Should Kane stay at center when Toews comes back?

[JBears79]

I think moving Shaw to the first line could even be a possibility.

[Ort]

I think he has done very well on the third line with Bolland and Bickell.
Bickell seems to have found his game again, as has Bolland. Not sure I want to mess with this line. Let's get them playing together for as long as possible, so we can hit the playoffs with them in sync. What I would love to see is Taser come back soon so they can go with Stalberg - Toews - Kane and
Sharpie-Kruger-Hossa for lines 1 and 2.

[ChiSoxJuan]

I know conventional thinking is don't rock the boat when Toews returns. But the Hawks will need their top C in the playoffs. The Hawks are playing their best (17pts in L10) hockey right now, because Oduya has lifted the entire rotation of D-men. So Hawks fans don't have to be leary of rocking the boat up front a little.

Hockey is not unlike baseball in that good defense leads to a calm heart & mind. When it's not good, the entire team plays tighter. Players start worrying more about not making mistakes than challenging the opposition. Players are willing to risk less then. All that worrying can drain the energy out of a team. When the defense is good, the entire team plays loose. The thought of making a mistake takes a backseat to the thought of making a play.

Oduya's presence makes everyone worry less. That means both Keith & Seab are playing with greater confidence and energy now as well as the guys up front. Adding Toews back in won't upset that in the least.

[RowBTrice]

I know conventional thinking is don't rock the boat when Toews returns. But the Hawks will need their top C in the playoffs. The Hawks are playing their best (17pts in L10) hockey right now, because Oduya has lifted the entire rotation of D-men. So Hawks fans don't have to be leary of rocking the boat up front a little.

Hockey is not unlike baseball in that good defense leads to a calm heart & mind. When it's not good, the entire team plays tighter. Players start worrying more about not making mistakes than challenging the opposition. Players are willing to risk less then. All that worrying can drain the energy out of a team. When the defense is good, the entire team plays loose. The thought of making a mistake takes a backseat to the thought of making a play.

Oduya's presence makes everyone worry less. That means both Keith & Seab are playing with greater confidence and energy now as well as the guys up front. Adding Toews back in won't upset that in the least.

This was a good read and some great points.

[Sockeye]

I wouldn't change much, if anything.... The Hawks are playing their best hockey right now... I think you just plug Toews in where you need him to strengthen a line, and sit Bollig, since you really don't have as much need for that type of player in the playoffs...

[DanTHEman9990]

I thought kaner looked pretty good in his own end last night and while he needs to be better in the dot, he has the hands to be better there. Offensively he's been at his best this year at center so I'd like to see him stick there when toews gets back for a few

[ChiSoxJuan]

If Q is smart, he should ride the hot hand into the playoffs. This isn't about Toews but rather Kane. He has grown accustomed to this role & is thriving in it. To ask him to make an adjustment this late can only weaken him.

[Myrmidon24]

Agreed