I am in the camp that you have to get lucky...
If it was my guess I would take Subban over the Russian.

Since the Mike Smith era the Hawks have avoided taking Russians in the draft or otherwise...And that might not change.
- Al

Yeppers I agree Al! I said this on JJs last blog. There is no word that Vaz will leave Russia, we know Subban will be a pick that will show.

Great point...jeez...who is Eberle's wingers? Let us come back down to planet earth and stop with the hyperbole on why a guy gets hurt. What are the numbers anyways...Stalberg played 23 and a half games with Toews all year...if that...?
- TrueGrit

I agree. Let's do get back down to Earth.

1. The Hawks top six forwards are physically WEAK. TOO WEAK for the game as it is played at the highest levels now. Because 19 is the most physical of the six (whomever the other two have been on any given day), he takes the brunt of the board battle punishment with NO ONE to share that burden with. By definition that means he is at higher risk.

2. While Stals COULD be that guy, he isn't now, and he won't be developed into it with this coaching staff.

I will repeat the question - what are you getting back for him that improves the hockey club? I have no problem trading him, but I want something back that makes the Hawks better.
- RickJ

Well no kidding it needs to make us better. I have no desire to trade Stalberg because I think he is no good. I made that obvious. Quite the opposite actually. I think he is can be very good. But he is a square peg in a round hole here.

If I had access to GM conversations... I could tell you for who. I don't. I do know ... And have known for 2 years now what this team is lacking.
We will see what he is worth if he is moved. I also feel like he will be part of a package if that happens.

save yourself from paying every year and buy a Slingbox. you can buy an hd or non hd version, price is higher for the hd one, it hooks right up to your cable or satellite box and allows you to watch all of your own channels from home. you can do everything you normally do: change the channel, watch recorded shows. one of the best purchases ive ever made
- hawks1921

Got that to, watched it in China

Got that to, watched it in China
- Maggie

as long as you have an internet connection you're golden!

Yeppers I agree Al! I said this on JJs last blog. There is no word that Vaz will leave Russia, we know Subban will be a pick that will show.
- blkhwkfn

The more I contemplate the idea of drafting a goalie, the less likely I see us drafting a goalie with our #18 pick. Al brought up a good point that since Luongo is not a "Detroit - esque" model player mainly in pay and skill, then why do we pick Visilevski or Subban when both could turn out to be stud goalies wanting huge money like Rinne or Quick?

The more I contemplate the idea of drafting a goalie, the less likely I see us drafting a goalie with our #18 pick. Al brought up a good point that since Luongo is not a "Detroit - esque" model player mainly in pay and skill, then why do we pick Visilevski or Subban when both could turn out to be stud goalies wanting huge money like Rinne or Quick?
- scorerstouch

Especially when there could be some more great 5'9" 170lb puck movers out there with a great vision of the ice.

Draft. Bigger. Dudes.

Let some other team develop the net talent. Chicago does not have a great history there either.

Especially when there could be some more great 5'9" 170lb puck movers out there with a great vision of the ice.

Draft. Bigger. Dudes.
- Return of the Roar

I was thinking Tom Wilson.

Especially when there could be some more great 5'9" 170lb puck movers out there with a great vision of the ice.

Draft. Bigger. Dudes.

Let some other team develop the net talent. Chicago does not have a great history there either.
- Return of the Roar

I would amend that to: Draft.Bigger.Dudes.With Some Talent. Otherwise he will just draft big oafs................

I was thinking Tom Wilson.
- scorerstouch

YES!

Especially when there could be some more great 5'9" 170lb puck movers out there with a great vision of the ice.

Draft. Bigger. Dudes.

Let some other team develop the net talent. Chicago does not have a great history there either.
- Return of the Roar

at some point though you have to draft a goalie with some upside and see if he develops otherwise you end up where we are right now...

YES!
- Return of the Roar

If the Hawks are looking to unload Hammer for salary cap relief. Any chance the Islanders would give up their 4th pick for the Hawks 18th and Hammer? All I hear is the Islanders desperately looking for a veteran top 4 dman. I REALLY REALLY want Griffin Reinhardt. Then the Hawks also have cap room for Suter. Conveniently enough Griffin Reinhardt's ceiling is often compared to Shea Weber.

Brief update coming at 4 Central. Slow day. Nash deal (or lack thereof) is holding everything up.

at some point though you have to draft a goalie with some upside and see if he develops otherwise you end up where we are right now...
- hawks1921

They have one with Alec Richards. NCAA's best goalie in years - took freaking YALE to the national championships two years ago. 6'4, mobile. Good raw talent.

Floundering between Rockford and Toledo. No coaching.

If the Hawks are looking to unload Hammer for salary cap relief. Any chance the Islanders would give up their 4th pick for the Hawks 18th and Hammer? All I hear is the Islanders desperately looking for a veteran top 4 dman. I REALLY REALLY want Griffin Reinhardt. Then the Hawks also have cap room for Suter. Conveniently enough Griffin Reinhardt's ceiling is often compared to Shea Weber.
- coldsteelonice

YES! YES! Would love that move.

YES!
- Return of the Roar

His numbers aren't quite as good as one would hope.

They have one with Alec Richards. NCAA's best goalie in years - took freaking YALE to the national championships two years ago. 6'4, mobile. Good raw talent.

Floundering between Rockford and Toledo. No coaching.
- Return of the Roar

Reminds me of Crawford. Flashes of brilliance, but mostly a head case and under confident.

He didn't seem the same after the Icehogs goalie coach left for Winnipeg.

His numbers aren't quite as good as one would hope.
- scorerstouch

Let's be honest - after 5 or 6 on the board, lots of mediocrity most years anyway.

Well folks,

It's roughly 180 minutes till the 1st pick is in!

Reminds me of Crawford. Flashes of brilliance, but mostly a head case and under confident.

He didn't seem the same after the Icehogs goalie coach left for Winnipeg.
- EKolb13

Maybe he reminded yo of Crawford because they coach them all to play like that there. Watch Leighton and Crawford. Same guy different jersey.

at some point though you have to draft a goalie with some upside and see if he develops otherwise you end up where we are right now...
- hawks1921

Last seasons draft didn't we draft Simpson & Carruth?

Last seasons draft didn't we draft Simpson & Carruth?
- scorerstouch

Year before I do believe

Let's be honest - after 5 or 6 on the board, lots of mediocrity most years anyway.
- Return of the Roar

Here's a bit from TSN that addresses that very subject.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=398986

@RealKyper: #SNdraft Sources saying #Canadiens quietly shopping PK Subban. Would PK entice #Oilers for package deal involving 1st #NHL over-all pick?

Donno if this was posted but here goes:

Last seasons draft didn't we draft Simpson & Carruth?
- scorerstouch

2010 draft.