After Celebini, there is a reason why the media is focusing on two guys at #2. Demidov is very talented and Levshunov essentially the consensus top dman and which is why you see those two bounce around the #2 and #3 spots. Things get more variable around #4 and #5, but there isn't a clear cut #2 pick.

Things can always change on draft day and people ignore what can be a massive part of the process, which is the combine and the interview process that essentially every team does in some capacity. Who the Hawks have their eyes on today might not be who they choose when the day comes.
- breadbag

Even last year people were surprised when ANA took Carlsson instead of Fantili.

So buium is the bpa after celebrini?! Wow.
- LFS

Buium is ranked as high as 4 and as low as 11 by various publications. While some teams may have him ranked at number 2, right now it looks as if he’s on the outside looking in.

Cam Robinson from EP had interesting thoughts on who Blackhawks should draft at #2. He has Demidov at number two and Lindstrom three. Did not see Levshunov´s upside to be number one dman down the road but very good number three. What he had heard Lindstrom´s back issues did not sound to be concern long term. We´ll see.

I think it's the toolset thing and hope you can develop him in 2 years. (certainly going back to juniors for another full season)

A guy that size, that can move that well, with what appears to be a NHL quality shot and even though he's bigger than everyone else - unlike some of the other bigger prospects we've seen he at least has the gumption to beat up on the lil kids.

Problem is all of these guys have some kinda glaring thing experts are complaining about.

Lindstrom - back, sample size, size in general vs lil guys
Eiserman - attitude (which I like but hockey purists hate), only shoots, doesn't pass good or have vision (kinda sounds like some bullpoop we heard about Bedard)
Demidov - never coming over SKA is gonna F whoever drafts him
Levshunov - good at most things not great at anything other than the size + mobility combo

It's going to be a weird draft.
- fattybeef

I like Yaremchuk, D*ckinson, Parekt then the others
The first two can contribute with checks and offensively. Parekt is a unique offensive talent worth taking and some team will fund a way ti use him to utmosr advantage.

Someone in our top pairs needs ro hit because Vlasic and KK are so so in that area

DelMastro Phillips Allen even Kaiser are fine each what they bring in bottom two pairs. As well as Crevier. One or two of them will eventually.be dealt.

I want a dman whi could be special hence the guys I name not Buium or Leveshenov although I could understand rationale for drafting Leveshenov. Silyev a Russian who I don't gamble with such a high pick. There is always fear a Russian oligarch will overpay to keep the Russians in the KHL.

When I watch Levshunov I see a lot of Seth Jones. Skates well, good size, can score, but there's something I don't like. Not sure what it is. Would you want another Seth with the 2nd pick?

Cutter Gauthier, 2.0? Philadelphia Flyers 'Don't Know If We'll Ever See Michkov With Our Team'

https://www.msn.com/en-us...bd1b517fecc24305184&ei=12

The more video i watch of Silyaev the more i like, really really impressive, too bad he's a Russian in Russia
- BetweenTheDots

Levshunov reminds some of a Doughty, D!ckinson reminds of Shea Weber, Buium of Josi but there just is no comp for Siliyev. There has never been a man that big that skates that well. He is 1 of 1.

Bill's suggestion of Brunckie could be a good one. And by the time he would be ready anyway Jones would be over 30.

If the skating and skill are there and he just isn't producing massive numbers because his team is very bad then that would be worth a flier I think.

They have 3 seconds may as well swing for the fences with at least 2 of them.

Karlsson is a dynamic player that can impact the game in very special ways. I don't think his defensive game is as bad as people make it out to be. I think the bigger issue would be getting caught up playing a 4th forward and being overly aggressive but thats kind of why you have that player.

I'd prefer an overall player like Heiskanen that is excellent all over the ice but an org like Pittsburg that is desperate is going to take what they can get. Also Dubas makes a lot of Stans later decision look genius. If you need a good laugh check out his trade history.
- fattybeef

While I agree with a high percentage of your posts, I’m going to disagree on Karlsson’s defensive ability. If my math is correct, he has averaged about 12 seconds of ice time shorthanded per game the last three years, what does that tell you? This is why I like Levshunov, he plays in all situations and is already very good defensively. I’ll take the all round defenseman, like a Seabrook over an offensive defenseman like Karlsson, because you win championships with the former and not with the latter.

