As curious as I am to what the Hawks intend to do, to be Cap pliant, I have issues with all the comments about the big three and the slow defense against Nashville.

I thought the lack of backside pressure and no scoring from the chosen and promising ones was what impacted the Hawks fate.

Did you all see something I missed that makes the dissolution of the big three defenders the move for improving towards next playoff?

If the Hawks are gonna unload one is Duncan Keith the subtraction based on return and contract?
I just don't see it happening for a year...

And just, as much as I like Hartman, don't you think the refs are gonna being looking at him much closer, as his victim act is catching up on him and the cheap shot on Nashvilles Smith are an intentional attempt to injure...he is gonna be targeted.

I was thinking the same thing. If Anisimov gets traded for Pacioretty and there are no other deals for a top-6 center, then I would think Schmaltz centers Kane and Panarin. I'd rather have Schmaltz centering them than Kero.

And to respond to Bingo's comment, I don't think an Anisimov-Pacioretty trade would be 1 for 1. Additional assets would have to be included, most likely on the Hawks end to send over to the Habs. I believe their salaries wash out, though, at $4MM each.
- AEL_Fox

It'd be a lot simpler to just move Panarin up to the first line and move Schmaltz down to the second line.

I wouldn't rule it out, especially if they don't get any meaningful business done in any other way this summer. of course they will look at him. They'll look at Fortin, too, I'm sure, hell they'll probably give some homeless guy a shot if he can lace up skates.

I will just go by what I see of him against pros. He was in camp and few exhibition games last year—did nothing. And that after having a big year in the O the prior year.

Has he grown up and matured THAT much since then? Maybe.

And I hear the argument, if you think he can grow into the role over the course of the year, showing "patience" with him.

Just seems to me to be the thinking of a rebuilding team instead of a team that has all kinds of dollars tied up in a business model predicated on going deep in the playoffs—and hasn't done so in two years.

The Hawks are close, but the pieces don't fit right and what they really need is more "proven" big boy help in a couple of key areas (speed on the wing, especially left wing, and I believe DeBrincat is a right wing, center depth, lower line sandpaper.

Or it's a default answer out of desperation—made easier by the willingness of enough fans to embrace it. Sorta like Motte and Schmaltz last year.

NO ONE, outside of a few people I won't name, saw that Hartman would be the best of the rookies. But he was, and I do recall someone saying he might be because he had pro experience. Fully


Schmaltz is another guy like Panik and Kempny they could get more out of this year and improve organically that way. And it's probably a safer bet than Debrincat jumyping out of the OHL, playing a wing he probably isn't used to, having to defend pro players, and being the answer on Toews line.
- John Jaeckel

The shape of things to come.
Undoubtably Bowman will try to get a major player moved. There is a real whole lot going to explode before the expansion draft and onwards through the first few weeks of free agency. A GM could be left standing with his hand up in all the dust created by player movement. But unlike school.where a teacher might call out your name, Bowman could be left dry and down like a drucken bum in the streets. Overpay, beat teams to the punch out? The results of a topsy turvy off season will be seen soon enough on ice. And on ice Q had better be more flexible ....unless Bowman stacks the team with veterans and a cheap AHL like Baun. I do not believe Bowman cannot see what he needs; the questions we all have is what he is able to pull off.

Wiz points out one scenario.
I really would like more input into:

Need and Bowman going to create a puck moving, puck control defense minus Campbell and Oduya (at least one of them). So Forsling is not exactly the puck carrier but has good offensive skills, including a shot.

So....if Forsling and Kempny here maybe they relieve Keith on Pp if Q has nerve to do what is right but he is stubborn. Yet this is not exactly the best guys to make it a puck control defense. I know it is a team concept, overall, this puck control

also so....everyone is quiet and assumes Toewes will be healthy ALL SEASON LONG. You know what it said about "assume."

I don't know about Toews future back issues. Who does? Who isn't talking about this...no one is

[quote=wiz1901]Thanks to JT19 and all the regular posters who put the link to my draftSite mock.

If you click on Chicago, you can see all th guys I purposefully placed in the Blackhawk slots, some nice long term players.
I can't count on them still being there as I do revisions, so check them out soon...
But that is what almost what this entire draft is in my opinion: a thiin class that may not have one guy playing n the league next season.

