IceHogs Sign Kris Versteeg
On Monday afternoon the Rockford IceHogs announced the team has agreed to a one-year, AHL contract with veteran forward Kris Versteeg for the 2019-20 season.
Versteeg, who turns 33 on May 14, split the 2018-19 campaign between the KHL and SHL, combining for 16 points in 23 games during the regular season. He has scored 149 goals with 209 assists in 643 career regular season games in the NHL. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion spent parts of five seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, appearing in 294 games with 64 goals scored.
Verbeauty!
Steeger can’t let go.
If he enjoys playing the game that much that he wants to keep playing, good for him.
Goid for him
I was kind of surprised this didnt happen last year.
Maybe can provide “veteran presence” for young kids to emulate, and potentially perhaps maybe might show some degree of leadership to help IceHogs get to AHL playoffs.
But please please please no call ups to ‘Hawks
Oh c’mon Uncle Bill! What a killer line:
Versteeg – Morin – Skille
Season killer I mean…
Much rather have Steeger than Tyler Sikura.
No harm in having him in Rockford. Thankfully he did not get the proverbial 1 year for $1 Million deal from Stan.
Rumor has it that he was given a “no trade clause” as well…
LOL, good one Dave.
Having Steeger around town is a good omen. I bet the guys that have been around for enough of the yrs 2005-2016 like this.
I mean I want to see the guys in limos standing in the sunroof swinging their shirts and having a good time like those yrs.
Its showtime again 2 yrs.
According to Lazerus Verbeauty will be mentoring the young guys in RKF but he apparently is feeling and playing the best he has in years after 5 surgeries in 6 years
He could find his way to the Hawks by the TDL and if he contributes something to the Hawks why not? I don’t think he’ll come up just for old time’s sake only if he can make the team better – after all Stan’s job is on the line but he just might still be able to play at the NHL level – he’s only 32
I’m pulling for him
The Hawks cup runs began with puck possession. Versteeg is good at that. So, if some of the prospects down in the system are slow to float to the top, Versteeg could be a decent short-term fix.
Woohoo!
Suck it, Smashville!
The Green eliminate the Yellow. Lower seeds knocking off the favorites. Go Canes! Nashville not in such good shape for the future. Need more goal scoring and physical players. They had better get one from their 24th pick because they have no picks in Rounds 2 and 3.
Wow, that Dallas – Nashville contest was one helluva game last night. Even if hated Nashville had won, that was some great playoff hockey. And two game 7’s tonight. Shows what kind of team level the Blackhawks need to aspire to to succeed going forward. Those regular season wins sure aren’t enough.
Go Blackhawks!!!!!
Blackhawks possibly in running for Ilya Mikheyev, maybe top ufa out of Khl. If they do sign him he is a big, fast 2way fwd., some of hits clips kinda look like a Hossa type style, who could possibly be an upgrade as bottom/middle 6 winger next season.
Bolland is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Leafs and Vegas want Mikheyev too, supposedly as Nhl roster player next year. So he sounds legit.
How about that.
Verbeuaty is a Blackhawks organization again, and whaawla NAS is beat.
Steegers the key.
Suck on thaaaat!
Panarin can vouche for Blackhawks to Mikheyev.
Versteeg rather than anyone named Sikura!
Watching Vegas vs Sharks tonight was insane! No room for players like Sikura, Kahun, Cagg, Anthony Louis…..that’s for sure! And the pace of the game should have Strome getting skating lessons from Paul Coffey if he wants to have a long career! Jumbo Thorton can skate faster than Dylan!
Hope Bowman was watching.
Mikheyev? Well, if he played on the Russian National team, he can prbably crack the Hawks lineup.
Cagg would have loved that game last night, and thrived. Anthony Louis-lol
leading scorers last night-Hull note how big they are
Marchessault- 5. 9 174
Leblanc 5.11 185
Some games people say size you must have, its physical out there.
Some game then its speed skill, skating around these bigger and slower players.
We need both, like CLB and COL.
Mo it looks like Bowman has his focus on that now, with adds like like Perlini, possibly the russian Mikheyev, plus Kubalik, Entwistle and Kurashev all with speed, size and skill coming soon. Certainly with 1st pick and possibly others too, can make that an area of strength, combined with some of current roster players, plus ufa/trades. The smaller, quick skilled fwds are already in place and cream is rising there. Defense still needs some bridging/key add with patience , but up front is coming around nicely.
Q would have Verbeauty up immediately; Colliton, not so much…
I hope Versteeg thrives in Rockford and ends up being a good mentor to the younger players. But I don’t expect much in terms of him being a viable NHL player. Not saying he won’t, but I am not holding my breath.
I believe that since he has an AHL contract, the Hawks don’t hold his rights so any team can sign him to their NHL rosters as a free agent if they like.
We better man because right now looking at the top teams and good teams you have to say CLB and COL are the two best teams going forward, playoff style wise. BOS and CGY are the next two best teams and rising but so is COL and CHI is coming in the same way BOS and COL did.
We just have to reload the roster like that, CLB and COL makeup of roster. We cant load the team like TAM and TOR and PIT and those kind with a bunch of very good players with an overall make up of weaklings like those teams.
You know what I mean. We have to do this right because were going to be a top 5 team in 2 yrs or so and we need, Have to do it this way.
I think teams have been going away from nigger and physical like the LA ANA BOS STL of 5-10 yrs ago, now to faster and more skilled the last fews yrs, and going forward for the coming yrs now like see CLB CGY BOS rosters makeup and COL and CHI are coming like that. COL prob here now already.
Like you said we have very good skilled players, like De bob lee swagger cat. We need a full roster, deep roster of two way-fast skill with size players for FW and D. Then were head to head with COL for the coming yrs. Could be the next top 2 teams in league just like COL-DET, LA-CHI, COL-CHI for the coming yrs.
How fitting is that.
The expansion team that paid their dues, the right way wins. Would be justice for a SAN and CLB finals.
Down 3-2 last yr SAN gets it to game 7 but VEG won that. Then down again 3-1, SAN gets it to 3-3 and then even yet down 3-0 half way through 3rd with the 3rd goal being garbage goal, SAN scores goals and gets it to 3-3 again.
This time/yr SAN has hockey Gods on their side and beats the, fixed, expansion roster team.
I thought SAN would win, this yr, agasint VEG. Didnt think they would be down 3-1 in games and 3-0 in 3rd o do it though. Maybe SAN put VEG to sleep and thats the way to beat VEG.
Get them playing where they are not pushing it.
Prob not going to happen but a SAN CLB would be fitting for these teams.
Most likley a COL CLB finals would be best finals there could be.
Makes you wonder CLB wins Cup do all of those ufas stay, hmmm.
Ian, speaking of what needed to reload roster to compete with the top, playoff, roster teams BOS, CLB, COL for the coming yrs.
Who could we get for D thats available in summer of 20 for ufas. I know we checked in the fall for summer of 19 for D guys, what about summer of 20.
We must get skill and size for DEF D guy.
Good question, with BoQ being 17 at draft and birthdate in area of Teauvos they both are really sort of the draft after draft players.
Where would Boqvist rank in tthis yrs draft order. 4th-7th? I mean based on hi stats and how he played in juniors where would we have him ranked if in this draft. Prob right next to around Byram, so a 3-5 pick player.
Man I cant wait to the 21 season. This season will be exciting, its starting with the 21 season is going to have that buzz, in the hair. again.
Mo theres alot of upgrade names could be there in 20, but alot will be locked up by then. Guys like Petrangelo, Josi, Barrie, Faulk, Muzzin, Krug, Flames have 3 Brodie, Hamonic, Stone, plus Nurse, Morrisey etc. could be there but likely want fair bit of term on a deal most of them if still around.
Somebody suggested a bridge player, i know he getting up thore but wonder with Jets up against it to resign players, what it take to get Big Buff for last couple of years of his contract. Nobody be taking liberties on Crow if they had to answer to Buff, plus protect some of developing younger guys too, while being a big upgrade at same time.
I was wrong about NAS and WIN, what tf happened to those teams and TAM. Same thing that happened to us in 17. Cannot coast. Because only dynasty teams, cough cough can flip the switch.
I was right on about SAN beating VEG this yr, even though it didnt look like they would down 3-1.
Same with that guy here who backed COL, even with the COL collapse when they went from 10 games over .500 35 games in and were at 0 and tied with a couple teams for 8 seed, they won 10 and got back to 10 and the key is they were ‘playing’ down the stretch, like we did, and wernt coasting.
NAS, then WIN, then CGY, then BOS, then COL, then CHI are the top teams for the coming yrs.
Glad to have watched this game till the end. 4 powerplay goals in 4 minutes. Is that a record?
Partly agree with Hull65 that Strome needs to get faster, but mainly quicker. I have posted that his reaction time is slow and he gets faked out a lot. Has a high hockey IQ, adequate strength, is a great passer and has a good shot. Cagg is a good bottom six and would be a contributor in the playoffs.
Meyers reminds me of a younger Seabs a little faster but with some bite. Everyone sez what we need but can you please put names with what we need so we can say “Hey he was right with that guy “. We can always say that was the wrong guy when it doesn’t pan out, but who would have you picked instead. Names please not just positions.
Strome is definitely faster and a better skater than Joe Thornton. Not even close
You talking about Myers. Hes at 5.5m caphit now shouldnt go too much higher then that. Prime of prime yrs for a few more yrs.
WIN getting beat and beat bad, sort of. After last yr of doing good and beating NAS and then not having enough energy left to ‘play’ against VEG. Wonder of that makes him think WIN has hit their peak as a team, per say, which has him looking at the up and coming teams.
Like CHI.
Yes, thinking he will sign a 4 or 5 max year at 5 to 6 mil a year. He has a true salary of 3 mil now. Thinking that SEAttle will take SEAbrook for on ice veteran leadership. If we must sweeten the pick we must and I believe Seabs will ok the nmc to be close to home. “C Seabs in Seattle” good slogan to start with.
Teuvo beats WAS.
We need two D guys like that. Can only caphit one right now, then you trade 7 contract and then you can add two D guys with caphits like that.
Seabs smears the fukking cannucks against the wall, is another good slogan.
If SB signs that Russian kid, that just gives SB more chips to deal. At that point, Cozens with #3. Deal Anisimov, Kahun, Kampf, Dahlstrom, Kruger. All are chips to improve the future. Would Karlsson sign here? Again, I sound like a broken record. Seabrook is the lynchpin. Retire? Trade? Yes, I still want B. Lemieux for the 3rd line. But, if someone, not named Sikura, can step into that 3rd line RW with grit and a scoring touch, tgat would be perfect.
Could or would ANA trade Manson? He would be a really solid upgrade.
On a coaching note, Scott Stevens was an up and coming coach, with MN. He left for family reasons. Is he anywhere? He would be an upgrade as a D coach and if Coach C falters, Stevens, in my opinion, is an excellent Head Coach candidate.
Canes knock out Caps! Justin Williams was not one of the three stars of the game. Give me a break. So many exciting series in which the lower seeds are winning. Ovi, you and your team will soon be over the hill. Teuvo had a good series. Just sayin’.
Edman, Stevens as D or head coach? I think we need to concuss this. Seriously, have no knowledge of his coaching ability, other than to say he would want some tough SOBs on D, which the Hawks currently do not have.
Winnipeg seems to be going backward. If the Hawks were to sign Taney and Chiarot, that could really help our depth while hurting a division rival.
Original6hawkey, Scott Stevens is currently in the announcers booth. I’m thinking out loud here. Okay, Donato is out. Is Ferraro up and with the hawks? Maybe. What the hell is to be done with Seabrook? He’s got to know he’s too slow. He makes too much to sit him as the 7th D-man. The organization has to do something that doesn’t insult him. He deserves a decent send off. He should retire and go learn to coach, in Rockford. SB can then sign either Karlsson(pipedream & expensive) or trade for Manson (maybe). The hawks could have, bear with me. Jokiharju-Keith. Manson-Gustafsson. Koekkoek-Murphy. Is Forsling or Dahlstrom your 7th? Or are they part of packages that get them out? Then who is 7th? Blake Hillman does fit the bill of a Cam Russell kind of guy. Is it ideal? Not really. But, it is better.
Back to Scott Stevens. If SB could sign him, he would be an upgrade as a D-coach. If Coach C falters, Stevens, in my opinion, is the real deal. He brings a more physical game philosophy. Guys like Caggiula, Murphy, Manson, and Koekkoek would benefit. B. Lemieux would too…if he is here.
I can’t sleep and my mind is racing. In 2015, the Blackhawks had 4 solid centers and the O was ridiculous. The D was very good. Beyond 2, 4, & 7…the rest was filler.
So…with a few moves, here’s my potential team. Caggiula, Toews, Kane. Perlini, Strome, DeBrincat. Saad, Cozens, B.Lemieux. Highmore, Johnson, Hayden
My last post has the D pairings.
They’re faster, bigger, physical, and skilled.
Okay, I am going to try and sleep. I know I had multiple posts. But, this is my only sport. Unless I start watching curling.
Hey, in 2015 we had Teuvo!Teuvo!Teuvo….now we have Strome?
Hoping Doug Wilson’s team makes it the final to give Jumbo Joe a great send off!
Near the end of the Cup runs some tough decisions and mistakes were made-it happens but please don’t forget! 3 Cups-in the hardest sport to win just one, let alone three.
Using Strome as a fall guy(who might be a gift) out of frustration is ridiculous.
I was in the I wish we could keep TT camp-his vision and passing ability was amazing and now he has improved his strength and ability to score in tight spots. It would be nice to have everybody, not worry about money and cap and never lose any good players and not regret ? decisions-but that’s not reality-and you Move On.
This playoff only fuels optimism to the teams that are close. Crazy days in 2019.
Great post Noonan, very true would be great if we could look back and keep everybody who was successful after they left.
Shows how tough doing it year after year is in this league. First round claimed all the final 4 last year, Vgk, Jets, Bolts and last night the Caps who just ran out of gas in the 2nd period and hung on for 2 more hoping to find a way. Also eams like Pens and Preds too in 1st round who played alot if tough hockey last few years, makes what the Blackhawks and Pens accomplished that much more anazing.
