I'm nowhere near the draft guru you (or others) are...but I think it's the best plan
- PatShart

Like ObeseOprh said, I am no different than anyone here, except I have the time to obese at all hours looking at prospects, going places and being long winded.

Why would the Hawks not bring him over and let him take a shot at the back up spot? Berube is ehhhh... Glass is beer league. Forsberg? Dont know yet and Delia needs at least one more year in the Rock to show some consistency. And they forgot Wouter Peeters in the goalie list.

Oh yeah and not to mention that Crawford is still a giant ? as to whether or not he is fully healthy.
- z1990z

Why not invite him to camp see how he does and go from there?

Assuming the Hawks take Wahlstrom at #8 who should they take at #27.

Do they go with another forward like Dellandrea? They took two d-men last year with their first two picks. Do they look to select a defenseman to balance out the prospect pool? Maybe it comes down to the best player available again.
- DarthKane

No....they go defense...there are big guys still in development and quick guys like sanding and Merkley...
a centre like Dellandrea ----he plays the NHL in some capacity, even if it is an F- 7

Assuming the Hawks take Wahlstrom at #8 who should they take at #27.

Do they go with another forward like Dellandrea? They took two d-men last year with their first two picks. Do they look to select a defenseman to balance out the prospect pool? Maybe it comes down to the best player available again.
- DarthKane

If he's there IMO take the home run swing with Merkley. Dellandrea by all counts is a nice looking prospect and is a centerman, might depend on what position they choose at #8.... I know Wiz disagrees but at 27 a guy like Dman Bode Wilde would be great value. Copy and paste from Pronman of the Athletic. Size and skill man.

19. Bode Wilde, D USA Under-18-USHL

Jan. 24, 2000 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds

GP: 61 | Goals: 12 | Points: 41 | Shoots: Right

Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey sense: 50

Bode is a bit of a Wilde card (I apologize for nothing). He can blow you away on a given shift. His speed and skill level for a 6-foot-2 defenseman is elite. You see rushes from Wilde where he looks like a potential top 3-5 pick with the way he can blow by guys, create a clean zone entry and start the offense for his club. I’m impressed at times by his offensive instincts in how creative he is with the puck and the way he moves it out of his zone with skill or can hit a teammate through a tight seam in the O-zone. Despite being known as an offensive player, he can close on guys and is quite physical, not afraid to lean on guys with his frame. The big issue with him is decision making. I generally am fine with high skill guys turning pucks over, it’s a necessary evil to having the puck a lot, but he makes a lot of overly risky plays and poor turnovers and can be on the butt end of too many highlight reels for the opposing team. The NTDP worked on trying to get him to simplify his game to reduce those errors, and I think he struggled trying to walk that line. At the end of the day, there are a handful of right-handed defensemen in the world with his combination of size, speed and skill, thus he grades out high for me as a prospect, but balanced against the substantial risks in his game.

USNTDP U18 coach Seth Appert said: “Bode is a push rushing, attacking offensive defenseman. He’s mobile, he’s physical. He’s as talented as anyone in this draft class. He’s still maturing in terms of adding offense without the risk.”

Dcat proved everyone wrong, myself included. No way did I think he was ready for the NHL last yr but obviously he was. Sure his offense may have translated to the bigs but his defense was a huuuuuge concern but his 54.3 corsi and 2,2 corsi relative were beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Sure he had sheltered zone starts but still.

He's not a secret to the opposition anymore but the kid just gets it done and is just a natural scorer. Loved seeing the kid do well as most everyone doubted the kid.
- Mr Ricochet

He was second on the team in points getting shuffled around the line up. Outstanding season from him.

His D zone starts weren't too out of bounds for a rookie. I wouldn't say he was overly sheltered.

The pressure is on Stan to produce now. I want the Hawks to keep #8 and #27 but I'm expecting at least one of those picks to be dealt.
- DarthKane

Agree and for me this is a problem and might skew what is best for the organIzation. If he had the chance to trade down and get 2 guys they have rated very highly he might pass.

I'd add that I believe Kotkaniemi is under contract to his Finnish pro team for 2 more yrs and that may completely eliminate him for StanBow. On that note say the Hawks know EDM or NYR want Kotkaniemi bad but instead of paying to trade up with the Hawks to get him they know Stan is over a barrel to win now and know he won't take the Finn cuz he won't see him for 2 more yrs.

