Lack of depth at center/winning faceoffs

[Capt. Serious]

The lack of depth at center is very concerning & can someone else besides Toews win a fucking faceoff?

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Well Kane won 8 of 12 in his first game at center.

But I imagine that doesn't count.

Oh, and Bolland was out tonight... which is CRUCIAL... seeing as how it's preseason and all.

 

[Kane4Lie]

Kane can...

 

[TheChicagoFan]

Kane, Toews, Sharp, and Bolland can all win faceoffs. The problem is that only Toews and Kane played in the game.

 

[HawkWriter]

The lack of depth at center is very concerning & can someone else besides Toews win a fucking faceoff?

I don't think lack of depth is an issue...especially when Bolland is your number 3 guy. I think everyone wants a solid #2 center, and quite frankly if Kane or Sharp (the most likely candidates) play there...we are good to go. Not many teams have 3 very solid centers like Toews, Sharp/Kane, and Bolland. Please name teams that have better center depth than those 3...there might be a couple (Pens Crosby/Malkin/Staal, Sharks Thornton/Couture/Pavelski, Van Sedin/Kesler/Malhotra) and all those teams are elite and you can make a good argument for the Blackhawks over them. #4 will be a Mayers/Smith/Kruger which will be fine, Mayers is solid at faceoffs. Kane has won more than he lost in both games that he played, very promising.

Also, the Blackhawks have some great depth in their system - Kruger, Pirri, and McNeil are all centers and projected to be centers in the NHL (if, when, etc they make it). Kruger and Pirri seem to be very close to being NHL ready as well.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I think Kane might stick at center. He wins faceoffs and I think he plays an overall better game there. Then move Sharp up to RW on the first line. Toews/Kane/Bolland/Mayers is 4 good centers. Don't be greedy.