Rapheal Lavoie continues his playoff role, a name that could be called alot earlier than people are saying. 17 g and 9 or 10 a in 15 games and carrying his team with his dominating style. Won’t warrant a number 3 not likely but will make some team a good money player.
Edman, this isint a newspaper, post as many times as you feel good about the Hawks. Just use paragraph, and they donot need proper english, so there isint a 25 line paragraph that when trying to read you get lost on the line 10.
Lets also not forget that when we had that dynasty yrs we won against very good teams. The best teams in the last 10 yrs we beat to win. On other yrs when teams won they didnt play as good of teams like 10 VAN 10 SAN 12 13 14 LA and 13 BOS 15 ANA 15 TAM (they were good that playoffs). Those were the best teams of the decade, not 14 NYR or 12 NJ or 16 SAN.
We won against the best teams in a decade, prob of last 15 or more yrs, not when league was waterdown like the last few yrs.
Now the league is coming back and getting better for the coming yrs again.
Not a coincidence that PIT was Where? from 2010 to 2015 when the league was stacked with a lot of top 5 teams. Then resurfaces when the league is waterdown in 16 17 18. Now again the league is getting deeper with more quality teams and top 5 quality teams again and wheres PIT going back under the rock there were under for all those yrs the league was deep in quality top 5 teams.
I give them credit for 2009 but these two they snuck in, when league was watered down and got away with goalie interference/NAS. Nope. PIT is garbage.
Salary cap nuttered the deep/real top 5 teams like LA BOS CHI STL WAS after 14 15 16 which allowed decent teams like PIT SAN etc to do good.
I can say for sure, but those real top 5 teams there, that PIT could not compete agasint, lost every time, where still deep PIT doesnt win once.
They are bookend wannabys, all a sudden good when the entire top 5 teams have been wipe by the salary cap. This is not a cycle its simply the salary cap.
Now were seeing new top 5 teams come in, BOS is abck after reloading with younger and faster players, we are coming next, COL is doing same and are there now, CAL is doing the same. Point is in a yr or 2 there will be 5 or so real top 5 teams again and PIT will be back where they were in 2010 to 2016, back in hiding.
Cant wait, they have payback coming to them. Islanders were just the start.
Man was that refreshing. Absolutely refreshing.
DET- dynasty team/10-20 yrs
COL- best team during that dynasty and wnet head to head with them when they won 2 Cups. Didnt win against wateredown chumps.
CHI- dynasty team/10-20 yrs
LA (BOS a close 2nd place)- best team during that dynasty and wnet head to head with them when they won 2 Cups. Didnt win against wateredown chumps.
NJ- won 3 spread out
PIT- won 1, bookend won 2
Wouldnt even compare them to NJ but there more in line with them.
The huge difference is DEt and CHI are dynasty teams. NJ and PIT are not, not even close. Bookend, really watereddown bookend.
LA did win against 2 chumps in finals but they had to play the best teams to get there. So they are just like COL.
Edman i would more like for lines,
Saad,Kubalik Toews, Kane
Debrincat Strome Kubalik,Saad depends on Kubalik 2way game
Cagguila Kampf Entwistle Mikheyev? Colliton matchup line he likes
Perlini Kurashev Kahun Sikura
Gus Buff
Keith Joki
Murphy Seabrook
Dahltrom or best avail
Ian, thats nothing against what you were saying, just hate teams that win that donot deserve to.
Craig, Taney and Chiarot. You mean Tanev the FW?
Big buff?, hes not ufa yet.
With the best and better teams, other then BOS COL CLB, not in playoffs. The world pro tournament be better then the rest of the playoffs. Weird yr for that.
4 teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs last year are into the 2nd round this year and two of them for sure (because they play each other DAL/STL and CAR/NYI) will be in the 3rd round
Why not the Hawks next year?
Hawks need to fix the PK – teams with a lousy 1st round PK (TBL and TOR the 2 worst) are going home and of course fix the D
Speed and D and winning – I’m not so sure it’s size and grit at least to the extent it used to be – WSH has plenty of size and grit but couldn’t match CAR speed
NSH looked slower than DAL and CGY looked slower than COL
As for Hawks I think they are trending in right direction as far as roster construction but as we all know the D (and PK) must be fixed – I wouldn’t mind Tyler Myers at all but unless they trade Gus I don’t think we need Gardiner (they mostly the same player)
Tyler Myers and Kadri or maybe Dzingel plus new signings like Kubalik and maybe this Russian player would all help the Hawks get to next level
We add what everyones here saying. Then the good young wave of blue chip draft players start to come in each yr for a couple yrs. Were loaded and are going to need to be.
I want to get roster good, so the good young wave of blue chip draft players are like the tsunami of the roster. Deepness.
CAR DAL COL were playing at full speed coming into playoffs though and those teams had been coasting for awhile.
Part of it.
Speed is good. We need what we donot have enough of though.
Wrap we’re pretty much on same page, i kinda want a top pair dman and after watching the Blues beat tbe Jets, Charriot and Myers didn’t look the part. Be worried about their ability to handle playoff hockey. Just thought Buff might be cap move they’d make. Plus if they really do like Byram that much, which i’m not convinced they do see him at 3rd, could draft him and develop him right, without rushing him.
Mo not sure what you’re getting at, just mentioning teams that been in the hunt last few years. The Pens like them or not, nobody else won back to back cups in cap era.
The league was watered down when they won those two. Those two yrs were the weakest the league was, basically, in the cap era so far.
Now if they won two in a row between 2008-2015, then I would say ok.
Edman, what do we want with Karlson? He’ll be a $7m Gustafson.
TSN had another mock draft and they have the Hawks taking Byram at #3. This is what Buttons said of Byram: Button said of Byram:
“Teams can’t afford to pass on potential No. 1 defencemen and he has established beyond a shadow of doubt that’s what he will be in the NHL.”
I’m back on the Byram train. In fact I’m feeling a little reckless today so I’m going out on a limb and say that by mid-season the starting d-corps will be:
Byram-Boqvist
Keith-Jokiharju
Chiarot-Murphy
Seabrook
That’s right – Boqvist! Gutafsson will be traded and Chiarot will sign with the Hawks.
I doubt E.Karlsson signs for “only” $7M. He’s probably going to be a $8M Gustafsson, if not a $9M Gustafsson.
Think the same on that. We should get a top pair D guy in ufas/trade.
@ER – I hear ya – the more I read about Byram the more I think he could be #3 unless Pod is coming over soon (which I doubt)
And I wanna be on that limb you’re going out on – sounds exciting (if a tad unrealistic)
And if Boqvist were to make the roster that would make Gus expendable
I think Karlson will be 8+ but agree Hawk One-no thanks
I’ve changed on the drafting the best d-man-if he’s close (and it’s rare that they can play that position well at 18-19) then use trade-cap space wisely to get a top 6 forward that can help, perhaps add some playoff grit.
They know have Byram at 6’1 so he is still growing.
If they do draft Byram some of the other D prospects like Mitchell and/or Beaudin can be used in a trade package – say to get Kadri? just saying – he could be the one moving out from Toronto
Be fine with Byram if thats who they think is best pick. Last season at this time Buttons had no.3 overall pick Kotkaniemi at 10th, a year or 2 away and was hard on Zadina as top 3 pick right up to draft and he went 6th and Nhl ready right away, in Ahl all season, so who knows.
Wrap, I’m not sure I want Kadri after that bonehead cheap shot he took that got him (justifiably) suspended and hurt his team in the playoffs. But, if it wasn’t for that I would like to use Mitchell as a sweetener to trade Anisimov for Kadri with maybe Toronto throwing in a 4th or 5th rounder to balance it out a bit.
Or better yet – expand the trade like this:
To Toronto: Gustafsson, Anisimov, Mitchell
To Chicago: Kapanen, Kadri, Horton’s contract
I think the best move with Gustafsson is to trade him before free agency starts on July 1st. He’s probably at his highest value right now with a 60 point season and one year remaining on a $1.2M contract. Use him to the best advantage while you can. Boqvist is probably good enough offensively now to replace Gustafsson on the offensive side and it’s not like we would lose much on the defensive side even though Gustafsson did play better defensively down the stretch. The point is there probably isn’t room for both Gustafsson and Boqvist so Gustafsson is expendable.
2019/20 is going to be another “stepping stone” season whether the Hawks make the playoffs or not, so even if Boqvist doesn’t play on the Hawks until 2020/21 – Gustafsson should still be traded before other teams start signing free agents on July 1 so there are more teams looking to sign a player like Gustafsson.
The question is, do you try to trade Gus with Seabrook? You’d lower your return, but would rid yourself of a contract.
I’d do that deal Ernie even though you might end up a few years away from equaling his offense from the point.
See King just hired as Rockford coach, maybe Kunitz be an assistant next season with Colliton.
The thing about Chiarot is somebody quite probably going to be overpaying, length and caphit for 3rd pair guy. Yes he has size and is physical but his turnovers are high, and his corsi possession numbers are below 50% with majority being Ozone starts, a redflag, he looked good during regular season with big minutes but not so good against blues.
If Button was the god of drafting, he’d be a current NHL GM. Instead theres a subreddit on how he may be the worst GM the Flames have had.
@ernie, emphatic yes. Do that and trade anisimov and you can sign ferland and another gritty, capable forward.
Yes Morrison, I meant Brandon Tanev.
I spell wrong a lot. Just looking these guys up on cap friendly and was hunting for DEF D guys.
We can trade Seabs contract with 56 or a Four Horsemen and draft top pair D guy. Then we still would need add two players not one at ufas/trade.
With all that extra cap space. An established 1st line player.
@ ER – I don’t think Toronto has the leadership group to keep Kadri team focussed whereas I think the Hawks do
It’s a bit of a gamble but I believe he’d flourish here in a well defined checking C role – He played that very well 2 years ago in TOR although not so much this year which could help to make him available
I think he could be a real nice add especially with his age and contract – he’s hungry to win as well and he’s ready to win now
Ferland could be a nice add too though
Someone is going to overpay Ferland. Reminds me of Beleskey. Beleskey got 19m for 5 years. Same age as Ferland. Similar production…he’s in the AHL now.
Realistically, what teams would Seabrook accept a hypothetical trade to? I would say Florida is on the short list. Would Dale take Seabrook and Gustafson? Probably. But what would be the return? A defenseman would probably have to come back. The only one that jumps out would be Yandle. He has the offensive production like Gustafson. But he has an NMC. They probably wouldn’t part with any other D aside from Pysyk…and I’d probably pass on him unless the deal is sweeter. And the only name that I’d have any interest in on the roster or prospects would be Owen Tippet. And I don’t see that happening.
If you can move Seabs, even if it cost us Gus, I’d go with it without any return. Gimme a 5th rounder and call it a day.
If we did trade 7 contract with 56 or something.
Whos available a s a top pair DEF D guy in summer of 20 as ufas.
ER, another mock draft two weeks ago also had the Hawks selecting Byram. I have been posting that if Pod is not coming over until his KHL contract is completed, cross him off the list. My next choice is Byram, a complete 200ft d-man who will be a top 2. How wrong can Central Scouting be in ranking him 2nd? A safe pick. We desperately need an elite d-man ready to start in 20/21.
Agree with Hawk One about packaging Seabs with Gus. Seabs’ value keeps dropping. Opens up a lot of cap space over the next several years. Cut your losses.
Anyone been keeping up with what Alex Gravel has been doing in Halifax? Some pretty solid netminding this season and especially strong in the QMJL playoffs. Kid just turned 19 last month. He’s a big kid, too. 6’3″ and 220 lbs, and likely to get even bigger, not that it’s all that necessary for a goalie, but still. He’s really upped his game this season. Could be vying for a roster spot 3-4 years down the road
If Leafs have issues resigning Marner, would 2 firsts and a 2nd and 3rd be too much if he agreed on an offer sheet in the 8 to 10m range. Kane type talent but hasn’t showed up at money time yet.
I think the fact that Seabrooks nmc requires protection in expansion draft will make any deal tough, unless he agrees to waive knowing that acquiring team won’t honor it, seems kinda doubtful. Vegas exempt from draft, would they have any interest in Gus and Seabrook i wonder.
Okie i have been following Gravels playoff run. He has been what i hoped last spring when drafted for a team hosting the Memorial Cup, his play has come up to a whole new level since new year, hope he keeps it up for M cup when its played.
Pietrangelo, Vatanen, Josi, Muzzin, Bogosian, Hamonic and…..Brandon Manning.
All will be 30 or over come 2020, with the exception of Vatanen.
Thanks for the reminder about Gravel-that’s a tough league to have good stats and he does.
Someone who might fit down the road.
Marner will want Auston Matthews type money.
Theyll probably need to trade Marleau but will have to throw in a Kapenen, Kadri, or Johnsson. The Hawks have the space to absorb a Marleau contract if it means acquiring someone else with it.
Ian was dedicatedingly posting every prospects stats, he had Gravel stats there to.
Is Halifax that good of a team or is it both goalie and team.
Even though we could use and prob need a 2nd pair D guy. We really need a top pair D guy.
Ufas are 27 and on. So 27 or 28 is best you can get age wise. 30 sounds terrible but only 27 28 29 is there better.
How can a team get a 24-27 age top pair DEF D guy. Thats tuff to get.
So how do we do it.
Because if its basically impossible to get a top pair DEF D guy ufas/27-29 or trade/24-27 age wise. Then the only way is to trade someone like 12 to do it, aint happening.
Then top 3 pick, getting a top 6 skill pick, draft Byram might be best player available.
Agree Ernie, he may ask for that, and caphit and 4 1sts both likely be too much.
Saying Marleau saying wants to stay in Toronto now, thought theyd move him too. After they pay his signing bonus july 1st his 6.2 caphit can be had for just over 1m i think it was, so budget team if he agreed would jump at it likely.
Gravel has been very good goalie on a good team. Him and Lavoie main reasons they are still in playoffs and not sitting for extended period waiting for Memorial Cup. Obviously at that age consistency is big, but as his record shutout streak this season and play in playoffs show he is doing pretty good there. Like Okie said be awhile, likely back to juniors next season and a year in Ahl best case for his arrival.
