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Wiz' Hawk Draftee Scouting Reports |
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The Prius is idling (sort of) in the driveway—and Wiz is in DA HOUSE with his breakdowns on the Hawks' talent haul in rounds 1-4 of yesterday's NHL draft.
Without further ado . . .
Ryan HARTMAN
POSITION: Left Wing
SHOOTS: Right
TEAM: Plymouth (OHL)
BORN: September 20, 1994
VITALS: 5’-11” / 190 Lbs
STATS: 56 GP 23 G 37 A 60 PTS 120 PIM
Selected: 1st Round, 30th overall
I had Hartman right near at the top of at the top of my third tier: players that are good value in the early, mid first round as players who may have significant upside and tools and may have long NHL careers.
Bobby McKenzie's "consensus" scout list had him ranked one slot above where the Hawks got him, but again that is a list that has many "scorers" or players that teams are projecting as scoring forwards.
He IS the real deal, has all the facets (you don't wait for any transition and growth to "be" a player).
In less than three steps. he is at full speed, and can handle the biscuit and a decent separation gear when he lengthens his stride, and has a low center of gravity to be strong on the hit or collision too. Sharp cuts on his edges. He can carry and make plays at full speed, so important more than ever now.
Plays it anyway he needs to.
Really accurate passer, with skill and a good shot, and probably can project to a second guy, who slides to any position, or any line in the course of a game....
Led the USA-NTP U-17 team in scoring last season and then joined Plymouth (OHL).
A physical-style player who already understands the nuances of both offensive and defensive coverages, and leads by example. He shows plenty of promise as an NHL player who pressures and attacks, because he plays an ultra aggressive style fits NHL playoff style hockey, despite being slightly under six foot.
He pressures the opposition in plenty of ways, including those they don't like. Extremely smart and reads the on-ice situations, and will know when to drive the front, when to shoot, and the spot where to get open.
Despite descriptions by many as not blazing fast and under-sized, he has exceptional small area quickness in stop and starts and is a strong penalty killer. He can slide back to centre ice if needed, and can play all three forward positions with grit, nasty and enough sandpaper that he can a disruptive force in all three zones.
Hartman slides throughout the line-up because he has superb short area quickness along with all the skills pro need to be difference makers in the new NHL ... and he is without a doubt THE most aggressive fiercest competitor, oozes character.
Have you seen that silly TV commercial where Washington's Nic Backstrom comes into the trainer with a stick supposedly through his arm?
Hartman would let the opposition stab him just like that through the arm if it guarantees his team wins the game. He plays on the edge, borderline dirty, each and every game. Fearless, and doesn't back down if he gets you angry enough to fight him. He is a whole lot of nasty, and makes the opposition sixty minutes miserable. He throws them off their game. Considered the number one agitator in this draft, and "one who helps win championships."
He is relentless in attack zone pursuit, feet always moving, and because he does have a low center of gravity,with a widen skating stance. He hits like a truck, besides hitting you on the back of the legs when no one is looking.
He has a hard wrist shot and always seems to come up big offensively in big games & platforms.
Handles the puck at full speed with a good combination of stick skills, vision, physicality, grit and downright nastiness.
He has exceptional small area quickness in stop and starts and is a strong penalty killer. He can slide back to centre ice if needed, and can play all three forward positions with grit, nasty and enough sandpaper that he can a disruptive force in all three zones.
He crashes the front very hard, and purposefully hits them more than they expect, and is responsible in all zones. And after the whistle is blown, his stick seems to always find a way to get one last one in.
He is offensively creative, and accurate with the puck.
He is coming off shoulder surgery, and when completely ready, he comes in without any big "learning period" to adjust. He is a guy always playing borderline dirty to win.
Would take any punishment, or mead it out to win the game...
Carl DAHLSTROM
Selected: 2nd Round, 51st overall
TEAM: Linkoping U20 (SuperElit)
VITALS: 6’-3.25” / 215 Lbs
STATS: 37 GP 5 G 8 A 13 PTS 12
Few NHL teams didn't at some point make a selection that seem to be targeting size, and the hawks by virtue of adding this selection in the Dave Bolland trade, the Hawks did so also, by selecting Carl Dahlström.
Dahlström is a strong large molded Swedish defenseman that is refining his game. He is active, smart, and fluid. He very big, and the idea is for him to getting most fluid and active all-around as he does of age.
Has good feet, improved stick-handling and is showing he belongs as a developmental project. Possesses a big hard shot. Does so many things good dee-men already. Makes the outlet pass, closes his gaps, clearing the crease, etc. He has plenty of developing to do, but has outstanding upside.
