Blackhawks Sign Hakkarainen, Soderlund
On Monday morning the Blackhawks announced that they have agreed to terms with forwards Mikael Hakkarainen and Tim Soderlund on three-year contracts that each run through the 2021-22 season. According to the release the contracts have matching $925,000 cap hits.
Hakkarainen, 21, was originally drafted in the 5th round (139th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft. He recorded 19 goals and 28 asssist in 42 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) during the 2018-19 season.
Soderlund, 21, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the 4th round (112th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. During the 2018-19 season, he split time between Frölunda HC and Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League.
Soderlund can seriously compete for a bottom 6 spot, but will need to find some offense. Every time in Shl he looked to be finding some it seemed to go in the tank again.
Hakkainen left Ncaa early last year to go back to Ushl, so likely go to Rockford or Indy to see what he has to offer against older competition.
Soderlund isnt making the team. 163 lbs with no scoring touch? Nope.
Hakkareinen is another i like but yea ahl.
I no longer want Podkolzin. He underwhelmed in the U-18 tournament. Still a hard no to Bowen. And I dont care how many goals Caulfield scored, Hawks are small enough as it is.
Neither one likely to make impact real soon.
FY I W ……… Scott Wheeler in The Athletic lists his version of draft picks: Top 5 are Hughes and Kakko (no surprises there) followed by Turcotte 3rd, Cozens 4th & Byram 5th. He drops Podkolzin all the way down to 17th!! First goalie mentioned is Spencer Knight @ 45. Not saying this guy has all the answers – just another data point for you guys to think about, especially the proponents of taking Podkolzin with 3rd pick.
I saw the same Wheeler rankings on the Athletic. Hard pass on Podkolzin, I wonder if he drops out of the first round all together?
I also hope the Hawks don’t pick a defenseman with the third pick. Only way I am ok with that is if they have Byram ranked so much higher than any of their current D prospects and so much higher than Turcotte and Cozens…
I hope they Hawks end up taking one of Turcotte or Cozens, whichever they have graded with the higher ceiling. I’m still hoping the Hawks can find an eventual replacement for Toews at 1C with this pick, though I am less optimistic it will happen as Wheeler mentions he doesn’t think Cozens will project to a 1C on a contending team. He didn’t say the same about Turcotte specificaly but he did mention that Cozens was one of three final players he was choosing from for the third ranked, so I can’t imagine that Turcotte grades that much higher than Cozens…
Kind of seems Podkolzin is not looking like the pick anymore. Turcotte and Cozens be good choices.
Just for Fyi on May 8th last year Wheeler had Kotkaneimi 9th, Tkachuk 8th and Hayton 24th the 3rd, 4th and 5th picks in the draft.
I am a STH in Muskegon so watched Hakkarainen play a lot. He’s a decent skater with skill. Lots of concussions though already. He never played more than 48 games in a season because of injuries.
I am a little surprised they used one of their 50 contracts on him and did not have him sign a deal directly with Rockford and see how things go.
I guess they figured they had room under the 50 contract limit.
Be nice if they can get Trouba, Tanev, and Kuraly. Trade back in draft if possible, if not no Byram please. Time for a Forward, Dach, Cozens, or Turcotte
Buttons was by far the closest to how draft went last year in final rankings. Nobody had the exact order, Buttons had the top 7 picks in his top 7, every other mock draft had at least 2 or 3 in the top 7 that weren’t there.
Buttons had 1st Dahlin, 2nd Svechnikov and 4th Tkachuk in right spot. no. 6 Zadina at 3rd, no. 3 Kotkaniemi at 5th, No. 7 Hughes at 6th and No. 5 Hayton at 7th. Pretty impressive really.
There were reports that Podkolzin was either injured or fatigued. In the Gold Medal game he brought it.
I have been in the Byram camp because he is unanimously projected as a #1 D. Cozens is mostly projected as a #2 C. Turcotte is projected by at least some as a #1 C, which may give him the edge. Krebs is jumping up the board but I wouldn’t take him at #3. Our best D prospect, Boq, is nowhere as good as Byram, a complete 200ft player with a physical game. All of our D prospects are smallish. I think Byram gives the Hawks the most value for the future.
Thoughts on Dzingel, 2016, 15 games 3 rounds 2g 1a 2019 9 games 2 rounds 1g not exactly mr. Clutch in playoffs
Stay away from high priced free agents. Build through the draft.
A complete 200 foot player with a physical game in Jr hockey definitely projects to a number 1 defenceman in the NHL.
If Byram is so good why have I not heard one word of him being picked first or even second in the NHL draft?
Byram might be really good in Jr but come on unanimously projected as a number 1 defenceman in the NHL?
Is Byrams agent posting on this site? Lots of tires being pumped!
The USA plays Germany tomorrow in an IIHF practice game and I noticed Germany has Kahun playing center. I know he played some center in the DEL before coming over to the NHL so I’m wondering if the Hawks try him out at center. He skates well enough, has pretty good playmaking skills and is good on the defensive side of the puck. Trade Anisimov and save some Cap space by having Kahun play 3C. Maybe have him center a couple fast wingers like Saad and either Kubalik or Perlini.
It will be interesting to see How Kahun does playing center at the World Championship tourney.
Kahun??? Need to stop mentioning him as a roster player next season, please. He is an average skater and too small as we all saw. He was absent after Christmas. Stop it with these smallish forwards. And why did we sign Soderlund, another 5’9″ player who cannot score and would not last a shift in the NHL playoffs. NO MORE SIKURA, KAHUN or SODERLUND talk, please!!!. Incredible, how this GM continues his idiotic signings.
Byram is the best dman on the board but we need forwards with size, speed and skill.
I still like Dach’s size and speed. Bowman screwed up drafting 4dmen in Mitchell, Beaudin, Joki and Boqvist the last two seasons. Now a better all around dman is available and he can’t draft him unless he trades Mitchell or Joki for a 1st round prospect from another team. Anyone watching the playoffs understands what a team needs to compete.
Kahun scored 40 points as a rookie … but … he isn’t 6’3″ and 210lbs so I guess he’s worthless and shouldn’t play for the Hawks next season. Did I do that right?
Kahun also isn’t Canadian.
Boqvist is listed at 6’0″ 181 lbs.