Problem with big name Ufas unless you want to give them some longer term they don’t sign. As Ernie said about ages who there do you want for 5 or 6 years and fairly hefty caphit.
We go the route of trading 7 contract.
Top 3 pick, top pair D guy Byram. Ready but green for 21 season.
Still need another 2nd pair DEF D guy, one of Ernies guys, use 7 contract cap space.
I guess if we draft Byram then we only need one good Defensemen ufas/trade.
Then we still need FWs.
Mo, if Byram best player pick him, that’s for them to figure out, who fits and checks the boxes for the team. He is just 17 yet and may be in Nhl sooner than later, the likelyhood of him playing at top dman level and being a solution in short term is very remote. Chances are if you are going to develop him properly and win with 19 and 88 again it will be two fold answer. A bridge type guy will be needed too until him and Boqvist are ready to be the backbone. I think regardless of who is drafted Bowman makes a move for a highend dman for short term.
Yea, I think we need two Defensemen. Byram and ufa/trade or draft FW and two ufa/trade.
We do draft Byram then we have 5 good Defensemen but 1-2 yrs from starting. 19 88 should be good for 5-7 yrs. I think longer then that, 5-7 is safe to think.
For this summer, I like two D and two FW.
Mo, Flames have 3 d that are ufas in 20, Brodie, Hamonic and Stone. If they were willing to move one of them, preferably Brodie or Hamonic for me to move Neal’s contract which burned them this season and hope he bounces back for a favorable return, not selling the farm to do it, not sure of Flames needs, would you do it, could check 2 of your boxes.
What ever it takes, because that it what we need.
There would have to be a no way list for both teams, and there would still be plenty to trade with for both teams to get it done.
I ll ck those players out this wknd and try to look at every ufa D guy for this summer and summer of 20.
One thing about doing a trade involving any of the Four Horsemen would be in the summer of 20 we have more of an idea then now on each guy for what their looking like OFF D, two way, DEF D style. Among other things. You know what I mean.
I ll get that list of ufas for this summer and summer of 20.
We should also come of with a list of possible trades D guys.
Thats why trading to get a good young player form a team that needs to dump a player with a higher/ugly caphit and has one yr left on contract, is wise.
When were going to add ufas in summer of 20 not this summer. Based on who we could get for a top pair or 2nd pair D guy ufa way.
Be creative.
Trouba might be the one you could trade for. Winnipeg might have to pick between Trouba or Laine
Top DEF Defensemen ufas
This summer:
Myers- 6/8 229 this is a guy to get
Hamonic- 6/2 205
Stralman- 5/11 190 older and signs for a decent caphit?
Summer of 20:
Josi- 6/1 201 this is a guy to get
Pietrangelo- 6/3 210 this is a guy to get
Muzzin- 6/3 213 this is a guy to get
Tanev- 6/2 195 this is a guy to get
Vatanen- 5/10 188 same style as the Four Horsemen
Faulk- 6/0 215 two way
Merill- 6/3 205
Moore- 6/2 210
Scandella- 6/3 208
Skjei- 6/3 211 rfa/trade
Petry- 6/3 208 rfa/trade
Trouba- 6/202 rfa/trade
Orlov- 5/11 212 rfa/trade
Brodin- 6/1 194 rfa/trade, a little like a Four Horsemen
Pulock- 6/2 214 rfa/trade
Hickey- 6/0 188 rfa/trade
Klefbom- 6/3 215 rfa/trade
Murray- 6/1 205 rfa/trade
Lindell- 6/3 213 rfa/trade
Nurse- 6/4 221 rfa/trade
Pesce- 6/3 200 rfa/trade
Brodie- 6/1 182 same style as the Four Horsemen
Montour- 6/0 192 rfa/trade, same style as Four Horsemen
Bogosian- 6/3 221 too slow
Chiarot- 6/3 219 too slow
Yea I have him high on the list of more ideal style of player for DEF D guy.
It does show you though, unless you get lucky and get someone like mcdonough for a 1st at deadline, its tuff to get top pair D guy defensemen.
So even though one or two of the Four Horsemen be top pair. It would be good to draft Byram and get top 6 FW other ways. Only half of top 6, 19 88 20 were drafted of those yrs. 81 10 26 91. It started with 2 and 7. So we now have Boqvist and Byram? To go with 12 17 and others we add.
Starting to come around.
Here come the Hawks.
Pick Byram and promote Boqvist to play with him on the 3rd pairing. Give them sheltered minutes to help ease their transition to the NHL. Keep them together with the idea they build chemistry and move up to 2nd pairing later in the season or in 2020/21, with the eventuality of them taking over the top-pairing in 2020/21 or 2021/22.
Keith and Joki play 1st pairing in 2019/20 and the following season as needed.
Keep in mind 2019/20 is a stepping stone season. Maybe 2020/21 too. Just keep working the young d-men in and keep getting better.
Mo wouldn’t rule out Adam Larsson from Oilers as a possible trade. With Boucchard and the young russian coming they may move him as well. Oilers have alot of big forwards, heard comments to the point they are looking for smaller, faster, skilled wingers, if it wasn’t someone named Kane or Debrincat might be a good trade partner. Larson is good top pair guy who can play top pair.
EB to your idea, i kinda of agree with Buttons and others when they say if they are ready to thrive and not merely survive then they are better off playing minoes or juniors.
ER, if they pick Byram, he will be in RKF for a year getting extremely valuable training. Then in 20/21 start him as a 3rd pairing and move him up to second slowly. May become a 1st in 21/22.
After looking at numerous mock drafts, they have Dach, Cozens, and Turcotte going closely apart but disagree as to the order. Am thinking that the Hawks will pick one of them rather than Byram because of their recent D picks and no C picks since Schmaltz. Am assuming Pod will be staying in the KHL. Although Byram would be my pick, as long as they pick someone with a high ceiling, no complaints.
Yea Larsson would be at top of the list for options. I didnt put him and a couple others because of contracts being longer. There was one or two others good like that, same thing longer contract.
Depends on situation of team like you pointed out for EDM.
I want Byram and an established DEF D guy, if thats the way. Two.
Stil like Cozens for the FW route.
A combo of 19 and 36.
Byram wouldn’t be eligible for Ahl next 2 seasons. He would go back to juniors for likely one more year, possibly 2 more. Boqvist on loan from swedish team can go either juniors or Ahl.
Mzarek or Ward?
Congrats Sharks! Hoping Doug Wilson brings home a cup for him and Jumbo!
Great team with size and speed all over the lineup! Well built at every position.
Amazing how he has all this big names and more on the roster with the cap.
Couture, Pavelski, Hertl, Meier, Thorton, Kane, Nyquist, Karlsson, Burns, Vlasic, Labanc, Vlasic, Jones , and on and on and on…Great farm team as usual.
I hope they make it to the Cup as well, but they haven’t won anything yet and some of the players getting to the end– like Burns (34) Pavelski (34) Thorton (39), Braun (32) and Vlasic (32), along with probably losing Karlsson it will be a changing tide soon.
They have underachieved with really good players but they have a path this year.
They are the team that could win on a yr like this, where all of the top teams got upset in 1st round.
They also are the team that deserves to win the most. They paid there dues over the yrs and didnt win. They sucked for 5-10 yrs as an expansion team, like expansions teams should every time they enter the league. SAN by far is the most deserving team to win this yr.
It might be exciting for a round to see all the top teams get beat, but the bad thing about that is that could allow a team to win that shouldnt/wouldnt. A team that a lot of people do not like like BOS or STL. Another thing thats not good about all the top teams getting beat early is, now they will have a full summer of rest and training. That is not good for next yrs playoffs because the top teams will be back and rested.
I could see all the top teams, next yr, smacking these upset teams around next yr.
Or the same thing could happen and the salary cap is getting to the top teams as the younger and faster teams trip them up.
I would like to see Sharks too, not cheering for Bruins but be a good story if Thorton beat them to win in final. True Noonan big thing is no cups for Sharks yet everything else is meaningless if that doesn’t happen.
I like a lot of the Shark players but not Thornton – so I find it hard to cheer for them – would rather see COL take them out
Gotta figure after all the 1st round upsets things will return to more predictability for 2nd and 3rd rounds which could very well mean a BOS/SJ final – neither team I particularly like
Watched the shootout in US-Russia game in which no US player scored, including Caufield, Hughes, Turcotte, and Boldy. All looked bad. Pod missed for the Russians, but he looked better than the US players. If Caufield were two inches taller, he would go in the top six.
As Noonan said, aging SJ roster may be the last call for them. Am surprised they are still hanging around. Bodes well for us if T&K stay healthy. Hope they can get by COL, but going forward COL is the team to fear the most. Young and continuously reloading with high picks.
I saw a bit of Cozens playing for Canada this week. Nice wheels. I have to say though that I was expecting him to be somewhat dominant. I didn’t see that. I think that’s what you’re shooting for with a #3 overall. I am leaning towards Byram (actually have been for a while). I hope he makes it to the Memorial Cup and puts on a show. That would be the clincher in my mind.
Byram is my first choice but I think Bowman is going to take a center.
Wow. Nemeth scratched by the Avs. Played more than 70 games. Might he be a good fit in Chicago as a UFA ?
Burns still has the wheels and can play at a top level another 3-4 years. plus, they have Hertl, Meier, and Labanc, all young bloods. Couture still young!
I am cheering for Stan’s favourite player Panarin. 2 goals 1 assist tonight in OT win for Columbus. Columbus vs San Jose would be cool. JUMBO Joe and especially Doug Wilson deserve a cup, as well as Karlsson!!!
Nice watching Coach Q’s favourite Teuvo score big goal after big goal. And Nick Leddy skate, skate, skate , skate!!!
I still prefer Dach over Cozens. But if Hawks draft Byram, then once again, as some have mentioned Bowman wasted 4 high picks on dmen alone the last 2 seasons. Why? If he drafts another Dman, the return for Beaudin, Boqvist , Mitchell or Joki better be high or else it is another dumb move by the GM. We have no 1st rounders playing wing! He had an opportunity but failed.
Jack Hughes on a different planet! Devils have a star.
My initial thought on Byram was “no” because Stan had used the 1st and 2nd round picks on d-men the last couple years. But I’ve changed my mind and the reason is because Byram has more of what a #1 d-man needs more than the other guys. I believe Joki, Boqvist and Beaudin can and will be productive NHL d-men with all 3 of them potential top-4 guys. I’m less sold on Mitchell but I may be in the minority on him. But, the point is they all have good offensive potential but none of them are going to be physically tough in the d-zone and that’s where I think Byram brings both offense and physical defense and can be a true #1. Boqvist may be a more dynamic offensive player – probably will be – but Byram has a chance to be a Drew Doughty type #1 d-man – excellent on both sides of the puck.
At some point in the not too distant future:
Byram-Jokiharju
Beaudin-Boqvist
No goals so far in the tournament for the Russian Pod, stay away from him. Not a great IQ. USA looked so powerful but Spencer Knight and the Russian goalie (16 years old) are future NHL stars as well. Somehow we need to get Knight! So, draft Byram or Dach and trade to draft Knight.
Hull65, I disagree that Bowman wasted picks on 4 d-men the last two drafts. If I remember, you always say how awful Hawks’ D is and that our prospects are too small to handle big and strong forwards. Am glad we have quality in the pipeline, who we need sooner than later. In addition to Joki, Boq and maybe a couple of others may make it in the NHL. This still may not solve all of our problems on D. The definition of wasted picks is when a team has enough quality players at a position with no need to bring another one up. Based on last season’s results, the Hawks have lots of roster space for good d-men. Byram would become our best one and solidify our D for years to come.
Of course we badly need wingers and a center, but our current D pipeline still may not be set for the future. I posted a couple of times that I think the Hawks will select a center. As long as they pick someone with a high ceiling who will be a fixture for many years.
Islanders, last season worst pk, most goals against, highest 5 on 5 scoring chances against. This season at or near the top in all those categories, new goalie, new coach and system, same defensemen minus Dehaan one of their top ones the year before. Just pointing it out.
Still say drafted 2 dmen last season in 1st round because it was a draft deep defenseman, this season a draft deep in forwards, probably intending to draft a forward unless the defenseman is clearly the best player, which very well may not be the case here.
I was hoping both Cozens and Pod would dominate at the U18 but so far no the case although they both have one game left today
Haven’t ben able to watch any of it – how do Zegras and Turcotte for the US look?
Wrap its hard to get a much of a take on that tournament, entertaining but the USA is the only country that has team of its best players that play all year with this tournament as pinnacle. Other countries put a team together of best available, still 12 teams playing in Chl playoffs and plyers not there and 12 other teams that got eliminated in early days of tournament, so never even had a practice together.
That being said the Hughes, Turcotte and Zegras line has been dominating.
Caufield sorry not Turcotte on that line i meant and Turcotte has had a strong showing too.
I forgot the U18 USA v Canada game was on this morning until like 2 minutes left in the 2nd period – but from what I saw I was very impressed with Turcotte, Zegras and of course Hughes. I still want Byram but Turcotte would be a helluva consolation prize.
That’s kind of how Podkolzin’s year has been. Great Hlinka, but his numbers back home were just OK.
I also would be leading towards Byram. The current D prospects they have, other than maybe Jokiharju are all offense. We know there’s a logjam there. They could conceivably pare down the defense pretty quickly. Both in the minors and NHL roster. Deal from a position of strength in the prospect pool.
Winnipeg may have some budget issues. They need to resign Laine, Kyle Connor, Jacob Trouba, and Ben Chiarot. Chiarot is the only UFA. You wonder if they would take the cost control of Connor Murphy plus a prospect for Trouba’s rights. Murphy you could argue was the teams 2nd best D. And Winnipeg really doesn’t have much in the way of D prospects.
They could also trade both Seabrook and Gustafson. I think the only team Seabrook would accept a trade to would be Florida, and you’d probably have to take Yandle back. If you open the season with Keith-Jokiharju. Byram-Trouba. Yandle-Koekkoek, Forsling, Dahlstrom, or Carlsson. I’d be happy.
If they do go forward at 3, I’m not upset. It may be the smarter choice long term 4 years down the line.
To me it doesnt matter that much that we drafted the Four Horsemen and draft another 1st pick. This aint just another 1st, its a top 3 pick, Elite Player no matter who we draft, a top 6 skill player.
