@CapFriendly
There's been much talk of possible movement within the top 10 at this years draft.

However, since 2005 only eight trades involving a top 10 pick have actually occurred in the month of June, preceding the draft or on the draft floor.

* The 8th overall has seen the most action.



- L_B_R

If the Hawks truly covet a player who will be available later in the draft (i.e. Veleno) then I wouldn't mind them moving down to acquire more picks.

I know it won't happen, but I'd still love to see the Hawks and Islanders swap their first round picks (2 each). I could see the Hawks and Rangers doing something similar, 8+27 for 9+26 if the Hawks think the Rangers aren't taking their guy.

If the Hawks truly covet a player who will be available later in the draft (i.e. Veleno) then I wouldn't mind them moving down to acquire more picks.

I know it won't happen, but I'd still love to see the Hawks and Islanders swap their first round picks (2 each). I could see the Hawks and Rangers doing something similar, 8+27 for 9+26 if the Hawks think the Rangers aren't taking their guy.
- DarthKane

I think we can all agree that there will be some big moves, similar to last summer. Hopefully the moves this summer work out much better....

Despite all the negatives I (and so many others) wrote about Ryan Merkley, you have to think he is still high on the lists of teams with more than pick, mid and second round.


Detroit Rangers Montreal Blackhawks even. He passes too pretty.

I have blabbed on and on about negatives (the off-ice, the teammate quibbling, the coach confrontations, and the plain stupid reactions of frustrations), but this is a competitive kid who wants to win (who was the foreard Shawzie?)
Great vision and ability to instantly get the puck 100 feet, and just great edging work on his skates.

I like him even at the #27...
- wiz1901

I do this too

But I seriously read that as the
Detroit Rangers
Montréal Blackhawks
😱

Put me in the group hoping Brady drops to slot eight but...
He’s Hayes cousin and my fear is he taiks Hawks Hawks hawks and goes back to school and then walks walks....
You almost have to guarantee him a spot from the get go.

On another subject anyone see the Blackhawks were ranked 22 to 1 in the odds to win the Cup this upcoming season. Tied with Ducks as the 10th & 11th HIGHEST SPOTS...so I guess the oddsmaker don’t see them as the mess they were this last season...

Put me in the group hoping Brady drops to slot eight but...
He’s Hayes cousin and my fear is he taiks Hawks Hawks hawks and goes back to school and then walks walks....
You almost have to guarantee him a spot from the get go.

On another subject anyone see the Blackhawks were ranked 22 to 1 in the odds to win the Cup this upcoming season. Tied with Ducks as the 10th & 11th HIGHEST SPOTS...so I guess the oddsmaker don’t see them as the mess they were this last season...
- wiz1901

Arent they just following the money though? i thought the odds were pretty much about who's getting bet the most.

Arent they just following the money though? i thought the odds were pretty much about who's getting bet the most.
- BlazinMike

Odds are set to even out the books.

You do not want to trade out of the third tier that end at 9/10 for one of the 4th tier (Veleno) because that 4th their reaches through the next ten spots.
Unless you are trading the pick for a real nhler, you stand pat and get a good, real good prospect.

Hawks fans the past 3 years: toews sucks now and i basically hate him

Hawks fans as soon as another fan base says something bad about Toews: You're stupid and don't understand how great he is.
- BlazinMike

Hawks fans if Toews is traded and goes back to putting up Toews like numbers and a wins a cup.
- Bowman did not get enough for him.
- Q ruined him.
- Toews is one of the best players in the NHL.
- I always liked him.

Odds are set to even out the books.
- StLBravesFan

But how do they start out? These were what they are set prior to anyone betting...or so I thought...I'm not a gambler so I really wouldn't know.

Put me in the group hoping Brady drops to slot eight but...
He’s Hayes cousin and my fear is he taiks Hawks Hawks hawks and goes back to school and then walks walks....
You almost have to guarantee him a spot from the get go.

On another subject anyone see the Blackhawks were ranked 22 to 1 in the odds to win the Cup this upcoming season. Tied with Ducks as the 10th & 11th HIGHEST SPOTS...so I guess the oddsmaker don’t see them as the mess they were this last season...
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz,
I would love to see them trade up to put their self in a position to draft Brady Tkachuk, This is where uncle John has to do his PR selling, and make nice with the family, I was one that was hoping they would not trade Kevin Hayes., But I understand Kevin Hayes wanted to play right now. I don’t know if the Rangers are dealing Kevin Hayes but I would try to acquire him if they were able to draft cousin Brady. But I would watch out for the Rangers on that one too because I think his college coaches now the coach of the New York rangers. But then again there’s a big rumor out there at Bowman is trying to move up to the number 1.,Going to be interesting.

I agree with this and posted a blog back that dealing Murphy to me gives you room to sign Tavares, IF (huge IF) Islanders let him go, and you go 91-19-15 down the middle. That's a solid start.


I also agree with Justin that it's time to give PK a letter. Look, the Canadian clique that has dominated that room for years has to end. I would strip Keith of the letter and let Kane get involved.


With the wirtz quotes coming out I would expect a decent sized move coming by the 4th of july. Either a trade before/during/after the draft AND a signing on the 1st.
- SteveRain

They will have a lot of money to play with and they have some solid NHL assets that they can move, especially with all those fast lil forwards that have shown some level or promise in the NHL.