Stan always seems to find a way to negotiate from weakness.

That’s one way to stock your AHL team with boarderline talent. Costs an extra few hundred thousand but has no cap implications.

I’m wondering if they sign Clendening to a similar deal or if he ends up in Europe.
- DarthKane

Don't get your Martinsen hate whatsoever, would you really be cool with Hayden being the ONLY physical guy on this team? Cause I sure the hell am not.

The pressure is on Stan to produce now. I want the Hawks to keep #8 and #27 but I'm expecting at least one of those picks to be dealt.
- DarthKane

Agree and for me this is a problem and might skew what is best for the organIzation. If he had the chance to trade down and get 2 guys they have rated very highly he might pass.

I'd add that I believe Kotkaniemi is under contract to his Finnish pro team for 2 more yrs and that may completely eliminate him for StanBow. On that note say the Hawks know EDM or NYR want Kotkaniemi bad but instead of paying to trade up with the Hawks to get him they know Stan is over a barrel to win now and know he won't take the Finn cuz he won't see him for 2 more yrs.

Stan always seems to find a way to negotiate from weakness.
- Mr Ricochet

Its the draft. Not every pick will be NHL ready. Draft the best available and let them develop. If it takes 2 years so be it. The best way to help this team is for Stan to attack FA by signing at least two D that can help the top 4. Then sort out the goal tending issue. The circus in net and the D issues killed this team last year.

We need to get some talent in the pipe line for the future, but I can easily see Stan trading possibly both picks for NHL talent to step right in. Hawks dont want back to back dumpster fire seasons.

Mark Kelley interview on NHL.Com:

"We're sitting in a really good spot at No. 8. Not only do we think we're going to get a player that we like, but it's going to be a hard decision, and that's exciting. I think it's a good draft class. There are a few players at the top who stand out, and I think there's a pool of 10 to 12 players who, depending upon the team and how you view them, could be ordered differently."

Like I said, the Hawks can't see the board in front of them any better than anybody, if the defenders actually fly off before slot 8 or linger.

..and that hard decision will be questioned /criticized here in retrospect within the couple years if there is any possibility the prospects at 9-12 shine brighter.
- wiz1901

I am not going to call for drafting any player over another player, since as Kelly said it is a hard decision and the #8 slot produces a very good player.

I had asked you a couple months ago whether the heavy emphasis on dmen prospects we have drafted (subsequentially many have been signed) might affect their draft plans. Would Bowman not draft a dman?

You indicated not only should go Kelly/Bowman go after best player, but until someone "makes it" (my terminology) you have to keep trying to add a quality dman.

I am not going to dream we trade up and grab Hughes. But I am wondering this: could Kelly not be saying aloud that looking at the skill set of our top dmen prospects and the skill set of dmen possibly available at #8 maybe moving down a couple of spots makes sense if we are targeting whomever. What would we get out of it?

Maybe we would be able to swap our #27 for a higher pick. Many talk about Merkely.

It is going to be interesting. Btw I could imagine a couple teams going for Tkacuck. And Edm wanting someone else to be the big tough. Gretzky had his protector. McDavid needs the same.

Interesting whom is at rookies camp and whom is selected for Traverse City rookies prospect tournament. Do Carlsson and Tuulola qualify? Carlsson has been tegetenved as a dark horse. And Coliton inserted Tuulola in the lineup last three playoff games after they were down in the series. I am uncertain if this player had one or no late season AHL go.

Assuming the Hawks take Wahlstrom at #8 who should they take at #27.

Do they go with another forward like Dellandrea? They took two d-men last year with their first two picks. Do they look to select a defenseman to balance out the prospect pool? Maybe it comes down to the best player available again.
- DarthKane

Dellandrea would be a good choice. Miller, Samuelsson, and Sandin are the defenders I think I like most that seems to rank 20 or later on most scouting lists.

I like Akil Thomas and Lundestrom as well for their two-way game. The latter is ranked 15-25 so Idk if he'd be there by then.

