Versteeg latest to try it at center

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Kris Versteeg was back in the Blackhawks' lineup Saturday night against the Sharks - at center between Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien.

With Patrick Sharp now playing wing, a move that may or may not last, the Hawks' shortage at center has showed this week with coach Joel Quenneville first using Craig Adams in the middle and now Versteeg.

"We'll try it and see how it works," Quenneville said at Saturday's morning skate.

Versteeg has experience as a center, just not on the NHL level.

"I've played center a couple periods this year and I have at Providence (in the American Hockey League)," Versteeg said. "Even when I was 16 or 17 in junior, I was drafted as a centerman. I haven't played in a few years consistency. Hopefully I can just get the puck to Kaner and Buff and put it in their hands and let them do things."

Versteeg missed two games with a cut pinkie finger that also kept him out of the Young Stars Game at all-star weekend. He felt Saturday he was finally able to hold the stick without too much discomfort.

"You have to wait for the stitches to heal," Versteeg said. "But it feels good or I wouldn't be back.

"I really wish I could have played (in Montreal), but this is the team I play for and the team I want to help, so I waited and rested and I'm ready to go."

Blast from past: The Hawks got their first look at the Sharks since they signed Claude Lemieux, the king of pests, who has made a comeback at age 43.

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews weren't even born when Lemieux played his first NHL game in 1983. Joel Quenneville coached Lemieux in Colorado and let his young team know what to expect before Saturday's game.

"I had the privilege to coach Claude and I know he's a special player," Quenneville said. "As the year progresses, he becomes more and more valuable. He knows how to play in important games. He's looking all right too, so he should be commended for getting himself back here."

Tip-ins: Jeremy Roenick still is several weeks away from returning to the San Jose lineup after shoulder surgery. ... The Sharks gave all-star defenseman Dan Boyle an extra day to rest an injury. ... Craig Adams, Aaron Johnson and Pascal Pelletier were the Hawks scratches.