I just watched Eric Staal rip his old team a new one.

Being petty is all I've got.
- BINGO!

Simmer Down big guy......

I have not watched a lot of him this year, so I'm going by what he was on the Hawks. Wasn't he hurt most of the year too?
- Antz96

Nope.

He got hurt at one point, but after coming out of the gate and being really useful for the first 20 games or so he completely and utterly fell apart.

In case anyone is interested, the latest from Sportsnet re: draft prospects...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-prospect-rankings-march/
- hpk90

Fingers cross for Quinn Hughes.

Hawks C depth chart
-------------------------------------
1 - Toews
2- Schmaltz
3- Anisimov

Unless he moves to a wing, he will not be a top 6 on the Hawks.
- Antz96

As long as he scores like one who cares?

As long as he scores like one who cares?
- BINGO!

Because he won't be when he plays 3rd line minutes with 3rd line players and not an elite RW.

Kruger's role wasn't to score, and any scoring from a bottom 2 C is gravy. I was ok with Kruger not scoring.

As for AA, I'd say he's average defensively, and IMO bad on the PK. He doesn't win draws and is too slow. He loses his man too often as well. He's not the sole reason our PK is hot garbage, but he contributes his share.
- Antz96

The Hawks PK is 11th, how is that hot garbage?

Between Berube and Forsberg, I think I actually like our backup goaltender situation. Berube has yet to play 30 games in the NHL, and Forsberg hasn't cracked 40. Give the kids some time, they have some potential.

I still don't buy the Schmaltz-at-center charade, he has looked better recently though. I would love the addition of a top-6 center, but that is really a pipe dream at the moment.

Speaking of the world of make-believe though, Darth, your center chart is ridiculous. How are you going to sit Kampf? That line-up is as silly as someone thinking that Tavares is going to sign in Chicago.

(He will, btw)
- TexasHawk

Good point...Schmaltz is better suited for the 4LW spot than 2C, I was feeling generous this morning. Kampf could be the 13th forward, he's just another soft player that fits Stan's agenda. There was a time when fans loved Rasmussen and Kampf isn't half the player he is.

So is CC done for the season? Signs point that direction.

The Hawks PK is 11th, how is that hot garbage?
- DarthKane

You're right. I was thinking it was as bad as earlier in the season and forgot about that nice run they had in January.

Fingers cross for Quinn Hughes.
- DarthKane

No offense but Quinn Hughes is the last guy of the top 12 that I want. He'll get ragdolled. I've only watched one Michigan game but he didn't really stand out.

Obviously you draft Best Player Available, but I'm hesitant to use our likely only top 10 pick of the next couple years on a small defenseman.

$1.2 per year and all but $200K can be taken off the books if he is sent down.
- pdx2ord

Actually $175K next year and $125K in his 2nd year.

Fingers cross for Quinn Hughes.
- DarthKane

Mr. sarcastic strikes again

Mr. sarcastic strikes again
- 6628

- DarthKane

The guy's a midget. IF Forsling is too small, then what is this guy?
To be fair, I've never seen him play. Just thought you had to be busting balls.

- DarthKane

My bad, please excuse my boner

Fingers cross for Quinn Hughes.
- DarthKane

I'll go with Don Cherry thinking and go for the good old Ontario boy Evan Bouchard.

The Hawks PK is 11th, how is that hot garbage?
- DarthKane

Because anything less than an 82-0 season, 16-0 in the playoffs and leading the league in every stats and advanced category is a a complete failure.

If you're not first, you're last.
Fire Stan, move Q upstairs and trade everyone except the smurfs.
We should probably buy out Kane because he's not even top 5 in the Hart or Art Ross race this season... no one would want him.

No offense but Quinn Hughes is the last guy of the top 12 that I want. He'll get ragdolled. I've only watched one Michigan game but he didn't really stand out.

Obviously you draft Best Player Available, but I'm hesitant to use our likely only top 10 pick of the next couple years on a small defenseman.
- ObeseOprah

Boqvist if still there when hawks pick 8-10 thats the d man i would pick or bouchard then a center or winger with later 1st probably 28-31 hawks do need to draft a goalie with one of those 3rd round pick anyone know who are the best projected goalies in this draft.

NHLPA survey re: players, coaches, arenas, fans, etc. Coach Q won the "which coach would you most like to play for" question. Blackhawks fans won best fans.

https://www.nhlpa.com/player-poll/2017-18
- pdx2ord

I am always a little wary of the “most like to play for” polls. I’ve go a couple of managers at my company that I’d like to work for, because they wouldn’t bust my ass aren’t real big on accountability. Not sure that that’s not what a lot of players see in Q.

