That scouting report does not bode well for Alex Debrincat making the Hawks this year. Also, I didnt realize Fortin had sports hernia surgery......
- EnzoD

If he ain´t ready he shouldn´t make the team. No need to hurry with him. Let see how he handles AHL first?

Since I watch no other sports during this time of year and I over did some lifting of things here today, i am here taking it easy.
If the Thunder stops I jump in the pool.

But I just wanted to comment on things you see involving these prospects camp kids

Some already understand the media-interview process and answer the company line of "whatever the parent clubs wants, thinks is best, etc."

Some don't understand that being selected kinda of early doesn't win you more consideration.
If you are a 5' 7" scorer gets you about as far as being
a "Tied-Knott" who gets selected based on the feet improving and the "parent" will not take into consideration if you were played out of position at centre...
And as nice as it is to hope you made a lasting impression at prospects camp and WANT to turn pro and not return to the WHL or KHL, you probably have to see why your "parent" doesn't want another egg hatched this fall in Rockford, Radovan.

I just think there is a story indeed the story here is Dylan Sikura.

He waited around his home and phone in the summer of 2011, hoping to be selected to play in the Ontario Hockey League.
The call never came.
The next day in high school, he finds out various class mates WERE selected.
I guess you could liken this to applying for colleges and even the safety schools are saying no room. It could be the end of the world.
But Sikura didn't: “Looking back now you realize how little that means for your future.”
So he continues to play for the Aurora Tigers

and then,the skinny kid 148 pound kid gets drafted in 2014.
https://www.draftsite.com...layer/dylan-sikura/22668/

“They always say ‘the hard work starts now, getting drafted is one thing but getting there is another story,’” Sikura said.

He gets to work on hockey and a degree to fall back on, in criminal justice.

So he now has the Blackhawks' GM coming to him.

It just proves that it is not a given that your best player in a draft class comes with your first selection, unless you pick in the top three.
Nick Schmaltz (20th overall),
forward Matheson Iacopelli (83rd overall),
forward Beau Starrett (88th overall),
forward Frederik Olofsson (98th overall), another good big left wing and soon to be junior at Nebraska-Omaha
defenseman Luc Snuggerud (141st overall),
defenseman Andreas Soderberg (148th overall),
center Dylan Sikura (178th overall),
goaltender Ivan Nalimov (179th overall) and
forward Jack Ramsey (208th overall)

and by all accounts the Hawks have quite a few more than decent prospects in this year and the years since.

But it is all about not stopping and resting on your laurels...

If he ain´t ready he shouldn´t make the team. No need to hurry with him. Let see how he handles AHL first?
- MjulQvist

Agreed. The was in reference to a very unfortunate injury for Fortin. Sport's Hernia surgery is no joke.

He could be a nice surprise. Also, .maybe he can talk his d partner, Butcher into signing with Hawks.

Little blurb on Hillman from Hockey's Future RE: 2017 Frozen Four.

"The best story coming out of the regionals for Denver was the emergence of freshman defenseman Blake Hillman. The Elk River, MN native earned the regional’s MVP honor after a terrific performance in which he amassed four points (two goals, two assists), including netting the game-winner versus Ferris State in the regional final. Hillman and junior Will Butcher (COL) comprise Denver’s top defensive pairing as well as one of the nation’s top-scoring defensive duos."

Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture....eoff/#P8Xhkhq9CyJqMfy5.99
- TyCamScore

As a Ferris State alum, that was 2016.

My favorite was Jocelyn Lemieux beating the crap out of Harold Schnepps.

Jocelyn
- hocktock

I remember that. He bloodied Harold up in (I'm pretty sure) the 1st game of a back to back. 2nd night they went round 2.

Predators sign Arvidsson to 7 year $29.75M extension.