Getting harder and harder to not see Kotkkaniemi as the pick at #8, Wiz. Stumbled across video of him playing in the top pro league in Finland, Liiga, as a SEVENTEEN yr old. To my eye there is nothing wrong with his skating and in fact he shows +speed at 6ft 2in 200lbs. His speed of thought is excellent, plays fast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ20dBGDfS0
- Mr Ricochet

I think I am gonna get off the Brady train and start twirling the Kotkkaniemi batoni too.

What a crazy life with no problems when my biggest worry is that some team may take him before slot#8.

The only skating hitch is when he is not in a stride and wants to go East-West to defend or turn to an open area, his edging work could improve.
Clearly he is smooth for a big kid, in the corners and very fluid on his pins while using his stick in the corners and when getting the biscuit back into the scoring areas, pretty effortless and a natural progression of moves because he isn't thinking just read and reading, eg hockey fast.

Ok..it is settled we have our selection.

Someone tell Panarin27 in that Buzz draft to re-pick....

Dellandrea would be a good choice. Miller, Samuelsson, and Sandin are the defenders I think I like most that seems to rank 20 or later on most scouting lists.

I like Akil Thomas and Lundestrom as well for their two-way game. The latter is ranked 15-25 so Idk if he'd be there by then.
- L_B_R

I am thinking Samuelson is going to be that big dman each team wishes they had in their lineup. Although he signed to play collegiate.

Dellandrea would be a good choice. Miller, Samuelsson, and Sandin are the defenders I think I like most that seems to rank 20 or later on most scouting lists.

I like Akil Thomas and Lundestrom as well for their two-way game. The latter is ranked 15-25 so Idk if he'd be there by then.
- L_B_R

I am not sure Akil Thomas is anything but good all-around player who maybe slot in about F(forward)-7 until he proves otherwise.
Slight (under 6 ft) but solid offensive generator with speed, hands, and creativity for his size.
If anybody look at my early November board, Isac Lundeström was hovering around the 20's even before other prospects started rising.
Speed and hockey sense displayed against Swedish pros are the foundation of his two-way game. Will scoring get added at the next level? He's a smart two way playmaker, with more North-South speed, not tipsy-doodler.
And is he a guy who then shows versatility to play on the wing?

I am thinking Samuelson is going to be that big dman each team wishes they had in their lineup. Although he signed to play collegiate.
- jhawk59

By virtue of his huge frame, wingspan and aggressive nature of play, he has maybe risen high in the lists based on projection. I am not so sure he is a true PP guy, even though the shot is a heavy pill to stop.

The negative I see in him is when he stops, or has to change possession change, he gets slow in the stop starts. That being said, for his size he is "mobile"

and he is mobile enough that when he hits you, you know it. A nasty piece of dee is what you are getting, but will it transfer in the new game as a #4 defender?

By now, you are thinking I am in a Texas hotel room, just sitting on the internet...well, you are correct.

The pressure is on Stan to produce now. I want the Hawks to keep #8 and #27 but I'm expecting at least one of those picks to be dealt.
- DarthKane

Agree and for me this is a problem and might skew what is best for the organIzation. If he had the chance to trade down and get 2 guys they have rated very highly he might pass.

I'd add that I believe Kotkaniemi is under contract to his Finnish pro team for 2 more yrs and that may completely eliminate him for StanBow. On that note say the Hawks know EDM or NYR want Kotkaniemi bad but instead of paying to trade up with the Hawks to get him they know Stan is over a barrel to win now and know he won't take the Finn cuz he won't see him for 2 more yrs.

Stan always seems to find a way to negotiate from weakness.
- Mr Ricochet

Kotkaniemi has two years remaining on his contract in Finland but there is an out clause if he lands a job in the NHL. He expressed confidence that he could play in the NHL next season if he gets the opportunity.

Its the draft. Not every pick will be NHL ready. Draft the best available and let them develop. If it takes 2 years so be it. The best way to help this team is for Stan to attack FA by signing at least two D that can help the top 4. Then sort out the goal tending issue. The circus in net and the D issues killed this team last year.

We need to get some talent in the pipe line for the future, but I can easily see Stan trading possibly both picks for NHL talent to step right in. Hawks dont want back to back dumpster fire seasons.
- z1990z

I'm leaning toward this philosophy as well. The immediate holes to fix now, like strengthening the blueline to be more competitive next year and ensuring the net has reliable goalies tending them, are best filled by free agents or trade acquisitions. It would be awesome if a 2018 draft pick or even a prospect already in the system earns a starting spot in training camp, but that may not be realistic even with potential top-8 draftees with that potential.

