All summer long they talked about who would take over for Michal Handzus as the Blackhawks’ second-line center.
Brandon Saad was one option. Ditto for Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger, Brandon Pirri and Drew LeBlanc.
Turns out nobody did. Handzus kept the job for himself. The 37-year-old is expected to skate between Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa when Chicago opens the playoffs tomorrow in St. Louis.
“He’s useful in a lot of ways. He’s predictable, dependable,” coach Joel Quenneville said, per CSN Chicago. “I thought that last year he was a big factor. Whoever he played with, that line was getting the job done for us and that’s what we’re looking for now.”
Handzus only manged four goals and 12 assists during the regular season, but there’s something to be said for dependability in the postseason.
“He’s a reliable center man, good in all zones, and he’s a guy you can count on out there,” said Sharp.