Oliver Moore's move to center opened options for the Blackhawks

Oliver Moore was moved to center after injuries in December and has played more assertively there, which let coach Jeff Blashill shuffle lines and place Frank Nazar on Connor Bedard’s wing during the game in Minnesota.

Oliver Moore has been shifted to center after initially starting his NHL time on the wing. He was drafted and played as a center at the U.S. National Development Team and the University of Minnesota. When Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar were hurt in December, coach Jeff Blashill moved Moore to center. Since the change, Moore has been more involved offensively and defensively, and that allowed Blashill to move Nazar to Bedard’s wing in Tuesday’s game in Minnesota. What we know: - Moore was drafted and developed as a center and played center in college. - Injuries to Bedard and Nazar in December prompted Moore’s move to center. - Moore has shown more aggression on the puck and increased involvement at both ends since the switch. - Blashill moved Frank Nazar to Connor Bedard’s wing; that trio (Bedard, Nazar, Teuvo Teräväinen) generated many shots and scoring chances in the game. - The Blackhawks lineup features many players who can play center, including several prospects in the pipeline. Summary: The positional change has expanded Chicago’s lineup options and created a dynamic line with Bedard, Nazar and Teräväinen. How Blashill will use these alignments over a longer stretch is undetermined at this time.