Byram is listed at 6’1″ 192lbs. Also seen 6’0″ 193 for him. Not really a size difference. I’ve seen people question Byram’s defense. But we know that’s not a Boqvist strength either.
You can’t screw up a previous years draft just because you have the luxury of drafting high. If they had the 12th pick are the previous years then better?
My preference at this time is Byram but a fairly close second is Turcotte. The thing I have to keep reminding myself when I get all caught up in who I want with the #3 pick is that if the Hawks didn’t jump to #3 – we wouldn’t have a shot of any of the top guys – so all is good.
“Anyone watching the playoffs understands what a team needs to compete.”
Bruins drafted
Zboril at 13 in 2015
Carlo at 37 in 2015
McAvoy at 14 in 2016
Lindgren at 49 in 2016
Vaakanainen at 18 in 2017.
The last 4 years they’ve made their first pick a defenseman. A team that already had Krug.
Colorado took Makar at 4 and Timmins at 32 and had Barrie and acquired Girard. Timmins is the only one above 5’11.
Columbus took Ryan Collins at 47, Werenski at 8, Gabriel Carlson at 29 that same year, and Andrew Peeke at 34. They also acquired Seth Jones.
Carolina took Haydn Fleury at 7, Hanifin at 5, Jake Bean at 13, and Luke Martin at 52… And they had Pesce, Slavin, and Faulk.
San Jose has 5 top 50 pick defenseman since 2014.
Chicago has 4 top 50 pick defenseman. Mitchell was pick 57.
I just want them to take best player. Whoever they think that is. I still remember when the Jets drafted Scheifle. First thing one of the commentators said was “wow”. Because they ranked him 12th and they took him at 7. I’d probably take Scheifle over the guys ahead of him. Could you imagine if a team took the 12th ranked prospect at number 1? Insanity would happen. But I’m with you. Turcotte and Byram are almost interchangeable in my eyes.
I am firmly in the Cozens camp. Again, he projects as the most NHL ready. Ergo, my assertion that he start at the 3C. I won’t mention B. Lemieux. I believe the Blackhawks really need just a top D-man. FA or trade. We have a plethora of roster guys that are trade bait.
Is Manson, from the Ducks, a wishful thinking player? He is a really solid defensive Defenseman. I know there’s FA’s that are also quite good. The 3rd line, after Cozens and Saad, needs just another physical RW with a scoring touch. The 4th line has the potential of Johnson and Highmore. Then??? I am not a big fan of Hayden. Sooo…not sure who is going to be that guy. Carry on.
Oh…these two guys? Meh.
Stape, by tires being pumped for Byram, are you including Central when they ranked him #2? Numerous other scouts and mock drafts must be pumping air as well when they praise his complete game and call him a future franchise player.
Hull, I like Dach a lot too. Was ranked #3 by Central. Some say his skating is excellent for a player of his size. Gifted 2-way playmaker with a high IQ. Very strong on the puck. His primary points per game was 0.89. We badly need an elite player who won’t get pushed around.
Lets no forget we get to add some good ufas/trade, in addition to the group of high draft picks we have like those teams did, when they got deeper rosters.
I still want to know why anyone or mock have Turcotte ahead of Cozens. Why. I just want to now why everyone thinks hes better then Cozens. Is it only because Cozens is more of a Bolly player and Turcotte is more of Tazer style player. Just want to know why people think hes better.
That list of the new top teams in league, going forward, had about as many as we do. About 2 yrs behind some of those teams from when we drafted our guys.
Add Byram or 1st line center and a few good ufas/trades. Were there.
I see us reloading like BOS did, about 2 yrs behind them.
They got Pastrinak and 4 good draft picks.
We have De bob lee swagger cat and four horsemen. Plus ++ a top 3 pick.
So we would have more then them, just 2 yrs behind, roster wise.
We also will add 2 or 3 good ufas/trade.
Mo, I’ve seen very little live game action of Cozens and Turcotte, the most recent being the u18 tourney last month. I saw USA and Canada twice and Turcotte was the much better player. He reminded me of Patrice Bergeron the way he was relentless on both offense and defense – a dynamo. Cozens on the other hand made a few nice plays but just as many times didn’t make a play because he lost the puck or didn’t hustle to the puck and just plain wasn’t “around the puck” the way Turcotte was. Now maybe Cozens wasn’t playing his best in the couple games I saw but Turcotte was hands down the better player in my estimation. The only thing Cozens has over Turcotte, in my view, is about 3 inches in height – Turcotte is 5’11” 190lbs and Cozens in 6’2″ 185lbs.
Mo many people actually use Toews as a Cozens comparison, but Turcotte is a very skilked 2way center too. Using the under 18 tournament is as alot of scouts will tell you fools gold. Turcotte playing with a team he played with and comfortable with all season to peak for it. Cozens playing on a best available, no time to practice to get comfortable together team. Either one would be great pick, along with Byram, but don’t be too sure that its only those 3 that it can be.
Ian, good point that Turcotte and the other USNDTP players had an advantage over other players/teams because they played together all year whereas the other teams were essentially an allstar team made up of disparate and unfamiliar parts.
But, they still played the way they played and Turcotte was noticeably better, in my humble opinion.
The good news is that almost guaranteed the Hawks get a very good to great player at #3 and Cozens would be one of those players. I have Cozens as my 3rd favorite behind Byram/Turcotte.
Take these mock drafts for what they are….Just another opportunity for us to read someone else’s opinion that will change from week to week so that we can keep reading right up until the draft.
How many changes has Craig Button alone had in his order of the top ten prospects in the last month?
Who of us would even follow Button if the kept the same order for his top ten?
No way Podzolin drops to 17
Despite drafting four defenseman in rounds 1 and 2 none of them project as a #1 (I would argue Joki is closest because of he has an all round game albeit not elite). Byram does project as a #1 so he would fill a need.
I don’t know much about Turcotte but he sounds good, and I guess we have to trust the scouts if we they think Cozens is better. At this points you have to think it’s one of those three unless NYR passes on Kakko.
Ok guys.
Interesting people think Cozens for 19. Thinking Toews is A OFF/A+ D, where Bergevin is B OFF/A+ D and same as Cindy A+ OFF/C at D.
