Oh, I know my metaphor is flawed, I'm just saying. If a physical, hard skating beast like Saad could do it, it would be a great solution in my opinion. BTW, I am not making an argument as much as trying to think out a solution. Where better to try that than here, with the experts.
- DirkGraham

Yeah, right.

So it's not just as simple as "go and do this," is it?
- EKolb13

It depends - if it is a hobby then it is not simple. If it is his profession, then it should be go and do it. there will always be a learning curve, but the curve should be less the more you do it.

Hawks really need to stop this every wing can be a center nonsense

Anyone who has grown up playing hockey that center is the hardest position to learn over 200ft of ice.

Just because youre the one guy who has free reign to skate all over the place, doesnt mean you should. Its about knowing your assignments, your coverage, your support, where to find guys, etc

Trying to convert a lifelong winger who has grown up playing through every major league up until the NHL is going to have tendencies and certain perceptions on the ice. You're going to put this guy who is learning on the job at the HIGHEST level of hockey in the world against guys like Toews, Kopitar, Bergeron, etc and expect him to get good at it? Come on. Guys might be able to hold their own, but NOBODY converts from wing to center and becomes a good top 2 center at the NHL level with no experience/success in juniors or the minors

Any thoughts on Regin getting resigned for the lower line depth?

This! It would solve the center depth issues we're all complaining about.
- HawkintheD

then the Hawks can sign some centers to play wing

Any thoughts on Regin getting resigned for the lower line depth?
- powerenforcer

Whats the franking point if Q refuses to play him?

Hawks really need to stop this every wing can be a center nonsense

Anyone who has grown up playing hockey that center is the hardest position to learn over 200ft of ice.


- FourFeathers773

Trust me, I get it having played center for the last 36 years. I'm just suggesting that Saad, if he could do it, has a lot of the ingredients that make a good center. I don't think it would be as great a leap as converting any of the other Center/Wing combos the Hawks currently utilize. So if they can't afford the right center, here is a potential option.

Sit tight for a few days & see what unfolds. maybe some of these kids make the next step and develope great chemistry with Kaner. I think 9.5 will in the mean time develope awesome chemistry with him.If you trade Leddy or Saad, in my book , a youngin of equal value at another position has to be coming back this way, not no 30 plus year old . we are possibly looking to unload 1 of those expensive aging contracts ourselves.

Villie Leino absolutely sucked in that enviroment in Buffalo, but I think ,{if he is even targeted, & if JJ mentioned him, he must have a tip,}playes with this group here, I think he returns to somewhat of his Flyer days kind of a player.

I'm looking forward to TT, McNeill, Danault & Morin all making a big push this fall to make this team out of camp. see where we are at around JUly 5th gentlemen, then we'll get a better outlook for next year. SB may suprise us

Trust me, I get it having played center for the last 36 years. I'm just suggesting that Saad, if he could do it, has a lot of the ingredients that make a good center. I don't think it would be as great a leap as converting any of the other Center/Wing combos the Hawks currently utilize. So if they can't afford the right center, here is a potential option.
- DirkGraham

The Saad at center thing was tried in camp last year. It didn't last long. Obviously, it's not going to work.

Whats the franking point if Q refuses to play him?
- FourFeathers773

Maybe if he only plays in the bottom 6 (where he should be) Q will play him regularly. I'm beginning to wonder if Q has to have his line blender going because he doesn't have a true #2 center, and then he reacts during the games instead of dictating the game.

Should be an interesting 2 weeks.

Leino was placed on waivers for buy out. Not sure if anyone mentioned that.

Wouldn't mind seeing Brassard if he is on the table. NYR seems like they want to shuffle the deck a bit depending on how they pay Kreider. Blockbuster deal of Sharp and Odyua for Brassards rights and Staal would be fun. Hammer can go back to his natural side. Or a package around Seabrook cause that $ works.

If they're looking for balance and to move salary Oduya out to Pittsburgh for Sutter's rights and a pick may be an option. At least they get a natural center for "depth" and crap.

Second line center or not second line center they need another natural one and preferably one with some defensive acumen so Toews and Hossa aren't grinding away at the other teams best players over 82 games.

Toews TT Shaw Kooga | Toews Shaw Kooga Smith

Neither of those two situations is how they should start the season down the middle. ZERO cover if there is an injury and I just think it isn't smart.

