4-4-1-2-1
Let’s go!

Only if KD has a plan to acquire 1-2 RHD. At some point in the season Murphy will be out with an injury, without Jones and Murphy the Hawks defence is pretty sad.
- DarthKane

In the draft?

Last year on lottery day, I superstitiously didn't run the tankathon lottery tool.

So this year, I'm sticking with the same, no tankathon draft tool today

I don't worry about the 5 year ban, its hard to win, no guarantees you will ever win it again. So win it again when you have better odds than you ever should again.....

Take Bedard and Celebrini and run. No way you ever thought you'd end up with those two.

Add in Ollie Moore and the 10 others they got with last year and this years picks, it is a haul, and quite frankly, more than i could have imagined when they started the rebuild.

And OH the angst from all the other teams' fans when the Hawks win the lottery again will be priceless to watch

Powers opining in his Athletic piece today that the Hawks consider Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov as their top 3 choices with the latter 2 in no set order.

Also, Demidov will be in the country in June attending a camp with his agent's (Dan Milstein) other clients. Powers also writes Demidov suffered a knee injury late in the season that doesn't require surgery, but takes 6-8 weeks recovery time.

Kantserov underwent shoulder surgery after the KHL season. He injured it originally in December and aggravated it later.

Athletic's Scott Wheeler latest tiers.

Tier 1
Celebrini

Tier 2
Demidov
Levshunov

Tier 3
Buium
Parekh
Eiserman
D!ckinson
Catton
Helenius
Silayev
Lindstrom

Powers opining in his Athletic piece today that the Hawks consider Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov as their top 3 choices with the latter 2 in no set order.

Also, Demidov will be in the country in June attending a camp with his agent's (Dan Milstein) other clients. Powers also writes Demidov suffered a knee injury late in the season that doesn't require surgery, but takes 6-8 weeks recovery time.

Kantserov underwent shoulder surgery after the KHL season. He injured it originally in December and aggravated it later.
- boilermaker100

Considering he got better later in the year and more responsibility in the playoffs, that says a lot about the guy. Smurf or not. I think he was third or fourth on his team in points during the playoffs?

Powers opining in his Athletic piece today that the Hawks consider Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov as their top 3 choices with the latter 2 in no set order.

Also, Demidov will be in the country in June attending a camp with his agent's (Dan Milstein) other clients. Powers also writes Demidov suffered a knee injury late in the season that doesn't require surgery, but takes 6-8 weeks recovery time.

Kantserov underwent shoulder surgery after the KHL season. He injured it originally in December and aggravated it later.
- boilermaker100

The Blackhawks are big into ability to skate, if they see the same thing Wiz sees i just don't see them drafting Demi and throw in he's a Russian in Russia, really curious to see where he ends up being drafted.

The Blackhawks are big into ability to skate, if they see the same thing Wiz sees i just don't see them drafting Demi and throw in he's a Russian in Russia, really curious to see where he ends up being drafted.
- BetweenTheDots

The Hawks already drafted a tiny Russian who can score last year. No more smurfs!!

The Blackhawks are big into ability to skate, if they see the same thing Wiz sees i just don't see them drafting Demi and throw in he's a Russian in Russia, really curious to see where he ends up being drafted.
- BetweenTheDots

Or once the draft order is set, Demidov decides to pull a Michkov and tells teams he's not coming over unless his desired team picks him.

It's a crapshoot almost every draft but, the shear due diligence involved with evaluating a player like this in today's political climate almost doesn't make it worth it. Looks like his last international play of any significance was a couple of years ago.

May the hockey gods smile upon us one more time while Bettman’s balls bounce around

Or once the draft order is set, Demidov decides to pull a Michkov and tells teams he's not coming over unless his desired team picks him.

It's a crapshoot almost every draft but, the shear due diligence involved with evaluating a player like this in today's political climate almost doesn't make it worth it. Looks like his last international play of any significance was a couple of years ago.
- Rota's Rooter

Where did you read this? Never heard it before.

If TOR wanted to make a trade straight up between Marner and Jones, the Hawks would be nuts to say no. I like Jones a lot and don't think he's anywhere nearly as bad as many people make him out to be; but sending the remainder of his contract for Marner would be a slam dunk for the Hawks.

Only if KD has a plan to acquire 1-2 RHD. At some point in the season Murphy will be out with an injury, without Jones and Murphy the Hawks defence is pretty sad.
- DarthKane

In the draft?

- vabeachbear

The odds of a Jones for Marner trade are slim and none, and slim has left the building. If the Hawks don’t get Celebrini, then I can see them drafting a defenseman. If indeed they draft a Dman with their first pick, then one of Kaiser, Allan, Phillips, or EDM will be moved in a package for a forward.

