Chicago Blackhawks Dreadfully Thin at Center Minus Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews will not be in the Chicago Blackhawks lineup for Tuesday night's game with Nashville. That might just bring about some good heading into the All-Star break.

Certainly the 'Hawks are going to struggle to replace their captain. However, the look up the middle may just serve as a reminder to GM Stan Bowman that there is an area of this team that needs to be addressed before the team hit the stretch run.

Based upon the lines in practice Monday, here's what we could see at center Tuesday night.

Centering the first line...Dave Bolland and his 46.3 faceoff percentage.

Centering line two...Marcus Kruger, a proven veteran of, uh...46 NHL games.

On line three...Michael "Don't call me a center" Frolik.

On the fourth line...Jamal Mayers or Andrew Shaw. Can't complain too much here. I don't have a problem with either guy in role on the fourth line and I wouldn't mind Mayers taking faceoffs for anyone but Toews. I just don't see him having much upward mobility.

Now, I'm being a bit harsh here. Bolland has played really well as of late, and Kruger is making a nice transition to the NHL. However, does that sound like the top two centers on a Stanley Cup contender?

Minus Toews, that what the 'Hawks go into battle with right now. Bowman can point to the flexibility of players like Frolik, Shaw and Ben Smith and their ability to play center, but none of those players is a long-term solution on a top six.

Toews looks as if he also will be skipping this weekend's on-ice festivities, and that's just as well. If he can get to 100 percent and recharge the batteries between now and the resumption of the season in Vancouver next week, I'm willing to watch a depleted lineup give it a go against the Predators.

Hopefully Bowman will take a good look at his center situation as they try to go to the break on a high note. This team needs help on the defense, but the center position is also a big area of concern to me.

It was not addressed this past summer. Bowman was content to take a cushion of cap space into the season, giving him the option of fixing a problem midseason. I was all right with the rainy day strategy and still am, provided Bowman follows through.

It's midseason. It isn't raining yet, but we have some cloudy skies ahead with a strong chance showers if Toews misses substantial time with his current or a future injury. The time for Bowman to break open the piggy bank is swiftly approaching.

UPDATE, Tuesday, 11:00 a.m: The 'Hawks recalled Brandon Pirri and placed Toews on injured reserve. I'm not sure if that necessarily means the injury is long-term yet. Pirri, who had a pair of goals Sunday in Rockford and looked good doing so, can help the 'Hawks tonight. With no games after Nashville for a week, this may just be a way to clear a roster spot for Pirri, as Chicago was carrying 23 players.