Between the two top centers. Wonder, like you said could have had an off days or something, is this USA rostaer not as good as Canada were USA players were going all out the whole time and Canada players were playing more calm cool and collected. Otherwise, like you said thats what you saw those games.
Based on stuff you guys said, it seem like Cozens is the Bergevin style player good at OFF and really good a D, where Turcotte is the Toews style player really good OFF and D. As Toews is the better all around player then Bergevin or Crosby because he excellent at both not just one and good at other.
Sure, I trust most people here with things. Everyone here has been right a lot and wrong some times.
Good thing the organization, Bowman and crew, and the scouts we have are very very very very good at what they do. So we will get a great player who ever we pick.
For D guys, a #1 is good. So is a #2 and #3. The Four Horsemen might only have one #1. What would be good is they are all 1st or 2nd pair quality. So even if only one of them can be a #1, the other are still very important to have, because we need 4 1st and 2nd pair Defensemen.
Sure I d rather have two top pair D guys from Horsemen but we may have to get one Defensemen from ufa/trade. I mean every top team in league right now basically adding one D guy that way. Were allowed to to.
Yea not getting into what different things these media people are saying different every wk for draft. Just want to know what each player is like and compare to each other.
To me my first gut feeling after we won the draft lottery, was Cozens and was for awhile. Not sure now but I do think less of Podloz, Dach and others now.
Like some of these playoff deadline busts like Dzingal and Hayes and others, that those teams traded away their future and will pay for that, like we did-with a dynasty, those teams got nothing and like it.
It might be wise to think who would, really, be good for ufas adds. The Nelson type of player is/might be better then these others, as they are busts.
Vegas doesnt have a #1 or #2. They have 5 #3 and #4 for D. Just having a deep fast roster so every line a D pair is average/balanced wise, they can play 4 lines and 3 pairs and use that to help them be/do better, then they would if they were build like one of the top teams, that have as many Elite players as you can get and keep and fill in.
I would rather have Elite players, even if thats only one #1 D guy and 4 #3s and #4s.
Its the Elite players that win the Cup, but they cant with no depth.
Unless SAN win the Cup, who ever wins will only be because all the top teams got beat, otherwise they would get beat by them. Now that they do not have ot play them there in and one of them has to win.
Good thing is after this yr, there will be another transision of lots of the top teams and other teams moving down, meanwhile were moving on up, back to top 5 status in 2 yrs.
Were on our way.
Entwistle with 2 goals and third star as Guelph hands Ottawa it’s first loss of the playoffs after 14 straight wins (a record I think)
Series is now 2-1 Guelph – Byram and Vancouver Giants go tonight series at 1-1
Alexis Gravel and Halifax also go tonight in QMJHL final – series tied 1-1
Sorry Guelph series is 2-1 in favour of Ottawa not Guelph
What kind of players do we project the “4 horsemen” to become? They’re all supposed to be PMD/offensive d-men but what is the best case scenario, within reason.
I define “#1 d-man” as a player that is very good defensively and offensively with at least one side of the puck being exceptionally good. In my opinion, none of the 4-horsemen project to be a #1 d-man. My breakdown for each is:
Boqvist – exceptional on offense but the best we can hope for is adequate defensively.
Jokiharju – has a chance to be very good defensively but only pretty good offensively but not exceptional on either.
Beaudin – will probably be pretty good at both but not exceptional or even very good at either.
Mitchell – like Beaudin but more physical.
None of those guys are a true #1 d-man and probably only Joki is a good #2 guy. The other three are all capable of being top-4 and could be very valuable d-men (especially Boqvist) but the Hawks still wouldn’t have a stud #1 like a Doughty.
Byram is already very good offensively with the possibility of being exceptional. He plays with more physicality than the other guys. The one knock on him is that he may not be “defensively aware” enough to be a very good defender and has been able to recover from mistakes because he skates so well. I’m that “flaw” can be corrected – he has a chance to be a very good defender which combined with his offense would make him a true #1 d-man.
Sorry for the typos.
@ER – if the Hawks feel the same about Byram they’ll take him I think especially since none of the remaining centres after Hughes are sure fire #1 C’s
However it’s not a given that they feel that way – I haven’t watched him enough to have a good feel for whether he has that potential nor have I seen the other possible picks like Cozens, Dach and Turcotte or Pod
The odds favour them taking a FW just because there are more of them as possible #3 picks but if Byram is lights out in the WHL and then Mem Cup that could make the difference
Watching highlights of these players they all look good although I have to admit that Dach sort of separates himself a little with his combo of skill and size and playmaking and his skating seems pretty good too certainly not a liability – better than Strome’s skating for instance
Now that Turcotte is healthy. This narrative of “he plays a 200 foot game” is likely going to be a huge factor going into the draft.
I had been advocating that Stan trade out of the number 3 spot, and perhaps drop down to number 5 if the Kings are interested in Byram and are willing to give the Hawks pick # 33 pretty much at the top of the 2nd round. The only problem with that is #1) if by chance the Rangers pass on Kakko, the Hawks blew it.
#2) Colorado might end up taking the guy the Hawks truly want at #4.
So that leads me to think , what if the Rangers truly want a stud defenseman to go with their abundant supply of forwards drafted ? If that’s the case, Kakko would fall to the Hawks.
I am going with one of them maybe two, prob one of them is a top pair D guy. #1 or #2, I do not know. The rest I am going with there going to be good 2nd pair Defensemen. Wether there #3 or #4, I do not know.
I would say none of them are going to be 5s or 6s. They might all be 3s and 4s, maybe one of them being a 2. No way to know.
I wouldnt limit any of them just because they are small, fast, very good, pmd, off defensemen, and such. It may limit all of them to being #2s at highest, but I do not think that makes any of them only 5s or 6s.
If Byram is not as good at Defense as Hammer or similiar, I do not want him. Then hes not that much better, if, then any of Horsemen. If he is as good as Hammer, at D, one of those kind if defensemen, then ok happy with him or a center. It will be really interesting in who the organization, Bowman and crew, and scouts think what is better for us in loading up again, for the Stout Elite young Stud and feel comfortable in being able to get other position through ufas/trade.
4o points as a rookie? Doesn’t mean anything if you can compete when January and the playoffs come around. You don’t need to have size to be gritty unless your name is Crosby. All some of us are saying is we do not have an elite forward drafted the last two years in the first 2 rounds. That was not a good strategy. Needed 2 of those to be forwards. Jack Wise, another smallish forward? Nope.