Of the 8 defenseman in my top 31, none may be anything but low end roster fills, no matter what the our read, head, or thought you saw. there...I said it.

The draft does have a lot more of nice sized goalers who probably have as much chances as most of the defenders in the class, and the defenders will take longer too.

The kids I bunched around the hawk #26 slot,giant Isaac Ratcliffe, Forward Kole Lind (who is a hawk type good hands guy), and skinny Pierre Oliver Matthieu may all be gone because teams might find they prefer taking a rafflevticket out on them than some of guys I have ranked higher.

Conor Timmins is good and smart in junior as a defender but his overall feet may hamper his transotion to the NHL.

ULF is Q's choice because they are close friends, btw.
.

Therein lies the problem, I think. As the Habs are going to try and capitalize on the time they still have with Carey Price.

Stupid? Probably. But that's the path they seem to be on.
- BINGO!

Montreal has $23 million is cap space and 7 - 8 roster spots to fill, so they're in a good position to take on a contract like AA without giving up much. They'll need to save some money for Price, he was one year left on his deal and i'm sure he'll want a raise. That will be an interesting contract situation.

The Canes will trade their first round pick to Chicago....for Kruger and Rozsival.
- DarthKane

April fools day entry.

Now it would be comical if a fake front page, with picture and story, was put out by blueline outside of The United Center.

I've seen it done with a major University college daily. But news related, not sports.

[quote=wiz1901]Thanks to JT19 and all the regular posters who put the link to my draftSite mock.

If you click on Chicago, you can see all th guys I purposefully placed in the Blackhawk slots, some nice long term players.
I can't count on them still being there as I do revisions, so check them out soon...
But that is what almost what this entire draft is in my opinion: a thiin class that may not have one guy playing n the league next season.

Of the 8 defenseman in my top 31, none may be anything but low end roster fills, no matter what the our read, head, or thought you saw. there...I said it.

The draft does have a lot more of nice sized goalers who probably have as much chances as most of the defenders in the class, and the defenders will take longer too.

The kids I bunched around the hawk #26 slot,giant Isaac Ratcliffe, Forward Kole Lind (who is a hawk type good hands guy), and skinny Pierre Oliver Matthieu may all be gone because teams might find they prefer taking a rafflevticket out on them than some of guys I have ranked higher.

Conor Timmins is good and smart in junior as a defender but his overall feet may hamper his transotion to the NHL.

ULF is Q's choice because they are close friends, btw.
.
- wiz1901

Not sure he'd be still around at 26th but Timothy Liljegren might worth taking a look at.

Montreal has $23 million is cap space and 7 - 8 roster spots to fill, so they're in a good position to take on a contract like AA without giving up much. They'll need to save some money for Price, he was one year left on his deal and i'm sure he'll want a raise. That will be an interesting contract situation.
- DarthKane

Yep, they've got lots of room to make some moves this offseason.

Not as many assets to buy with, though, so I suspect they'll go to free agency and do something stupid. Like Shaw again.

Not sure he'd be still around at 26th but Timothy Liljegren might worth taking a look at.
- walleyeb1

Oh, I agree, but I think there is enough need on NHL teams for skating defenders, that he gets taken earlier. He didn't reach his expectations but there was signs when returned after his injury...but there was that flat line...and the idea is to continue hrough junior showing improved savvy.

You are missing the point.

When Toews line is dominant, and Kane's line is missing a piece, they are cup contenders.

When Kane's is dominant, and Toews line is missing a piece, scoring titles are won, but they are a first round exit.

It's easy enough to see, fix your top line, and make it dangerous again, and everything else falls into place.
- dahawks8819

-and when Kane and Toews can't get it going on the same line (like the first quarter of this season) - then that indicates what exactly for the Toews line's prospects? Consider this, that this particular set up was not tried again in 5 on 5 on any sort of consistent basis, but only in the PP (with an extra forward, every now and then -such as Panarin playing point.)...

It isn't easy enough to see - it is basically denial, that even Q's 'nuclear option' failed consistently last season.

