Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Sharp's Ascension to the NHL's Elite May Cost Plenty

The Chicago Blackhawks have been able to lock up most of the players they have identified as their "core" for the next several seasons, most recently with a three-year contract for goalie Corey Crawford. 

In my estimation, this leaves one major player for the Blackhawks to secure. The 2011-12 season will be the backdrop for the 'Hawks pursuit of Patrick Sharp.

Sharp enjoyed a breakout year offensively in 2010-11, leading the way for Chicago in the goal department. Sharp potted 34 goals on the season and likely would have bested his career-high if he had not injured his knee late in the campaign.

23 of those goals came in the season's first half. All six of Sharp's game winning goals came before the all-star break. He was arguably the MVP of the season going into the break, having kept the 'Hawks afloat while injuries beset some of the team's top scorers.

His quest for points left him out of position defensively in the early going, but after the all-star break he was a plus-nine. The time he spent on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane bore fruit. 

In the 'Hawks' eight-game February win streak, Sharp tallied points in six of the victories.

Sharp's breakout season went national when he was selected to participate in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. His goal and two assists in the contest resulted in being awarded the MVP for the game.

Sharp's knee on knee collision with Rotislav Klesa in Phoenix March 20th threatened to end his season and Chicago struggled without him in the lineup. This was compounded when Dave Bolland went down a few days later.

Sharp displayed his toughness in the last days of the regular season, coming back for the final three games and notching points in each one.

Sharp proved to be especially deadly on the Blackhawks' power play. His 12 goals on that unit led the team.  He also tied for the club lead with a pair of short-handed goals.

Sharp is a valuable commodity in the NHL as a dangerous sniper from the wing who has also proven himself effective at center. For a club like Chicago that suffers from depth issues at that position, he becomes a bigger piece of the team puzzle.

Sharp turned in a career year offensively, shined in all-star competition, and cemented his value to the Blackhawks in the 2010-11 campaign.

Where do the 'Hawks go from here?

Save for Marian Hossa, Sharp is the oldest member of the Blackhawks core players.  I think it's obvious that he is a huge part of the mix in Chicago, but are the 'Hawks going to take on one last big contract?

The team has committed big money to Hossa, Toews, Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook over the last few seasons. Seabrook's contract was the talk of the town for much of last season, just like Sharp's negotiations figure to be if they are conducted in-season as the organization seems to prefer.

The shadow of a possible extension for Sharp looms even with all of the roster decisions GM Stan Bowman must make this summer. I won't be surprised if Bowman takes his time in regards to Sharp, as the team has shown they can get deals done during the season without becoming distractions.

Sharp's contract status has been in our sights for a while. We've had a lot of time to worry about getting Sharp signed. 

With the season he just turned in, that talk is bound to continue well into the 2011-12 season.

Until the day comes, where we know one way or the other what Patrick Sharp's future is with the Blackhawks.