I am always a little wary of the “most like to play for” polls. I’ve go a couple of managers at my company that I’d like to work for, because they wouldn’t bust my ass aren’t real big on accountability. Not sure that that’s not what a lot of players see in Q.
- Spec41971

Could very well be exactly why they want to play for him. The "players' coach" idea was most often cited by his own team as the reason they love him. Doesn't necessarily translate into better performance on the ice.

Next season I think the team builds out from the following:

Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - Anisimov - Hayden
LW - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - LD
LD - Seabrook
LD - Murphy

1RW could be Kane if the kid line continues to gel and grow next year. If a kid line is in the cards, RW could be either Hinostroza or Sikura if the latter signs and shows that he is not just all hype.

Hinostroza would slot well paired with Hayden and Anisimov on a 3rd line that has a combination of speed, grit, and offense. Anisimov is no speed merchant but I think he is no slug either. If a better 3C option is available and is affordable, then by all means pursue it. But Anisimov does bring a lot to the table, too.

Highmore playing 4th line with Kampf and Wingels (if he re-signs this summer) is possible but I prefer someone who plays a more heavy game like Bouma but with a little more talent.

On D, Murphy could be Keith's partner on the 1st pair but let's see what is available this summer and/or if any prospects really surprise. Same with filling out the 2 LDs on the 2nd and 3rd pairs.

Oesterle, Gustafsson, and Dahlstrom are likely to be in the mix but I prefer them to be at most 3rd pair blueliners or the 7th man.
- AEL_Fox

Just put Kampf and Bouma into one of Seabrook’s 2017-2018 uniforms (I believe he will need a new and smaller one by coming to camp in shape next year) a la Rosy Greer and Ray Milland in the early 70s movie “the thing with Two heads”. This gives you the skill you want and the grit you need with a heaviness that no other player in the league could match!

Boqvist if still there when hawks pick 8-10 thats the d man i would pick or bouchard then a center or winger with later 1st probably 28-31 hawks do need to draft a goalie with one of those 3rd round pick anyone know who are the best projected goalies in this draft.
- Scott1977

http://www.eliteprospects...&sort=&league=&con=&pos=G

Could very well be exactly why they want to play for him. The "players' coach" idea was most often cited by his own team as the reason they love him. Doesn't necessarily translate into better performance on the ice.
- pdx2ord

That was my point. Easy to work for doesn’t always mean better performance. Yes, you are more rested, by it can also lead to bad habits creeping in and no improvement in skills. I heard earlier in the year that one of the TB players had artificial ice installed in his garage so he could work on improve his shooting abilities. You can’t improve things like that just through game time.

Contrarian's view.....
1) McD, Bowman, Q stay at least through the Summer and the start of next season.
2) Bowman cannot or will not unload Toews, Seabs, Keith, Kane, or Crow.
3) Bowman signs Dylan Sikura, Rutta, Hino, Hayden
4) Bowman signs Duclair if the price is right or trades his rights before the draft.
5) Hawks 1st round draft picks are about 9 and 30 (nice players, but not starting in the NHL next season).
6) Bowman will try to move Hossa's contract and might find a taker if he throws in a 3rd round pick this year or some combination of picks and prospects. Maybe even offering the rights to a Duclair or Rutta as a sweetener, but not a 1st or 2nd round pick.
7) With the little cap space he has he tries to land a 1st pairing right side defender, but probably gets a 2nd pair defender instead.
8) He signs one or two "B" level free agents from Europe or the NHL for depth.
9) If Crow goes on LTIR I would look for Raanta to be in play.
10) Ejdsell make the team out of camp.

Toews needs a shooter/scorer on his right side. He is left handed so receiving passes and making passes is easier in that direction. His best lines were with Hossa and Kane on his RW. Both shooters/scorers. Sikura? Saad is not a shooter, but he can be a scorer going hard to the net and picking up the greasy goals (like the one last night that was disallowed).

Duclair is a Skille, Stalberg, Panik type. Looks like he could break through, but then never does. Decent energy line guy, but should not be playing on the top line.

Kane can play with either Schmaltz or AA as his center. But he is best when he has a pure shooter/scorer (Panarin/a younger Sharp) on the LW (neither of which AA or Schmaltz is). That is why I like DeBrincat there with AA.

Slash away...

I'll go with Don Cherry thinking and go for the good old Ontario boy Evan Bouchard.
- Rota's Rooter

If not Brady Tkachuk, then that is the next Guy on the radar that I hope Stan Bowman will take if he is available. I agree, I do not want to waste a high pick on a midget, we have enough table top hockey game defenseman already .Also agree with Don Cherry, get a “good ole big Canadian boy “!