John HAYDEN
POSITION: Right Wing
SHOOTS: Right
Selected: 3rd Round, 74th overall
TEAM: Under-18 (US NTDP)
BORN: February 14, 1995
VITALS: 6’-3” / 210 Lbs
STATS: 54 GP 17 G 16 A 33 PTS 80 PIM
Big thick guy with room to even get bigger! Big-framed centre-wing who plays hard and tough along the wall and in the front. Has both good soft hands with the size. He is working on improving his feet. It takes him a coupe strides to get going, but once going his in a load to get in front of.
Has a willingness to block shots, and do what he has to to make life difficult for the opposition. Crashes the front of the net and causes significant commotion to the defenseman while doing so. He has this big butt and anchors in the crease pretty well. Uses his teach on the wall and is growing into a pretty strong on the puck and cycle player.
He does sleep as this juncture to not handle his girth, as it seems to damper his quickness, and it is noticeable in his stops and starts. So I would say his skating is an area that he is going to have to work on before you pencil him to the line-up and in the sweater at the NHL level.
Some might question just how much offensive upside he has, but further development may yield a polished and difficult to play against offensive player too. He was selected to the roster for the World Junior Under-18 Tournament in April.
Robin NORELL
POSITION: Defense
SHOOTS: Left
Selected: 4th Round, 111th overall
TEAM: Djurgården (Allsvenskan)
VITALS: 5’- 11” / 195 Lbs
STATS: 37 GP 5 G 8 A 13 PTS 12
I never see trades to move up but anything but a team really wanting a specific guy and not wanting him to slip out of their grasp. That being said there obviously is a lot the Hawks like about Swedish defender Norell. The hawks traded the 4th-round pick 117 (originally Anaheim's previously acquired from jhhjloh,six slots later) and their 5th-round pick (151st overall) in exchange for this the 111th pick, and a San Jose 5th round pick next year.
Presently stands a tad under six foot, but is a sturdy 195. He was selected to the roster for the World Junior Under-18 Tournament in April 2013, He is a mobile puck mover who passes the puck extremely well and displays solid awareness and composure in the defensive zone. Has excellent mobility and is above average in transition. Pivots well, and has shown he can engage and close on defense. Will have to get bigger and stronger but looks like a prospect with upside.
Tyler Motte
POSITION: LW / C
SHOOTS: Left
Selected: 4th Round, 121th overall
TEAM: Under-18 (US NTDP)
BORN: March 10, 1995
VITALS: 5’-9” / 185 Lbs
STATS: 67 GP 26 G 19 A 45 PTS 50 PIM
Undersized Centre - wing with good puckhandling skills who likes to be the puck carrier, and offensive generator. Has always been a prolific scorer at the early competition levels. Good backchecker. Good character and high engery competitor who is always called upon to be on the ice to bring his team back from deficits, with his speed, lateral agility, and puck skills. Plays big. Although projects as more of a complimentary who excels when paired with good linemates, he can turn the corner on defenders and cut to the front of the net. Is a good penalty-killer and has been known to take pucks away and set up short-handed chances.
As many young players, his defensive game needs more commitment, from both on-ice play, to his game analysis and reaction. Committed to the University of Michigan, but does look as if he may have a pro career to some degree, no matter what.
Luke Johnson
POSITION: LW / C
SHOOTS: Right
Selected: 5th Round, 134th overall
TEAM: Under-18 (US NTDP) / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
BORN: September 19, 1994
VITALS: 5’-11” / 165 Lbs
STATS: 57 GP 19 G 27A 46 PTS 32 PIM
I have to confess that I simply don't get to see many of the USHL matches, but Johnson projects as longer term forward prospect who will need to get stronger and develop a bit. Nnonetheless, he shows some skill and a super-quick release, excellent vision and hockey sense. Good face-off skills. Needs to engage the opposition and react to the game with a stronger competitiveness. Still plays too small. Committed to the University of North Dakota.
Anthony Louis
POSITION: LW / C
SHOOTS: Left
Selected: 6th Round, 181st overall
TEAM: Under-18 (US NTDP)
BORN: September 19, 1994
VITALS: 5’-7” / 154 Lbs
STATS: 62 GP 22 G 29 A 51 PTS 20 PIM
Oh so small...Committed to Miami of Ohio.
Robin Press
POSITION: D
SHOOTS: Left
Selected: 7th Round, 211th overall
TEAM: Sodertalje Sodertalje SK
BORN: December 121, 1994
VITALS: 6’-2” / 187 Lbs
STATS: 41 GP 2 G 2 A 4 PTS 10 PIM
He's described as a tall lanky Swedish defenseman who didn't play defense solely until Christmas 2011, making him a long term project with a possible big reward. Excellent outlet passer and already has the stretch pass down. Is very comfortable with the puck on his stick and not bothered by heavy hitting. He must build an aggressive physical game of his own, but that will be part of the long term development.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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