Emma: The Madness Behind Quenneville's Constant Line Tweaks
By Chris Emma-
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has 732 career wins and two Stanley Cup championships in a career that will likely land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Questioning Quenneville's decisions seems silly when his esteemed coaching record is factored in, but it's natural. He blends the Blackhawks' lines like a Jamba Juice. Yet, Chicago has remained near the top of the NHL since he took over the team in 2008.
"He's got the third-most wins all time for a reason," Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp said. "You kind of trust his guidance in those situations."
Of course, the Blackhawks do trust in Quenneville's decision making. It has won them two summers with Stanley and brought the franchise unparalleled success.
What the players do know is to expect the unexpected. Line adjustments could come at any time.
"We're all pretty used to it," Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger said. "Things can happen quick that you need to be ready. I think we're pretty used to that."
Added Sharp: "It's something we've come to expect from Joel over the years."
Yet, the question still looms: What's the method behind Quenneville's madness? What leads to the constant adjustments of lines?
For Quenneville, it's a constant search of finding the right matchups for each game — or a series, when playoff time arrives — while attempting to get the most of each line. The emphasis, Quenneville said, starts with an eye toward defense and working from there.
"You want to have a little bit of balance," Quenneville said. "You want to make sure you have some speed on all the lines; you'd like to have a decent amount of side.
"You look for offensive ability, but at the same time, you have to trust it defensively."
The latest perplexing move was putting the promising Teuvo Teravainen, the Blackhawks' top prospect, on the fourth line Sunday, where he was to see limited ice time and few scoring opportunities. One game later, he's already set to center the third line, alongside Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw.
Some of Quenneville's line decisions have paid great dividends. In 2010, defense-first forward Dustin Byfuglien joined Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the Blackhawks' top line for the Western Conference semifinals against the Vancouver Canucks. It was a move that pushed Chicago to a championship and nearly earned Byfuglien a Conn Smythe.
However, Quenneville has also been guilty of misplacing players, too. Jeremy Morin got his wish of a trade after being buried by the Blackhawks. Checking-line players like Daniel Carcillo and even Brandon Bollig were puzzlingly brought to the top lines, failing to bring the production Quenneville had hoped.
Chicago has some of the NHL's most talented, versatile players — Kane, Toews, Sharp, Marian Hossa, etc.—who are constantly playing with new linemates. Does that complicate things?
"As an individual player, you try to play the same way, no matter who you're out there with," Kane said.
Quenneville is allowed to make whatever moves he wants because he's the most successful coach in the NHL right now. Plus, his roster allows it to work. The Blackhawks have tremendous continuity, players who have enjoyed success together for years. Chicago has versatility that makes the line changes work.
The Blackhawks have no problem working with Quenneville's constant maneuvering.
"To be honest, I'm probably the guy that can speak to that the best," Sharp said. "I've played all three positions on all four lines, I play defense and the power play. I've come to expect that with Joel."
Expect the unexpected with Quenneville. While his decisions can be doubted, there's no questioning his remarkable record.
Follow Chris Emma on Twitter @CEmma670.
