Quick question

[TNBT]

Are we SERIOUSLY using Patrick Kane as a center? I have read two different depth charts (including the one on the 'Hawks official site) and they both have Kane as our 2nd line center. Without even mentioning the fact that Kane is a winger, not a center, it should be mentioned that the chemistry that he and Toews have is really good. He's also the best right-wing on the roster. I'm hoping to see a lineup something like this:

Sharp - Toews - Kane
Brunette - McNeill/Kruger - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Frolik
Carcillo - Mayers - Stalberg/Smith

Seabrook - Keith
Hjalmarsson - Leddy
Montador - Lepisto

Crawford
Emery

[WEFFPIM]

Yes, Kane's being used at center mainly because of not having much depth behind Toews there. And he's been very good there, too.

[TNBT]

That doesn't make much sense to me at all really. Unless there are some injuries that I'm not up-to-date on, we have Bolland, who can play 2nd or 3rd line. We also have the young guy in Kruger who should be getting some ice time. We also have Mayers who can cover the 4th line duties. Basically, my point is that I'd rather see Kane on Toews' wing and see one or two of the young guys get a shot. I've already mentioned Kruger, but there are guys like McNeill, Pirri and Paradis who I would love to see playing, as opposed to using our best wing at center.

[WEFFPIM]

Kruger is technically your fourth-line center right now behind Toews, Kane and Bolland, and that's the only place he belongs. Mayers belongs on the wing, he just doesn't have the skills to be a center. He's much better when he gets a feed and fires, not the one doing the feeding. Kruger's kills are still raw, but he has the talent to move up over time.

And you're right, Kane is one of the best wings on this team. But this team has a bunch of terrific ones and two good centers. Kane has played center a lot in the past and he's done a terrific job so far. One of the biggest benefits of this is that he and Hossa are finally on the ice together, and it's been stellar.

[TNBT]

I hear what you're saying about Kruger's skills still being quite raw, but I think the only thing that will help that is to get him on the ice as much as possible. He has (in my opinion) the potential to be a solid second-line center, and I can think of no better time than very early in the season to give him the ice time he needs to develop. When the playoffs come around then sure, stash him back on the fourth line if he's still not ready, but at this point of the season, I'd be giving him as much responsibility as he can handle.

Regarding Kane playing well as a center; I am not disputing that at all, nor am I surprised that he is able to play well at that position. He is a very gifted hockey player, but I still see him as a wing. With that said, I know we apparently seem to need a second-line center, but I think Sharp is a more natural and capable center than Kane, so it surprises me that they haven't played him at that position.

[WEFFPIM]

Sharp loathes playing center, whereas Kane was resistant to it but has played it plenty in his past. Kane is a much better facilitator than Sharp is, as well.

And the best way to get Kruger some more development is to keep him on the fourth line and not be the weak link at the most pivotal spot on the ice on the second line. There's a lot more room for error on the fourth line than the second.

[TNBT]

There's a lot more room for error on the fourth line than the second.

True.

[Professor Frink]

One of the biggest benefits of this is that he and Hossa are finally on the ice together, and it's been stellar.

This. They've been a terrific pairing. I also like Car Bomb on the line with them. It's nice having an enforcer next to Kane. I like our lines a lot right now.