I’d be super happy with Bodqvist or Wahlstrom.
- DarthKane

Same here.

Nah...went commando today.
- DarthKane

LOL.. Too much info

I've been watching most of the playoff games so far. The thing that strikes me the most is the physicality of seemingly all of the teams involved at this point. Very hard for me to imagine the Hawks and their "smurf" roster legitimately competing with these teams based on that fact alone. Speed, size and skill in any sport is very difficult to beat.

That said, does anyone know if the Hawks roster as currently constructed is physically the smallest in the NHL? Just curious. Thanks.

I've been watching most of the playoff games so far. The thing that strikes me the most is the physicality of seemingly all of the teams involved at this point. Very hard for me to imagine the Hawks and their "smurf" roster legitimately competing with these teams based on that fact alone. Speed, size and skill in any sport is very difficult to beat.

That said, does anyone know if the Hawks roster as currently constructed is physically the smallest in the NHL? Just curious. Thanks.
- BobP.

I’m not sure about that, but they sure play like they are.

I’d be super happy with Bodqvist or Wahlstrom.
- DarthKane

Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News just posted a mock draft with the Hawks taking Wahlstrom over Dobson. Here it is:

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Carolina
3. Filip Zadina, LW, Montreal
4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa
5. Adam Boqvist, D, Arizona
6. Quinn Hughes, D, Detroit
7. Evan Bouchard, D, Vancouver
8. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, Chicago
9. Noah Dobson, D, NY Rangers
10. Ty Smith, D, Edmonton
11. Barrett Hayton, C, NY Islanders
12. Joe Veleno, C, NY Islanders
13. Isac Lundestrom, C, Dallas
14. Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia
15. Bode Wilde, D, Florida

He is From where I live in Summerside PEI - solid kid
Same home town as coach Gallant

How did Carolina go from 11 to guaranteed top
3?
- Colbyboy

New ownership! It's really not hard to figure out.

Can someone explain to me why peope think Buffalo "deserve" the #1 pick? A GM that makes bad decisions deserves good fortune?
Whoever said that is buying Bettmans crap, and needs to stop!

I'm sure this is sarcasm, i know what would he do with a big strong sharp shooting center Haha
- BetweenTheDots

Kane welcomed pressure from the moment he arrived in the NHL. That is not Matthews. When I say he was invisible against Boston I’m talking don’t hear his name invisible - I’m talking would be a healthy scratch if not a “generational” talent. While it is a sin to criticize McDavid in Canada, especially in Edmonton the Canadian media, especially in Toronto were brutally honest about how poorly Matthews played. He played like he was in over his head.

Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News just posted a mock draft with the Hawks taking Wahlstrom over Dobson. Here it is:

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Carolina
3. Filip Zadina, LW, Montreal
4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa
5. Adam Boqvist, D, Arizona
6. Quinn Hughes, D, Detroit
7. Evan Bouchard, D, Vancouver
8. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, Chicago
9. Noah Dobson, D, NY Rangers
10. Ty Smith, D, Edmonton
11. Barrett Hayton, C, NY Islanders
12. Joe Veleno, C, NY Islanders
13. Isac Lundestrom, C, Dallas
14. Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia
15. Bode Wilde, D, Florida
- hawks2010

The teams could very well choose exactly according to this mock draft. If it us a choice between Dobson or Wahlstrom, i would go with the higher ceiling player
Although we need to establish defense i don't view Dobson as a strong top.pair, maybe a good but nothing special. Wahlstrom sounds like the better talented player.

https://www.secondcityhoc...world-hockey-championship

Oesterle joins Kane, Murphy, and DeBrincat on Team USA roster for World Hockey Championships. Darling also makes team. So does Quinn Hughes.

I believe malkin’s hit to crows head was brutal and intentional and worth a multi-game suspension. It looked to me like he leaned his upper body to the right, which forced his lower body right into Crawford. I think if he wanted to miss crow he would have leaned hi upper body to the left, forcing his lower body to the right.

Regarding your comment that the ref’s do not protect the hawks goalies, might it be their thinking that if the hawks defense isn’t willing to put in the effort and sacrifice, they (the ref’s) aren’t going to do the hawks’ job For themselves?
- Spec41971

That Malkin escaped with no consequences from either the Hawks or the NHL was pathetic. If in fact this clear head shot was an accident it was the most intentional looking accident of all time.