Now Graham Knott is big but it seems like Guru Mark Kelley screwed that up too. Ask yourself if Kahun or Sikura make any of these teams in the playoffs, answer is NO WAY.
Bowman needs to draft a forward this season, he has no choice. We need an upgrade on wing or centre.
Evan Barratt had a first round grade prior to the draft according to some scouts.
Since you didn’t answer last time, if Hull was GM for a day and could draft someone who would it be? If you could make a trade, what would that be? And who would you sign and for what price.
Dave Bolland 3rd line guy- 6’0 184lbs
Domenik Kahun-3rd line guy- 5’11 175
Bollands career high was 47 points.
Kahun had 5 points in 7 Olympic games. Seems like the Olympics are a reasonable facsimile to playoff games
Craig, the last thing LA would do is trade up two spots and give away their #33. They need more quality players than we do. A few weeks ago I have blogged that for the Hawks to move down the only trading partner which may make sense would be BUF. Hawks would get their #7 and #30. Would only make sense for the Hawks if they were targeting 3 or 4 players. And Kakko is not going lower than #2.
Byram is my pick because we do not have a #1 in our system and he is off-the-charts great. I think his value is modestly higher than Turcotte, Cozens, and Dach. Of course we desperately need a C and two wingers, but our future D is still lacking.
Original Byram would be a fine pick, but if he is so “off the charts great”, why was he never in conversation for 1st or 2nd like Podkolzin at one point was. How come scouts pushing him always avoid comparisons to the dmen from last year
If Byram was “off the charts great” how do most mocks have Podkolzin, or at least Dach or Cozens, going before him. Not sold that he will be an elite number one defenseman. You don’t rank number one defenseman behind centers that could end up career 2nd liners like Dach and Cozens. Podkolzin and Turcotte make sense because they have the highest ceilings after Hughes and Kakko. Byram scares me in that regard that he will end up as a 1 inch taller Boqvist with a way worse offensive game and a slightly better defensive game.
Hull – Don’t let facts get in the way of your comments. You have brought up Graham Knott about a hundred times. Once again I ask that you go back to that 2015 draft and tell me all the great forwards that were taken after him that Kelly missed on. Based on your level of disgust there must be lots of them that we should have taken.
Re last nights Vancouver Giants game: “The Chicago Blackhawks, who have the third overall choice in June’s NHL Draft, had a large contingent at the game, led by legendary coach Scotty Bowman, who works as a senior adviser for them.”
The bad news is Giants lost 8-2 at home. The good news is they play again tonight so there is the opportunity for redemption.
The position of playing defense is changing quite a bit-I heard a few times on Sirius and Sportsnet the word rover being used-on this site it’s been used over the last year.
They talked about how the 5’11 175 pound d-man is revolutionizing the position and the game and that some are talking about players eventually becoming position-less?? Interesting though–The premium is on skating, first pass and move the puck quickly and with interchangeable parts.
Your starting to see it on the power play already-3 skilled forwards and two rovers or 5 skilled forwards. Gus may be valued more than some think.
How that translates to the playoffs is interesting as well.
Thats why I was thinking, recently, that if Byram is not really good at D and I thought he was from what people said. Then I do not want him unless hes a good as Hammer or similar is as D. We have Four, Four OFF Defensemen coming that are very good at OFF, pmd, fast, and stuff.
I thought thats what he was, I do not know. Thats why I was thinking itsok loading up with 5 excellent Defensemen for wave coming.
This changes things and brings me back to my original gut feeling that Cozens is the best player. With Turcotte being equal or better according to people, which ever one of these centers is best ceiling then thats the guy.
When you think about it, were kind of lucky that when we had to salary cap players it was at a time the league had started to transition to faster and this D style thing and big is not better anymore concept. We earned a dynasty that several Cups in short amount of yrs (not panned out over 10-15 yrs) and when we won it was against the top teams in the last 20 yrs, not two pump chumps winning when league is watered down and rebounded yet.
To be able to reload with the players needed to win in the next 10-15/20 yrs style of league.
Winning the draft lottery top 3 pick is so Huge its like Hoss and Hockey Gods giving the gift that keeps on giving.
So were people were happy we sucked for these two yrs, right after a dynasty. They are going to love that were going to be loaded again and be a top team for several yrs again. Thats why we should load up long term wise. 19 88 will still be good until 40, not prime good, good enough to contribute. Lindstrom and Keith can play good to 40 those guys can to.
Here is a 15 minute clip of all of Turcotte’s shifts in a game in January. Oddly enough, a poster on another message board submitted this video to support his feeling that Turcotte should not be selected by Stan – he prefers Cozens. I watched the video and I like Tucotte even more now because I thought he displayed the things that make him worthy of the #3 pick – he was fast, tenacious and made plays all over the place.
https://m.youtube.com/wat…wpiDVYWxE&time_continue=4
oops – here is the corrected link:
Central ranks Byram as the second best N. American prospect, and other scouts consider him a complete d-man who projects as a #1, but some of you apparently know more than they do. The reason why many mocks have forwards at #3 is based on the team’s needs. Based on the Hawks drafting d-men with high picks the past two years, the mocks are going with offense. This makes sense, as the Hawks need lots of help up front. I think that Byram is best on the board, who also fills a need for a physical player who is good in his own zone.
Original some of the mocks are being done by guys that spend too much time in their basement-
the Hawks will do their homework and will pick the best player that they believe can help the team in two years and in five to six years. There are a couple of safe-smart-talented picks at three.
Better than at 12.
True enough Noonan, Original central scouting last year had no.3 pick Kotkaneimi as the no.6 European skater behind no. 50 pick Adam Ginning and No.5 pick Hayton as 9th N A. skater, projects mid 1st, so they don’t seem invincible. I was just asking questions that jump out to me.
I am fine with Byram if hes really good at both OFF and D. The D part is the mandatory part for me. Then same if those two centers are really good at both. Any of the 3 are good with me. I do trust Bowman and crew will get the best guy.
Jordy, Bowman and staff picked a poor night to scout, if it was to look for future to help team defense and pk. Prince Albert lead 7-0 after 1st period on 4 pp goals against Byram led Vancouver, hopefully they are there tonight again.
