Oduya ‘makes plays forwards can dream of'

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Patrick Kane was talking about the Blackhawks defense against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night when the compliment to its newest member came.

This (Johnny) Oduya can make plays that forwards can dream of, Kane said. Coming up the ice with speed, he jumps in; he seems to be real smooth and fits in perfect with our team. Hes another guy who can jump in the play. Its nice to have a guy like that; it adds a little more balance with our D.

Yes, its only been two games for Oduya, but the Blackhawks are appreciating what hes bringing. Oduya has provided speed, veteran presence and solid minutes for a Blackhawks team that needed it.

Its huge. It showed last night in all the things he can do defensively and in getting the puck to our offensive players hands, said Duncan Keith. Hes got good skill. Hes been around, hes smart and he can help us a bunch of different ways.

Taking up minutes was a big part of that; Oduya played nearly 20 against Toronto and over 22 against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. Oduyas had to adjust quickly from his time with the Jets.

We were more of a checking group (in Winnipeg), not much skill up front, obviously. And this is a more skilled team where, for me, I can try to get into plays more, Oduya said. Its important to move the puck up quick to the forwards. They have a lot of speed to get open.

Hence Kanes adulation with Oduyas style, which seems to fit in more with the Blackhawks: speed, movement and show off that skill.

Hes got a lot of poise, patience to his game, said coach Joel Quenneville, who put Oduya with Nick Leddy and reunited Keith and Brent Seabrook during the Toronto game. Hes got some reliability, predictability and steadiness. In two games we really like the addition. You looked at our needs (at the deadline), we talked about this and that; defenseman was something we could use and hes fit in perfectly.

Oduya will keep learning. Right now hes sharing quality minutes with his fellow veteran defensemen and taking the pressure off some of those guys. Its only two games, but its been a good start.

Its a little bit different style of game, more possession than checking maybe, I knew it would take some getting used to but I feel pretty comfortable, Oduya said. As long as we keep winning games Im happy.

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