Can DeBrincat-Strome-Kane be an effective line for Blackhawks?

As the line tinkering continues for the Blackhawks, one combination that coach Jeremy Colliton clearly wants to give another shot to is to put Dylan Strome between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.

That trio started together against Winnipeg at the United Center on Friday, the fifth time Colliton has tried it in the 10 games since Strome joined the Hawks in the Nick Schmaltz trade.

"To be an effective line would be good for our team," Kane said. "I think we can produce, we can hang on to the puck, we can play that puck-possession game. Someone's obviously got to get to the front of the net, but as long as we're responsible defensively, we'll be pretty good."

The numbers haven't backed that up, though.

It's admittedly small sample size, but in 69 minutes, 13 seconds of 5-on-5 play together, here is how Strome, Kane and DeBrincat fared heading into the game against the Jets:

• Their Corsi-for is 45.45 percent.

• They created 30 scoring chances, but opponents have 47 scoring chances against the Hawks.

• Opponents have 15 high-danger chances to the Hawks' 10.

• Opponents have 8 goals to the Hawks' 6.

Colliton is hoping that, over time, the three will mesh better and become a line he can depend upon.

"They definitely have a little understanding out there and feel comfortable together," Colliton said. "It seems like they've been able to give us a lot offensively almost every single game. It's nice when you build a lineup to have that combo."

Clear!

Jan Rutta cleared waivers and was assigned to Rockford on Friday. The 28-year-old defenseman had 5 goals and 12 assists while averaging about 19½ minutes of ice time in his first 37 NHL games last season. Over his last 43 games, however, Rutta managed just 3 goals and 6 assists while averaging about 17½ minutes.

Rutta signed a one-year, $2.25 million extension last season.

"He has some skill," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "He's got that dimension to his game where he can make plays."

But what does he need to do better?

"It's a similar answer with the other players," Colliton said. "We want them to defend hard, defend lines hard, find a way to get stops in the 'D' zone, and then they can help us.

Slap shots:

Artem Anisimov (concussion), Gustav Forsling (shoulder) and Brandon Davidson (knee) took part in Friday's morning skate, but they are not ready to return from their injuries. Anisimov is day-to-day and is eligible to come off IR when the Hawks host San Jose on Sunday. Davidson was expected to be out 6-8 weeks, but he might be able to return in early January. … Jonathan Toews became the seventh player in franchise history to record 700 points after notching a goal and 2 assists against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. … Chris Kunitz and Brandon Manning were scratched against Winnipeg. Manning had played in 11 straight games but was a minus-6 over the last five.