Report: A star player's age may be becoming a team liability.

Something very uncharacteristic occurred during Game 5 of the Western Conference Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks. Blackhawks sniper Marian Hossa, who is an integral piece to the Blackhawks offense was only on the ice for 14:44 last night in Anaheim. This marks his lowest ice time in these playoffs, as the Blackhawks dropped a 5-4 decision in OT. The question remains as to why coach Joel Quenneville would use Hossa so sparingly. It does not mae much sense considering the Hawks' trailed a good portion of the game. There are a few factors to take into consideration. Consider that Hossa at 36 years of age, is the second oldest player currently playing in the playoffs. Only New York Rangers forward Martin St. Louis is older at 39 years old. With all the Blackhawks deep runs in the playoffs in the last few years, you have to wonder whether it may be taking it's toll on the oldest Hawk. Yesterday, an article in the Chicago Sun-Times questioned whether all the “marathons” the Blackhawks have played this postseason were taking a toll: Hossa as much as any Hawk gives it all he’s got. You can see the determination in his game. But the reality is that after 17 seasons in the NHL, he is challenged more than most to maintain his level of impact as the minutes pile up.  Now by no means is Hossa no longer valuable, it's exactly the opposite. He has 11 points in 15 playoff games, and his possession stats are among the best on the Blackhawks. He may not get as much credit as teammates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but make no mistake, if the Blackhawks have any hope of making it out of this series and onto the Final, they need Hossa. Unfortunately it's becoming apparent that his age is beginning to show and it will be up to budding stars like Teuvo Teravainen and Artemi Panarin to step up and offset the decline in Hossa’s play. A decline that is inevitable for every hockey player.