Don't make too much of Hossa skating on Blackhawks third line

It is not every day a striker who is a 499-goal scorer, a future Hall of Famer and a three-time Stanley Cup champion enters the field and is in the third line skating equipment.

But that's where Marian Hossa was found on his first day back to camp Blackhawks Jersey Friday after playing nine games for the European team in the World Cup.


As in the Blackhawks Convention in July, the 38-year-old Hossa - who skated with Marcus Kruger and Ryan Hartman - said all the right things to the media after practice involved in Johnny's Icehouse West.


"I spoke with Q (coach Joel Quenneville) and wants to balance the lines and I totally agree with that," Hossa said. "Wherever I can help the team."

For the second consecutive day, the six best strikers remains the same: Jonathan Toews centers the top line with Artemi Panarin Jersey and Richard Panik in the wings, while Artem Anisimov centers the second line with Tyler Motte and Patrick Kane on the wings.

The fourth line was Vinnie Hinostroza-Jordin Tootoo Nick-Schmaltz.

As you know Hawks fans, it is dangerous to assume a lot when it comes to online Quenneville and combinations thereof. Remember, one year at this time seemed to Teuvo Teräväinen had won the "lottery point" on the left side with Hossa and Toews, but that experiment lasted all of one game makes.

"There is still a lot to be determined in these guys," Quenneville said of his young players, all of whom will get one last chance to prove himself in preseason action when the Hawks play in San Luis on Saturday. "I know we had lines here the last couple of days that could resemble how things will play out, but I would not read into that."

Move down Hossa makes sense that could take some pressure off aging veterans and allow you to stay out of the top defenses of their opponents.

Remember last year was a rough Hossa - offensive anyway - as it scored only 13 goals and became a mere 6.8 percent of their shots. Quenneville stuck with Hossa on the top line all season, but eventually led him to play with Kruger and Andrew Ladd in Games 5-7 against San Luis.

"Obviously (we) find some chemistry there," Hossa to play with Kruger and Ladd he said. "Suddenly, our job was to check their top line and really liked it."

Quenneville said he spoke with not only Hossa, but with all their best players on these potential lines.

"They all feel that's best for the team," Quenneville said. "You look Arty, rookie of the year and MVP focuses. So he wonders why we do something like that.

"We know we have (Panarin-Anisimov-Kane Jersey combo) in our back pocket and is (easy) return to it in an instant.

"So we're trying to get some different looks and see if we can get some more balance along our line."

• The Blackhawks announced on Friday recalled Viktor Svedberg defenses and Ville Pokka Rockford.

Read More: http://www.chiblackhawks-jerseys.com/