Dave Bolland, 100 point guy in London, played in Chicago as a 3rd line centre behind Toews and Sharp in 2010. Played tough as nails, ask Joe Thornton 2010 playoffs, (0r 2013 hit that gave Seabs OT winner against Detroit, or big Goal against Boston!!!) great shot, great on faceoffs, scored lots of big goals during the playoffs, great on PK, nasty,…Sorry, no contest, Bolland got those points playing 3rd and 4th line minutes. Kahun got to play with Toews to start the season, a bit with Kane but when he hit the 3rd & 4th line, nothing. Let’s not compare because there is no comparison. Undrafted for a reason. And those points against Denmark, Norway, France, Switzerland, Lativia…? Really? My point is Bowman had 2 chances to draft 2 elite forward prospects the last two seasons and he decided to draft 4 dmen instead. You need balance and when you lose in the last 3 years, Richards, Hossa, Sharp, Teuvo, Bickell, Saad, Panarin, Shaw, Danault, then you need to draft upfront, BIG TIME!
And again, what would you have done?
I seem to recall them trying Bolland with Kane…
Robby Schremp had 145 points and Dylan Hunter was right behind Bolland…what does his junior stats have anything to do with how good he is/was in the show.
What if the Hawks end up taking Cozens – could he play next year at wing perhaps?
Big, fast, skilled, goes to the dirty areas, great shot – put him with Toews and Kane?
It could work
I’d say the same for Turcotte except he’s committed to NCAA for at least a year and I’m not saying they should pick Cozens for that reason but just if they do maybe that’s a way to work him into the roster right away and he has played wing already and he’s apparently quite physically mature as well for his age like Saad was
Will never forget the great hit from Bolland that gave Seabs space to fire home the winner against the Wings. Bolland was tough as nails when he was healthy, which wasn’t often.
Hull65, if the Hawks drafted 2 forwards in the first round last year you would be griping that they have the worst D in the league and no one good in the pipeline. I have plenty of criticism of Bowman over the years, but I think that Boq and Beau were smart picks who will greatly improve our D in the coming years. Takes years to restock a depleted system.
Some people are just complainers. They can’t help it – they’re wired that way. Doesn’t mean they aren’t great Hawks fans.
No clear choice at third slot, crapshoot, not even close. The variety of choices by all the posters who all watch a lot of hockey proves this; Bowman’s staff is likely doing the same.
Trade down. Gather another asset or two. As Q liked to say “we need more.”
P.S. the NHL and it’s absurd rules/officials changed the complexion of two game 7s in a row for San Jose. Amazing. Terrible. Disgraceful. Not fair to the opposing teams and it’s fans two series in a row. I don’t have a dog in the fight, thank goodness the Hawks weren’t involved.
Good point, being positive 100% of time is a little too much. I try not to 100 of the time. But being 100% negative of the time, get the fukk out of here.
Not everyone is intelligent to know as much as some people here/elsewhere, so your right they are prob just as big of loyal Blackhawks people as we all are here. It gets personal to most of us.
This is not just hockey, its a way of life. Like Skiing for life. Even when were deep and one of the top two teams again in 2 yrs or so, other teams may beat us sometimes, but there going to have to bleed to do it.
I agree iceman. That 5 minute major on the play Pavelski got hurt was a royal screw and cost Vegas the game/series, and unless the replay officials had a different camera shot than the one they showed on TV – there’s no way they could determine the Avs skate blade was like a 1/16 of an inch off the blue line … not to mention the clear cup tripping on MacKinnon as he was breaking in on goal.
I’m not a conspiracy guy but it makes me wonder how Thorton’s Sharks are getting series changing breaks.
What a dilemma – I can’t stand the Blues and I can’t stand Doofus Joe Thorton – can we somehow arrange to have both teams lose?
Try not to talk about refs and instant replay officials and league suspension deciders. They are a fukking joke, for a few yrs now. Its getting worse and its totally wrong to cameroon a team on BS. Just like the goaltender interference on Crow in 17, that was 2 games to 1, we won game 3. That was it, that yr we were getting slow team speed wise, but still you cant do that to teams in game 3 or 7. One game can be difference in series, even a game 3.
Yea it does CLB a lot of good to get cheaphoted and the guy who did is suspended for one game against another team. Make him and his team pay and hes out for next series. One or two doesnt do anything, at all. IT JUST INCOURAGES OTHERS AND THE SAME GUY TO DO IT MORE OFTEN.
So we need to load up roster, so ref and instant replay officials cant screw us like that.
We may not like COL, but it was in our interest for them to win so their #16 pick would fall to the bottom four. After tonight’s game the NBC analysts said they have a young and talented team with many good years ahead. Am more concerned about this team than any other in the West. We need a very strong draft.
Bishop, Binnington, Rask, Jones, Mrazek, McElhinney standing on their head. We better have a lights-out stud ready when we become a contender in 2-3 years.
VGK had a 3-1 series lead and blew a 3-0 lead in 3rd period of game 7, unable to kill a 5 min pp without allowing 4g. Thats an epic choke and what would concern me if i was them. The call shoud’ve 2 mins, but really falling and suffering a scary head injury because of it, you could make an argument to change rules other way too, that 5 should be call, but still rules now say only 2mins.
I hate that offside challenge, but it is what it is, never saw official release from league if an angle showed it to be offside or inconclusive. Penalties 3 apiece last night what you like to see in game like that, but the miss on Mackinnon shoulda been called.
I just want them the to change the rules that they should, but fukking call the penaltys that are pentatys. Teams will adjust and wont be able to ‘cheat’ to win. They actually have to play hockey, you now the sport. Suspensions need to be Way more length, without saying anymore about that.
Everyone can nitpick on ref instant replay suspension people, but they need to change so the game is good again.
Alowing cheapshot players and dirty players to get away with it and then rewarded for it, nah.
Just tighten up the calls a little, but not like it is, where tis ok to tackle a player thats not in the play/doesnt have the puck. WRONG.
Need to change, call it. Teams will adjust and it will be a better game.
@Wrap, I think it is likely that any of the centers after Hughes can/might be converted to wing. If Cozens (or others) tops out as a 2C or 3C but could be a top line forward, that may have some value.