Toews TT/Shaw (defensive stud) Kooga | Toews (Under achiever with size) Shaw Kooga

Either of those two seem like much better options to me.

The Saad at center thing was tried in camp last year. It didn't last long. Obviously, it's not going to work.
- EKolb13

Exactly

The other risk you run by trying to force a player into an unnatural position is you could stunt his development as a player overall at the pro level

you could really warp his production or frustrate him and have him lose is confidence because he isnt picking it up

the kid is taking off at a wing right now, leave it alone

this is right up there with the "aroldis chapman and joba chamberlain should become starters" bull poop because they are so dominant at closing

let mariano rivera stay in the bullpen

Hawks really need to stop this every wing can be a center nonsense

Anyone who has grown up playing hockey that center is the hardest position to learn over 200ft of ice.

Just because youre the one guy who has free reign to skate all over the place, doesnt mean you should. Its about knowing your assignments, your coverage, your support, where to find guys, etc

Trying to convert a lifelong winger who has grown up playing through every major league up until the NHL is going to have tendencies and certain perceptions on the ice. You're going to put this guy who is learning on the job at the HIGHEST level of hockey in the world against guys like Toews, Kopitar, Bergeron, etc and expect him to get good at it? Come on. Guys might be able to hold their own, but NOBODY converts from wing to center and becomes a good top 2 center at the NHL level with no experience/success in juniors or the minors
- FourFeathers773

I think Kane was decent enough there, aside from draws. He actually put up the most even strength points ever playing center with Hossa on his right and that produced some seriously orgasmic hockey. And that was after wrist surgery shooting the lowest % of his career.

I think Kane was decent enough there, aside from draws. He actually put up the most even strength points ever playing center with Hossa on his right and that produced some seriously orgasmic hockey. And that was after wrist surgery shooting the lowest % of his career.
- fattybeef

yes, kane is good enough of a player to hold his own there

but NOBODY would ever say he excelled at it though

back to my point, why have an a potential all star caliber wing take a step back and play center at a lower production rate when you can just go get a natural centerman?

then the Hawks can sign some centers to play wing
- ikeane

Tomas Plekanec could be available in mtl

Would you do something like

Tomas Plekanec
Josh Gorges
Magnus Nygren

vs

Brent Seabrook
Phil Danault

Tomas Plekanec could be available in mtl

Would you do something like

Tomas Plekanec
Josh Gorges
Magnus Nygren

vs

Brent Seabrook
Phil Danault
- koniglaro

Thats filling one hole and creating another

we solve the 2C problem at the expense of creating a hole in D with our biggest and only physical blue liner

big nasty teams would expose our D bad down low even moreso than they do already if Seabrook was gone

Thats filling one hole and creating another

we solve the 2C problem at the expense of creating a hole in D with our biggest and only physical blue liner

big nasty teams would expose our D bad down low even moreso than they do already if Seabrook was gone
- FourFeathers773

Agreed.

If the Hawks were to make a move for Plekanec, it would have to be Sharp for Plekanec, with Montreal kicking in something extra.

I have some very exciting news!

With the Hawks announcing that Zues will not be brought back, you know what that means?

THE HAWKS WILL GO OUT AND GET A CENTER!

Breaking news from CaptainBlackhawk this Thursday morning. You're welcome!

Agreed.

If the Hawks were to make a move for Plekanec, it would have to be Sharp for Plekanec, with Montreal kicking in something extra.
- EKolb13

Sharp

vs

Plekanec, nygren ???

Leddy and Saad... for Nielsen!!!
- jimmc7722

No need they already have him slotted as second line centre.

Sharp

vs

Plekanec, nygren ???
- koniglaro

Not him. I was thinking more of an actual prospect. Not some SEL project that's a gamble.

Not him. I was thinking more of an actual prospect. Not some SEL project that's a gamble.
- EKolb13

Thrower?

Going out at getting a real 2C is not worth losing Seabrook at all

Seabrook as a player and as a part of this roster is FARRRRRR more valuable than an upgrade over Handzus/Shaw/Kruger at center on the second line

is a real 2C going to make this team unstoppable? maybe, maybe not, depends on what goes the other way

but ill say this, losing Seabrook damn near cripples our defense and assures the D will never be in the top half of the league for a long time until we find a similar and capable replacement

Thrower?
- koniglaro

That's a possibility.