Blackhawks to rely on Kane to be #2 Center

[icehogfan08]

via Twitter

Chris Kuc

Sounds like #Blackhawks will be relying on Patrick Kane to play center next season.

Tracy Meyers

Bowman on second-line center concerns: "Kane in the middle is better than any available." #Blackhawks

 

[HawkWriter]

Which I agree on and is fine...this however makes the need for a top LW even bigger if they go this route. The Blackhawks badly need a guy like a Clowe or even a Malone. Someone who has size, useful grit, and can legitimately play in the top 6. I wonder what the Blackhawks are thinking about Carcillo...because that Carcillo/Kane/Hossa line looked good but just about anyone looked good with Kane/Hossa.

 

[icehogfan08]

Which I agree on and is fine...this however makes the need for a top LW even bigger if they go this route. The Blackhawks badly need a guy like a Clowe or even a Malone. Someone who has size, useful grit, and can legitimately play in the top 6. I wonder what the Blackhawks are thinking about Carcillo...because that Carcillo/Kane/Hossa line looked good but just about anyone looked good with Kane/Hossa.

Shane Doan & Dustin Penner could be options

 

[Jntg4]

Good, great move.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Alright, another guy who can't win face-offs is clearly the answer for #2 center.

:slap:

 

[LonghornBob]

We should just give the other team the puck off the faceoff if it's anyone other than Toews taking the draw so our center, who's gonna get used anyway, will be in better defensive position when the other asshole wins the drop.

 

[tbo41fan]

we better get a legit top 6 winger then

 

[DMelt36]

Well, I guess if he knows it going into the offseason, maybe he can work on the faceoffs in the summer so he isn't terrible next year.

Still, if they're going to move a wing to center, I don't see why it's not Sharp. They won the damn Cup with him as the 2nd center.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

hawkwriter nailed it.

kane played his best hockey this year in the middle. they still need size on that 2nd line though.

oh and toews better work with kane at the dot. there's no excuse for him not to be vastly improved next season. practice that shit all summer.

 

[icehogfan08]

Probably need to add a RW with Stalberg and Sharp on the left sides

 

[Diehardfan]

Well, I guess if he knows it going into the offseason, maybe he can work on the faceoffs in the summer so he isn't terrible next year.

Still, if they're going to move a wing to center, I don't see why it's not Sharp. They won the damn Cup with him as the 2nd center.

That's a good point but I think the reason for this move is to get more out of Kane. IMOP, Kane never looked better than when he was consistantly in open ice playing center. He bulked up a bit last off season, he could use a little more this off season and coming in knowing that's where he'll be should help as well. It's a long ways off and a lot of things could change but as of now...I like the move.

 

[Uman85]

Seems like it would make more sense to put Kane back on the wing and get an actual center on the second line. Hope this works out.

 

[DMelt36]

Seems like it would make more sense to put Kane back on the wing and get an actual center on the second line. Hope this works out.

Well, yeah. But it already seems like that may not be happening.

I think I'm gonna hold off throwing too many names around until we see who's available via free agency this summer.

 

[Captain Iago]

Which I agree on and is fine...this however makes the need for a top LW even bigger if they go this route. The Blackhawks badly need a guy like a Clowe or even a Malone. Someone who has size, useful grit, and can legitimately play in the top 6. I wonder what the Blackhawks are thinking about Carcillo...because that Carcillo/Kane/Hossa line looked good but just about anyone looked good with Kane/Hossa.

I wouldn't mind bringing in the guys you and others mentioned in Clowe, Malone, Doan (way unlikely), or maybe even Pancakes...but I inferring what Stan talked about today, I think Carcillo will get a lot of time in the top six (until he gets suspended or hurt again, of course). Which, would be remiss to entirely depend on Carcillo in the top six. I like him in the top six (I mentioned it when they signed him that he'd be valuable there), but he's too volatile and if anyone is expecting him to flip the switch off in the same way Cooke has is out of their mind, methinks.

 

[Captain Iago]

Bowman is right about the best 2nd line center option being in-house (without giving something up via trade). Although I still like Sharp there over Kane.

The best shot at filling that hole via FA was last year in a very pricey Richards. Too pricey.

 

[Capt. Serious]

take Mike Richards in a heart beat. Stan Blow & his infatuation with prospects.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

I wouldn't mind bringing in the guys you and others mentioned in Clowe, Malone, Doan (way unlikely), or maybe even Pancakes...but I inferring what Stan talked about today, I think Carcillo will get a lot of time in the top six (until he gets suspended or hurt again, of course). Which, would be remiss to entirely depend on Carcillo in the top six. I like him in the top six (I mentioned it when they signed him that he'd be valuable there), but he's too volatile and if anyone is expecting him to flip the switch off in the same way Cooke has is out of their mind, methinks.

That's the big problem with seriously counting on Carcillo. He's most effective when he plays on the edge. That's his game.

Big problem now is that he really can't afford to cross that line anymore without fear of having to sit for an extended period of time. I still contend that the hit that ended his season wasn't as malicious as it looked (and a lot of the outcome stemmed from the play of the defender he crumpled), but he's never going to get the benefit of the doubt anymore.

Based on that, I sincerely hope the front office isn't legitimately counting on him to play top 6 minutes. I think that would be a massive mistake.

 

[Uman85]

Would it be a dumb idea to split Kane, Toews and Sharp up and put each on a separate line? With 3 of your top 4 scorers each on a line wouldn't that give you a better shot at scoring? I understand one/two lines are going to be your defense/hitting lines, but it seems to me watching the Coyotes' series that this team lacked scoring even when Hossa was playing.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Probably need to add a RW with Stalberg and Sharp on the left sides

Uh no. 3rd line or better yet trade bait & sell high on his ass.

 

[Captain Iago]

Would it be a dumb idea to split Kane, Toews and Sharp up and put each on a separate line? With 3 of your top 4 scorers each on a line wouldn't that give you a better shot at scoring? I understand one/two lines are going to be your defense/hitting lines, but it seems to me watching the Coyotes' series that this team lacked scoring even when Hossa was playing.

Your logical conclusion wouldn't work out well. You'd really be spreading the talent pool of the entire team thin considering the amount of talent their line-mates have. You can't really do that in this day of parity because of the cap. Also, you would be diminishing ice time of one elite forward who you want to be a "game breaker." Instead of two lines with serious potential to score, you'd end up with 3 lines that wouldn't score much at all. For example, is Frolik actually going to be able to snipe with Kane setting him up? Not likely. Out of the group you mentioned, Toews is probably the only one who you could move around like mad because of the game he plays (grinds in the corners so well, goes to the net) to such a high level that he'd elevate the play of whomever his line-mates are.

The reason why teams such as the Coyotes have success is because of the discipline of the defensive system that their entire team plays. They were able to keep a much more skilled Hawks team on the perimeter, where they are far less dangerous. They were willing to pay whatever prices (for example, the tons of blocked shots they accrued) in order to win and this is one example of how "will" beats "skill."