The Blackhawks have a center dilemma

The Chicago Blackhawks are fresh into a new season and are already facing a major dilemma with their lineup. Coach Jeff Blashill iced different lines from what he had run in training camp in the team's 5-2 opening night loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He has once again shuffled the lines ahead of their second matchup versus the Utah Mammoth tonight.

The Blackhawks are no stranger when it comes to line blending. This has been a consistent theme in recent seasons of this rebuild, especially during the Luke Richardson era. To be fair to Blashill, he has valid reasons behind this. It is a tall order his team faces to begin the season without their top player, Connor Bedard. The combinations ran until his return will be temporary; the thought from Blashill appears to be experimentation in the meantime.

With that said, this period without Bedard is a crucial time for the squad. Blashill needs to figure out which players he can trust the most at the dot and who would be better served on the wing. The Blackhawks already have a logjam down the middle, currently with Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov and Frank Nazar all being utilized at center in the top-nine forward rotation. Something will have to give here when Bedard returns.

Who should the Blackhawks centers be?

The fact of the matter is the Blackhawks have options to place at center. Beyond Bedard, Frondell, Kantserov, and Nazar, Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene are young players who can also serve in the role. There is not enough space for all these guys to play the position, so the question is which players make the most sense for it? Bedard's placement is clear, the rest are questionable.

Starting with Frondell, this one could be the most debatable. Frondell was quoted after he was drafted by the Blackhawks that he will play whatever position Bedard does not play. Besides his first three games with the club last season, this has not been the case so far. The team has been trying to make Frondell's primary position center since he's entered the NHL. But does this move make sense?

The allure of Frondell at center is clear; he has the perfect frame for it. He also has a strong two-way game, which is a must for a potential second-line center. But does Frondell's style of play fit the mold? He is not known for his speed; his lethal shot is his calling card offensively. Therefore, would it not make more sense to move Frondell to Bedard's wing when number 98 is cleared? Bedard's speed and playmaking ability paired with Frondell's release and ability to win puck battles could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Kantserov is an interesting one. The thought coming in was that he would play wing, but he has been placed at center to start the season. This should be a temporary move. When Bedard returns he can easily move back to the wing. Kantserov has shown he can play both positions in the KHL, so Blashill likely wants to see if that can translate to the NHL level like Frondell. In the long haul, deploying Kantserov in a complementary wing role should be the play. It is fascinating that he has been taken off of the Patrick Kane line for now, considering the two were inseparable throughout camp.

Next up is Nazar, who has spent the vast majority of his career with the Blackhawks at center to this point. Since he already has his share of experience in the position, keeping him there would be logical. It would then allow Blashill to move one or both of the rookies, Kantserov and Frondell, to the wing when Bedard comes back. This decision could be good for their development as the two adjust to the NHL game. However, some may have concerns with having Bedard and Nazar as the 1-2 center punch in the top-six with their smaller statures.

Moore is another that strikes debate. He has played both positions thus far, having looked more impressive at center. And yet, he has been thrown on the wing to begin the year. Would it not make more sense to have Moore serve as the dependable third-line center? This would allow for Frondell and Nazar to remain in the top six. Blashill's philosophy so far has been more aligned with spreading out the wealth in the lineup. With where the Blackhawks are at developmentally; why not pair the best players together? Should building chemistry not be the priority right now?

As for Greene, he is being utilized in a fourth-line center shutdown role with Jordan Greenway and Cole Smith on his wings. This has been the most consistent line so far for Chicago. This is also the only trio that has not been broken up after weeks of playing together in training camp; funny how that works. Greene's defensive game makes him perfect to serve as a reliable bottom-six center. With that said, he has also spent time on the wing. Could a third line role with the likes of Moore and Nick Lardis be a possibility down the road? Someone like Ryan Donato could then be used as 4C.

Overall, Blashill has a flurry of possibilities to contemplate at center. He needs to figure out which of these players project to be the most successful in the position and use the rest to complement those guys on the wing. That is a difficult job right now, but it will be made easier when Bedard is back in the mix. Until then, Blashill has to make do with what he has. And that is compromised of talented, yet unproven youth pieces.

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