Prob like everybody here, other then Ernies call right from the start, I have grown to be ok with top 3 pick for Byram.
It is the only reason why NAS has been a top 5 team since 2015. They traded on of theirs for a 1st line center in prime of prime yrs. Sure it aint no star player that you get in top 3/6 picks.
I thinking its harder to get a top pair Defensemen then a center ufas/trade wise, so it really is that to me.
Your right the player needs to look Elite. Sample size but yea should look like your saying regularly.
Was watching some highlights of Byram and was definitely impressed but of course everyone’s highlight package is impressive
But he did seem to have an ‘it’ factor that could lead you to believe he’s going to be a #1 D – if the Hawks believe that they have to take him IMO
Still nearly 2 months to go so things will change although Byram seems to be trending up in the rankings anyway
Would Byram be the first D guy drafted in last yrs draft. He is better then every D guy in last yrs top 10 drafted Defensemen?
Dahlin went first overall. He’s not that good. But I think he’s a better overall defenseman than Quinn Hughes who was 1 pick ahead of Boqvist.
Oh yea how do you forget about that guy.
Going back a few drafts, anyone else better or equal like Dalin, to Byram. Pretty lucky we get top 3 pick on a yr there one of the better ones in 5 yrs or so.
Definitely not ahead of Dahlin Mo, some scouts say might not have been in top 5 defensemen last year but not sure thats accurate. Even those selling hard on him noticeably avoid any comparisons or conversation around last years draft. Thats why i m not as sold as some people, would like to see his accomplishments speak for him not dishing the other defensemen in draft or a teams prospect pool to build his case. You got to remember picking him as a lottery draft when nobody else was and it happening is worth alot, ratings and financially too.
Mo if i was to compare Byram to anybody and just my opinion in style and maybe what to expect if he maxs his potential, from watching him, but in not a big sample, is Noah Hannifan, could be a gauge, 5th overall in 2015 can play physical but not overly physical, finesse is big part of his game.
Be good with that same as Hanifin. Just thinking he might be best after Dalin we would be lucky for that. Being top pair is what matters and he is Elite Player.
Boqvist is really 17 at draft and like 86 they both are kind of the following draft players.
Are any of the center like this, really kind of the following draft players.
They should be ranking the draft players with previous yr, especially when there D heavy or FW heavy or just to as a gauge. Sure its too early, they can though its just a ranking. Not really looking at ranking of each draft, compared to previous draft.
Ian, I haven’t focused on Hanifan playing so I don’t have a good feel for his game. Your comment would indicate Hanifan is more of a finesse player than physical player and you liken Byram to him in that regard. I’ve tried to catch playoff game highlights and somewhere along the way I’ve seen Byram make a couple pretty good physical plays. One was he blasted into a scrum of players fighting for the puck on the wall and knocked all 3 players down including one of his team mates. Another where he stapled the opposing player to the wall and took the puck away.
Original6, those 4dmen are skilled but small!!! I think Bowman needed two of those picks to be forwards. Look at the amount of Dmen he has drafted then last 3-4 years? Gilbert, Dalhstrom, Karlsson, Joki, Krys, etc…, our high end prospect pool at the forward poistion is non existent. All we have is Hayden, Sikura? Barrett? Wise? Nothing there. We have Entwhistle who we did NOT draft but he may be a very good 3rd line prospect. That’s it! You don’t think one or two of those 4 picks being a forward would have helped this franchise. No we are stuck maybe drafting a better dmen in Byram. So, we need to trade of of those undersized players like a Mitchell to Toronto for example along with Murphy for a Kapanen.
Sweden defeats Russia in OT for the Gold Medal. Hull65 may not think much of Podkolzin, but these highlights don’t lie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUASIFsXzbs
Stan, if he is willing to get out of his KHL contract, take him! Am sure he would be willing to change his number.
EB read what i said and please don’t try to tell me what i said thatt gets old, really
Have whatever opinion you want i don’t care. Can you understand that.
Hull, even though some arent drafted by us, if we got prospects from a player we drafted, same thing? Kind of.
Its funny, people were high on Sikura because there were good reports, then in his ftrst so many games didnt look so hot, even though a lot better after getting used to/adjust. Now people think hes not going to be good. Same for Wise and Barratt? Good intial thoughts after good yrs, then there too small or arnt high end prospects.
Just saying every prospect developed different timeline and prob shouldnt go by first so many games, kind of thing. Look how good Stals was in regular season and everyone thought it would 25 keep 29 not. It was Bicks who was the playoff kind of player.
I guess we should be patient, more then we want to be with every prospect. Saader is a good example, even when thing look like shit. Hes still an elite two way player.
Thank, hockey, God Buckaroo is good right off the bat. Would love to have everyone of the Four Horsemen be good right off the bat like that.
Forgot when just saying about patience and development timelines. Look at Cozens was first choice maybe and based on a few games in that tournament hes not now.
Half those guys looked really good, the other just good. What does that mean.
It can change just like that on how we feel think of certain players. Good thing our Organization has lots of good scouts and is good at what there doing.
Hull, I mean we drafted Hartman and Hino and traded for prospects we didnt draft, so that kind of the same, even though we didnt really draft them. Not sure if drafting the player makes a big difference other then our system and support network, yea sure.
@Original – thanks for the highlights – you’re right Pod looked great, powering his way to the net
I hope the Hawks don’t take without knowing for sure what his intentions are – if they’re really confident in him coming over next year he’s obviously a great pick but Byram could be too – one game does not an NHL star make
I see Byram’s team (Vancouver Giants) is into the WHL final – something to keep an eye on
He scored his 7th goal of playoffs on the PK and assisted on a PP goal and was second star of the game behind his own goalie – pretty good that’s what you want to see, a dominating type of performance and Pod seemed to have one as well today
Whoever the Hawks pick you want it be a player at #3 who can dominate his current competition
Vancouver plays Prince Albert in WHL final – winner goes to the Memorial Cup
Let’s completely forget about Kurashev who led the WJC in goals.
Craig Button had Evan Barratt ranked ahead of Jokiharju. He was one of the best forwards in college hockey. Yeah. Nothing there.
The Bowman,Kelley, Gauthier sucks and quit drafting European midgets schtick is getting really tiresome.
Hallelujah Ernie!
http://chl.ca/article/giants-blue-liner-bowen-byram-drawing-attention-with-strong-second-half
Some good quotes in their. Granted it’s biased, but still. He really came on in the second half.
So is Byram the 3rd best player in the draft ? If not, then do not draft him. If Kelley and company have Zegras at 3 then take Zegras. If we have Cozens there. Take Cozens. If it’s Dach, take Dach.
Wrap, on Russia’s second goal, Pod did nearly all of the work to set up his teammate, who easily steered it in. No need to worry that the Blackhawks will get burned by Pod’s decision. Both he and Byram dominate the competition.
Ian, I meant no offense and if I misunderstood what you meant it was not intentional and I apologize. I hope I haven’t made a habit of doing that because you’re correct – that can get old.
The point I was making was I’ve seen Byram play more physical than I’ve seen Joki, Boqvist, beaudin and Mitchell. However, I’ve had limited viewing on all except Joki.
I’ve read comps on Byram”Byram’s game is reminiscent of Drew Doughty, however this is not comparing skill level.” Also seen a comp of Morgan Reilly.
Yes please.
I am routing for Barratt, among others just like I did 86 and Hayden.
We should have the feeling we got when we got the top 3 pick from lottery draft, for the player we pick.
Both Byram and Podloz or one of the others is Elite Player. Then thats all that matters. We know this already. I still think it might be better to get the position thats harder to get ufas/trade wise, though we shouldnt pass on a D guy just because we have Four Horsemen already.
Like, Craig, who ever we think is a top 3 pick calibur. Thats whats nice is both of Byram or Podloz or one of others are, we cant go wrong.
As of now though are these two separating themselves from the centers as being best player after those two other players.
Right on about Kurachev. He and others doesnt have to be a top 6 players. We could use a really good center for the 3rd line like Bolly was.
Kurachev could be like Bolly, different style, though that quality of a player.
Barratt, to me, is where we are going to have loaded quality depth again when enough of these guys are ready. I am not looking to keep supply coming and ‘work’ the cap like that. I am looking to stack the roster with quality depth and keep as long as we can, then have more guys come in. Like that.
One thing Bowman has always said and goes by to is, when players do not do as good as they are to have patience and they will respond and be as good as they really are. Like 20 did and maybe some of thee centers that didnt look dominate this tournament, but do over a longer sample size or stretch of time.
Podkolzin had a good game today but he hadn’t stood out up until then. Too much weight shouldn’t be put on a short tournament but even less so one game in that short tournament. Maybe he becomes the best player in this draft and then we’ll kick ourselves for passing over him but that’s always a possibility when you pass over a player to take someone else. Podkolzin shows flashes of dominance in his age group, like today, but part of being a great player is to bring it more often than not and that seems to be a problem with Podkolzin.
I guess if they all reached the potential scouts are saying, none would be bad, Doughty a fair comparison too Ernie on style, time will i guess on skill. Think the under 18 tournament reinforces opinions but doubt it moves somebody up or down alot on draft day. Cam Barker at 3rd was supposed to be Keith, but luckily Keith was around on that one. Have had amazinng success on fwds at 3rd, but the best player should be taken.
Ebony-especially a tournament where it seems skilled players (both forwards and D) put on a show against players not really interested in playing much defense or they don’t know how to yet. It will be an eye opener even for the best of the best in the NHL.
If it ever ends up that the top 6 includes (or sub in Mitchell)
Byram-Jokiharju
Beaudin-Boqvist
It would be wise to split it up and get some muscle/grit in the mix to fill out the top 6. If they draft another d-man it’s hard to envision 1 or more of them not being traded at some point. Three of the above plus? It’s a couple of years down the road to figure this out and have some stability.
Just for impact comparison if Byram drafted, the last 5 drafts defensemen in top 7 picks to include Quinn.
2018 Dahlin 1st Hughes 7th
2017 Heiskanen 3rd Maker 4th
2016 Juolevi 5th
2015 Hannifan 5th Provorov 7th
2014 Ekblad 1st Fleury 7th
So draw your own conclusions on whenis reasonable to him to impact roster. Other than 1st overalls, Hannifan only one to play right away, 18 well before the draft, been a very good defenseman.
Heiskanen and Provorov give good reason to believe Byram can realistically flourish in Nhl in 20-21 season, Maker and Hughes in small sample look like they will flourish next year, 2 years aftef draft as Joki should thiscseason as well.
Nolan, was just looking at who would best/a good add to go with our top 6 players and FW make up. With drafting Byram we prob go the add FW ufas way.
Which player is best with who we already have 19 88 12 17 20. We’re looking for a 1st LW and 2nd RW and 3rd C. Say Kurachev and Kampf are the centers, who is better to add. Douchknee, Skinner, DZingal, Nelson, other.
Yea good list to go by. That’s what I was wondering. So we’re lucky if he’s a top pair as there was o lot so many in last 5 yrs or so.
Seems like a good idea to draft D guy and get established prime yrs FWs ufas.
I know these guys are scouted intensely and are assessed in ways well beyond the sophistication of most of us so there’s that. Speaking strictly as a fan however, it strikes me that the picture right now seems clear. The top 3 guys (all things considered) are Hughes, Kakko, and Byram. We get whichever one does not go 1 and 2. I would be happy if that was the plan.
I agree with Mo that it is easier to add forwards, particularly wingers, through free agency. I don’t have any numbers to support that, more just a feeling that wing in particular is not as difficult or (usually) as high impact a position as the others so clubs hang on to their centers and defenseman.
On the topic of wings, I wonder if Kurashev might be able to make the big club at wing in the not too distant future. He is a goal scorer with an awesome release, although I’m not sure how good the rest of his game is. He also has top 6 potential. It’s not like we couldn’t use help on the wing as well.
Jordy was the same as you in regard to Kurashev, but while still producing he worked hard on his defense this season and improved in that area where some say he is good enough for Nhl in that area. The knocks on him were defense and work ethic and he seem debunk both this year. So hopefully he can be a 3c out of camp or with mininal Ahl time.
Not so sure on Byram, that he has made himself the the consensus 3rd best player in the draft or not though, but certainly getting more of a push now.
Yea not sure Byram is a 3rd lock. Him and Podloz might be though. Be interesting to draft. You have the beginning of the yr rankings, the draft lottery rankings and seeing what teams are picking in order, now these tournaments and games, then a lot of talk to draft.
Its funny because until draft lottery was done, Podloz was the 3rd lock. Since Blackhawks won top 3 pick at draft lottery, its been the centers/then maybe Podloz if he comes over, now the D guy. Not Podloz a lock like it was the whole season.
Getting a top pair Defensemen is a good thing. FW are more of plenty for ufas/trade. We pick a FW and its Elite Player thats cool. Think it, might, be wise to draft D guy if he is a top pair kind of player since there more FWs to get ufas wise and we have a lot of FWs the last couple yrs. Like Kurachev and others.
The beauty of the whole thing is were getting a top 3 pick/top 6 skill player. An Elite Player and that is so huge for the reload. Cant desribe what a difference it is getting a top 3 pick instead of 12th. This could be the difference in being one of the two best teams again, instead of just being a top 5 team again, roster wise.
For this summer adds ufas, Douchknee if 53% faceoffs.
With 19 17 Kurachev 4C we get a guy like Douchknee and be that deep at C but then were reaching for a RW and a LW. 20 should be 3rd line bumslayer line but he really fits the description of a 3rd line, like when it was formed with Bolly. That kind of 3rd line.
So it seems like we would add a tuff FW for top 6, like another Saader kind of player. Get a C thats good at faceoffs at deadline on the yrs were deep, like we did every yr we won or were there to win. Though adding tuff 3rd line players that can score might better better formula and get a skilled top 6 FW, thats not a weakling and awesome at playing the game. Skinner Dzingal.
We got Kurachev and Barratt coming. We should add another of each kind ufa wise.
@Original – unless I misunderstand your comment I do worry about the Hawks getting burned by Pod’s desicion if that decision is to play in the KHL for more than 2 years and even if he says he’ll come to the Hawks after 2 years how can you guarantee that?
