no? i thought big can hit with offensive upside. i only say seabrook because his contract is up soon.
- SaskHawkFan

I read a few things that questioned his ceiling. They were saying top-4. I will see if I can find what I read. Wiz, what are your projections for Ekblad?

Here's one piece from TSN...

For example, as good as the 6-foot-4, 216-pound Ekblad is, some scouts wonder if he an upside greater than being a steady, reliable two-way defender. Is there a dynamic quality there that is usually associated with a potential first overall pick?

Barrie head coach Dale Hawerchuk, a former NHL star, doesn't know about dynamic, but he does know impactful, because that's what Ekblad has been from the moment he showed up to Barrie as a 15-year-old who was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada to enter the OHL a year early.

"He's been a top pair, shutdown defenceman who played against the best players in our league from the day he got here," Hawerchuk said, "and there's no doubt in my mind, none whatsoever, that he's going to be a really good top pair, shutdown defenceman who plays against the best players in the NHL. He's been impactful since Day 1. He does it all and he does it all consistently and he's going to be a 15 to 20 year top-pair NHL defenceman."

This year's top prospects earn rave reviews for some specific trait or quality, but the praise is accompanied by a question.

It's much worse than that, to a Cubs game.
- NewToHockey

Oh, that is much worse.



Did they smell like urine when they left???

or you draft Ekblad to replace seabrook in 2 years!
- SaskHawkFan

If they kept #1 you can't take a dman, IMO, you have to take the center you're missing.

And if they kept #1 that means they are most likely keeping Gudbranson. He went #3 overall 4 years ago. Has talent, can hit. Offense hasn't taken the direction his junior numbers were.

I think from a cap standpoint IF they really wanted to they just could sit back and throw out close to the same team next year, they probably could but then you're looking at another capocalypse next offseason that wouldn't exactly be like 2010 but wouldn't be pretty either. I think SB is trying to get the jump on that now along with acquiring a #2C. I've said for a while now that I anticipate the Hawks getting younger the next two offseasons because of the #19/#88/#20 extensions.
- dan9189

Good call. That's why Kesler (2 yr deal) and Spezza (1 yr) work near term.

I think from a cap standpoint IF they really wanted to they just could sit back and throw out close to the same team next year, they probably could but then you're looking at another capocalypse next offseason that wouldn't exactly be like 2010 but wouldn't be pretty either. I think SB is trying to get the jump on that now along with acquiring a #2C. I've said for a while now that I anticipate the Hawks getting younger the next two offseasons because of the #19/#88/#20 extensions.
- dan9189

Exactly. They could keep Sharp and deal him next year, but then they would be in a position to HAVE to deal him for cap room and other GM's will lowball them knowing they have to make a deal. I'd rather shop him this year and see what's available. He also has more value this year because he is signed for another year. Plus, if he plays next season like he did down the stretch and playoffs his trade value next year is more like Scott Hartnell just was, next to nothing.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva · 2m
Right now the cap for next season will be at $68M and that's causing problems. But wait ! NHL and NHLPA are still talking. Final # to come.

Campbell lives in Chicago so I would not infer anything solely on seeing those two at a cubs game. You could just as infer hawks in on Campbell solely off that.
- coldsteelonice

True, but that's NOT the genesis of the rumor either

If they kept #1 you can't take a dman, IMO, you have to take the center you're missing.

And if they kept #1 that means they are most likely keeping Gudbranson. He went #3 overall 4 years ago. Has talent, can hit. Offense hasn't taken the direction his junior numbers were.
- Hemingways

Is Gudbranson someone who could pair with Leddy? If not, maybe

Keith/Hammer
Leddy/Seabs
Oduya/Gudbranson

@FriedgeHNIC: ANA and VAN working hard at Kesler deal...trying to get it done

edit: mrpaulish is on the button and beat me to it.

Good for Nik K !