Defenders take time to develop even if they do make the lineup right away. Hedman took a few years before he became a monster. Ekblad had a strong rookie season but suffered a sophomore slump which many argued was partially due to losing Campbell as his partner and mentor after Soupy re-signed with the Hawks.

In other words, even if we draft a Bouchard or Dobson or Boqvist and they happen to make the team out of camp, I wouldn't bank on them being an instant impact player. Too much pressure to put on them. Same goes with Jokiharju; don't rush him and let him develop properly. If any of them do happen to be in the starting lineup, surround them with experienced defensemen (current Hawks and potential free agent/trade acquisitions) who can support them on and off the ice.

Kotkaniemi has two years remaining on his contract in Finland but there is an out clause if he lands a job in the NHL. He expressed confidence that he could play in the NHL next season if he gets the opportunity.
- walleyeb1

That's great to hear. Like Ricochet, I'm high on Kotkaniemi as a potential 8th pick.

By virtue of his huge frame, wingspan and aggressive nature of play, he has maybe risen high in the lists based on projection. I am not so sure he is a true PP guy, even though the shot is a heavy pill to stop.

The negative I see in him is when he stops, or has to change possession change, he gets slow in the stop starts. That being said, for his size he is "mobile"

and he is mobile enough that when he hits you, you know it. A nasty piece of dee is what you are getting, but will it transfer in the new game as a #4 defender?

By now, you are thinking I am in a Texas hotel room, just sitting on the internet...well, you are correct.
- wiz1901

I read one review on Kotkaniemi that compared him to a young Anze Kopitar. Heckuva comparison.

By virtue of his huge frame, wingspan and aggressive nature of play, he has maybe risen high in the lists based on projection. I am not so sure he is a true PP guy, even though the shot is a heavy pill to stop.

The negative I see in him is when he stops, or has to change possession change, he gets slow in the stop starts. That being said, for his size he is "mobile"

and he is mobile enough that when he hits you, you know it. A nasty piece of dee is what you are getting, but will it transfer in the new game as a #4 defender?

By now, you are thinking I am in a Texas hotel room, just sitting on the internet...well, you are correct.
- wiz1901

It's gotta be getting a little hot down there don't ya think Wiz

I am not going to dream we trade up and grab Hughes. But I am wondering this: could Kelly not be saying aloud that looking at the skill set of our top dmen prospects and the skill set of dmen possibly available at #8 maybe moving down a couple of spots makes sense if we are targeting whomever. What would we get out of it?

Maybe we would be able to swap our #27 for a higher pick. Many talk about Merkely.

It is going to be interesting. Btw I could imagine a couple teams going for Tkacuck. And Edm wanting someone else to be the big tough. Gretzky had his protector. McDavid needs the same.
- jhawk59

To me, Kelley is TRYING to throw out to the other GMs, go take those defenders, so we have many forward options lefty at #8...I am a firm belier of standing pat at slot #8
I think there is a drop and nine is where is drops a little.
To drop a spot, you would have to get Ranger's pick and the price would also be a THIRD ROUNDER and the first 3rd rounder the Rangers have is at slot 70 about where I said in an earlier post, the next tier clearly starts, so I am not sure it is worth thinking about. I don't think the Rangers in a rebuild, are giving you 26, 28, or 39 to move up a slot.

Interesting whom is at rookies camp and whom is selected for Traverse City rookies prospect tournament. Do Carlsson and Tuulola qualify? Carlsson has been tegetenved as a dark horse. And Coliton inserted Tuulola in the lineup last three playoff games after they were down in the series. I am uncertain if this player had one or no late season AHL go.
- jhawk59

To me, it is apples to oranges when you are talking about a slot 8 youngster and the futures of already drafted late, players you are trying to develop...no one can tell you Krys or THIS is gonna the bomb or a bomb, you have to let the natural process take shape like with the closer guys (Forsling).
Those tourney's are NHL team sponsored competitions to see how their various players look again the others...so I am pretty sure it is fluid as to the rules of who can come and who cannot.
(I do remember that one tourney not Travese city but Hamiton?, maybe where Toronto played Jake Gardiner who was older and more physically dominant and developed against the likes of Danault and other hawks and he basically ran rough shot on the s and Columbus and the rest of the tourney's entry. Not seemed like a bully session...or putting a teenager out there with mites...so maybe they added rules to who goes?

