The Patrick-Kane-at-center experiment will face its first real test Wednesday at the United Center when the Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings for their fifth preseason game.
Oh yeah, apparently Kane's surgically repaired left wrist is good to go too.
"He's doing fine," coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday after practice. "We envision him with the puck a bit more and that can enhance our team game."
Kane and winger Marian Hossa will both make their preseason debuts against the Red Wings. Kane didn't suit up for any of the Hawks' previous exhibitions as his left wrist completely healed after surgery to repair a scaphoid fracture.
Hossa missed the start of training camp after remaining in his native Slovakia after the death of his close friend Pavol Demitra in the Sept. 7 plane crash that took the lives of Lokomotiv Yaroslav of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League and the birth of his daughter, Mia, just two days later.
Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) also skated for the third time since his surgery on Tuesday, but is yet to join his teammates at practice.
"He's progressing well, and we're very happy with where he's at," Quenneville said. "Each and every day he's able to do a little bit more. We're very encouraged with where he's at."
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