the final three games of the series. Does this affect his future with the team?

3. Who Comes Back?

The Blackhawks have six unrestricted free agents to make decisions on this summer.

Those players in question are Andrew Brunette, Brendan Morrison, Mayers, Johnny Oduya, Sean O'Donnell and Sami Lepisto.

Daniel Carcillo and Ray Emery were secured for the 2012-13 season. Will any of these UFAs be back in the Indian head sweater?

4. Who Gets Moved?

Is this the year a familiar face is traded to fill more pressing need? The 'Hawks have a wish list. Coming off the Phoenix series, I'd guess that the list of untouchables is a bit shorter.

5. Is Stan Ready to Rely on Youth?

Despite bringing in a host of one-year signings, the Blackhawks had a lot of young talent make an impact this season, beginning with Andrew Shaw.

Shaw went from toiling in Rockford to Internet sensation in the span of a few weeks. His play in Chicago was one of the happy surprises of the season.

Marcus Kruger had a solid, if not spectacular campaign. Is he ready to be a permanent solution to the second-line center position?

A lot of Rockford talent is at Bowman's disposal. Does he move pieces like Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin out of the organization, or find spots for them on next season's roster?

6. What Do the 'Hawks Have in Corey Crawford?

Last summer, the Blackhawks made a three-year commitment to Crawford as their starter. Year one saw Crawford struggle at times to be the player who stood so tall in last year's playoffs.

With Emery returning as the backup, it appears that Chicago is set to stick with its present situation in goal. The question lies in the amount of faith Bowman and company have in Crawford's ability to bounce back from a season that hinted at a sophomore slump.

7. Is Patrick Kane a Center or a Wing?

Last year, we asked the same question of Patrick Sharp. The answer proved to be the latter. What about Kane?

The team went back and forth on the issue all season. Will they arrive at an answer this summer by bringing in a top-six center, or decide they can live with the shortcomings at the dot and the drop in defensive intensity?

8. Where Does Steve Montador Slot into the Defensive Scheme of Things?

The addition of Montador could have made a difference down the stretch for Chicago. Will the defenseman be ready to shore up the blue line after suffering from concussion symptoms most of the spring?

If so, how will Joel Quenneville use last summer's big free-agent acquisition. Will it be in a fashion in which Montador can be successful?

9. Are Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik Checking Forwards or Doghouse Dwellers?

These two guys were part of what looked like a beast of a checking line when the season opened. They ended the postseason in much the same way and were tied for the team lead in goals against the Coyotes with two apiece.

In between, there was little to cheer about.

First Bickell and then the newly-signed Frolik spent huge stretches as healthy scratches. Are we in for another Jeckyll and Hyde season from this pair, or will one or both be gone by training camp?

10. Is There a Communication Issue Bewteen Bowman and Quenneville?

Bowman collected a better group of talent last summer and seemed to bring in guys who Quenneville could work with.

In reality, Quenneville didn't seem comfortable with the hand he was dealt by his general manager.

From downright ignoring Lepisto, to finding places for Montador and Brunette, to his lack of faith in a third pairing, Quenneville did get the pieces he needed. Where does the blame lay and how does this get resolved in the offseason?

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll offer my two cents on the past season and the future of the Blackhawks. Maybe some of the answers to these questions will surface along the way.