For those who are knowledgeable about it, when a young hockey player is in the U.S. NTDP, who do they play games against if they don't play in a league and play a full season like in juniors? And if they don't play a bunch of games, are they essentially practicing and training all other times?

I don't recall their being a Canada NTDP, but I assume that is what the junior leagues are for. So is it accurate to say that the U.S. NTDP is an opportunity for U.S. kids if they don't want to play in juniors?

I imagine you have to be recruited to play in the U.S. NTDP, so if you're not one of the lucky ones, then you have to pursue juniors or play high school hockey then college.

I read one review on Kotkaniemi that compared him to a young Anze Kopitar. Heckuva comparison.
- z1990z

Although I haven't come across that review, lately I have been thinking that Kotkaniemi's ceiling could be as high as Kopitar but thought that's pretty lofty. Would be awesome, but I also think his comparable (if he hits his potential) could be along the lines of a Kuznetsov, Barkov, or Wennberg.

IF Bowman is going to try and re-tool this summer and try to save his job by making the playoffs.....why wouldn't the Hawks pursue the big bodied lethal sniper in Kovalchuck who is the Right Shooting LW that could slide into Panarin's old spot on the Powerplay and on Kane's LW 5v5??? IF the Hawks move Hossa's contract, I read that Kovy is looking for a Patrick Marleau type deal of 3 yrs x $6mil.....thoughts???

If he's there IMO take the home run swing with Merkley. Dellandrea by all counts is a nice looking prospect and is a centerman, might depend on what position they choose at #8.... I know Wiz disagrees but at 27 a guy like Dman Bode Wilde would be great value. Copy and paste from Pronman of the Athletic. Size and skill man.

19. Bode Wilde, D USA Under-18-USHL

Jan. 24, 2000 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds

GP: 61 | Goals: 12 | Points: 41 | Shoots: Right

Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 55
Hockey sense: 50

Bode is a bit of a Wilde card (I apologize for nothing). He can blow you away on a given shift. His speed and skill level for a 6-foot-2 defenseman is elite. You see rushes from Wilde where he looks like a potential top 3-5 pick with the way he can blow by guys, create a clean zone entry and start the offense for his club. I’m impressed at times by his offensive instincts in how creative he is with the puck and the way he moves it out of his zone with skill or can hit a teammate through a tight seam in the O-zone. Despite being known as an offensive player, he can close on guys and is quite physical, not afraid to lean on guys with his frame. The big issue with him is decision making. I generally am fine with high skill guys turning pucks over, it’s a necessary evil to having the puck a lot, but he makes a lot of overly risky plays and poor turnovers and can be on the butt end of too many highlight reels for the opposing team. The NTDP worked on trying to get him to simplify his game to reduce those errors, and I think he struggled trying to walk that line. At the end of the day, there are a handful of right-handed defensemen in the world with his combination of size, speed and skill, thus he grades out high for me as a prospect, but balanced against the substantial risks in his game.

USNTDP U18 coach Seth Appert said: “Bode is a push rushing, attacking offensive defenseman. He’s mobile, he’s physical. He’s as talented as anyone in this draft class. He’s still maturing in terms of adding offense without the risk.”
- Mr Ricochet

Sounds like our kind of guy if he is still available. Probably a few years away though.

It's gotta be getting a little hot down there don't ya think Wiz
- 6628

It gets in the 100s- where I live in St. Petersburg, is down by the bridge to Sarasota, where the water comes into the bay, 4 houses from the water on three sides, it rarely gets hotter than 93 and we have a big pool we use everyday.

After living my entire life I the city, I never realized how the city's concrete hot made it hotter than even the humid hot Now get with the breeze.

Texas is nice at certain times but like Chicago, there seems to be. window of Perfect daytime temps, but few days where there isn't a stark day to night change, where St. Pete, we only "cool" slightly at night all year, even in the cold months of January and February we have never seen a freeze the plants night, and the cold is the 50's...sending the locals to their wool outfits and hooded winter coats.