So you want to draft the smaller slower less aggressive dman then Levshunov?
- BetweenTheDots

For me, and I think most, I do not have to project much to see a very good NHL Dman in Buium and D!ckinson cuz they are showing polish/poise in their excellent results but Levshunov it takes some projection despite being near a pt per game in the NCAA. Probably same with Siliyev and Parekh too but it's not how good a kid is at 18 or 20 it's how good he is at 25.

That's where you count on the professionals, to project successfully. I think most today see Buium and D!ckinson ahead of Levshunov today but some are projecting him ahead cuz of his tools. Big kid can skate, shows some skilled hands, takes big jumps every yr and will be the better Dman when they're all 25.

For me, and I think most, I do not have to project much to see a very good NHL Dman in Buium and D!ckinson cuz they are showing polish/poise in their excellent results but Levshunov it takes some projection despite being near a pt per game in the NCAA. Probably same with Siliyev and Parekh too but it's not how good a kid is at 18 or 20 it's how good he is at 25.

That's where you count on the professionals, to project successfully. I think most today see Buium and D!ckinson ahead of Levshunov today but some are projecting him ahead cuz of his tools. Big kid can skate, shows some skilled hands, takes big jumps every yr and will be the better Dman when they're all 25.
- Mr Ricochet

What I'm hearing from the Dobber 2024 draft rankings meeting is Levshunov has a tremendous work ethic. He just wants it more than any other player. This will most likely be the Blackhawks draft pick, big can skate, never takes a shift off, works hard on and off the ice to be a better hockey player. Him and Bedard will have to get kicked off the ice.

While I agree with a high percentage of your posts, I’m going to disagree on Karlsson’s defensive ability. If my math is correct, he has averaged about 12 seconds of ice time shorthanded per game the last three years, what does that tell you? This is why I like Levshunov, he plays in all situations and is already very good defensively. I’ll take the all round defenseman, like a Seabrook over an offensive defenseman like Karlsson, because you win championships with the former and not with the latter.
- Angotti

Hahaha he's brutal

Friedman believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer.

What will it take, Phillips and the Canucks 2nd? Not enough?

What I'm hearing from the Dobber 2024 draft rankings meeting is Levshunov has a tremendous work ethic. He just wants it more than any other player. This will most likely be the Blackhawks draft pick, big can skate, never takes a shift off, works hard on and off the ice to be a better hockey player. Him and Bedard will have to get kicked off the ice.
- BetweenTheDots

Thanks for sharing, Dots. On my way over to Dobber right now.

This from Friedman via ProHockeyRumors site in regards to Necas.

Friedman also believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer, saying he doesn’t think Carolina will do “what Nečas wants to do.” The Hurricanes are expected to prioritize re-signing trade deadline pickup Jake Guentzel, the best left wing available on the pending UFA market. He also notes that Seth Jarvis, an RFA like Necas, has surpassed him on the depth chart internally and is more of a financial priority long-term.

Nečas is eligible for salary arbitration this summer, so they may need to execute a sign-and-trade or allow him to negotiate with other clubs. Opening the possibility for Nečas to force an acquiring team to arbitration could lower his trade value.

The 2017 12th-overall pick took a considerable step back this season, posting 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games after recording a career-high 71 in 82 last season. The Czech winger hasn’t historically been a positive possession force on a deep Hurricanes forward group, either, although he was good in playoff action this year with four goals and five assists in 11 games.

Any team acquiring Nečas would only be able to sign him to a seven-year deal if they wanted to go for the maximum term since he was on Carolina’s reserve list at the trade deadline, although it could be an eight-year deal via a sign-and-trade. Evolving Hockey projects that as the most likely outcome with a $7.5MM cap hit.

So for those who want him. is he worth 7.5M for 7-8 years plus the cost to obtain him in a trade?

Friedman believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer.

What will it take, Phillips and the Canucks 2nd? Not enough?
- Angotti

Beat me to the topic Lou.

Friedman believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer.