I though ER’s comment on Pod was telling – that Pod hadn’t dominated until that last game – I’m gonna be keeping a closer eye on Byram to see if he’s dominating nearly every game
Draft positionings are fluid right up until the big day. Last year, Kotankiemi rose from 12-15 or so a couple of months prior to end up third. Byram is on a similar trajectory this year. All the rest of the guys in the top 8 or so have issues, mostly small, but issues just the same (e.g. Turcotte’s injuries, Dach’s skating, Pod and the Russian factor,…). Byram doesn’t seem to have anything like those which, combined with his solid playoff run is boosting his stock. The WHL finals and possibly Memorial Cup could change things for him, but right now he is doing the most to separate himself from the pack.
Havnt really been a part of a draft like this where were top 3 pick. 19 88 were locks as the best players to me.
This is new to me, since Eddie O yrs.
I not used to hearing this kind of stuff because I have 2 rings plugging my ears.
Wrap, I have posted more than once that Blackhawks’ management would not risk taking Pod unless they were assured he will break his KHL contract. Even if they believed he would come over in two years, this is likely a deal-breaker. I would wager that the goal is for their pick to make the club during the 20/21 season.
Original, good point-
even the most optimistic fans hopefully realize that in 4 years (22-23 season) T and K will be 34, with JT turning 35 during the season and Keith will be 39. Crow won’t be a factor. Some of the young kids, drafted or soon to be won’t be truly ready till then.
The old core will be veteran leadership with minor to moderate contribution. It’s the next couple of years that they can truly be difference makers. It’s a race against time to make the young and old match up nicely-and the whole key is the back end and how they can impact the other teams offense and move the puck out quickly and help support the forwards 5 on 5 to create scoring opportunities.
Yes the management do owe it to the guys, the Hall of Famers, that helped get the three Cups but it’s a delicate balance between now and the future. That’s why they make the big bucks, and know that they can get canned if too many mistakes are made or the direction doesn’t work.
@Ebony, If Podkolzin has an issue with his work ethic I find it very difficult to believe that he would be the captain.
Podkolzin looks like the type of two way player the Hawks could definitely use.
Forwards that don’t just try to pad their stats and actually backcheck would be a welcome sight in Chicago.
Stape, I’m not sure it’s a work ethic problem – I haven’t seen enough of him to get a sense for that. My concern is lack of production. He had a goal and assist in the Gold Medal game but only 2 assists in the 6 previous games. It wasn’t like Russia was a bad team and Podkolzin had to carry them – they won the Silver Medal and had 3 or 4 guys who scored better than Podkolzin. And it’s not only about scoring but at some point scoring matters and the best players (forwards) end up leading their team in scoring or at least are up there – especially if they are a top-10 draft pick.
Would certainly prefer to see Podkolzin have more impressive numbers too. The fact that he played in what is probably considered the best professional league outside the Nhl against men and not t kids his own age and the scouts including Buttons are still impressed enough with what they saw and what they think he can be, that he is put on a level equal to Kakko for who could go 2nd or 3rd. Thats pretty impressive endorsement and hard to ignore.
I know what you are saying, though in 2008 we only had a half of a roster and almost made playoffs. Sure different team and players.
Then when all those guys were ready for their 1st 82 game yrs we did what we did in 2009, bu having a deep roster and that many good young players. We know what we did in 2010. Sure the team was stacked. My point is these guys were in their 1st and 2nd full yrs and are that good right off the bat.
I think we ll see that with the wave we have coming, because these players are different then the prospects we ve had recent yrs/except a couple guys. So when 19 88 and 2 are 34 and 39, I think we ll have already been back. The Four Horsemen should all be ready for the 20 or 21 season, the top 3 pick like you guys say should be ready for the 21 season.
I just think this wave of good young players we have coming, even though green, will be ready like the wave was in 2009 and and on. Sure we ll deeper in 21 then 20 and in 22 then 21 and so on. We ll just keep getting better each yr. Like 2009 though I think these guys will be ready starting in 20 or 21 and on.
It is a younger league now to. We cant do anything about those guys ages except reload the wave as good as possible so when 19 88 are past 34 they ll still be very good just not prime anymore but team roster will be really deep it will be fine.
Really concerned about 19 88 and 2 age, then Panarin and Bob with trades for D guys would be right back for the 20 season.
Not saying against what you are, thats just what I think it could be like.
We saw the difference between taking out, tank ufas 23 44 and some FWs and putting in 5 63 and 17 91. How much of a difference when we take out whoever and put in Four Horsemen by 21 season, a top 3 pick Elite Player, and a few really good ufas. Huge bayybayyyy!
Entwistle and Kurachev could be good players for deepness.
Podkolzin played a grand total of 3 games in the KHL. He played most of the season in the MHL and VHL which are more or less like the AHL and Junior league equivalents in Russia. There’s nothing wrong with that because a lot of Russian players get drafted in the NHL without playing in the KHL because it’s very hard for young players to break into KHL lineups … but Podkolzin has not established himself playing in the KHL.
Its a tuff decision do we want and need a top pair Defensemen or a 1st line center or a 1st line RW. Which one is the hardest to get ufas/trade wise. Seems like RW and LW and C are easier to get ufas. Look at how many are available once they get to 27 and on. You have to do the cap hit, who cares, you want the Elite players thats what their caphits are, whether you draft them or ufa them.
Still not sure whats better for our roster. The fact that we need both makes you think it doesnt matter who we pick, because were going to add the other in the summer and in the summer of 20, to be ready to be a top team for the 21 season and on. Even when were green like COL.
Correct, my mistake, but never the less even playing a lot games with men in their 2nd pro league Vhl, still showed enough for the endorsenent that alot of scouts including Buttons of being equal to Kakko as 2nd pick.
Mo if Colliton goes with a highend matchup line vs traditional checking line like he did until Kampf got injured, wonder if. Kampf seemed to work okay with Saad in the role against top line matchups when he did that and Entwistle might be a good option with them.
Like to see Nelson signed to play with Debrinxat and Strome, could be good compliment with them. If Kubalik as expected signs during worlds he might fit with Toews and Kane, Cagguila until hs’s comfortable if needeed. Then you one have of those 2, Kurashev at some point, sooner than later maybe, Perlini, Kahun, Sikura to pick for a 3rd scoring line. Johnson, Highmore or keep Anisimov until tdl give you options if center if needed. Plus depends no. 1 pick could be in this conversation also.
Really like everything in that post.
Nelson is same style player as Cozens or Turcotte, right there in prime yrs. These guys might be better in prime yrs, which is cool. Getting Nelson now is nice for the 5 coming yrs.
Top 3 pick, Elite Player could be 1st line LW with 19 88 or we get D guy and trade one of Horsemen, in which this D guy then becomes a Four Horsemen. use the trade for a position needed.
This season going to be good, the 21 season and on is going to have the chills again.
Just heard Craig Button say that Alex Turcotte has the highest ceiling in the draft aside from Hughes and Kakko. Could be something to look into. Looks like he could be an 80 point Bergeron in the future. He’s only 5’11” but he’s close to 200 pounds, pretty beefy for his height. Wouldn’t mind taking him at 3 if Bowman wants to take a center. He put up big numbers on a stacked USA team at the U18s.
Any Hawks fan should be fine with Byram, Podkolzin, Turcotte or Cozens. Anyone else I’d be worried about, Dach seems to have a low ceiling and he’s very streaky could be dominant one game and then unnoticeable the next. Guys like Zegras, Caufield, Boldy, and Krebs are good but not number 3 good.
Is this the 3rd different player Button has said, in wks, now thats the top 3 pick after Huges/Kakko. Be good for us if the four of them are about the same.
Those four could be the ones to pick from.
200 agree they are all fine players, disappointed on Buttons contradictions this year. I like Turcotte too, funny though at one point during last couple of months his take on Turcotte was will be a high skilled top 6, 2way center but if your drafting for future no.1 center he may not be the pick you want, his last mock draft he had him 12th, so don’t understand his selling them, then kind of backing off on their potential to cover himself, it seems so much this year.
Yeah what happened to Button saying Zegras was the best C after Hughes only last week I think and before that he had Cozens the 2nd C taken – just shows amongst the Cs there may be little to separate them
If Byram puts a little distance between himself and the Cs with his play in the WHL final and hopefully the Mem Cup that’s good for the Hawks
BTW Entwistle and Guelph come back again (down 3-1 to Saginaw) to make it to OHL final vs Ottawa
Agreed Ian and wrap. Button seems to be contradicting himself with statements like that and then having Turcotte at low rankings. I guess that either means he’s a fool or the three centers (Cozens, Zegras, and Turcotte) along with Podkolzin and Byram are pretty much interchangeable.
With not many opportunities left for players to separate themselves it’s looking like a crapshoot for who the Hawks take. Could be any one of like 6 or 7 guys
Those four seem to be better then the rest. I guess. Is Podloz equal to Kakko? Just because Byram plays good in juniors finals stuff, does that mean hes better then the others? I do not know that. What would be good for us if these four or less are about same and we get first selection of these four and our guys know stuff we do not to go by in who to get.
The only thing I know is we want to feel just like we did when we won the draft lottery top 3 pick, when we pick who ever we pick, that we got the better one of these guys.
200, good analysis on which players would be fine for #3 and others who are not quite ranked as high. Don’t get hung up on Turcotte’s height. Look at Caufield, who may go 9-12 in the draft. Turcotte has heft and strength. Most mocks have him going anywhere from 3-5. I have read that Dach has a high floor but may not have the ceiling of others in his class. Am wondering why Central has him ranked 3rd?
To all: Don’t just take Button’s word on players. Turcotte was ranked 4th by Central Scouting and many consider him to be the most complete 200ft player in the draft with a high ceiling. The issues with Turcotte are whether his hip injury is completely healed and not anything to worry about. Based on his play tearing up the league, this doesn’t appear to be an issue. The other is how long he will be playing for UW. If it’s two years, does that fit into the Hawks’ plan to get quick enough help for T&K?
Here is an article about the thinking that the Hawks may need to trade down to get out of Seabrook’s contract:
https://www.the-rink.com/chicago-blackhawks-draft-the-case-to-trade-down/
When Bowman gave Seabs that contract, some of us were shocked at his very poor decision. I have been defending Bowman for his several good decisions in recent years, but if he needs to trade #3 to unload Seabrook’s contract, like he did by including Teuvo to unload Bickell’s, this is an admission of failure.
No way he trades the pick.
Seabrook has a NTC.
When was the last time a team traded a top 3 pick? Not a future pick like Ottawa. A current top 3 pick.
Ernie i think that was Mike Milburys worst trade. He sent 2nd overall pick to Sens for Yashin. Ottawas draft pick was forgetable too, i do forget who now. Agree no chance he trades, in my opinion.
Getting Nelson does lots of good for roster. Hes a two way center thats good enough at faceoffs, in prime yrs for 5 coming yrs. We add Podloz or a center top 3 pick, our FWs are looking scary. Saader Nelson and another good two way player is a Bolly kind of 3rd line checking line.
To me using the first choice of these 4 or so players is more valuable to get who we want the most then getting a side dish of anything that come for free. We can get side dishs other ways then not using first choice.
Should be able to get Nelson for decent caphit. HEs good in what we need but not that good that caphit would be too high.
More interesting then the top 3 pick, Elite Player, is which ufas/trade were getting this summer. There will be more in summer of 20, half or more prob this summer.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/often-top-10-nhl-draft-picks-traded-june/
If you go back a little farther. The Blue jackets traded the number 3 pick in 2002 to the Panthers for the number 1 pick and gave the Panthers the right to swap 2003 first round picks. The Panthers declined that option since they again had the number 1 pick… But again traded it for the number 3 pick, Mikael Samuelsson, and a 2nd Rd pick. Giving Pittsburgh the 1st overall pick in arguably the best draft ever and a 3rd round pick that became Carrillo.
I wish Rick Dudley was GM of Colorado or New York.
This is very interesting on Twitter tonight.
Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton at the Sharks-Avs game tonight sitting with the scouts.
I wonder who specifically he is there to watch “in person”.
Could be trade for younger player, not ufas.
Probably just enjoying a playoff game in person.
It’s probably not the big fish in Karlsson. Maybe Zadorov? Nyquist? I would throw Pavelski’s name in the hat, but he’s not playing
Scouting for the coming yrs. What we need to get to match up good.
Well, SB missed a,chance to beef up the D at,an affordable price. Nice signing by the NYR.
https://nypost.com/2019/04/30/rangers-land-stud-harvard-defenseman-adam-fox-in-hurricanes-trade/
If the Hawks would have acquired Fox, you would have bitched they got another 5’10 defensive prospect.
@Edman – are you sure Fox would have signed with CHI? What if he didn’t and went the Kevin Hates route?
All sounds pretty risky to me
Apparently his dream is to play in NY not in CHI but Stan should have traded for him anyway even though he’s unsigned?
…and unless I missed something he has yet to sign with the NYR
It’s only his right that were traded
Maybe Colliton was there to watch Makar, so he could get a first hand look at what a nightmare Makar and Byram would be for the entire division for the next 10 years if we don’t take Byram.
Was there to see SAN having a good group of Defensemen is how you beat COL. What kind and style of Defensemen SAN has.
See Beaudin turning pro, say he’ll push for a spot out of camp possibly. With Collitons system making a diference, a solid 1-2 punch in nets and forwards committed to defense next season. Would
2 28
56 5
Beaudin 7 and 63 as no.7
Be a viable blueline?
I’d rather see Lucas Carlsson than Beaudin up.
Regarding Fox, the last thing we need is another undersized d-man. Have to agree with Hull65 here. Our pipeline has mostly undersized d-men. This is why I would pick Byram. We should move forward with Joki, Boq, probably Beau, and one other. Would try trading the others for O prospects/players.
Would like to get a look at Carlsson there just to see what he can do. Could be a spot to audition a few young D and use their waiver exempt flexibility, throw Krys and Gilbert with them 2 and see whos ready to step up. Boqvist a possibility too and if Byram picked they may play him next year but pretty young.