After reading the post and comments, I cannot help but think the 'Hawks may trade one of their high salaries AND eat $1-1.5 million in salary (for the length of the contract?) in order to make it a meaningful trade. Let's hope it's the RIGHT trade if they must go this route.

Oh, I agree, but I think there is enough need on NHL teams for skating defenders.
- wiz1901

Actually after looking at your work I really like Isaac Ratcliffe. I listed him earlier as someone who should be on the Blackhawks list.

Haven't been following any of the draft prospects at all, but to me, the 'Hawks need to take whoever is most NHL ready by the time they pick. Forget high ceiling, BPA, etc. I know that's going against the grain, but the 'Hawks simply don't have the luxury of taking a player who is seasons away from contributing like in years past. They need immediate help. Maybe not cracking the lineup in October, but someone that will be there in two seasons. Preferably from the back end.

As a side note, I'll be there at the UC in June. Didn't buy the ticket because the draft is local, but because I'm anxiously awaiting the theatrics that await from the front office. Looking to see how McD's squad makes the front page news the day after.

Yanni Gourde might be a hidden gem as a free agent. He's literally Tyler Johnson 2.0. He's small in stature, but he can play physical as well. He doesn't get pushed around much.

He's got 17 points in 16 games (+11) in the playoffs right now for the Syracuse Crunch, and was one of their leading scorers during the regular season.

Small NHL sample size, but he had 8 points in 20 games, including this OT winner against the 'Hawks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koP4YzZgvzw

Might be worth a flyer.

[quote=wiz1901]Thanks to JT19 and all the regular posters who put the link to my draftSite mock.

If you click on Chicago, you can see all th guys I purposefully placed in the Blackhawk slots, some nice long term players.
I can't count on them still being there as I do revisions, so check them out soon...
But that is what almost what this entire draft is in my opinion: a thiin class that may not have one guy playing n the league next season.

Of the 8 defenseman in my top 31, none may be anything but low end roster fills, no matter what the our read, head, or thought you saw. there...I said it.

The draft does have a lot more of nice sized goalers who probably have as much chances as most of the defenders in the class, and the defenders will take longer too.

The kids I bunched around the hawk #26 slot,giant Isaac Ratcliffe, Forward Kole Lind (who is a hawk type good hands guy), and skinny Pierre Oliver Matthieu may all be gone because teams might find they prefer taking a rafflevticket out on them than some of guys I have ranked higher.

Conor Timmins is good and smart in junior as a defender but his overall feet may hamper his transotion to the NHL.

ULF is Q's choice because they are close friends, btw.
.
- wiz1901

If he doesn't take the job may Q's bartender will.

Yanni Gourde might be a hidden gem as a free agent. He's literally Tyler Johnson 2.0. He's small in stature, but he can play physical as well. He doesn't get pushed around much.

He's got 17 points in 16 games (+11) in the playoffs right now for the Syracuse Crunch, and was one of their leading scorers during the regular season.

Small NHL sample size, but he had 8 points in 20 games, including this OT winner against the 'Hawks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koP4YzZgvzw

Might be worth a flyer.
- TommyHawk

Pass, he's too big for the Hawks.

Yep, they've got lots of room to make some moves this offseason.

Not as many assets to buy with, though, so I suspect they'll go to free agency and do something stupid. Like Shaw again.
- BINGO!

Galchenyuk seems like more of a trade option. Unless he is going to be their #1/2 center, then I could see Montreal looking to get younger up the middle with NHL exp.
Could see them trying for Duchene to be an anchor as a 1C and to provide speed. I think the Habs will be making some more interesting moves in the offseason.

It'd be a lot simpler to just move Panarin up to the first line and move Schmaltz down to the second line.
- walleyeb1

Wouldn't work with how Q uses Toews vs Panarin. Panarin got more offensive zone starts than any forward with at least 42 games this season and last while Toews's zone deployment is more varied with key defensive starts. Even Kane has never gotten the OZS share that Panarin has (including his rookie year), so there is likely a level of Q not trusting Panarin outside that deployment, even when paired with two good defensive players in Toews-Hossa.

Yanni Gourde might be a hidden gem as a free agent. He's literally Tyler Johnson 2.0. He's small in stature, but he can play physical as well. He doesn't get pushed around much.

