Chicago Blackhawks, Stan Bowman: 6 Questions About His Plan at Center

The Chicago Blackhawks have addressed several areas of need so far in free agency, though many fans are still concerned about a lack of depth at the center position.

The fears aren't exactly unfounded, as GM Stan Bowman has not been quick to sign a solid top-six center, nor has he shown interest in obtaining a veteran for the fourth line.

The situation at center looks much like it did throughout last season, when we all held out hope that a playmaker could be found for the second line.

It hasn't happened yet.

To hear Bowman explain it, he may wait until the 2011-12 trade deadline to find that piece. On the other hand, a center could be in the plans and Bowman could be playing possum.

Here are six questions for discussion about the men Bowman looks to have available at the dot so far this summer.  Let the discussion begin...

1. What Are the Plans for Patrick Sharp?

The way Bowman is talking right now, it would appear that Patrick Sharp is going to be the center on the second line this fall.

For all the discussion this generates, two thoughts float to the top:

1. Sharp puts up better numbers on the wing than in the middle.

2. The way the roster is currently constructed, Sharp is best for the team at center.

This is the cause of a lot of internal conflict when you roll those two thoughts around in your head.

Bowman correctly points to the fact that Chicago won a Stanley Cup with Sharp at center. The role may confine Sharp a bit offensively, but he is more than capable of playing center.

If Sharp can handle being the two-way player he was two seasons ago, it makes up for the drop in scoring.  That said, picking up a center and letting Sharp loose on the wing works fine as well.

That doesn't figure to be in Bowman's plans right now, if we take him at his word.

2. Who Plays on Either Side of Jonathan Toews?

There's no doubt that Tazer is going to be centering the top line. Chances are he is going to go to war with Patrick Kane on his right side. But who's on the left?

Sharp makes for a deadly scoring option and completes an elite line. However, if he's centering the second line for the bulk of the season, there is a vacancy that the 'Hawks had trouble filling last season.

Troy Brouwer, Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell were all tossed into the mix and nobody stuck. Do Stalberg or Bickell get a second try there, or does newly acquired Andrew Brunette slide into the role as many expect? Will Joel Quenneville throw us a curveball and give a rookie like Ben Smith or Jeremy Morin the spot?

It is also possible that we will see Brunette and Marian Hossa flanking Toews. After all, Hossa has also been very effective while playing with the captain.

With Sharp at the wing, the first line is as set as one could expect for a coach who likes to constantly mix things up. If Sharp is not at left wing, there are a lot of options to consider.

3. Should Dave Bolland Move Up or Stay on the Third Line?

We all know the song and dance. Bolland makes second-line money and should be the second-line center.

Bolland has shown flashes of a player who could do just that, but it appears that Quennevile would like to see the Rat continue to ply his trade as one of the NHL's most effective checking centers.

On the third line, Bolland is a shut-down defender with surprising offensive potential. It's all about depth—something that defined the 'Hawks in the Cup season and doomed them the year after.

Bolland's health will likely continue to be an issue going forward, but he's definitely a more effective player on the third line.

4. Can the 'Hawks Employ a Center by Committee?

Bowman seems to think that a roster filled with versatile forwards will make up for not having a "legit" second-line center.

Sharp, Smith, Michael Frolik and even Jamal Mayers could play center. Mayers is strictly fourth-line material, but Frolik held down the position when injuries mandated he play there.

That versatility may be fine when injuries occur, but is it really the best way to plan to go through the regular season? Did he forget how bad Tomas Kopecky was in the middle?

Having options at center seems to be important to Bowman, as it would help keep the team afloat until the right player becomes available. How long the 'Hawks will have to wait for that to happen remains to be seen.

5. Why Does Bowman Seem so Confident in Marcus Kruger?

This isn't a knock on Kruger, who could well end up as the third- or fourth-line center when the season opens.

It's just that Bowman seems to have a confidence in Kruger's NHL readiness that he doesn't have in, say, Bradon Pirri, another 'Hawks center prospect.

I'm not saying Pirri is ready for the big-time, but this doesn't make sense to me.

Kruger had six goals and 29 assists in the Swedish Elite League last season, then one assist in 12 games with the 'Hawks at the end of the regular season and playoffs.

Pirri has 12 goals and 31 assists in his first year as a pro in Rockford of the AHL.

So Pirri was a better scorer in a tougher league. And he's definitely in need of another season in Rockford. In another season, he could be the second-liner we need.

So why is Kruger not earmarked for Rockford, where he could learn to hang and bang before being anointed the next Bolland?

We may see both players up with the 'Hawks before all is said and done this season. Bowman and the 'Hawks' front office appear to think Kruger is ready for the rugged NHL game, and it looks like he will get the chance to prove it in training camp.

6. Can We Expect Bowman To Sign a Vet for the Fourth Line?

Right now, all is quiet on the option of signing a veteran presence for the fourth line.

John Madden seemed interested in coming back, but if that was Bowman's plan, it seems like a deal would be done by now.

Bowman also seems to have no interest in signing Ryan Johnson. Brent McLean was signed July 1st, but that move seemed more in line to replace Jeff Taffe as the resident veteran in Rockford.

It could be that Bowman is satisfied with what he has for now. As the summer winds down, we may get some concrete answers to these questions.

Then again, we may not.