I believe both Boqvist (on “loan” from SHL) and Beaudin (turns 20 before end of year) are eligible to play in the AHL next season, whereas Byram will not be eligible – it’s either NHL or Juniors for him. In fact I don’t think Byram would be eligible to play in the AHL the following season (2020/21) because he will still be 19 on 12/31/20.
My ideal scenario would be for the Hawks to draft Byram with #3 and for him to make the Hawks and for Boqvist and Beaudin to be d-partners in Rockford next season then make the Hawks in 2020/21.
Byram making the Hawks (if he’s the guy Stan selects) is probably unlikely and will be in large measure if the Hawks think he’s mentally/emotionally able to handle the leap up and the inevitable stumbles he’ll have.
Fox is a NY kid and I think he made it clear to Carolina he wanted to play in NY and was willing to play out his senior year and wait until the following August to make that happen. The Hawks and every other team not located in NYC/NJ need not apply.
Correct, Boqvist, Beaudin, as well as Kurashev could play in Rockford this year. And if they don’t play 10 NHL games their contracts would slide twice, like Hartman.
As far as Byram goes, he would be ineligible to play in the AHL this year. Their is a 4 year rule that allows CHL players that have played 4 years to play in the AHL if they would otherwise be ineligible. Byram played 11 games and just completed year 3. So he may be AHL eligible for 2020-21.
Byram is not eligible for Ahl next 2 seasons, i mentioned that earlier. If Byram played next season he would be 1 1/2 years younger than Debrincat, who was almost 20 for his 1st Nhl game, rember how young he seemed. Jokiharju turned 19 in June while Byram is not 18 to June still developing physically, a year to grow and add bulk seems more likely to me.
I’m OK with waiting a year on Byram because I believe 2019/20 is stepping stone year until the Hawks are good enough to compete for more than just eking into the playoffs. He may not even be ready for the NHL in 2020/21 – who knows?
The only player that would be likely to step in to the NHL next year is Cozens. Turcotte and other USA players committed to college hockey, Podkolzin going back to Russia (probably) and Byram or other Canadians probably not ready for next year. Whoever we draft is probably going to be somewhat of a project to develop.
By project I mean take a year or two
Really if they picked 12th, the timeline on that pick would have been at least a year or maybe 2. Unless they have an expectation that the no. 3 pick should be ready sooner, less risk, chance to ramp up reload etc., that may not make a major difference. If your waiting 1 or 2 years though, the question rises again who is best player. Thats my wish is they take whoever will be best player for organization, checks the most boxes for them, not who i hope it is, all should be fine players, if the one taken is to reach his potential we are hearing about them it wouldn’t be wrong.
Okay, so this kid wants to play in NY. Fine. I didn’t “bitch” about undersized players. Now, I still think Cozens should be the pick. He immediately solidifies a 3rd line. The Blackhawks can then deal some of their players. Anisimov, Kahun, Kampf, Forsling, Dahlstrom, and Sikura. D-men? Yes. Depth players? Yes. Draft picks? Yes. The team has a plethora of D-men. Oh, that Seabrook Conundrum. They may deal Gustafsson. Or not. People wanted to deal Murphy. He came around. If the team can upgrade then go for it. The 4th line can be made entirely from Rockford. The RW for the 3rd line? Yep. I still want to acquire B. Lemieux. He would not be expensive. Like his father, he is an excellent player for what he does. Okay, let’s see what happens. O don’t like when guys on here resort to insults. So, let that juvenile garbage go by the wayside. Carry on.
Cozens, Pod, Byram and Turcotte – it seems a good case can be made for any of them although consensus amongst mock drafts seem to have Pod and Byram consistently ranked a bit higher than the other two FWIW
We’ll see what happens
Its prob not you, people just do not want to hear it anymore because some have, a lot.
Even though its a valid point. Not sure if anyone here thinks we do not need more size and defensive style or part of players skill set, to go with what we have a lot of.
“a player to be 20 years of age by December 31st of the season, or having completed 4 years of Junior eligibility before playing in the American Hockey League.”
My question is would the 11 games Byram played in 16/17 count.
Thats the four/and the first two that seem are better/the top 6 skill pick players, then any others. We should pick whats better for our 23man makeup, with them being equal. One standed out, sure, othewise
Good question Ernie. I don’t know but my guess is 11 games wouldn’t count as 1 of the 4 seasons required. Hopefully it won’t matter because he will come directly from Juniors to the NHL either in 2019/20 or 2020/21. He’s been compared to Drew Doughty who made the Kings team that first season after being drafted. Byram is the same size as Doughty was when he was drafted #2 in 2008 – about 190lbs.
Not sure Ernie but where its a callup as a 15 yr old its doubtful, good point though. I’m guessing the 4 year eligibilty is players who were granred exceptional status and were allowed to play in Chl the full season, 15 yr olds are normally not allowed to play in Chl as their only league.
To be more clearer what i meant Ernie is at 15 a player isn’t eligible to play in Chl unless they are given exceptional status, which Byram wasn’t. So if he isn’t eligible for Chl that year don’t think it could qualify as one year of junior eligibility.
Byram be ready for 21 season. Really the top 6 skill picks drafts be ready by then.
Every time Teravainen Panarin or Leddys name is mentioned I thank stanley that we still have Seabrook for 5 count them , five more years . that took a bit of magic by the gm.
So with Fox, Vesey and K. Hayes. This is now 3 blue-chip players who have refused to sign with the team that has drafted them and chosen or forced their way to the Rangers. Just an observation.
Back to the draft. I think Stan passes on Byram and goes forward at #3, forward at #43, then swings away for possible home runs with the rest of the picks.
It reminds me that a, bunch of….. pusys, like to go to Rangers. Hayes should just go back there and eat it for another 5 yrs.
We get guys like Saader, De bob lee swagger cat around 40th pick every couple yrs.
It hurts to not have TT on the Hawks (I always liked him) but Stan to be fair didn’t know Bickell had MS – nobody did – if he had then no TT trade
Only time I talked to Bowman was in Lake Placid. I was there every summer for world juniors. Watched Teuvo play and he was best player on ice. Bowman liked him a lot and when I talked to him 95% of the conversation was TT. I was so pumped when TT helped us win in 2015. Saw Morin in Lake Placid to. What a difference in character between these two.
Teuvo could come back when hes 27, when is that.
Let’s not forget that Teuvo would have to have been exposed to Vegas. Lots of people thought he was soft. I was their for his first NHL game against Dallas. Remember him standing at the blue line in warm ups and you could tell he was in awe of everything.
Leddy was traded prior to 14/15. It was him or Oduya. Based on what happened 9 months later, I’d say Stan made the right choice. Leddy was a 3rd pair D that was soft. Not Rundblad soft. But still.
Teuvo scores twice in Game 3, including an empty-netter. I didn’t criticize Bowman then and am not criticizing him now about the Teuvo trade because it got Bickell’s contract off the books and the Hawks received 2nd and 3rd round picks in return.
At the moment I think the Hawks are deciding between Turcotte or Dach. However, if Byram has a terrific finals series, it may be hard not to pick him.
Entwhistle is moving up and really coming on. If he is invited to camp and shows well…he may make Hayden expendable or, at least a good candidate to go back and forth with Entwhistle for ice time on that 4th line.
Okay, everyone, who has been paying attention, knows I would like to acquire Brandon Lemieux for the 3rd line. If not him, who would you acquire? Would you stand pat with a current player? Who would that be and why? Kahun? He is a good assist guy. But, not too big or physical. Conversation folks.
His name is Brendan. And the Hawks have Hayden and Perlini that are similar already. Production wise, .25 ppg isnt a third line player. Kahun is a better player, almost double the offensive production. If you were really dead set on Brendan Lemieux I’d say David Kampf. Kampf had more offensive production than Lemieux and led the Hawks Forwards in shorthanded toi per game. Lemieux doesnt kill penalties and doesnt score. I’d rather have Kampf.
FWIW I see Kravstov whom the NYR drafted 9th last year is coming to NA next year now that his KHL contract has expired – doesn’t mean Pod would do the same after his KHL contract expires in 2 years but interesting nonetheless
Wrap, Datysuk, Kovalchuk, Voynov etc., plus all the signings this spring trying to get out, money is drying up there, even hear Ahl mentioned with some of them, rarely heard that of Russians in recent years.
I would like Brendan Lemieux too, but I doubt the Hawks would acquire him since they do not seem to put a premium on physical players. From watching the playoffs, it should be apparent that each time needs a blend of finesse and physicality. But lately, the Hawks have been one dimensional.
@ORIGINAL6HAWKEY, You think at the moment the Hawks are deciding between Turcotte or Dach.
Where are you coming up with Turcotte or Dach?
Have you been talking with Stan Bowman?
I see Lemieux as a Shaw and Domi. Domi with Az in 82 games had 9 goals. He gets traded and 28 the next with a new team. Shaw did not do to bad with us but more ice time with Lehabitants and did slightly better. I see Lemieux as a 20 goal score with us and some much much much needed physicality!
Except Lemieux is already on his third team. Maybe he turns it around. But New York just traded for him this year. Why would they want to get rid of him after 19 games? What are you going to do? Offer sheet him? That just doesn’t happen.
Perlini has size and could play a more physical gave. He already has seasons of 17,14,and 14 goals. And Perlini is a month younger than Lemieux. I’ll take the more proven guy of the same age already on the team that they don’t have to give up assets for.
I am strongly in favor of adding some guys who play a more physical style yet can still skate and play hockey. I agree that it is unlikely that the Rangers bail on Lemieux so quickly after acquiring him. While Perlini may be capable of a more physical game he hasn’t shown that so far in the NHL. If the contract terms are not too crazy I would be interested in Michael Ferland. As a UFA he will get term wherever he goes and his injury history will make that a riskier deal. Another guy I would consider is Cody Eakin. Vegas needs to find some cap space to re-sign William Karlsson and Eakin could be moved. Only one year left on his deal so not a big risk with him.
People either have that physicality in their ‘being’ or they don’t-some guys do it to stay in the NHL to make more money and go first class (it comes and goes), but you want a couple of guys that enjoy it. Perlini doesn’t but he does have upside with skill, ability to skate and size-worth the look again.
The Hawks do need someone who loves to play hard and physical-both on D and upfront. (Hayden does it to play in the NHL.)
Ferland just screams Matt Beleskey to me.
Stape, if I was talking to Bowman I would not have said “I think”. I would have said “I believe” or “I know”. Was stating an opinion based on what I have read.
Ernie,
Let’s look at Kahun. Yes, more offensively gifted. Zero physical play. Perlini, big guy. Not a physical guy. Kampf, he’s supposed to have an offensive upside. But, he’s not physical. Lemieux has all those traits and even though he’s been moved 3x’s, I think you discount his physical play. It is light years better than the previous three. How to acquire him? Trade. How about Kampf and Sikura? Should the Blackhawks draft Cozens, there’s your 3rd line. Lemieux, Cozens, Saad. A 3rd line with 20-20-30 goals capability. I’m being conservative. Hayden is a 4th line guy.
If you look at the Cup teams of the Blackhawks, these were the types we had. This could and would work.
@ORIGINAL6HAWKEY, Lots of opinions and you might be right,
time will tell.
I was just being a smartass when I meantioned you talking with Bowman.
There was no harm intended.
I personally have not read anything about Dach going in the top three or top five for that matter.
My hope is if it goes Hugh’s one and Kakko two then at three Chicago picks one of
Podkolzin, Turcotte or Zegras. The player with the most talent and the biggest upside sounds good to me.
We need some more Shawzers on FW and D. Every player we add should be an upgrade for position. Now that were done transitioning.
Stape, I know you were kidding. No problem.
Pod would be my pick if he was coming over right away. Probably not going to happen (unless Button knows more than most others). Zegras will likely be in the top 8 or so but would not take him at 3.
Pod would be my pick as well. I could not care less if Pod doesn’t come over in the next couple of years. Longer than a couple I would start to worry.
I have heard Zegras comparisons Barzal and Petterson so I would not be surprised at all to see him go top five.
We are constantly hearing different names and I’m sure that will continue to happen right up until the draft.
Drafting third is going to be a blast.
This summer will be exciting as the top 3 pick because of not knowing what ufas/trade were going to add. 20/21m in cap space.
One of the challenges for the Hawks will be how/when to integrate the top d-prospects into the lineup over the next 2-3 years, especially if they take Byram at #3.
Joki is most likely going to play all season next year, Mitchell will play in college, Boqvist, by all accounts, probably needs another year before hitting the NHL ice. Beaudin, on the other hand, is said to be the closest to NHL ready other than Joki. So maybe have Beaudin start in the AHL but then be on a fast track to be promoted so he can get a good amount of NHL games under his belt so he won’t be an etirely green rookie in 2020/21 when Boqvist will be.
Thats what makes me wonder if they will take Byram. If your planning to contend, which i imagine they will by 2021, would you want Byram and Boqvist both getting their first taste of Nhl games and Beaudin still in the green stages of development. Bowman apparently commented they expect whoever pick is to join the team in another year not next season, seems like too many developing defensemen to me if your planning on getting best out of the forwards.
Unless on of them take longer, I can see the Four Horsemen and Byram ready for 21 season. To play full 82 games. They should be ready by then, everyone one of them. Thats five high quality h2o s right there. Makes me think we get FW with top 3 pick.
I’ll tell you what – watching Colorado’s (2) 20 year old d-men playing in these playoffs gives me hope the 4-horsemen (+1) can do the same in a year or two.
Let’s compare Rubles in their draft year.
Valeri Nichuskin- March birthday
6’4 205
MHL-9gp-4g-4a
VHL-15gp-8g-2a
KHL-18gp-4g-2a
WJC18-6gp-4g-3a
WJC20-6gp-1g-1a
Vasili Podkolzin- June birthday
6’1 190
MHL- 12gp-6g-2a
VHL-14gp-2g-3a
KHL-3gp-0g-0a
WJC18-7gp-1g-3a
WJC20-7gp-0g-3a
Colorado’s (2) 20 year old defenseman are 5’10 (Girard) and 5’11 (Makar). So there’s that.
Oh, and Barrie is also 5’10. So 3 “midgets” on the blue line will get the job done.
