Been 2 hours since we heard from JJ , I want his next post/blog/update to give us an idea what the Hawks are doing , Ive been prank calling the Hawks office all day saying that Im Scott Howson looking for Stan Bowman and they say he's not available and they keep sending me to voice mail.....
- mrpaulish

Lmfao....call them and say your the Mayans and you wondering if it December yet!

Oh I know it can easily be a forward or D man. I actually think Bowman has done pretty well drafting in stark contrast to his absolute cluelessness about constructing a roster. But then again... maybe that is due to our scouting. I will be happy with either. If they take Subban, I trust the scouts see something we don't.
- ilinkhawk

From what I've read, I'm not really sold on him. At least not as a first round pick.

I'd rather see Vasilevski, or a defenseman in the first round.

People keep saying that this team has no problem scoring goals. I think they do. The playoffs the last two years goal production has been an issue and its because the offense has become too perimeter-oriented. There is not a enough offense on this team to win the Stanley Cup. IMO, Rick Nash makes the Hawks a way better offensive team in the playoffs than Patrick Kane. Also getting rid of Frolik, Kane and Hammer for Suter and Nash is only +2.5 million in salary, still leaves the hawks with plenty of cap too sign someone now and make a move at the deadline.

Also, I know Kane seemed more involved in the game when he played center, but I think thats just the nature of the position. To me he was still brutal defensively and looked to move the puck a lot less. I will say when Tazer was down he did seem to pick his "compete" level up, which was good and frustrating.
- rollpards19

Key injuries... Toews this year (and last) and Bolland and Keith last year

Don't think that didn't play a huge part

Jesse Specter agrees...

For what he’s willing to give up in trades, no wonder Scott Howson expects the moon and a firs-round pick for Rick Nash.

From what I've read, I'm not really sold on him. At least not as a first round pick.

I'd rather see Vasilevski, or a defenseman in the first round.
- EKolb13

I agree. I personally would rather have Vasilevski. But... if they take Subban, I will take it. I have read some hot some cold on Subban. But some of the hot says he could be incredible. At the end of the day... the 18th pick isn't a slam dunk no matter how you look at it. We need a blue chip goalie in our system.

From what I've read, I'm not really sold on him. At least not as a first round pick.

I'd rather see Vasilevski, or a defenseman in the first round.
- EKolb13

Why on earth would you not go D or G when all you've done the past two years is take forwards? Unless some can't miss stud forward drops to them, I can't see how they don't draft for need.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Hearing it's two fouth-round picks and one second for Bobrovsky.

He just tweeted this
- captainserious

Now Howson has covered one base sort of....BoB might only wind up being a decent back-up but at least if all else fails he is better than Mason.

From what I've read, I'm not really sold on him. At least not as a first round pick.

I'd rather see Vasilevski, or a defenseman in the first round.
- EKolb13

I think it will be Vasilevski as it is a major area of need. If he is as great as advertised then he might come of importance sooner rather than later, if Crawford comes out of the gate poorly!

I agree. I personally would rather have Vasilevski. But... if they take Subban, I will take it. I have read some hot some cold on Subban. But some of the hot says he could be incredible. At the end of the day... the 18th pick isn't a slam dunk no matter how you look at it. We need a blue chip goalie in our system.
- ilinkhawk

I don't know how long Subban has been playing goalie but it isn't nearly as long as the other highly thought of prospects.

Key injuries... Toews this year (and last) and Bolland and Keith last year

Don't think that didn't play a huge part
- fattybeef

Every team has injuries. The last two playoffs weren't good enough and I think Kane for Nash gets this team deeper in the playoffs

I agree. I personally would rather have Vasilevski. But... if they take Subban, I will take it. I have read some hot some cold on Subban. But some of the hot says he could be incredible. At the end of the day... the 18th pick isn't a slam dunk no matter how you look at it. We need a blue chip goalie in our system.
- ilinkhawk

We really don't get a choice in the matter. If the Hawks take Subban, we'll have to live with it.

Been 2 hours since we heard from JJ , I want his next post/blog/update to give us an idea what the Hawks are doing , Ive been prank calling the Hawks office all day saying that Im Scott Howson looking for Stan Bowman and they say he's not available and they keep sending me to voice mail.....
- mrpaulish

Lol. 1 problem Stan is in Pittsburgh.

I don't know how long Subban has been playing goalie but it isn't nearly as long as the other highly thought of prospects.
- Al

I think I read somewhere that he started at the age of 12.

Key injuries... Toews this year (and last) and Bolland and Keith last year

Don't think that didn't play a huge part
- fattybeef

I tend to focus more on the lack of scoring from our guys who are paid big bucks to score. I don't think it had much to do with injury. I think we are way too small in our top 6 for playoff hockey. We had Kruger and Stalberg fill out our top 2 lines. On top of 4 guys who are mostly skill players. Our top 2 lines got dominated the last 2 years physically. And magically lit it up the year we won the Cup.

I prefer however to keep Kane and add the power forward via Stalberg/Hammer prospects picks. Ott would be ideal.

Key injuries... Toews this year (and last) and Bolland and Keith last year

Don't think that didn't play a huge part
- fattybeef

And it will be Toews at least again this year if they do not sign some skull cracking forwards.

Nash is not that great of a defensive player. Hes very lazy in his own end, hes a minus 71 for his career, and he hangs out around the blue line a lot. Nash is NOT a two way forward.
- mvp0207

False statement

He is a very good two way forward, kills penalties but has played on garbage teams...

Check out the year they made the playoffs for example or the Olympics.

We really don't get a choice in the matter. If the Hawks take Subban, we'll have to live with it.
- EKolb13

Exactly...

And it will be Toews at least again this year if they do not sign some skull cracking forwards.
- Return of the Roar

Like Gagner....

I think it will be Vasilevski as it is a major area of need. If he is as great as advertised then he might come of importance sooner rather than later, if Crawford comes out of the gate poorly!
- jimmy33

If the Hawks draft Vasilevski, or any other goalie for that matter, don't expect them to replace Crawford this season.

Every team has injuries. The last two playoffs weren't good enough and I think Kane for Nash gets this team deeper in the playoffs
- rollpards19

Best player makes a difference. Oh and the Hossa thing was a problem as well this year. But do not disagree with that statement, especially if they get Suter as well.

I don't know how long Subban has been playing goalie but it isn't nearly as long as the other highly thought of prospects.
- Al

Right. Not long. But if they take Subban over the Russian-- I will be fine with it.

We really don't get a choice in the matter. If the Hawks take Subban, we'll have to live with it.
- EKolb13

Which also probably means living with Crawford for another 4 or 5 years.

Lol. 1 problem Stan is in Pittsburgh.
- scorerstouch

That makes sense.

Like Gagner....
- southernhawk

Haha!

Sadly, as far as 2C goes, Gagner and Jokinen are the only real budget minded guys out there. Anyone else is insanely expensive and/or would require exposing another hole to fill that one.

Hell I'd just be happy with a guy who could win some face offs for that second line.

Best player makes a difference. Oh and the Hossa thing was a problem as well this year. But do not disagree with that statement, especially if they get Suter as well.
- fattybeef

And that Hossa thing... could very well be a problem in the future. I don't see that type of hit exiting his mind very soon. Should probably also take into account one more big hit and you have to wonder if he thinks of hanging it up.