He's got 17 points in 16 games (+11) in the playoffs right now for the Syracuse Crunch, and was one of their leading scorers during the regular season.

Small NHL sample size, but he had 8 points in 20 games, including this OT winner against the 'Hawks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koP4YzZgvzw

Might be worth a flyer.
- TommyHawk

i was at the Tampa game where he beat the hawks in OT...
the thing is....
if we actually get this Cap increase to 77 million only one subtraction, Kruger, ends the conversation....

i doubt they go outside for another surf...we got more than our share...

Anisimov for Pacioretty would be a good trade, but essential the team is filling one void (1LW) by creating another (2C). If the club feels they can plug the hole at 2C better than 1LW with their current roster than might prompt a move.

Maybe the club feels Schmaltz can centre Panarin and Kane?

Disclaimer:

My comments about Schmaltz are in no way an endorsement for him as 2C. This was simply a comment on what the Hawks management/coaching staff may think. I am not drinking kool aid nor am I hyping up the young talent on the roster.
- DarthKane

Haha, yeah....on this site you have to put a disclaimer as guys will get on you about it. But I knew exactly what you were saying before you put the disclaimer. At some point some of these young guys have to play...and play on the top two lines. We did not draft first and second rounders like Schmaltz, Hartman and Debrincat to stew on the third and fourth lines. They were not drafted to be fourth line guys. They either cut it on top three lines or don't cut it at all. That said, looking forward to Fortin at this years camp. I think he can produce.

Actually after looking at your work I really like Isaac Ratcliffe. I listed him earlier as someone who should be on the Blackhawks list.
- walleyeb1

When I watched him, I saw that he moves really well for guy that big, and he is got some agility.

But remember, these profiles were written with me trying to temper my negativity and play to the players strengths.
I do get lucky and actually hit the nail on the head sometimes - read these profiles, written in their draft year or the year before, and you would think I deserved to get paid for watching:
https://www.draftsite.com...r/viktor-arvidsson/16947/
https://www.draftsite.com...layer/pontus-aberg/17512/
https://www.draftsite.com...yer/colton-sissons/17671/
https://www.draftsite.com...er/miikka-salomaki/14853/

When I watched him, I saw that he moves really well for guy that big, and he is got some agility.

But remember, these profiles were written with me trying to temper my negativity and play to the players strengths.
I do get lucky and actually hit the nail on the head sometimes - read these profiles, written in their draft year or the year before, and you would think I deserved to get paid for watching:
https://www.draftsite.com...r/viktor-arvidsson/16947/
https://www.draftsite.com...layer/pontus-aberg/17512/
https://www.draftsite.com...yer/colton-sissons/17671/
https://www.draftsite.com...er/miikka-salomaki/14853/
- wiz1901

Wiz, what are your thoughts on Fortin? You think he has a shot to make the Hawks out of camp this year?

Galchenyuk Duchene
- 93Joe

I could see the hawks unloading one of the big three to the Habs and seen Galchenyuk might be seen as the return.

But Galchenyuk had a pretty mediocre year and even though he is an RFA, he is one of the guys who will be looking for a big FAT deal based on potential. (better known by me as the Evander Kane RFA deal)
And though ther eis some and he is a winger, too, the numbers he would sign for and the actual upside the Hawks see in him would have to be comparable to the loss of one of those top defenders....

Duchene is already overpaid at 6 million and though we might like to think he is a perfet fit as Tazer's wing, I wonder if there is 6 million dollar upside there - he will want more in a year if he has a successful 2017-18 season.

Wiz, what are your thoughts on Fortin? You think he has a shot to make the Hawks out of camp this year?
- onehundredlevel

I guess I want to belive he has the chops but I would have to see him scoring a lot in preseason, and showing he can play in nhl battle zones.

I guess my first impressions last year in the bigs had me seeing a Eric Daze-type who needs more edge to endure the stuff scorers take to make plays where they expect them to.

There is no doubt in my mind the hawks are looking to improve scoring so that they can attack from three solid lines and sandwich lunch-pail scorers around in the final 12, that can move up an down through the Toews third and checking line personal.

Hey wiz, looks like kyle keyser fell out of the draft in your mock. Don't think he'll be picked? He's a character kid. (Friend of the family )