RALEIGH, N.C. — With Frank Nazar and Connor Bedard both back in action, the Blackhawks’ lineup is now the deepest it has been all year.
The Hawks’ lineup plans Thursday against the Hurricanes were jumbled by veteran center Jason Dickinson falling ill, but that isn’t a long-term concern.
Bedard centered Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky, Nazar centered Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Bertuzzi, Oliver Moore centered Ryan Donato and Nick Lardis and Nick Foligno centered Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach.
Even once Dickinson returns, it sounds like coach Jeff Blashill intends to keep Moore at center for the time being. Blashill brought up Moore’s recent growth as one of the biggest silver linings to come out of Nazar and Bedard’s absences.
“Since [Oliver has] gone to center, his game has improved,” Blashill said. “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.”
With Bedard, Nazar, Dickinson and Moore all playing center, the solution might be to keep their respective workloads relatively balanced, especially since Thursday marked the first game in a busy stretch of six in nine days.
“I want four lines that can go out [frequently], so the minutes will be a little more equal than they were prior,” Blashill said. “That can be a positive for us.”
Balanced lines might also help make up for the Hawks’ lack of high-end scorers beyond Bedard. One way to frame it: If you don’t have a formidable top six, why have a top six at all?
Rockford options
Not only will Dickinson’s return force one forward out of the lineup, but Teuvo Teravainen’s return from his upper-body injury — which Blashill said Wednesday isn’t too far off — will force another out.
At that point, the Hawks might have no choice but to send one or two guys down to Rockford. Lardis, Slaggert and Dach are all exempt from waivers, so they would be the most likely candidates. Entering Thursday, Lardis had five points in 18 games, Slaggert had five points in 23 games and Dach had nine points in 48 games.
Slaggert has already been up and down several times, whereas Lardis might benefit most from more AHL development time in a starring role.
Colton Dach’s physicality and toughness add specific elements to the lineup, but Blashill has talked about how Dach needs to move his feet more consistently — “skating to disrupt,” he called it — to make a greater impact. He appeared on track to be a healthy scratch Thursday before Dickinson fell ill.
Since Rockford has three games scheduled during the NHL’s Olympic break, the Hawks could also send players there temporarily in February. But Blashill mentioned that getting some rest could be more valuable for them.
Extra guy
Lafferty, a healthy scratch 32 times now, would pass through waivers if the Hawks wanted to explore that option. His $2 million salary-cap hit ensures it.
The Hawks seem to like keeping Lafferty around as roster insurance, though. Blashill recently raved about the veteran’s admirable attitude in a tricky situation.
“If he’s frustrated, which I’m sure he is at times … he never, ever lets it take away from the team,” Blashill said. “He’s the best ping-pong player. He’s the best golfer. He’s a guy who guys love being around. And he’s been an awesome pro.”
Nazar, who has six goals and 15 assists, will play Thursday against the Hurricanes.
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Bears quarterback Williams, fresh off his playoff loss, and Cubs star Crow-Armstrong watched the Hawks’ 2-0 win Monday, then mingled with the team in the locker room.
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