Chicago Blackhawks: Joel Quenneville Needs to Change the Lines Again

Joel Quenneville made changes to the Chicago Blackhawks' lines prior to Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Blues, and those changes didn't work.  The Hawks lost to St. Louis 3-0.

I've never questioned any changes Coach Q has made during his time in Chicago because of how successful he's been with the Blackhawks, but the changes prior to Tuesday's game were questionable.

I understand the Hawks are in a funk and need some sort of change but, obviously, there's a better way to bring about that change.  Quenneville needs to change the Hawks' line combos at least one more time, no matter if these changes will be temporary or permanent.

There's No Reason for John Scott to Dress

There is no reason for John Scott to dress for the Chicago Blackhawks, especially after GM Stan Bowman acquired tough guys Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo this off-season.

John Scott was paired with Steve Montador Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues, and they're probably the two slowest Hawks' defensemen.  However, they were on the ice together for most of the night which, of course, spelled disaster.

The only reason Scott should ever be on the ice is if he's going to drop the gloves.  He shouldn't be trying to drive people into the boards and through the glass because, well, he has no balance.  The big man can barely skate.

This may be a bit harsh, but John Scott had one task Tuesday night against the Blues, and that was to fight Ryan Reaves after he embarrassed Carcillo in the first period.  Scott failed to accomplish that task.

Daniel Carcillo Has No Business Being on the PP

There's no reason Daniel Carcillo should ever appear on the Chicago Blackhawks' power play.

Carcillo doesn't provide the Hawks with any play-making ability in the offensive zone, even when they have a one or two man advantage. 

Sure, Carbomb provides toughness, but that's not what the Hawks need when they have a man-advantage, especially when the Hawks have the worst power play in the NHL thus far in 2011.

Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik and Viktor Stalberg should all be on the power play before Carcillo.

Send Down Rostislav Olesz, Call Up Ben Smith

Rostislav Olesz has yet to contribute positively during his three games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011.  It's time for Olesz to get sent down, and the Blackhawks should call up Ben Smith for another stint with the pro team.

Ben Smith put his name on the map for the Hawks last year during their first-round playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks.

Smith gained confidence from his coach, Joel Quenneville, because Coach Q was willing to play Smith in overtime in an elimination game against the Canucks.

Smith can provide the Hawks with toughness and strength in the offensive and defensive zone, and that's a lot more than Olesz can do.

Line 1

OFFENSE

Since Joel Quenneville is trying to change things up with the Chicago Blackhawks' lineup and the changes made prior to Tuesday's game didn't work, I'll give you my temporary line changes to see how the Hawks react.

Jonathan Toews should be centering the first line with Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell on the wings.

Bickell, who was a healthy scratch Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues, is a big body that can complement the sharp-shooting Sharp and do-it-all-man Captain Serious.  Bickell has no fear of firing the puck on net, and Toews and Sharp are always crashing for rebounds.

Bickell doesn't demand for the puck to be on his stick, so he can skate in the open ice and clear the lane for the two goal scorers on his line.

DEFENSE

Duncan Keith should be paired with Niklas Hjalmarsson as the first defensive pairing.

Keith has coast-to-coast ability, and the Hammer provides them with a physical presence, as well as speed on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice.  Hjalmarsson has no fear of getting in front of a shot as he's shown throughout his career with the Blackhawks.

Line 2

OFFENSE

Patrick Kane should be centering the Chicago Blackhawks' second offensive line with Marian Hossa and Michael Frolik on the wings.

Frolik, who was promoted to the Hawks' first line in Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Blues, has a similar game to Kane, but he's no Patrick Kane. 

Kane and Frolik are both high-fliers and have play-making ability every time the puck is on their sticks.  Hossa has the strength to win a loose-puck battle against anyone he faces.

These three skating together provides the Hawks with an opportunity to spread the ice and create odd-man rushes, because of the speed and skill all three bring to the ice.

Kane often dances through the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, as does Frolik.  Hossa can use his strength and size to bully the defense and open up a lane for his to linemates to either fire away or pass to the open man, and then crash the net.

This line has the potential to create many scoring opportunities because of their ability to find the open man and deceive the defensemen.

DEFENSE

Brent Seabrook and Nick Leddy should be the Hawks' second defensive pairing. 

Seabrook, who hasn't had the same spark in his game so far in 2011, is the Hawks' most successful blueliner when he uses his physicality, and he's great when the Hawks' opponents are on odd-man rushes.  Leddy has committed a handful of turnovers this season, leaving his partner out to dry, but Seabrook can make up for Leddy's mistakes.

Both Seabrook and Leddy are offensive threats at the blueline, and that will work well when the Hawks are threatening.

Line 3

OFFENSE

Dave Bolland should center the Chicago Blackhawks' third line with Viktor Stalberg and Andrew Brunette on the wings.

Bolland can do it all, offensively and defensively, and he always finds a way to contribute to the Hawks' success.

Stalberg's speed can complement Bolland's play-making ability when they rush up ice.  Stalberg, despite his speed, brings toughness as well.  He's not afraid to get his hands dirty and fight for a loose-puck.

Brunette provides this line with a big body to be planted in front of the net.  Bolland and Stalberg don't hesitate to shoot the puck on net no matter where they are in the offensive zone, and Brunette's placement in front of the net can result in plenty of rebound goals for the Hawks.

DEFENSE

Sami Lepisto and Sean O'Donnell should be the Hawks' third defensive pairing.

I've noticed Lepisto has no fear of firing the puck toward the net from the blueline, however, it often doesn't get through to the net.

O'Donnell is a good complement to Lepisto because they have different styles of play.  O'Donnell isn't afraid to make that extra pass to setup one of his teammates with a scoring chance, because he knows he's not one of the Hawks' top offensive weapons.

Line 4

OFFENSE

Jamal Mayers should center the Chicago Blackhawks' fourth line with Marcus Kruger and Daniel Carcillo on the wings.

Carcillo has appeared on numerous lines for the Hawks, but he doesn't deserve to be anywhere near the top after his last couple of games.

Mayers is a solid fourth-line center, and the toughness and size he brings is obvious.

Mayers and Carcillo are the Hawks' two toughest players when it comes to dropping the gloves, and their toughness can provide protection for the young Marcus Kruger.

DEFENSE

With John Scott as a healthy scratch for the Hawks, that leaves Steve Montador as an extra defender or a healthy scratch, as well.