Kane, DeBrincat still not on line together
Other than death and taxes, there aren't many sure things in life.
But one that seemed destined to occur this season was Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville finally deciding to put dynamic goal scorers Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on a line together.
After all, DeBrincat and Kane led the team in goals with 28 and 27, respectively, in 2017-18. Throw in a dynamic playmaking center like Nick Schmaltz and one would think this trio would create pure magic.
Yet 12 days into training camp it has yet to materialize.
On paper, it's a vexing decision. Quenneville, though, has his reasons for keeping Kane and DeBrincat apart.
"I think they both need the puck a lot and are effective with the puck," Quenneville said before the Hawks played a preseason game against Detroit on Tuesday night at the United Center. "When they're together maybe there's not enough of it. Then you put Schmaltzy in there (and he needs it too). …
"We like the balance when they're on other lines. We think they can help the other line more."
There's evidence to back Quenneville's point:
• DeBrincat and Kane were outscored 14-4 while playing 103 minutes at even-strength last season, according to naturalstattrick.com
• DeBrincat and Jonathan Toews outscored opponents 16-11 while playing 266.5 even-strength minutes together.
DeBrincat, Toews and Dominik Kahun - a pleasant surprise thus far - skated together against Detroit. Kane and Schmaltz, meanwhile, were reunited with Artem Anisimov.
Anisimov has played 2,127 even-strength minutes with Kane over the past three years, and he certainly understands his role when paired with the Hawks' superstar.
"Arty really does fit a purpose when he's with those guys," Quenneville said. "He's a net presence, he's down low in his own end. … That's a key thing for that line."
So is defense the issue? After all, there's not a lot of size when Kane (5-feet-9, 177 pounds), DeBrincat (5-7, 165) and Schmaltz (6-0, 177) are retreating or forechecking. It could be, but Quenneville didn't agree when asked Tuesday.
"(DeBrincat) last year proved he can play without the puck and was instrumental in having a couple lines that were effective both sides," Quenneville said. "He was aware of positioning and did a lot of good things on the team side of things. Kaner's gotten better every year in that area.
"So that's not a problem."
As for DeBrincat, the 20-year-old took the high road when asked if he's just a little disappointed not to be playing with Kane.
"Put me wherever," he said. "I'm going to be happy. Playing in this league is a privilege. You've got to keep working at it every day. Everyone in this league is skilled, so it doesn't really matter who you play with."
• Twitter: @johndietzdh