Stape, I agree that the mystery of who the Hawks pick is going to be a blast. Here is what one mock says about #3:
“Here is where things get tricky. Hughes at one and Kakko at two are the chalk picks. Chicago has a pool of five or six players that they could and should be looking at here.”
If it is true, as Ian said, that Bowman expects the pick to join the team in 20/21, the players I have read about which may be closest to being NHL-ready are Dach, Cozens, and possibly Byram. The other elite prospects appear to be two years away.
Original that was a 2nd hand quote Bowman made in Athletic interview, don’t subscribe so didn’t read full article.
That’s the thing on Byram in 2 years time he won’t be 20 until after playoffs end, not basically 21 one is in few days an other in few months will be like Avs pair, so young yet, hard to know how soon he can be an impact.
Agree on being able to do it 3 smaller guys, having speed to match up with speedy forwards will defend better then missed hits and slower feet.
Podkolzin may not be the choice, but with way Russians are leaving Khl because of money drying up, not taking him only because he may not come over would be a mistake, may be best year in awhile for that not being an issue.
“Where do you see this player for 2-3-4 years, because you’re going have this guy for hopefully 15 years. It’s not so much trying to plug in a hole next year in our lineup”
“Whoever we draft this year, they’re going to play within the next two years. They may not play next year.”
“The Russians are hard to predict when they come over. If you’re going to draft him, you draft him because you like him and he’s going to be on your team at some point.”
“When you’re drafting third, you have to draft the player you think is the best player and you like the most.”
Seriously, subscribe. They run promos all the time. You get a lot more solid info than with other sources that is more opinion and speculation.
I might sign up for good luck for the coming yrs. It’s prob the best blog besides here, right?
Just saying where quote was from, i don’t subscribe or use promos because i choose not to, if you need to know.
My point exactly on Byram he would be a long term investment not a short term solution, if they pick him fine they believe he is best fit, great. I said before it would be 2 fold solution for defense, a bridge now and develop him right, not unreasonable expectations from a teenager.
That also begs the question who will they consider the best player for Blackhawks, with a lot of considerations with this roster, not the least of which is a ticking clock on vetarans age and other forwards hitting their prime.
@ORIGINAL6HAWKEY
I did not see the interview with Bowman.
Did you watch the behind the scenes series the Hawks made last year?
Leading up to the draft, talking with the prospects, interviewing Adam Boqvist.
Basically what leads up to and including making the pick (Boqvist)
While Bowman may say that he expects the pick to hopefully join the team for 20/21 the Hawks will not be worrying about who will be closest to being NHL ready.
Projecting the prospect with the most talent with the biggest upside looking at what the pick will be in five years not 20/21 season.
I feel guilty using the direct quotes from someones work that isn’t out there without at least promoting their product. I was skeptical at first and finally bit the bullet. By promos I mean a reduced rate. A couple of bucks a month is worth it for interviews like that alone.
Not out there lol, check your twitter feed, i don’t ask for it but get it as an advertising mechanism, why would i feel guilty for that. I’m not dishing them, they have very informed opinions, and are very legimate reporters.
Got to think the top 3 pick will be an impact player by the 21 season or so.
I do want the Elite Player, you guys are talking about. Who ever the better prospect is, no matter what. Thats who I want. Who cares about anything else.
I cant imagine that player wont be ready in 2-3 yrs at a max.
Mo being ready in a couple of years yes, but takimg who will have just turned 18 yr old and making him a true no 1 defenseman in this league to anchor your blueline, with him leading the team to possibly a stanley cup is the end game and what you want to get right. That may not happen in 2 or 3 years and trying to fast track it isn’t going to help. That kind development takes patience. Thats what they have to decide is he really that high a prospect to warrant that, if they really believe he is i hope they pick him.
Ernie. It’s a great interview with Bowman. I read it last night. I am reassured the Hawks are going to take the best player on their board who they believe will be a cornerstone for a decade or longer. Bowman and Kelley always talk about “projecting “ where that player will be in years. So putting out hypothetical lineups with the #3 pick inserted next year just is not realistic.
Whoever the Hawks choose at #3, the entire staff is going to be in love with.
I’ve talked about Byram as a true #1 but that is a projection both in terms of his maturing and improving his game AND the time it will take him to get there. I’m as big of a Byram guy as there is and I don’t expect him to step right into a big minute #1 d-man role. Even if he makes the NHL by 2020/21 there will almost certainly be a learning curve he will have to experience before he’s ready to assume the role of top dog on the defense.
The reason I prefer Byram at #3 is because I think a true #1 d-man is about the hardest thing to get without drafting one in the top-5 or getting lucky down the draft. That said, I think a true #1 center is the second hardest thing to get and will be pleased as punch if Stan goes that route and drafts the future replacement for Toews.
I subscribe to the The Athletic and really enjoy it and would recommend it and I also got in on a promo
Just read the Bowman interview – his interviews I find are almost always good in that there is a fair bit of information that he shares regarding his thought process – no different in this one
Glad to hear they’re not going to take a player based on T and K’s age but they’re going to take the best player regardless of position and timeline of development – the player they project to have the highest ceiling although he did say they expect that player to be playing within 2 years
Although you’d think that would exclude Pod Bowman was quite clear that they’re not scared away from Pod because of his KHL status – referring to how things can change with KHL contracts and even if they had to wait they would if they thought he was the best player – he also seemed confident in saying all the best Russian players come to the NHL
So he didn’t rule out Pod because of his contract or Byram because of his position
If you read between the lines he also doesn’t expect the player they pick to make the team next year
Whatever they do to try and make the playoffs next year and perhaps contend the year after it seems Bowman is not counting on the #3 pick to be a big part of that
They may be but he’s not counting on it which I think is the correct course – the #3 pick and the immediate improvement of the Hawks are two separate projects – if they overlap great but don’t plan for that
Is this possible to do and would we want it? Lucic gets traded to a team with the Oilers retaining 50% 3 mil a year, and can that team trade him to us retaining 50% 1.5 mil a year. Now do we want a Lucic for 1.5 mil to be a “protector” and possibly light his fire again.
Milan Lucic would be a viable option if the economics could be worked out. I believe he still has some good hockey left in him and have heard that he wouldn’t mind leaving Edmonton.
That’s exactly what Lucic was brought into Edmonton for. Protect Mcdavid. If that doesn’t light a fire in you I dont know what will. And again, he has a NMC
Maybe as a problem contract for problem contract, Seabrooks, with Blackhawks retaining some of Seabrooks contract and Oilers get needed cap room.
Things are fluid (and really who knows) but here is my ranking for pick #3
1. Byram
2. Turcotte
3. Pod
4. Cozens
5. Dach
I’d be surprised if it isn’t Byram or Turcotte, and Dach I don’t see.
Noonan i wonder if there is any chance Nyr take Byram now to be 1 2 future pairing with Fox and Kakko is there.
Noonan, not a bad ranking. If Byram does well in the WHL finals, am completely sold on him being the best pick. Agree with ER that drafting a #1 d-man is the most difficult position to fill. The Hawks would be set at D for several years. Most mocks have Dach going before Cozens. He is ranked a little higher by Central Scouting.
Noonan, Id flip Podkolzin and Cozens.
I wonder more if the Rangers would go for Podkolzin. They’ve got Buchnevich, Namestnikov, and Kravtsov. They want Panarin. You wonder if they’d be foolish enough to do it.
Retaining Seabrook and taking on Lucic doesn’t work for me. Youd be essentially paying 9million for 4 years of an already declining Lucic. Throw in Puljujarvi and I might reconsider.
Does everyone really think Turcotte is better then Cozens. Whats the difference between the two. Ones more like 19 and the other is more like 36 but better.
Why do some lie Turcotte better then Cozens because it seems more places have Cozens as the better center. Just wondering.
That order seems right, other then Why Turcotte is better then Cozens.
I do not think Dach is an option.
Its those four or maybe Kakko.
Lets go rangers, lets go.
Wasn’t meaning Lucic should be done, but would rather use cap if possible to find a creative way that works vs losing a high draft pick or good prospect to move Seabrook.
Please, no more talk about Hayden as a 4th line player, he’s a puck hog with no hockey IQ. Sorry, we need someone else there. Delete Sikura, Kahun and Kampf too. And no more excuses for this GM, Teuvo trade was awful! There was no reason to trade such a talent. Anyone watching tonight’s game, the playoffs? To throw in the Bickell excuse is not the issue or saying Leddy was soft. The problem with all these trades is the No Return! Other than Panarin, all the bad free agent signings and his record the last 10 years he has been drafting. Who are the players he drafted that were on the roster this season?
Again, this summer, after not drafting a single top forward the last two years, Bowman needs to hit a home run who can play now unless he signs real free agents! If he drafts Byram, a solid prospect, he needs to trade Mitchell plus a player for a forward prospect.
Strome could never skate or keep up that pace that Teuvo is showing in the playoffs. Something he gave us back in 2015.
A throw in for the Bickell trade?
Ernie, mentioned 86 wouldnt have been able to stay with expansion draft anyways. Not 86 then would have someone else of equal player or maybe better then 86.
Teuvo wasn’t a throw in. He was the lynchpin.
But wait a minute. If Stan and Mark Kelley were so bad at drafting small European’s why are you complaining about them trading a small, soft, European? Oh right, that narrative.
Let’s say Hull is gm for a day. You get to draft a player, trade a player, and sign a player. Who do you draft specifically? Who do you trade, and for who? And what UFA do you sign, and what are the terms of said contract?
When Teuvo was traded he was soft, although very young and improving. Following T&K’ s monster contracts which consumed 29% of the payroll, Bowman’s giveaway to Seabrook, put them in cap hell. So Bowman packaged Teuvo to unload Bick’s contract. At least the Hawks got 2nd and 3rd round picks out of it.
I think the Sharp (with Johns) trade was worse. Bowman should have been able to get a 2nd rounder out of it without including Johns instead of two worthless players. Poor cap management puts you in a weak position.
Q did not like Leddy, but at least they got two players in return who looked promising at the time. Bowman has done a good job of managing the cap the last 2-3 years, which puts him in a stronger position this summer.
Yes, Strome needs to improve his skating. Has a high hockey IQ, excellent passer and good around the net. Is still young. Can only hope.
It amazes me that some are posting that the Rangers may pass on Kakko. Kakko is going #2, whether it’s the Rangers, or if they trade down, the other team.
Original wouldn’t say for 100% sure Nyr draft Kakko, but likely. Alot of posters were telling us Crawford done before the season started too.
For anyone interested in how Byram is doing:
Game 1 of the WHL finals went off last night (winner goes to the memorial cup). On the road, Byram and the Vancouver Giants won 5-4; Byram picking up 4 assists. He leads playoff scorers with 22 points (7g, 15a) in 16 games.
Yea I am not predicting Rangers will not pick Kakko, like I did that we would get 2nd or 3rd pick.
MORRISON
April 4, 2019 at 11:41 pm
I am going with that we are going to get the lottery pick and get 2nd or 3rd pick.
With all the talk about the draft it is amazing to watch Carolina who selected Jacob Slavin in the 4th round and Brett Pesce in the 3rd round. These are two studs whose selections have played a huge role in giving them one of the best d groups in the league. During these drafts we took such legends as Dillon Fournier and Chris Calnan. So while the #3 pick is critical to the future so is the ability to find a nugget or two later in the draft. We certainly have several examples of this during the cup years but need to do it again as part of the retooling.
Ian, and again for the second time.
Cheers Mo.
MS funny you say that, thought same thing because of similarities to 2003 when Barker taken at no. 3 to be the no.1 guy on the blueline for future, and Keith was somebody in the pipeline who didn’t have a high enough ceiling too fill that role at the time.
20 and 12 were not home runs, they were grand slams at 10 picks into 2nd round. We need some more 16 and 65 from the 4 or 5 rounds, like your saying. Not every yr or couple yrs, just a couple every time we reload. Which is now/previous couple drafts. Kurachev/4th, Wise/3rd, Barratt/3rd ?
Any of these guys could be like players we got from 3-5 round before that were good. 65/5th, 16/5th, Smith/6th, Hammer/4th, Dowell/5th, Brower/7th.
So…what you’re saying is Lucas Carlsson might be a player…
Or Chad Krys
Offer sheet compensation is out. 2.1-4.2 million AAV would cost a 2nd round pick. Does Toronto let Kapanen wait that long or do they trade before July 1.
I think that other than Hughes going first, the picks are fluid. I suspect Rangers are likely to go with Kakko, but it’s not in stone.
Agree with O6 that the Sharp trade was horrendous. I don’t know if it was true or not but there was a rumor that Stan turned down a first (presumably later, but whatever) for Sharp at the draft. We got killed on that one (too bad about Johns’ injuries — he was doing well).
The big mistake that everyone overlooks re Bickell is that Stan was in talks to re-up him at about 2.25 during the regular season of 2013 before Bickell went nuts in the playoffs and doubled his market value. Should have got it done then.
Anyone like #4 on Dallas? We absolutely need a stud, all situations defender if we are going to compete and I agree it is the hardest spot to fill. Right now, I think there are more arguments to pick Byram than anyone else.
Heiskanen going to be a good one, for years.
Have to agree on picks being fluid, considering 2 weeks ago everybody was saying Pokolzin coukd be better than Kakko and then Buttons started his flavour of the day routine and things changing daily. Could be alot different draft day than it looks today.
I feel good about Bowman and crew when drafting. These guys always pick the highest ceiling player, usually the player is not picked earlier when they should have been and whala we get them. 20, 86, 8, 12, BoQ, this draft 2nd pick? So I imagine them picking the highest reward player just like those guys.
Wouldn’t take too much from the Canes Islander series. Islanders sucked. Not the same team that swept the Pens.
However, the Canes are impressive. Let’s see if they can make it to the finals
Wouldn’t take too much from the Canes Islander series. Islanders sucked. Not the same team that swept the Pens.
However, the Canes are impressive. Let’s see if they can make it to the finals.
@Jordy – guess who went #3 in 2017 draft – yep Miro Heiskanen and look at how he’s playing less than 2 years out from being drafted – could that be Byram in 2020/21?
Btw Byram had 4a in the Giants 5-4 win in game 1 of WHL final
That tells me that PIT sucks, more.