Thank you for sharing that link. Things that stood out to me (granted that blog is one person's opinion and not sure if his opinion has any more weight than any of ours):

- Knott's stock seems to be falling.
- Krys, Bondra, and Radke's stock seem to be rising.
- Mitchell in addition to Krys were the standout d-men in camp.
- Jokiharju, Laavainen, and Tuulola (all Finns) were unspectacular but solid.
- Soderlund is comparable to Arvidsson if he reaches his potential; have seen this comparison on other blogs as well.
- From seems to have potential as a relentless checking forward with some offensive talent.
- Press played wing during the scrimmage although he is a d-man.
- Tomkins and Delia (undrafted) stood out as goalie prospects to keep an eye on.
- Sikura was clearly the best prospect in camp and maybe tops in the organization.
- AEL_Fox

No, but he has an opinion and seemingly without an agenda. I like what I read for the most part.... Now I've never seen DeBrincat live but agree with his evaluation and posted as much after watching his CHL Prospects Game on You Tube. Posted a couple weeks ago if I were forced to bet a dollar today I'd say he wouldn't have a significant NHL career. But really waaaaaay too early to say one way or another on a 19yr old kid. But as a rule a smallish player needs to be quicker than anyone else on the ice as he points out.

Then he posts that Dennis Gilbert is not the greatest skater. I've seen the kid for a season in the USHL, was drafted after that season, and I had him as a +skater. So unless he put on so much size that his skating hasn't caught up to that the author and I have different views on what a solid or + skater is.

Agree on one disagree on another. I will say he likes to throw out technical terms about goalies and I like that he values a quiet body. Love to see his analysis on Crawford and his over sliding, tendencies to scramble, lunge, stab and be off balance. But nice to read he really likes Delia but he's not Hawk property. Same for the big goalie Peters who is Hawk property and only a 7th rounder was used.

Watched Matheson Iacopelli, who the writer liked, the whole year he set the USHL record for goals scored in a season with 41 and 65 points. Gets drafted by the Hawks after that year, doesn't have the grades to get into Western Michigan, forced back to the USHL and stinks the joint up with 37 points in 56 games and a -16. Stinks his first yr at WM and then has a solid 36 points in 40 games.

This kid is a big body with soft hands around the net and very good along the walls. Takes those kinds awhile but nice to have his kind in the pipeline.

Beau Starrett. Kid was drafted by the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints. Breeds NHL draft picks (Gaudreau, Matheson, Girgensons all on the same team went in the 1st round of the same draft IIRC.), sends it's coaches to the NCAA where they win National Championships, Montgomery at Denver. Kid decides he's staying close to home to play in a league 4 rungs lower, USPHL, than to play with the big boys in the USHL and for the Saints. Red flag to me until he shows me otherwise.

Predators sign Arvidsson to 7 year $29.75M extension.
- AEL_Fox

Wow another Hammer "how much $ do I need?" deal.

Fire your agent, kid.

I may have missed this guys but what did you think of Sikura at camp?

Wow another Hammer "how much $ do I need?" deal.

Fire your agent, kid.
- wiz1901

StanBo would have given him 5.5 AAV+NTC

What is the likelihood the the NHL goes to the Olympics? How does everyone feel about that?

Wow another Hammer "how much $ do I need?" deal.

Fire your agent, kid.
- wiz1901

Good job kid, looking big picture & thinking long-term, better-balanced team cap structure, with a really good chance to win for many years & not have to sell off key pieces each summer.

True Dat - don't win playoff games in October
- riozzo

Yup. Can't win a division Oct/Nov, but sure can take a big step to missing the PO.

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.
- pdx2ord

Damn. Incredible value for the Preds

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.
- pdx2ord

Is anyone comparing the Cups they've won?

Is anyone comparing the Cups they've won?
- DarthKane

Yes, quite a few, and rightfully so. Preds also had history of flat cap to work around and a hell of a lot cheaper cost of living in Nashville compared to places like Chicago, LA, and Toronto.

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.
- pdx2ord

http://www.dobberhockey.c...s-defense-debate-july-23/

If there’s one team that’s figuring out how to make the most of their cap limit, it’s Nashville. Three of the big four defensemen (Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis) are signed for at least two more years at no more than $4 million per season. They have $14 million left to sign RFAs Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson and maybe Fisher. Sure, the Preds have an internal budget and likely won’t quite reach the cap ceiling, but they are nowhere near the cap crisis that forces teams to make tough decisions about important pieces (think Chicago or Tampa Bay or potentially Edmonton down the road).

