Blackhawks try Bolland on second line

The Blackhawks' most consistent line last season was Dave Bolland centering for Andrew Ladd and Martin Havlat.

Now coach Joel Quenneville is hoping Bolland can find similar chemistry with Marian Hossa and Ladd.

Bolland was on the second line with Hossa and Ladd on Friday against Phoenix in his second game since returning from back surgery.

"I think getting some different line combinations is a healthy thing," Quenneville said. "Finding out how they work together in games and a group of three, watching as a coach, I think that is healthy and creates freshness and you can get some energy off that."

Hossa had been trying to find chemistry with Patrick Sharp as his center, but he was looking forward to working with Bolland, who is more of a playmaker.

"There's always adjustment with a new player, but I talked to Bolly and he talked to me. That's what it's about - communication - to speed up the process," Hossa said. "He's a natural passer. He likes more passing the puck than shooting and that's a good advantage for me. I can just try to get open and shoot."

Sharp dropped to center on the third line with Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien, but Quenneville didn't rule out Sharp going back to playing wing on one of the top two lines eventually.

"It's still an option," Quenneville said. "When we look at the lines we have there are 10-11 forwards that deserve to be in the top six. We're very happy with his play, it was just something where we wanted Bolland to work with Hossa here and see how that connection works out."