Where did you read this? Never heard it before.
- Chunk

That's what Michkov pulled last year at the draft when teams were interviewing him prior to draft night. Telling teams like Columbus and Arizona don't bother. Some projections had Bedard and Michkov as 1 and 1A. Why else would he fall to the Flyers at #7.

As for Demidov I have no idea if that's his attitude. Hopefully not. I know his KHL contract is only one more season but, with some questioning his skating is that an up close and personal live eval or something seen only video?

Just seems to be too many wildcards to me at least.

Only if KD has a plan to acquire 1-2 RHD. At some point in the season Murphy will be out with an injury, without Jones and Murphy the Hawks defence is pretty sad.
- DarthKane


The odds of a Jones for Marner trade are slim and none, and slim has left the building. If the Hawks don’t get Celebrini, then I can see them drafting a defenseman. If indeed they draft a Dman with their first pick, then one of Kaiser, Allan, Phillips, or EDM will be moved in a package for a forward.
- Angotti

Nostradamus over here

If TOR wanted to make a trade straight up between Marner and Jones, the Hawks would be nuts to say no. I like Jones a lot and don't think he's anywhere nearly as bad as many people make him out to be; but sending the remainder of his contract for Marner would be a slam dunk for the Hawks.
- frafra

It seems that CHI fans are the main/only people with a largely negative view of Jones. Almost everyone else that I've read or spoken to would love to have him on the team. Oddly, the same can be said about Murphy (especially at his cap hit). The trouble with trading Jones, is that the Hawks will need to find someone to replace him. It's all well and good to say they can sign X because he will be a free agent, but that player has to want to come to the Hawks. All I'm saying is that if you get rid of Jones, you better have a damn good plan ready to replace him.

Only if KD has a plan to acquire 1-2 RHD. At some point in the season Murphy will be out with an injury, without Jones and Murphy the Hawks defence is pretty sad.
- DarthKane


The odds of a Jones for Marner trade are slim and none, and slim has left the building. If the Hawks don’t get Celebrini, then I can see them drafting a defenseman. If indeed they draft a Dman with their first pick, then one of Kaiser, Allan, Phillips, or EDM will be moved in a package for a forward.
- Angotti

This.

Seth may waive his NMC some day, but doubt it is this summer for Toronto. A couple of reasons are taxes are higher up there and he's more or less out of the limelight here. He would be under a microscope in Toronto just like Tavares, Marner, Rielly and whoever else falls out of favor.

Yes, Jones says the right thing about being tired of losing and wants to play for a contender so the trade door is not completely shut.

Someone here or somewhere else brought up a three way trade. Marner to Chicago, Jones to maybe Utah and a couple of picks or prospects from Utah to TOR.

Marner is a skilled player that the Hawks could desperately use, but I don't think he's got the intangibles the Hawks are looking for.

It seems that CHI fans are the main/only people with a largely negative view of Jones. Almost everyone else that I've read or spoken to would love to have him on the team. Oddly, the same can be said about Murphy (especially at his cap hit). The trouble with trading Jones, is that the Hawks will need to find someone to replace him. It's all well and good to say they can sign X because he will be a free agent, but that player has to want to come to the Hawks. All I'm saying is that if you get rid of Jones, you better have a damn good plan ready to replace him.
- Chunk

I like a defenseman to be able to defend. I expect a top pairing defenseman to be strong defensively. Jones is paid like a top pairing defenseman and is very average defensively. If he were a second pairing defenseman and paid accordingly I’d have no problem whatsoever with him. That said as long as his cap hit doesn’t affect the team in future I'm not overly concerned with him or his contract. But if he can be moved for the right deal KD should pull the trigger.

4-4-1-2-1
Let’s go!
- Angotti

Did a spin, got 2. Think it's best the Hawks win 1 or 2 as next year they may not be as bad. Like it's better to have one in the hand.

If they do win, it'll be interesting to see how the odds roll next year with the Hawks not being able to win.

This.

Seth may waive his NMC some day, but doubt it is this summer for Toronto. A couple of reasons are taxes are higher up there and he's more or less out of the limelight here. He would be under a microscope in Toronto just like Tavares, Marner, Rielly and whoever else falls out of favor.

Yes, Jones says the right thing about being tired of losing and wants to play for a contender so the trade door is not completely shut.

Someone here or somewhere else brought up a three way trade. Marner to Chicago, Jones to maybe Utah and a couple of picks or prospects from Utah to TOR.