Not sure that he would end up in the lineup right away, but any forward taken will likely show up on the NHL roster sooner than a defenseman.
Wonder if Bowman signs anybody but the expected Kubalik at worlds, Wetin mentioned, maybe Nalimov or somebody else on radar.
Then have to deal with Rfas after scouting memorial cup. Ryczek could get elc contract possibly.
Edjsell looks like he may heading back to Europe next season, not surprising when he couldn’t crack Nhl roster. Rfas Perlini, Kampf, Sikura and L. Johnson likely re-upped, Louis and Watson not may be. On D, Hillman likely is brought back, not give up on him yet. Forsling and Koekkoek may not walk , hard to imagine one or both not moved though. Forsberg resigning could depend on what happens with Nalimov.
Don’t see any ufas coming back, unless they want Kruger for depth, but may have enough options they would prefer.
TSN’s latest mock draft:
https://www.tsn.ca/podkolzin-plummets-in-tsn-hockey-s-mock-draft-3-0-1.1296254
Edjsell leaving is fine by me – I don’t think he has an NHL game. Give someone else his Rockford minutes who has a chance to improve and possibly have an NHL game.
and Hockey News just arrived-#3 Cozens
who knows?
Looks like there could be good forward callup potential next year in Rockford. Entwistle and Kurashev may start there along with Hagel and Reese Johnson from Chl. Sikura and Luke Johmson could start year there with Highmore and Nilsson who got a look last year as returners. Versteeg bevthere and can’t be forgotten about, Soderlund and Wetin if signed will make their cases too. Give a littke more depth anyways.
I don’t like the trading down idea-you would have to get a piece that you know will someday play, and you can’t get that guarantee, and teams aren’t going to give you a good young player already on the team who is proven-(not that three always turns into a piece but it often happens)
#3 doesn’t fall on your laps often
Any thoughts on who should be the other assistant? I think we can finally get away from the ex whalers coaching tree. Kris Knoblauch anyone? Some have speculated he could be on the Oilers list for head coach
Not pushing it but half expect it might be Kunitz.
Thought the same wks ago on Not trading down. Top 3 pick only come every 20 yrs. We were lucky and deserving to get this top 3 pick from hockey Gods and Hoss.
For what we would get extra, not worth having first choice of the Elite draft prospects.
I like Krugs as 13th FW or something. Caphit would be fine.
I has Cozens 3 from the start. Now I am not sure who is better, really, Cozens Turcotte. Byram is good to.
If anyone was on the fence for who to root for between Boston and Carolina…. Some Boston radio guys had Chip Alexander, a beat writer for the Canes on. They flat hung up on him mid sentence because the guy didn’t like his accent. The co-host even said that was a dick move. Chip tried calling back thinking it was a bad connection… wouldn’t put him on.
Not sure it matters. Read somewhere else BOS does two dirty hits in 3rd and then refs call penalty on CAR. They get lead. Should have been tied and CAR on two PPs to take lead.
Just wonder how refs do when its SJ/STL and BOS. Refs seem to like SJ more then other team. BOS wont get the no calls against SJ.
Give CAR credit they did good games 60 -80 and playoffs. They deserved better officiating.
And I really do not want to talk about the fukking refs again, until game 1 season 20.
What I did notice in the sharks game 7 was their d play by their forward group. Commentators actually called it out as well. Col couldn’t get the puck past the blue line. Sharks have a fine d corps but their forwards through speed bumps all over the ice to slow the opponent down. Our d needs upgrading for sure but our forward group better come ready to play some defense next season or we will end up in the bottom 3 for goals against again.
Back to the draft. It truly is the NHL version of a company credit card. I am utterly amazed by how San Jose, Columbus, Pittsburgh have so few picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts. CapFriendly does an amazing job of charting all the draft picks.
Ottawa and New Jersey will be swimming in young talent. By comparison, the assets that San Jose gave up for Erik Karlsson and Gustav Nyqvist is mind boggling.
I still want the Hawks to somehow move up from #43 in the second round this year. If we somehow could get to 32 and the first pick of the second round that would be amazing. So a Stud at #3 and a fantastic talent at 32. The whole draft would be an. A+
Hawk One agree, another team to look at too was Isles who went from worst defense to best with Trotz new system and same defensemen, forwards fully committed to helping out would be a huge difference.
Trade up to top of 2nd round.
Yes. Yes.
Listening to Finland and Canada… Hawks prospect Kevin Lankinen is in net for the Finn’s.
Yeah watching that game, Lankinen looking impressive as Finns with young non Nhler team holding on 1 1 after 2nd. Jokiharju playing big mins with his usual poise and confidence moving the puck for Finns, also impressing blocking shots and good puck battle, hope to see more of that. Strome on a line with Stone and Marchessault, looking good, scored as pp unit, with Theodore feeding Marchessault . Kakko nice goal being sent in on a breakaway on nice feed and with Montour tripping him still was able to blow around Matt Murray for goal.
Jokiharju took a penalty right after the Kakko goal and Canada scored. Kakko with an empty net goal to top Canada. Based on the box, Jokiharju had the 2nd fewest minutes for the Finns D, but overall ice time was pretty equal.
If that was box score i was looking at the ice times were not reliable, Strome on top line showing 5:34 total ice, way off, Jokiharju was out alot.
Good for our young wave players to have worlds to play in to get some playoff experience. Even though not the same it is a different pace.
Upsets all around at worlds Slovakia 4 1 over USA Czechs(Kubalik) 5 2 over Swedes(Gus & Kruger) only Russia(Anisimov) over Norway(Martinsen) went as expected.
Canada’s ice time in that game was incomplete. So I dont know it’s reliability.
Bothvteams were incomplete, if you look closely Finns don’t come close to adding up either.
Did Finland really have 8d?
I recall the 2009 team not as good as they wanted to be at back checking. The guys talked about it during the season and early in playoffs. Then that season and playoffs the 2010 team FWs did really good at back checking. We had the better roster then any team that decade (and this decade so far-that roster) so if we back checked good it didnt matter what the other team did or how good they were. They wernt, no one was, as good as us when we back checked properly.
We do not need Dash to much like amv vite for Cozens faster tougher
How good is Kabalik. Panarin is a qst line LW and Kahun is a 3rd line RW. So is Kabalik better then Kahun to be a 2nd line RW or is just a better 3rd line RW.
