I guess there is still a possibility for Reichel to play for Germany. They invited him and he has expressed interest in playing (and I believe he plans on going to Germany to train in the offseason), but I've not seen him listed on their roster.

Assuming one of Demidov or Levshunov is taken #1-#3 then you definitely take the other one at #4.

I am just not sold on Lindstrom, I could be wrong, but I am getting Kirby Dach vibes.
- DarthKane

1-4-4-3-1

I agree on the Dach vibes. He really hasn't put it all together until this season and I have to wonder is it a one-off or is this kid for real.

I've said my piece on Demidov.

If not Celebrini, hopefully hold at #2 and take the d-man Levshunov and use some of the surplus on the farm and a pick or 2 to pick up some offensive potential.

These are the top 25 highest paid defenseman in the league , with Jones T-5. Where would you rate his performance compared to this list ? If he is not a #1 defenseman, he is #33 and below. IMO he is somewhere between #10-#15, so not too far off what he is getting paid.

1 Erik Karlsson Pittsburgh Penguins $11.5 million
T-2 Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo Sabres $11 million
T-2 Drew Doughty Los Angeles Kings $11 million
4 Zachary Werenski Columbus Blue Jackets $9.58 million
T-5 Charles Mcavoy Boston Bruins $9.5 million
T-5 Seth Jones Chicago Blackhawks $9.5 million
T-5 Adam Fox New York Rangers $9.5 million
8 Darnell Nurse Edmonton Oilers $9.25 million
9 Roman Josi Nashville Predators $9.06 million
T-10 Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche $9 million
T-10 Dougie Hamilton New Jersey Devils $9 million
12 Alex Pietrangelo Vegas Golden Knights $8.8 million
13 Mikhail Sergachev Tampa Bay Lightning $8.5 million
14 Miro Heiskanen Dallas Stars $8.45 million
15 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres $8.35 million
T-16 Brent Burns Carolina Hurricanes $8 million
T-16 Jacob Trouba New York Rangers $8 million
T-16 Jake Sanderson Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 Thomas Chabot Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 John Carlson Washington Capitals $8 million
21 Victor Hedman Tampa Bay Lightning $7.88 million
22 Shea Weber Arizona Coyotes $7.86 million
23 Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks $7.85 million
24 Dmitry Orlov Carolina Hurricanes $7.75 million
25 Jared Spurgeon Minnesota Wild $7.58 million
- LAHawk

Nice work LA. And you even got McAvoy's name right.

I think he should have been somewhere around the 8 mil, but it is what it is, the deal was signed. I think with the cap going up, they will just have to manage around it and take it year by year until his cap hit is actually a problem. Maybe at that time there will be an opportunity to make a change. With the CBA set to expire Sept. 15, 2026, there will be some unknowns. Maybe there will be changes the cause the league to implement more buyouts, who knows.
- breadbag

It would be helpful if they could negotiate some way to restructure deals into the CBA (similar to the NFL) so that teams could have a little more wiggle room to maneuver under the cap. I am way over my skis in terms of what that would look like or if that is even possible with guaranteed contracts, but it's a "nice-to-have".

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.
- boilermaker100

I bet the Demidov knee is issue is caused from the continual overly wide split he gets putting with being able to uses both sides of his edges properly. (Uheard it here first!)

Maybe at #4 you take a shot a Demidov, especially if you have him at #2 on your board. Recent rumors are that Michkov may come over earlier than expected, maybe Demidov follows suit.

In terms of Bedards D, let’s give it a bit of time. He’s probably not being asked to do a lot defensively, and the plan was most likely to let him settle in without worrying about the defensive end in relation to needing him much more offensively.
- TheTrob

Eiserman before demidov then trade up to get catton

I did one spin on the old Tankathon:

1. Chicago
2. San Jose
3. Anaheim
4. CBJ
- DarthKane

It's an omen!!!!

I bet the Demidov knee is issue is casued from the continual overly wide split he gets putting with being able to uses both sides of his edges properly. (Uheard it here first!)
- wiz1901

Can’t unsee it since you pointed it out. Hopefully it’s just a silly tick and not a broader issue.

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

He never said this. In fact his agent said that he might no have to fulfill his KHL contract and could come over earlier.

Eiserman before demidov then trade up to get catton
- LFS

Demidov all the way and I wouldn´t touch Eiserman even in the top 10.

1-4-4-3-1

I agree on the Dach vibes. He really hasn't put it all together until this season and I have to wonder is it a one-off or is this kid for real.
- Rota's Rooter

Cayden Lindstom is worth a top 4 pick, as is Eiserman.

I've said my piece on Demidov.

If not Celebrini, hopefully hold at #2 and take the d-man Levshunov and use some of the surplus on the farm and a pick or 2 to pick up some offensive potential.
- Rota's Rooter

HOLD at #2 ?

You mean you think someone with tarde up for it?
(Like they do in the N F L ?)

The way I see it is still, hope that someone else gets #1 or is a team currently in the 12th - 16th slots, and a San Jose win.

Picking three guarantees all the guys I like are probably there.


if a team wins the lottery and moves up, I would want to select 3rth or 4th with the chance to win the next drafts to add a early player in 2025 or 2026.

I just don't see reasons in having to go seciond this year after losing the top lotto chance.