Marner is a skilled player that the Hawks could desperately use, but I don't think he's got the intangibles the Hawks are looking for.
- boilermaker100

Where Marner could work is on a team of guys who play less dainty. I think a team can afford one perimeter player in the lineup but not three or four. Marner has a ton of offensive ability and he’s very strong defensively as well. He’s just the epitome of a lavender sniffer. I’d steer clear of him unless the trade vastly favours Chicago, and then move him at the TDL.

This.

Seth may waive his NMC some day, but doubt it is this summer for Toronto. A couple of reasons are taxes are higher up there and he's more or less out of the limelight here. He would be under a microscope in Toronto just like Tavares, Marner, Rielly and whoever else falls out of favor.

Yes, Jones says the right thing about being tired of losing and wants to play for a contender so the trade door is not completely shut.

Someone here or somewhere else brought up a three way trade. Marner to Chicago, Jones to maybe Utah and a couple of picks or prospects from Utah to TOR.

Marner is a skilled player that the Hawks could desperately use, but I don't think he's got the intangibles the Hawks are looking for.
- boilermaker100

I don't know if it's been mentioned here, but I think the whole Jones for Marner scenario isn't going to happen for two reasons- first, Marner would have to waive his NMC.

Most importantly, Marner is a UFA in 25-26. Why would the Leafs ever want to be locked in for 5 more years of Jones? Tavares and Marner are both off of the books in 25-26 if the Leafs want to pursue a stud FA defenseman. I think the Leafs will look to either getting a younger D-Man than Jones in any event.

It seems that CHI fans are the main/only people with a largely negative view of Jones. Almost everyone else that I've read or spoken to would love to have him on the team. Oddly, the same can be said about Murphy (especially at his cap hit). The trouble with trading Jones, is that the Hawks will need to find someone to replace him. It's all well and good to say they can sign X because he will be a free agent, but that player has to want to come to the Hawks. All I'm saying is that if you get rid of Jones, you better have a damn good plan ready to replace him.
- Chunk

Fans (and bloggers) need a scapegoat for how bad the Hawks have been. Narratives get a life of it's own. He will always be a villain in Chicago until he is either traded or ends up fulfilling his contract here.

That's what Michkov pulled last year at the draft when teams were interviewing him prior to draft night. Telling teams like Columbus and Arizona don't bother. Some projections had Bedard and Michkov as 1 and 1A. Why else would he fall to the Flyers at #7.

As for Demidov I have no idea if that's his attitude. Hopefully not. I know his KHL contract is only one more season but, with some questioning his skating is that an up close and personal live eval or something seen only video?

Just seems to be too many wildcards to me at least.
- Rota's Rooter

He admits he wanted to go to PHI, but said this.

While he didn't attend the NHL combine, Michkov met with select teams, fueling speculation that he was trying to maneuver his way to a specific landing spot. Michkov denied he told any team not to draft him.

"No, no. I talked to every team. Those kinds of words, I've never mentioned," he said.

https://abcnews.go.com/Sp...ntioned%2C%22%20he%20said.

I think the easy answer to why he fell was that he was still under contract for three more years, and the political instability could delay the arrival even further. I'm not saying it can't or didn't happen, but I tend to go with the most likely answer when looking at a situation. If memory serves, he would remain property of the team that drafted him until he came over. Otherwise, he'd have to wait

I don't know if it's been mentioned here, but I think the whole Jones for Marner scenario isn't going to happen for two reasons- first, Marner would have to waive his NMC.

Most importantly, Marner is a UFA in 25-26. Why would the Leafs ever want to be locked in for 5 more years of Jones? Tavares and Marner are both off of the books in 25-26 if the Leafs want to pursue a stud FA defenseman. I think the Leafs will look to either getting a younger D-Man than Jones in any event.
- Popsghostly

Jones has a NMC too. No way he goes to a Canadian team. Remember when he was traded to the Hawks, that was one of the few teams he would accept a trade too (Dallas was another)

It seems that CHI fans are the main/only people with a largely negative view of Jones. Almost everyone else that I've read or spoken to would love to have him on the team. Oddly, the same can be said about Murphy (especially at his cap hit). The trouble with trading Jones, is that the Hawks will need to find someone to replace him. It's all well and good to say they can sign X because he will be a free agent, but that player has to want to come to the Hawks. All I'm saying is that if you get rid of Jones, you better have a damn good plan ready to replace him.
- Chunk

Maybe there's a long term plan to replace Jones in a few years. Draft Levshunov who would probably spend another year at MSU and then a year at Rockford. Say he graduates to the big club for the 26/27 season. Rinzel would be on the same time line, maybe another year away. By that time Murphy is bye-bye. Seth has 2-3 years fewer on his contract and is becoming more impatient if the team is not in playoff mode by then. I would guess a decent RD free agent is also signed for 3-4 years to help during this transition period.