Bolland to center Blackhawks' 3rd line

Stellar defensive player has been out since April 22 with groin injury

May 11, 2013|By Brian Hamilton | Tribune reporter

Midway through a brisk workout Saturday, Dave Bolland was redeployed into active duty, dashing up the ice in the center of the Blackhawks' third line, the spot from which he had caused so much giddy postseason havoc. The gritty forward was back, but the question was if he was there to stay.

“I've been successful on the third line, that's sort of been my thing,” said Bolland, who has not played since suffering a groin injury April 22. “This year has been an up-and-down roller coaster. That's in the past, this is now, and you have to concentrate on the playoffs. (Third line is) where I've played and where I've had most of my success — but whatever happens, happens.”

It happens Joel Quenneville appears to agree, the Hawks coach first confirming that Bolland will return for the next round of the playoffs and then confirming Bolland should occupy the defense-first third center role in which he has thrived. If it's not an unexpected line change, it is a somewhat delicate one.

The Hawks' third line of Andrew Shaw, Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell has been among its most consistent. It provided a spark early against the Wild. But Bolland needs a spot, No. 2 center didn't fit him and shut-down capability against either the Sharks' Joe Thornton or the Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk is imperative.

“We love tough decisions,” Quenneville said. “There's always opportunity, we'll likely start (Bolland) comparable to where he was (Saturday), and see where he goes from there.”

So the Hawks will take their shifts and risk modified chemistry one series into a Stanley Cup push.

Bickell, independent of a specific question, alluded that he may vault to the top line after scoring three goals against the Wild. Quenneville labeled that “a real good series,” noting that Bickell's “size and physicality was noticeable.”

“It's up to 'Q' what we do,” Bickell said. “If I'm playing with (Jonathan) Toews or (Marian) Hossa, we got to work what we can do. If our line sticks together, we'll do the same thing. We're comfortable with what everybody brings to the team.

“There were times of the year that guys have been in and out of the lineup or lines have been changed, but it didn't affect us that much. If it happens during the playoffs, we'll adjust and make the best of it.”

Shaw winced when a shot clanged off the crossbar Saturday and spat ice back in his eye. He didn't flinch at the idea of Bolland's presence nudging him to the perimeter.

“I've played both positions,” Shaw said. “I'm pretty used to it now, a few shifts every game on the wing. I just have to stick to the systems and play simple hockey.”

Bolland has 37 points in 49 career postseason games to complement the flummoxing of dynamos like the Sedin twins. That's too much to ignore or minimize at a crucial defensive spot; indeed, Bolland likely would have played in a Game 6 against the Wild.

Instead, he'll return for Round 2. Jumbling or not, the Hawks size it up as an easy fit.

“Q puts whoever together, and that’s just all it is,” Bolland said. “We have a lot of guys on this team that can bring everything. So for us, whoever is in playing, play your heart out.”

Twitter @ChiTribHamilton