Blackhawks keeping top prospect at center

The Chicago Blackhawks will keep Oliver Moore as a center over the next stretch of games. Moore has thrived in his new center role. With Frank Nazar and Andre Burakovsky back in the lineup, Moore will look to center the third line alongside Ryan Donato and Nick Lardis.

Blashill comments on Moore's game

Jeff Blashill has mentioned that Oliver Moore's game has improved since the change to center. Blashill mentioned, “Now, is it because of that, or is it because he’s gotten more comfortable? I can’t answer that. But I do know that he looks like a guy who potentially is better at center than at wing.”

Bigger responsibility moving off the wing

At center, Moore can take on more responsibility and play a bigger role in all three zones. Moore's speed allows him to pressure defenders, which has helped him gain awareness of when the right time to press is or when to dial it back and try to play a tighter style of hockey. Rather than playing at the wing, Moore can play more to his strengths, especially during transition, where he can use speed to control zone entries and gain more scoring chances.

Moore has developed into one of the Blackhawks' top prospects and has a lot of potential to become a solid top-six forward in the coming years. In Moore's rookie campaign, he has produced five goals and nine assists in 37 games. Moore has had a time on ice of 13:06, which has reflected his play. Moore, as this season continues, will look to earn more ice time while playing in more situations.

Moving forward, the focus remains on consistency and learning. But with each game at center, Oliver Moore is making a stronger case that this position may be where his NHL future truly lies.