Who is he like, style wise and skill wise so I can visualize what hes going to be like.
We should be adding a few players ufa/or maybe trade so were going to have a full roster this season, unlike the last 2 yrs/that were transition yrs.
Guys like 91 and 11 can play on other lines but when we add a top 6 FW these kind of players can be bottom 6 quality.
ufa/19/88
12/17/?
20/64/entwhistle
91/kurachev/?
Original6, not sure you read what I said? 2 Dmen and 2 forwards would have been the smart thing to do, the only smart visionary thing to do for Bowman. Pretty obvious. Look at the depth prospects we have up front? Not great!
2 of those 4 picks being forwards would have created balance and filled out important needs on both sides.
Now the GM is trying to sign 26 year old free agents? We he could have had a 20 year old first round pick winger penciled in for next seasom, maybe even 2 forwards. Add Joki and wait for Boqvist. Sign Chariot.
The Kubalik off wing one-timer is a thing of beauty. What a talent he has.
I see where Calgary and San Jose both signed undrafted European defensemen today. That appears to be the new trend, replacing lost draft picks with players from Europe who are in their early 20s. Stan has been ahead of the curve on this.
Would be pretty smart to be ahead of the curve in collecting as many of good fast good skating pmd as possible being the trend of the future, before the future gets here. We got to reload so why not think ahead. The Blackhawks were the team that saved hockey in 2013 and started the style that the other top teams copied. We should get a extra 2.5m in cap space for copytright.
Craig from what i saw of thats the kind of play Kubalik likes to make. Find some space in slot area and score from there, any luck see alot of those type of plays.
Opinions, being what they are, do not rise to the level of “fact” – else they would be facts and not opinions. All opinion holders believe their opinion to be correct or at least the best option – else they wouldn’t hold that opinion, obviously, but their opinion isn’t an obvious fact because, again, it isn’t a “fact”. Arguing differing opinions is what we do here and a vigorous and passionate defense of opinion is fine, but declaring your opinion “obviously” correct is to declare all counter opinions obviously wrong and is intended to shut down debate.
One philosophy espoused for drafting players is to select the “best player available” (BPA), mainly used for 1st/2nd/3rd round selections. If you subscribe to the BPA philosophy, then you can’t complain if following that philosophy results in more d-men being selected than forwards, at least not if you’re going to be true to BPA. You can argue that a forward was the BPA, but you can’t argue that the forward should have been selected over the d-man because there was an imbalance of recent draftees.
I’m not a proponent of BPA, at least not a blind adherent of it. I believe there is some wriggle room to be factored in along with BPA. I don’t know if Byram is the BPA or if one of the centers holds that distinction, but he’s close enough and has a chance to fill what I believe is the most difficult position to acquire, that being a true #1 d-man, and therefore I hope Stan drafts another d-man at #3.
I know the Hawks will have their own analyses of draft eligible players but the consensus across multiple mock drafts, if you average them out, is that Byram is the 3rd best player available – doesn’t mean that who the Hawks have at #3 but it increases the odds that Byram is who they will select there
Btw Byram was 1st star last night as Van. Giants beat PA Raiders 4-3 to get their series to 3-2 in favour of PA – he had 1g 1a and judging form the highlights was physically involved as well to go along with a couple of defensive miscues one leading directly to a goal for PA
Nevertheless 1st star in a must win playoff game and leading his team as a 17 year old is impressive – that’s what you want
I would say if the Hawks draft him he won’t play in CHI next year but quite possibly the year after
Also Entwistle and Guelph Storm go for the OHL Championship on Sunday – they’re up 3-2 on Ottawa who hadn’t lost a single playoff game until the Storm beat them 3 in a row – something going in Guelph with all their comebacks – they were down 3-0 to London and 3-1 to Saginaw
And Gravel will backstop Halifax on Sunday in QMJHL final down 3-2 to Rouyn-Noranda
Halifax and R-N are both already guaranteed to be going to Mem Cup
Gravel, a great name for a goalie. Just imagine all the possibilities for the broadcast booth.
Given Byram’s profile rising significantly recently, I wonder whether the draft could become a 3-person draft for the top 2 spots. Probably not, but could become an unexpected wrinkle. Similar to the above comments, there’s definitely momentum to choose Byram and I’ve begun to think it’s the smart move. Though, I like Turcotte too. Just like in most sports, a great defense travels well and I think with one player, the Hawks could have the pieces to a very good defense just one year from now.
Totally ok with Byram, only if he is a to pair D guy. #1 or #2 is fine. Buckaroo is a #2 and BoQ is a #2 then Byram is a #2, maybe. Hes a #1 then I would like a stacked D.
Otherwise rather have a 1st line center for future.
He is then its interesting who we pick.
Also very interesting who we get ufa/or maybe trade wise.
This is going to be like assembling a, better then most better then most, roster.
Beaudin, Boqvist, Jokihariju and Krys are already signed and under the Hawks development control. Mitchell is not.
If Stan and Mark K. take Byram at #3, I’d love to see Stan get creative and package Mitchell and pick #43 to move back into the first round and nab a forward.
I know it’s not a huge deal the Mitchell wants to go back to Denver for his Junior year, but if one year from now he wants to go back for his Senior year, the Hawks are in the same situation Carolina was with Adam Fox. Secondly, it would not be worrisome that Mitchell wanted to go back for his Junior year, if he had said prior to that, that he wanted to become a Blackhawk as soon as possible.
Interesting trade option Craig – I’d be down with that
We pick a top pair D guy, then we have the luxury to trade one of those four and the top 3 pick then becomes one of the Four Horsemen.
What centers are going to be in the area of 15th-25th pick that we would want.
Buyout Seabs contract gives us 3m and 1.5m 3 of next 5 yrs. It also means 800 or 900 more for yrs 6-10. So what, I would rather have that 3m for 2 yrs and 1.5m for a yr in 3 of next 5 yrs to get a good player at deadline or summer, then have 800 or 900 in 6-10 yrs from now.
