Bolland's return gives Blackhawks options
They suddenly have glut at forward as he practices as center for Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa
Dave Bolland's return to the Blackhawks' lineup is causing a problem. Fortunately for coach Joel Quenneville, it's a good one to have.
When Bolland hits the ice for Wednesday night's game against the Blues at the United Center, it will be for the first time since undergoing back surgery Nov. 10. His presence will mean the Hawks will have too many forwards, giving Quenneville more options and no doubt lighting a fire for some players battling for ice time.
"Making tough decisions, we welcome that," Quenneville said. "(But) it's not easy for the guys who have to watch or work themselves back into the lineup. We haven't had many tough decisions all year up front. We'll sort it out and make sure we keep everybody fresh at the same time.
"Sometimes you really don't have a good excuse for a guy sitting out except just strictly numbers. Sometimes (it's) their play, sometimes (it's) health. Right now, it's a numbers game because we like the way everybody up front is playing, and we like the way everybody's playing on the back end as well.
"Sometimes you have to wait for your turn and your opportunity. The internal competition for ice time in games is healthy and will sort itself out."
Bolland, who had two goals and four assists in 13 games before the surgery, centered the second line during Tuesday's practice with wingers Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Quenneville said he would decide after Wednesday's morning skate how much and with whom Bolland would play against the Blues.
"He looks good, he's skating well," Quenneville said. "We'll let him work his way up to more significant minutes as he gets in game shape and he gives us more options as he progresses."
With veteran winger Andrew Ladd leaving Tuesday's practice early with a lower-body injury that isn't expected to keep him out of Wednesday's game, there was no indication who would sit or be shifted with Bolland's return. Sharp, who moved from his natural position of wing to center to fill in for Bolland, should benefit from his return.
Also on the ice Tuesday was forward Adam Burish, who is recovering from knee surgery during the preseason and is targeting a return a week or two after the upcoming Olympic break. When he returns, they will be an even larger logjam if the Hawks remain healthy.
"You play where you get put," winger Kris Versteeg said. "This is a team where we have only one goal and that's obviously to win the Stanley Cup. It doesn't matter if you're on the first or fourth line, that's where you have to play ? your minutes and do your best."
For his part, Bolland, who called himself "100 percent," is just happy to be back on the ice, but he doesn't mind being in the middle of a line with Hossa and Sharp.
"(Hossa) can do a lot of things," Bolland said. "He's a tremendous player. Same with Sharp. Give either one of those guys the puck and it's in the back of the net."
One position definitely known for the game against the Blues is at goaltender. Antti Niemi will get the start after Cristobal Huet had played the previous three games. On the recently completed trip, Niemi started consecutive games for the first time this season but was yanked in the second contest after the Canucks scored three goals Jan. 23 in the first period of a 5-1 victory.
"(Niemi) hasn't played in a while," Quenneville said. "He had a tough period in Vancouver. It's a chance for him to get back in the net. I'm looking for a response from Antti from his last game."
They suddenly have glut at forward as he practices as center for Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa
Dave Bolland's return to the Blackhawks' lineup is causing a problem. Fortunately for coach Joel Quenneville, it's a good one to have.
When Bolland hits the ice for Wednesday night's game against the Blues at the United Center, it will be for the first time since undergoing back surgery Nov. 10. His presence will mean the Hawks will have too many forwards, giving Quenneville more options and no doubt lighting a fire for some players battling for ice time.
"Making tough decisions, we welcome that," Quenneville said. "(But) it's not easy for the guys who have to watch or work themselves back into the lineup. We haven't had many tough decisions all year up front. We'll sort it out and make sure we keep everybody fresh at the same time.
"Sometimes you really don't have a good excuse for a guy sitting out except just strictly numbers. Sometimes (it's) their play, sometimes (it's) health. Right now, it's a numbers game because we like the way everybody up front is playing, and we like the way everybody's playing on the back end as well.
"Sometimes you have to wait for your turn and your opportunity. The internal competition for ice time in games is healthy and will sort itself out."
Bolland, who had two goals and four assists in 13 games before the surgery, centered the second line during Tuesday's practice with wingers Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Quenneville said he would decide after Wednesday's morning skate how much and with whom Bolland would play against the Blues.
"He looks good, he's skating well," Quenneville said. "We'll let him work his way up to more significant minutes as he gets in game shape and he gives us more options as he progresses."
With veteran winger Andrew Ladd leaving Tuesday's practice early with a lower-body injury that isn't expected to keep him out of Wednesday's game, there was no indication who would sit or be shifted with Bolland's return. Sharp, who moved from his natural position of wing to center to fill in for Bolland, should benefit from his return.
Also on the ice Tuesday was forward Adam Burish, who is recovering from knee surgery during the preseason and is targeting a return a week or two after the upcoming Olympic break. When he returns, they will be an even larger logjam if the Hawks remain healthy.
"You play where you get put," winger Kris Versteeg said. "This is a team where we have only one goal and that's obviously to win the Stanley Cup. It doesn't matter if you're on the first or fourth line, that's where you have to play ? your minutes and do your best."
For his part, Bolland, who called himself "100 percent," is just happy to be back on the ice, but he doesn't mind being in the middle of a line with Hossa and Sharp.
"(Hossa) can do a lot of things," Bolland said. "He's a tremendous player. Same with Sharp. Give either one of those guys the puck and it's in the back of the net."
One position definitely known for the game against the Blues is at goaltender. Antti Niemi will get the start after Cristobal Huet had played the previous three games. On the recently completed trip, Niemi started consecutive games for the first time this season but was yanked in the second contest after the Canucks scored three goals Jan. 23 in the first period of a 5-1 victory.
"(Niemi) hasn't played in a while," Quenneville said. "He had a tough period in Vancouver. It's a chance for him to get back in the net. I'm looking for a response from Antti from his last game."