What will it take, Phillips and the Canucks 2nd? Not enough?
- Angotti

I like the idea of acquiring Necas, but I think it would take more than that. Chicago’s 2nd round pick in 2024 may not even be enough. It might take either Tampa’s first round pick in 2024 or Toronto’s in 2026 plus a player.

1st round pick (TB ‘24 or TOR ‘25) + Raddysh + Entwistle

Best player on their board at #2. Best player on their board at #20.
- mohel

Drafting for the NHL would be stupid to ever draft anything but the best available player.

Most are 3 years away and not filling a hole you have, and if you are drafting in the top 10, 99.9% of the time, you aren't a player away.

Bears this year that exception with the#1 overall. Many thought they should draft lineman, they took the best available, hopefully KD does the same, and can scout

This from Friedman via ProHockeyRumors site in regards to Necas.

Friedman also believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer, saying he doesn’t think Carolina will do “what Nečas wants to do.” The Hurricanes are expected to prioritize re-signing trade deadline pickup Jake Guentzel, the best left wing available on the pending UFA market. He also notes that Seth Jarvis, an RFA like Necas, has surpassed him on the depth chart internally and is more of a financial priority long-term.

Nečas is eligible for salary arbitration this summer, so they may need to execute a sign-and-trade or allow him to negotiate with other clubs. Opening the possibility for Nečas to force an acquiring team to arbitration could lower his trade value.

The 2017 12th-overall pick took a considerable step back this season, posting 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games after recording a career-high 71 in 82 last season. The Czech winger hasn’t historically been a positive possession force on a deep Hurricanes forward group, either, although he was good in playoff action this year with four goals and five assists in 11 games.

Any team acquiring Nečas would only be able to sign him to a seven-year deal if they wanted to go for the maximum term since he was on Carolina’s reserve list at the trade deadline, although it could be an eight-year deal via a sign-and-trade. Evolving Hockey projects that as the most likely outcome with a $7.5MM cap hit.

So for those who want him. is he worth 7.5M for 7-8 years plus the cost to obtain him in a trade?
- boilermaker100

He fits the age requirement, skates very well, not sure why he had a bit of a drop off, terms long, but amount isn't crazy. Probably would do it

I like the idea of acquiring Necas, but I think it would take more than that. Chicago’s 2nd round pick in 2024 may not even be enough. It might take either Tampa’s first round pick in 2024 or Toronto’s in 2026 plus a player.

1st round pick (TB ‘24 or TOR ‘25) + Raddysh + Entwistle
- DarthKane

I think it would take more than that as well. Something like 1st round pick + Reichel and Carolina would start to listen.

I think it would take more than that as well. Something like 1st round pick + Reichel and Carolina would start to listen.
- MjulQvist

Nah they'll keep him, letting TT walk is the right move. One of Pesci or Skjei are walking as well. The main reason they don't trade their 1st round picks

Beat me to the topic Lou.
- boilermaker100

You added much more content than I did.

Nah they'll keep him, letting TT walk is the right move. One of Pesci or Skjei are walking as well. The main reason they don't trade their 1st round picks
- BetweenTheDots

And they would love to get rid of Kotkaniemi? Jordan Martinook, Seth Jarvis and Jake Guentzel need new contracts too.

Tomorrow in the IIHF World Championship Canada plays Finland and Bedard will be head to head against the guy who has more goals than he does in the tourney so far.

Montreal's 20 year old unsigned draft pick (2nd round 64th overall) from 2021 Oliver Kapanen who is related the other Kapanen's who you know like Sami and Kasperi. I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm pulling for Bedard to keep scoring goals and get that confidence boost if he can top the tournament in goals.


I wonder if Oliver Kapanen will ever come over to play in North America, seems like some of his family never did. I think he is playing in the SHL next year.

Assistant Coach Trent Yawney and the Kings mutually agree to part ways.
- boilermaker100

I remember Keith thanking him when the Blackhawks won their 1st Cup.
I know he wasn't a great coach,but bring him back as an assistant?

I remember Keith thanking him when the Blackhawks won their 1st Cup.
I know he wasn't a great coach,but bring him back as an assistant?
- captainserious

Bring him to work exclusively with the defensemen.