I’ve wondered sometimes whether the Hawks’ failure to act influences - if there was ever a time to stand up for a team-mate that was it. Malkin should have been immedietely jumped and tuned in. Malkin has always been a dirty tool. Ultimately that hit was the end of the Hawks’ season and the Hawks did nothing.

Twitter@MarkLazerus

Recent No. 8 picks:
2017: Lias Andersson (NYR)
2016: Alex Nylander (BUF)
2015: Zach Werenski (CBJ)
2014: William Nylander (TOR)
2013: Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF)
2012: Derrick Pouliot (PIT)
2011: Sean Couturier (PHL)

Pretty good track record.

Totally agree. Answering Justin's question from his blog, one thing I have noticed this playoffs that the Hawks need to take note of and adopt is exactly what you stated.

An example like Byfuglien doing this is Chara. I watched Game 7 of the Bruins-Leafs series and Chara would constantly shove or even just stare down anyone who came close to Rask. Helps that he's almost 7 feet tall, but the general principle is still the same: guard the crease and your goalie like it's a playoff overtime game.
- AEL_Fox

Nobody does anything to Rask when Chara is on the ice. Even the thought that he is on the bench and will return to the ice is enough. Matthews and others were simply terrified.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2018/4/28/17296280/blackhawks-patrick-kane-alex-debrincat-connor-murphy-usa-roster-2018-world-hockey-championship

Oesterle joins Kane, Murphy, and DeBrincat on Team USA roster for World Hockey Championships. Darling also makes team. So does Quinn Hughes.
- AEL_Fox

Does this mean ppssibly that Oesterle gains confidance playing with and against this high level of talent. If he plays....and how much TOI. Oesterle is going to develop into a better player than we saw. I bet not.

Sharks take a bite out of Vegas express. How does SJ match up against the Eastern Conference representative? Wonder if Thorton returns use him sparingly
Don't mess with chemistry. If so, it is his skating the issue.

The teams could very well choose exactly according to this mock draft. If it us a choice between Dobson or Wahlstrom, i would go with the higher ceiling player
Although we need to establish defense i don't view Dobson as a strong top.pair, maybe a good but nothing special. Wahlstrom sounds like the better talented player.
- jhawk59

I would have to agree. Dobson seems like he could be an unspectacular yet solid and reliable player while Wahlstrom could be a high-end player. Game breaker may be too lofty of expectations but Wahlstrom seems like he could be an impact power forward.

Can someone explain to me why peope think Buffalo "deserve" the #1 pick? A GM that makes bad decisions deserves good fortune?
Whoever said that is buying Bettmans crap, and needs to stop!
- powerenforcer

What bad decisions did Botteril (in his FIRST year) make? If i said Buffalo deserves #1 pick, "deserves" is a bad choice of word. I mean, after being down so long i like to see them rise up and do well. Btw Buffalo last had a #1 overall 31 years ago, quiped a Buffalo thread.

Kane to Buffalo for Dahlin?

Kane to Buffalo for Dahlin?
- Dieselhead

Blackhawks would need more than Dahlin.

Twitter@MarkLazerus

Recent No. 8 picks:
2017: Lias Andersson (NYR)
2016: Alex Nylander (BUF)
2015: Zach Werenski (CBJ)
2014: William Nylander (TOR)
2013: Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF)
2012: Derrick Pouliot (PIT)
2011: Sean Couturier (PHL)

Pretty good track record.
- AEL_Fox

1988: Jeremy Roenick

1988: Jeremy Roenick

- MjulQvist

1998 Mark Bell

I wouldn´t be surprised if Ottawa graps Adam Boqvist at #4.

Does any player we draft at 8, step in next season from the get-go?

I wouldn´t be surprised if Ottawa graps Adam Boqvist at #4.
- MjulQvist

That's my guess as well.

I wouldn´t be surprised if Ottawa graps Adam Boqvist at #4.
- MjulQvist

I'm also thinking that if anyone drops out of top 5, it will be Tkachuk. I think he is the most "boom or bust" one plus there is the college factor.

So this is why Carolina has been holding on to our future considerations this long!😅😈