Nick Kypreos ‏@RealKyper · 12s
"@ChrisKuc: Source says #Blackhawks are listening to offers for winger Patrick Sharp." giggle

annnnddddddd phuckkkkk



Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 3s
ANA and VAN working hard at Kesler deal...trying to get it done
- mrpaulish

This is what I'm hearing but Hawks still in it

I think from a cap standpoint IF they really wanted to they just could sit back and throw out close to the same team next year, they probably could but then you're looking at another capocalypse next offseason that wouldn't exactly be like 2010 but wouldn't be pretty either. I think SB is trying to get the jump on that now along with acquiring a #2C. I've said for a while now that I anticipate the Hawks getting younger the next two offseasons because of the #19/#88/#20 extensions.
- dan9189

Agreed.....and Uncle Dale said he wants a scoring winger. Sharp was/is Tallon's biggest heist when he was Hawks Gm. What better way to sell Sharp on waiving NMC then to have Campbell go recruit him.

Could they be catching up on old times? Sure...just very odd timing for 2 guys you never really see hanging out together. Sharp is always out with Burish in the offseason.

Again....what we know....

1. Sharp....rumored fight with Kane
2. Sharp...rumored off ice issue that has pssed off Hawks management
3. Sharp...huge cap hit, high value, best time to sell
4. EVERYONE stating Sharp is available..>TSN, ESPN, and now a local beat guy
5. Sharps agent coming out and trying to paint Hawks into corner for battle of public opinion.
6. Sharp out with Campbell at Cubs game that same night.
7. Keith for no reason comes out and says how tight Sharp and Seabrook and he are and that he hopes no core guys get moved
8. Bowman refusing to comment on Curran's comments or rumors. Have to think Hawks management was NON too pleased agent talks about Blackhawk Business.

Just way too many things to be a random coincidence. If they wont' trade Saad or a major core player, who better to help free up cap room then Sharp?

Even if they don't get kesler, that frees up money for a Spezza OR loading up for run at Stasny.

I think Sharp is gone.....just a matter of him potentially waving his NMC to go to s Florida or elsewhere and Bowman to maximize return.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva · 2m
Right now the cap for next season will be at $68M and that's causing problems. But wait ! NHL and NHLPA are still talking. Final # to come.
- mrpaulish

68? (frank).

@FriedgeHNIC: ANA and VAN working hard at Kesler deal...trying to get it done
- captainserious

If Anaheim lands Kesler then they will be giving up a kings' ransom because they're divisional rivals and Kesler is rumored to prefer Chicago. Vancouver is simply driving up the cost for Chicago, that's what this is.

annnnddddddd phuckkkkk



Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 3s
ANA and VAN working hard at Kesler deal...trying to get it done
- mrpaulish

Dont fret, have faith that even if the Kesler deal doesnt get done, Stan will figure out a way to replenish the depth of the team...OR he'll sit back, all of these rumors will turn out to be BS and nothing significant will happen for the Indian head

Dont fret, have faith that even if the Kesler deal doesnt get done, Stan will figure out a way to replenish the depth of the team...OR he'll sit back, all of these rumors will turn out to be BS and nothing significant will happen for the Indian head
- BlazinMike

It's not depth that's the issue. The Hawks cannot aquire Kesler until they have cap room.

Dont fret, have faith that even if the Kesler deal doesnt get done, Stan will figure out a way to replenish the depth of the team...OR he'll sit back, all of these rumors will turn out to be BS and nothing significant will happen for the Indian head
- BlazinMike

LOL . Its not over yetttt

@DarrenDreger: Hearing Kesler to Anaheim is done. Awaiting details...

@DarrenDreger: Hearing Kesler to Anaheim is done. Awaiting details...
- captainserious

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Kesler trade to Anaheim is very close, source says

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 28s
Hearing Kesler to Anaheim is done. Awaiting details..

If Anaheim lands Kesler then they will be giving up a kings' ransom because they're divisional rivals and Kesler is rumored to prefer Chicago. Vancouver is simply driving up the cost for Chicago, that's what this is.
- Bjm84

Benning said he doesn't care what division the team is in, will take the best offer.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger · 53s
Hearing Kesler to Anaheim is done. Awaiting details...

Benning said he doesn't care what division the team is in, will take the best offer.
- EagleNuck

Right but that doesn't change the fact that it will be a kings' ransom.

@DarrenDreger: Hearing Kesler to Anaheim is done. Awaiting details...
- captainserious

There you go!