You going to trade Mitch, with picking Byram, and move up into that part of first round with 43rd pick. Do you trade 56 in this. 56 would be the next Leddy when were deep in 2 yrs. When Leads was at 2m along with his anchor Rozy at 2,2m, when he was going to go up in cap, not keeping a 3rd pair Defensemen for higher the 2m. Same with 56, he will be the 5th or 6th best D guy when these guys are established and by then is he going to be more then 2m or todays equivalent to Leddy and Rozy 3rd pair show of 2.2 and 2 caphits.
I would like to keep 56, though who do you want for 3rd pair, 56 or 2 for when were deep again in 2 yrs.
Kubalik though two games at WHC looks good – seems to be a heady forward with both playmaking and shot making abilities and some size
Hopefully Stan signs him after the WHC and he’s on the roster next year.
Craig what you’re saying there, VGK in kind of cap bind pick 16th, maybe take David Clarkson ltir contract, one more year left on it. Could have Kaliyev, Lavoie, Suzuki among others still around, maybe even Podkolzin.
Mutchell and 43rd pick for 16th pick, davud clarkson caphit and one of VGK 3rd round picks,( Jets and Preds, plys their own
Sneaky good way of using cap space Ian. Walk away with a stud at number 3 and a blue chip forward at 16.
Hull65, in my post and many earlier ones I stated how empty our cupboard is of forward in our system. You are saying that Bowman should have picked a forward with the second pick the past two years. That would mean we have Joki and then Boq coming up, and possibly no one else. My point was that the Blackhawks have so many needs and that I am giving Bowman benefit of the doubt by drafting who he and his team think has the most upside.
ER and Aurora, I have been in the Byram camp for several weeks. It is very hard to get a blue chip d-man like this and we do not have anyone as good on the roster or in the pipeline. The Hawks will have to wing it (pun intended) by signing a middle six winger and center and then draft one at #43 and in the the first two rounds next year. We need to draft a good goalie. Bowman should try to trade into the 3rd round to pick a good G prospect, or at least a FW.
If Bowman were able to land 2 highend draft picks and they went back to juniors with Boqvist for one more season and didn’t burn an elc year, those 3 elcs would expire same time as 19,88 and 2 contracts expire. 7 would have one more year but doubt it be an issue at that point.
Kaliyev, Lavoie, Suzuki among others still around, maybe even Podkolzin.
Lavoie center with size. Kaliyev a RW with decent size.
Wedin picks Blackhawks instead of TOR and COL.
This guy another Kahun kind of player.
Got size, Ben Smith style wise, 5/11 200.
One scenario – draft Byram sign Edler to a short term deal as a bridge to guys like Byram/Boq, sign Anders Lee (if he’s still available) to pay LW, sign Kubalik (hopefully a done deal)
In 2 years your D is Byram/Boq
Keith/Joki
Gus or Beaudin/Edler
Seabs as 7th – Gus has been traded or Beaudin has been traded and Gus has re-signed, Forsling either traded or 7th D in place of Seabs
Lee Toews Kane
DCat Strome Kubalik
Saad AA Perlini
Caggs Kampf Kahun
Wrap, if they think Byram is best player and they take him, perfect. Adding a highend fwd with Kubalik works, I just don’t think banking on a cup run with 3 D’s on an elc plus one just finishing one and with a 38 year old trying to play 10 years younger is feasible in 2 years time.
I would let the future guys develop and if its 2 or 3 years fine and if it takes 5 years thats ok too. Build a competitive defense until they’re ready. Nemeth has been mentioned as maybe in their radar, scouts were at Avs game, maybe why. Edler or Jordie Benn too. Go with
Gus Joki
Nemeth/? Murphy
Keith Seabrook
Pairs 2 and 3 on pk and 1st pair on pp with 4 fwds on wach one.
A healthy dose of blender when needed. Players like Carlsson, Beaudin, Krys get a look if deserving this year. As time goes on transition as young defensive players in as they become ready and move players out as they become expendible. Use otger defense ready sooner until bigs all ready.
It shows you that even though we have a bunch of spots to get better at. Where really not that many players away from being deep again.
Young wave coming no matter what. Were adding at least 2 good players in summer ufa/or trade. Thats not counting deadline adds prob starting with 21 season.
Were going to get deep soon. Cant rush young players though. Good thing they are going to be very good, so even young and on elc, they can be very good just in their 2nd and 3rd full yrs.
@Ian – I hear what you’re saying – I’m just spitballing, trying to figure a way to keep as many of the young guys as prove themselves capable as possible – maybe they have to trade more than one to have a competitive D while T and K are still on top of their games
I think Keith can be useful for a few years yet like Chara is in BOS although maybe not until he’s 40 and I forgot about Murphy who I like
He could be still be here in 2 years giving more veteran presence to the young D men
If they draft Byram there is going to be a time in all likelihood in the near future where there are at least 3 young guys in the top 6 at once IMO
But if that doesn’t fly for a team with cup aspirations they’ll have to make changes obviously
Different players and many role and these are Horsemen. 2009 half roster was in first full yr and 2010 those same players were only in 2nd full yr in league.
Mo, in 2010 Keith and Seabrook were in 5th full season playing together, Hammer was only one still in early stages of development, Campbell was in his 10th or 11th season and Sopel 13th or 14th season and Buff a winger. Not trying to be negative or saying it can’t happen sooner than that, just to come together on that level, if it happens that Byram, Boqvist and rest go all the way, it is likely going take some time.
Yea, same I wasnt for what you were saying about D guy. That half of 23man was in 1st full yr in 2009, thats why in 2008 when we played with half a roster like this yr we were close but didnt make playoffs. Then those same players, prob mostly FW, in 2010 were in there 2nd full yrs and we did that good in 2009 conference finals.
Take some time and could emerge on the very first yr they get established, prob not 1st or 2nd full yrs. Could though thats why we need to add at least one ufa/or trade wise. Have to. I mean look at all the FW were getting from lots of different places. Were not adding any D guys from these places. Does that smell Byram or what.
Interesting comments from Elliot Friedman in his “30 thoughts”, that it appears Byram and Turcotte have separated themselves from the rest of the draft field at 3 and 4.
Also, glad to see Wedin chose the Hawks. He pretty much replaces Edjsell.
With Kabalik and Entwhistle emerging. Now Wedin another player like Kahun? but with size, hes build like Ben Smith 5/11 200. This seasons FW are going to be full roster.