I wonder if the Hawks make an offer for Erik Karlsson – with his relatively down year he will be a bit cheaper – could you get him for $8-9 mil?
He still has great vision and passing skills and is an adequate defender – as Boqvist comes on and if you have Karlsson then you’re able to trade Gus
Just a thought since JC was at a recent SJ/Col game
Wrap agree, made that comparison in an earlier post with Heiskanen and Provorov for where he could be in a couple of years time. The biggest thing though is the veteran support who’s with him, Klingberg,Lindell, Lovejoy and Polak. Unless the Blackhawks add a high end guy, it looks like 3 or 4, 21-22 year olds and a 38 year old Keith, possibly Murphy still be around. Big difference with 2/3 your blueline still coming stage.
Don’t see Karlsson signing for under 10m, but time will tell may be less.
Could potentially have 4 wild card teams in the conference finals. Already have 1.
LA and NAS were 8 seed and they were there, but they really wernt 8 seed. They were build for the playoffs. Nothing against these teams but they are not those teams. This is one of thsoe yrs were a team can win that normally wouldnt. Doesnt happen very often.
SAN is the most deserving, by far, to win after everything they have done. H. Gods!
Yeah Canes playing well with a ton of energy, but kind of bubble it seems too, Caps seeemed to be rolling and Oshie went down, then looked sure bet in game 7 and ran out of gas. Isles came out flat after layoff never found their game, Canes with some crazy bounces going their way rolled.
Bruins can take back series tonight, if Jackets win, be same boat as Leaves and need to win next at home and avoid game 7.
Stars look like they are better team last 2 games, think they’ll win that one.
Sharks and Avs , whoever wins game 5 likely moves on.
I’m still thinking not completely hoping Sharks and Bruins in final.
The Stars aren’t starting to impress me – they could go all the way
If Byram is outstanding in WHL finals and then again in the Mem Cup does that entice NYR to take him #2 leaving the Kakk-man for the Hawks?
Pretty sure Teuvo falls into the Euro smurf category that some posters excoriate Stan for drafting and/or signing but now they lament that he was traded and would love him back on the Hawks – I guess not all Euro smurfs are the same – gee whoda thunk?
I didn’t like losing Teuvo at the time but I understood the reasoning (the Hawks were going for back to back Cups and needed Bickell’s cap space) – it didn’t work out with the back to back Cups but I don’t really fault them for trying
It was also not going for back to back Cups in 14 where we did not add anything. Thats why we had to/really wanted to in 16. Add more quality at deadline.
BOS has won the Cup now. With that many of the top teams getting beat. Theres no top teams left to beat BOS. COL and SAN are good but its over. BOS has won it, being down 2 games to 1 and there not behind in games now. Its over, BOS has won the Cup.
Listening to the game on Sirius. The Hawks may be out of the playoffs but John Weideman is doing play by play with Billy Jaffe for NBCsports. With Tirico calling some hockey, you gotta wonder if they’re auditioning guys to take Doc’s place sooner rather than later. That or NBC finally realized how awful some of their play by guys are.
Kapanen was a beast at times during the regular season, but during the playoffs didn’t notice him much at all-still if they can they should keep him and get rid of Nylander. They had there chance to get something for him many months ago-now they will have to sweeten the deal.
So Mo what your saying is that dude that travels everywhere with the Cup can relax and focus just on Boston games?
Can’t imagine how the networks would feel about a Carolina–Dallas final-zzz…
If the first two OHL series mean anything Ottawa is in trouble up 2-0 against Guelph.
No I was just pissed that BOS was up, when CLB was ahead 2 games to 1 and now is maybe screwed. It worked, they tied it game, then gave up goal in last 2 min.
Would love to have DAL and CAR. That would be best for the sport. With all the top teams getting beat, to have those two teams there would be right. Having another top 10 team win only because the top teams got taken out like this, sucks.
Got pissed enough, I was looking at 2,000 shocks for the jeep.
DAL and CAR would be justice for them beating two of the top 2 teams. Same for CLB . SJ deserves it the most.
SJ does have that. They are beating better teams to.
Reloading the Blackhawks roster for 21 season and on. Preparing for that is getting guys ready for that. Will Entwhistle and Kurachev be ready for 20 season. They could get there first full rookie green season out of the way and be ready for the 21 season.
Kurachev going to be a good top 9 player. What position do you guys see him in as we load up on FWs here going forward. Hes going to be good so hes in the top 9 for the 23man when were deep again. Is he a natural center or will he play right or left where we need. What has he played and would be more comfortable when not at center.
Do you guys see Kabalik and Kahun as being a Steeger kind of player, for when were deep. Were going to run out of FW positions with all these FWs/that can play.
Who knows how Kubalik does in the NHL but Kahun has already proven he is good enough to put up 40 points as a rookie – no small feat. I see no reason he can’t continue to be a productive top-9 guy scoring in the 40-50 point range with almost all of it coming at even strength. If Kubalik can be as productive as Kahun then it’s even better and will allow the Hawks to roll 4 lines capable of scoring.
I think Kurashev and Entwistle will both play for the Hawks at some point – so yeah it’s going to get crowded in the forward ranks but I suppose that’s a good thing.
How do these guys are similar to.
Debrincat- Sharp and Panarin combo
Saad- little Hoss
Kurachev- ?
Kabalik- ?
Kahun- Steeger
Entwhistle- Ladd or Eager
Barratt- Shaw or Frolik
Who do these guys look like or close to, from guys we have had on dynasty teams.
I would say you could similarities between Kurashev and Kubalik. Both have a little size, willing to battle for puck a bit, like to shoot from slot, and willing to back check Kurashev likely more sniper and faster, Kubalik more playmaker too maybe.
If Colliton wants to let Toews be more offensive, with Kane and use a matchup line against other teams top lines some, like was doing until Kampf was injured and seem to work well. Sharp made a comnent when Kampfs lack of offense mentioned, just give him a couple of wingers who can bring some offense and see what does, he delt he would do fine. Saad and Entwistle would work there, size speed, 2way with offense ability. Maybe kind of remind you of Boland, Ladd and Versteeg line. Then roll 3 offensive lines, which seemed to be what he was aiming for. If he can bring out the committment to defense. Fingers crossed, time will tell.
Yea thanks, didnt know much about each guy. Trying to see where each guy fits, with so many of them ready soon.
I been hearing Kurachev id fast and acceleration fast. We know hes a sniper.
So Kabalik is more playmaker with some size. Thats like Strome.
Could have a big fast scoring line with Kurachev, Kabalik, and ? if 20/64/Entw are a thing.
Bowman is assembleling a fast euro line with some size to go with the scoring FWs we already have.
When we had enough games under belt for new system, after playing a system for 10 yrs, he stacked the lines for what each guy is most ideal at.
?/19/88
12/17/?
20/64/?
?/16/40
Nothing wrong with Krugs being here as a 13th FW for a min. caphit/950? when were deeper this yr. And fill in those ? with guys who are most ideal for each spot.
91/19/88
12/17/11
20/64/Entw
Kabalik/Kura/24
16
And were adding a top 3 pick to that! Plus Four Horsemen.
Kane and Teuvo are 5’11” and were the only two highly skilled players that size. (Maybe Versteeg but not that version) The 4th line that year in 2015 was Shaw, Desjardins (Carcillo) and Kruger. No Kahun, Sikura type players. Look at the rest of the roster. Hossa, Toews, Saad, Richards, Bickell, Vermette, Sharp Teuvo was going to be the 2nd line center of the future at the time. The “throw player in” that trade was dumb, period. Not eat another season of Bickell’s contract? The next season to lose him and then trade Danault for no reason was a double whammy for the team. No matter how you look at it, Teuvo was a bad trade.
And if you watch Columbus vs Boston or San Jose vs Colorado, all about speed and sid combined.
The only thing Bowman did, but its sort of understandable, is the Danault trade. I really wasnt happy about the Saader trade for awhile but he got him back so thats fine. Salary cap.
We had to unload players after 2008, 2009 and 2010 rosters. Again in 2013 and 2015. We relaod every time. This time its taken a little longer because of Hammer and Hoss, they had always stayed. So in doing that though we were rewarded for doing it the right way and paying our dues. By getting BoQ and a top 3 pick.
We ll get rewarded for those two players once there ready and when they start there prime yrs. Thats when were really good again.
The Danault trade was for two vets with expiring contracts to help the Hawks get through the playoffs. A poor decision because this was the fourth rental trade made in a year. The farm system was decimated. Rebounding nicely but it takes years to restock.
Being more upbeat, all prospects that the Hawks may be considering at #3 have speed, size, and strength combined. On June 21, a future great player wearing an Indianhead sweater will be smiling onstage .
Yea, were going to have to have the draft party again. Like we did in the summer of 12, when we drafted 86.
I know it would be good to get a 1st line center for future. Having th Four Horsemen and top 3 quality of pick for a top pair Defensemen. The Defense will be night and day and we ll have, again, top notch defense group.
One thing to was we were so loaded in 2008 2009 and 2010. That when we had to for salary cap we got picks back. They didnt really mount to anything, I think it allowed us to reload in a loaded way again for 13 14 15 16. To me the difference this time is not having 4 and 81 as part of core. Doesnt matter if 19 88 2 7 are older, only 7 is off some.
We had to what we had to do. Thats what you do when you have a dynasty. Theres only 4 dynastys since the 60-70s. Islanders, Oilers, Red Wings, Blackhawks. So I take that every time. Prob wont be another dynasty team until 2030-2050 in those 20 yrs one maybe two teams.
Sure 19 88 2 7 are not ever going to be as good as they were from 20-30 age wise. Those kind of generational players though can play good, not as prime, but good until 40. Unless your style is big and physical and the whole fukking league is fast now, then it was just 5 yrs ago.
Big change in whole league. No wonder why Bowman and crew are making the transition to pmd and this style. We ll be smiling again in, 2 yrs.
If we draft Byram we can be first to play 3 defenseman on the PP. Maybe we start with an umbrella:
Beaudin — Byram — Boqvist
Toews — Kane
That’s just one of many possibilities. Let’s set a new bar.
Scott Wheeler had published his final 2019 NHL draft rankings on the Athletic and his rankings raised a couple of eyebrows for me.
3. Turcotte
4. Cozens
5. Byram
6. Krebs
7. Boldy
8. Dach
Zegras at 12
Podkolzin at 17
I was surprised at how high Turcotte and Cozens ended up being and how low Zegras and Pdkolzin fell.
I was hoping the Hawks could find a potential replacement for Toews as the 1C with this pick but it appears that the group of centers after Hughes may not have a ceiling that high. If Turcotte has a higher ceiling than Cozens, then maybe he is the guy who could be the top center of the future for the Hawks. Personally I think the Hawks should decide between Turcotte and Cozens for the #3 pick, whomever they think grades higher in the long term. I still want the Hawks to grab a center with this pick.
Not keen on the Hawks picking up another defenseman with this pick. I only take Byram if he ranks significantly higher than any of the Hawks current prospects and higher than the other players available in this draft. I get a sense that the players available for the Hawks to pick are going to end up being good if not great NHL players. Which is a little disappointing after winning a lottery selection.
That Podkolzin dropped so low in Wheeler’s ranks makes me even more sure the Hawks should take a hard pass on him at #3. The variance in Podkolzins rankings makes me think the Hawks should avoid him at all costs. If by some miracle he slips to them in the second round (not going to happen) they should pounce, but not at 3. His value as a high risk high reward type of pick increases the later he is selected. I hope the Hawks cross him out of their top 10.
I should add that Wheeler said that he doesn’t think Cozens is a 1C for a contending team, but could see him fill the 2c role nicely. He doesn’t make any broad generalizations about Turcotte in that regard, so maybe he sees him as 1C material as he was ranked ahead of Cozens. That he had Cozens as one of three finalists for that #3 spot indicates to me that he doesn’t see a lot of difference between the 3-5 picks, so my guess is they are all close to being top line/top pair material, but more likely top 6/top 4 ranks…
On a different topic, I’m having a hard time finding a horse to root for in the playoffs. I can’t find a reason to root for anyone in the West. Colorado is probably the least offensive to me. I can’t find it in me to root for either the Blues or Stars but I would grudgingly take the Stars over the Blues. Never the Blues… Doug Wilson was one of my favorite players growing up, but I am not a fan of the team he has built. I can’t find a reason to root for the Sharks. I guess it’s the Av’s by default.
In the east, I can’t root for Boston, not gonna happen. Would love to see Columbus and Carolina duke it out for the battle of the wild cards but don’t have any real strong feelings for either club. I guess I am in a anybody but Boston frame of mind.
Though if either Carolina or Columbus make it to the Cup final, the amount of whining we would have to endure by the Bowman haters about letting Teuvo and Panarin go would be almost too much to bear… But how much fun would it be to have an all wild card Conference finals?
Miro, Wheeler may be right about 3-8 but is way off about 17. Who wants to bet me Pod doesn’t go lower than 12? If he goes even at 14 I will call Wheeler a genius. No other mocks have him going low. It is a tough call between the centers. Whoever they think has the highest upside. There is a lot of disagreement over where Dach goes.
Regarding who to root for in the West, I will make it easy for you. If COL gets past SJ, their 16th pick falls to the bottom 4 of the 1st round. If they win the Cup, it becomes #31. You don’t want COL to get another high pick. They are stacked with talent, with more on the way, and are the team I worry about most going forward. You also want the Stars over the Blues. The Stars have the 18th pick, which would fall near the bottom. The Blues do not have a 1st rd pick.
When all the top teams got beat and TOR and now CLB was behind 3 games to 2. That was it, its all over BOS has won Cup.
They wont lose a game to CAR. Maybe SJ or COL can have a chance if tis ties 2-2 and their ahead 3 to 2. Or thats it. BOS has won and will only lose 2 games the rest of the way.
I saw Turcotte in top 5 in half of mock drafts and Kozlov in 8-12 range in 25% or so of the mocks.
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.
@original6, I think the article was purely player rankings, rather than a mock draft predicting where the player will be drafted. The 17 rank on Podkolzin by Wheeler is indicative of how he feels the player ranks compared to the other players in the draft rather than where he thinks the player will eventually end up being taken.