I just if I was the GM I have an easier time making you feel happy when my words tell you why we like Lindstom, Eiserman or Carter Yakemchuk.

For the hawk fans here, this is the draft that you may have you whining about hindsight is better than foresight in the rebuild;

Just see some nice chances for a bad team to get better, so Kyle get me the one you and Soup and the staff givesd us the best chance to keep Bedard happy.

Watch, I will be the one whining about it in 5 years...
Like a bunch here that Zervas or Caufield a year after the draft.

I think the teams know what they think about Eiserman already with every part directed....

Hey, we are not selecting the players today.

Demidov all the way and I wouldn´t touch Eiserman even in the top 10.
- MjulQvist

I'm with you. He gives off a Oliver Walstrom or Arthur Kaliev vibe to me. Actually similar scouting report to those two players too.

Reichel 2 year deal. 1.2 million cap hit. Decent.

Reichel 2 year deal. 1.2 million cap hit. Decent.
- jv526

Perfect.

He will have no trouble living with that salary.

Show us.

I'm with you. He gives off a Oliver Walstrom or Arthur Kaliev vibe to me. Actually similar scouting report to those two players too.
- GPHawksfan

Yes, too one dimensional and didn´t make strides this year. Sure he can score which is nice skill to have but we can do better with top 4 pick.

Perfect.

He will have no trouble living with that salary.

Show us.
- wiz1901

If he’s unable to bring his game up he’s very tradable at that salary. I think it’s a good deal for both sides. Now Reichel go out and prove you’re worth much more.

Can’t unsee it since you pointed it out. Hopefully it’s just a silly tick and not a broader issue.
- ObeseOprah

Finally someone sees it.

Michel Bossy, the best shot I have seen before Bedard waited until what slot 17 to hear his name, because teams were worried about the what if he couldn't score in the NHL?

Have you all watched Eiserman shoot?

He ain't Phil Kurachev's understudy.

Yes, too one dimensional and didn´t make strides this year. Sure he can score which is nice skill to have but we can do better with top 4 pick.
- MjulQvist

You can’t teach scoring but on the other hand the top scorer the last five years hasn’t proven to he’s much of a playoff performer. Any player using that first pick must be projected as a money player, not a great regular season player only.

Reichel 2 year deal. 1.2 million cap hit. Decent.
- jv526

Very good contract for him to get his chance. I like it.

Finally someone sees it.

Michel Bossy, the best shot I have seen before Bedard waited until what slot 17 to hear his name, because teams were worried about the what if he couldn't score in the NHL?

Have you all watched Eiserman shoot?

He ain't Phil Kurachev's understudy.
- wiz1901

I don't know who Kyle Davidson will draft, but I do hope the Hawks get some more shooters. I wouldn't mind them having a couple forwards that just have a good heavy shot, kind of like we used to see from Bryan Bickell.

Perfect.

He will have no trouble living with that salary.

Show us.
- wiz1901

Let's hope he shows us. Next season he is no longer waiver exempt, so he better make some contributions to the team. If he struggles he's just taking up a roster spot. Would it be likely he passes through waivers?

Maybe KD is playing chess and setting up a trade by signing him to that cost controlled contract.

Apparently the draft order has been leaked again. San Jose first, Utah second, Hawks third. Who knows if its fake or not, but the picture of the draft board is out there now.

Reichel 2 year deal. 1.2 million cap hit. Decent.
- jv526

Let's hope he continues to develop.
Also saw this in one article:
"... Reichel will play for Germany at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia from May 10-26..."

Sure he can score which is nice skill to have but we can do better with top 4 pick.
- MjulQvist

I see guys like Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Emil Hemming ads having less detail in their games than Eiserman.

And I can hardly project Trevor Connelly a very fast paced attacker as a better scorer, or Linus Eriksson a better all around centre than Eiserman is an all around winger.

I have said before Tig Iginla may can easily get selected based no on his hockey skills over his hockey attributes as the attributes exist every second he is out there.

In a reverse way, Eiserman's skill is so apparent, and his place on the ice is noted by the opposition as much as they can- his skill is cvastly over entrenched attributes
but that can change.

If Eiserman EVER played like the two former USANDT team memebers I wouldn't be debating it....Ollie Wahstoms and Arthur Kaliev.
Oliver Wahstrom had ONE big scoring year with the USA program and Arthur Kaliev only was in the 14 & 15 yr old program the USA teams had partnerships with.
Arthur Kaliev had two years in Hamilton and it was painfully obvious many parts of his game and skills were not honed.

I refuse to attempt a comaprison between Eiserman and these guys.

Eiserman scores and can take care of playing his position with quick feet and pace.

Does he have Parter Matone edge? Nope, but if you take him at 3 or 4 you still get a crack in that lottery to get Martone/ Hagel / etc or defenseman Logan Hensler, Matthew Schaefer, Charlie Tretheway, or Sascha Boumedienne

Looking at the draft scenario
Right away I see where Columbus may be choosing right before or after us.
Maybe immediately before/after
They should take a dman
But compelling pick to take a top forward to play with Fantilli. They have that Russian scoring line and some good forwards. Also Johnson from U of Michigan and Fantilli up front. Eiserman to them? If Davidson is the GM I do not foresee a rusky pick like Demidov or Lindstrom