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.
- pdx2ord

No doubt great deals on these players. I wonder though how they will feel if Johansen signs for 8 million a season as some are suggesting.

http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-rambling/ramblings-arvidsson-signs-long-term-st-louis-defense-debate-july-23/

If there’s one team that’s figuring out how to make the most of their cap limit, it’s Nashville. Three of the big four defensemen (Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis) are signed for at least two more years at no more than $4 million per season. They have $14 million left to sign RFAs Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson and maybe Fisher. Sure, the Preds have an internal budget and likely won’t quite reach the cap ceiling, but they are nowhere near the cap crisis that forces teams to make tough decisions about important pieces (think Chicago or Tampa Bay or potentially Edmonton down the road).
- Mr Ricochet

How dare they think ahead, with solid talent, on a sub-cap roster, having just made a big step towards the big boys.

Comparing this to Kane/Toews seems to be a popular talking point on the Twitterverse past few hours

Аrpon Basu‏
@ArponBasu

The Predators have Victor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis at a combined $20.5 million cap hit.
- pdx2ord

I get it, but this is pretty bad cherry picking:

Player - Age - Productive years - Cap
Arvidsson - 24 - 1 - $4.25M
Forsberg - 22 - 3 - $6M
Josi - 27 - 5 - $4M
Ellis - 26 - 4 - $2.5M

What were Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, et al making when they were this age (and they had at least one cup by then). Let's also look at when these Preds were signed and what they had proven in the league at that point.

Now for giggles, let's also add in what Johansen's next contract will be, and oh yeah, PK at 9 per year (and if they didn't have him it would be Weber at almost $8M).

Again, I get it. Thye have a lot of young talent locked up for a decent amount of time, but we need to also look at perspective.

I get it, but this is pretty bad cherry picking:

Player - Age - Productive years - Cap
Arvidsson - 24 - 1 - $4.25M
Forsberg - 22 - 3 - $6M
Josi - 27 - 5 - $4M
Ellis - 26 - 4 - $2.5M

What were Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, et al making when they were this age (and they had at least one cup by then). Let's also look at when these Preds were signed and what they had proven in the league at that point.

Now for giggles, let's also add in what Johansen's next contract will be, and oh yeah, PK at 9 per year (and if they didn't have him it would be Weber at almost $8M).

Again, I get it. Thye have a lot of young talent locked up for a decent amount of time, but we need to also look at perspective.
- Chunk

Josi is a freaking steal of the century.

Josi is a freaking steal of the century.
- kwolf68

Absolutely, he is. But he also signed that contract when he hadn't proved all that much and was 22-23.

Keith, Hjalmarsson, and Seabrook's second contracts were awesome as well. I'm not trying to argue here (and I didn't take your comment as such), but we need to look at the whole picture when we compare what our FO has done and other teams' situations.

Absolutely, he is. But he also signed that contract when he hadn't proved all that much and was 22-23.

Keith, Hjalmarsson, and Seabrook's second contracts were awesome as well. I'm not trying to argue here (and I didn't take your comment as such), but we need to look at the whole picture when we compare what our FO has done and other teams' situations.
- Chunk

Nope. It's hard to argue apples and oranges. I'm just a big Jossi fan. Our FO shouldn't be compared to what Nashville did. Nor will I. I think they have done some good things, but also some crappy things.

I cant think of six better d-men on our roster, or in minors, than Keith, Connor, Seabs, Kempny, Forsling and Ruttu. So I am fine with that. Its easy to say you don't like the forsling/rutta tandem on the third dline...but then give us a better option rather than pointing out you dont like it. I am fine with it.
- onehundredlevel

Not about me not liking it.

Not about the poster not liking it.

It's about what Q will like.

Two Euro rookies on the ice at D at the same time? Just saying.

Now, if Q could partner each with a vet? Sure. But I don't see how they do it without weakening the top 4.


And I guess they could put Forsling with Seabrook and Kempny with Rutta, but that latter pairing has many of the same warning flags.