Murphy was one of their better defenders and has size and mobility. Worst case scenario he's a guy and they don't even have a plethora of those right now.

Dump Hossa's deal and they have 17 or 18 million to play with. Come off AA and there's 22 with which they can do all kinds of crazy things.

Kills cap flexibility down the line (until there is a lockout) but if they are going to win while Keith still has legs and Seabrook is moderately useful then they need to do it the next two or maybe three years cause the party is over any way you cut it then.

I think they need to go big now.

If Brady Tkachunk is there at 8 that's who the hawks should pick big power forward with grit skill and just like his dad. Cory Perry Wayne Simmonds Tom Wilson type player exactly what the hawks need and have been missing for a long time.

Say Toews is traded the teams in my opinion where he might be traded to are:

Buffalo

Winnipeg

Montreal

Carolina

So to the panel or whoever would like to play arm chair GM what would the trades look like for each team. This is for discussion and thoughts until something actually happens. So to all GO!!!

AA got blasted by foley during that Nashville series after coming back from a sprained ankle. The hatred of Russians by Foley has been aggravating. I grew up with Foley, was glad he came back, but I wish they would move on from him. I feel like I get dumb watching Hawks telecasts because Foley wants to play grab @ss and Eddie O stoops down to that level.


Where as when Eddie O is doing national games you get the ex coach Eddie O and that is the Eddie O the Hawks telecast needs. Instead it's a big love fest with cookies and shout outs. Horrible.
- SteveRain

I turn off the sound when Foley is doing play-by-play.

If Brady Tkachunk is there at 8 that's who the hawks should pick big power forward with grit skill and just like his dad. Cory Perry Wayne Simmonds Tom Wilson type player exactly what the hawks need and have been missing for a long time.

Say Toews is traded the teams in my opinion where he might be traded to are:

Buffalo

Winnipeg

Montreal

Carolina

So to the panel or whoever would like to play arm chair GM what would the trades look like for each team. This is for discussion and thoughts until something actually happens. So to all GO!!!
- Scott1977

The problem is, Toews (and his agent) have to approve a trade to any of those cities.

He isn't getting traded. IF his name is even out there, in my opinion, it's done as a motivator

Scotty did it years ago with Yzerman to change his game. I think Kane was floated out there during his off ice escapades...and I think this has been done in order to get his game trending back in the positive direction versus the downward trend it has been going.

Just an opinion

Hey Wiz,
I would love to see them trade up to put their self in a position to draft Brady Tkachuk, This is where uncle John has to do his PR selling, and make nice with the family, I was one that was hoping they would not trade Kevin Hayes., But I understand Kevin Hayes wanted to play right now. I don’t know if the Rangers are dealing Kevin Hayes but I would try to acquire him if they were able to draft cousin Brady. But I would watch out for the Rangers on that one too because I think his college coaches now the coach of the New York rangers. But then again there’s a big rumor out there at Bowman is trying to move up to the number 1,Going to be interesting.
- wonthecup10

Could Brady Tkachuk possible fall to the Blackhawks?

No I don’t see them trading up because a move up to just Vancouver’s slot costs at least that third with #8.
And trading the #27 and #8 doesn't quite get you much farther up...let's say MAYBE to FIVE...but then you are counting on the team in slot FIVE, Arizona to be happy with the prospects left over...and at this juncture these teams are locked in on their boards and view a three spot back like it is a true subtraction and crossing off of three names they felt were better....even if teams go in a different direction, Arizona won't leave it up to chance.

My thought is the Jesperi Kotkaniemi rise means only two of the four NON-Dahlin defenders have to go in front of Brady and and that means Wahlstrom goes too.
(I have Wahlstrom as the guy dropping to the hawks on my DraftSite board now....but sure he's a sniper who looked a lot better player when Jack Hughes arrived, but still a nice player even if he doesn't become Mike Bossy.)

So stay with me, Vancouver IS taking defender at 7, so all you need is you need is Habs to take the best player available at Zadina or go for need with with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, leaving Ottawa to decide between Zadina or one of the defenders (as Erik Karlsson exits) and leaves Arizona creaming as Zadina falls to five. (incredible!)
So that would be one of the aforementioned "after Dahlin defenders" of Evan Bouchard,Quinn Hughes,Noah Dobson, and the second best passer and elusive skating Adam Boqvist who needs to catch up to the others as a defensive poke checker.

TWO of these defenders have to be off the board.

Would Vancouver feel comfortable trading the hawks the 7th overall and take a chance they can predict the Hawks want Brady and still get the defender they want?

I don't think the Hawks are telling them...and I think the consensus is Vancouver will again go dee...but again, who the frank knows?



Crazier things have happened even recently as the early draft selections made at the Chicago draft.

But...do the hawks suddenly see a defender there and say, "we gotta have him?"

and Brady continues his decent?

Go read my draft board - you don't have to agree with it (and I don't have Kotkaniemi in the top eight there)....but you can see the board clearer on DraftSite, than trying to muddle through the mess above...
but "it might COULD happen...

No I don’t see them trading up because a move up to just Vancouver’s slot costs at least that third with #8.
My thought is the Jesperi Kotkaniemi rise means only two of the four NON-Dahlin defenders have to go in front of Brady and and that means Wahlstrom goes too.
(I have Wahlstrom as the guy dropping to the hawks on my DraftSite board now....but sure he's a sniper who looked a lot better player when Jack Hughes arrived, but still a nice player even if he doesn't become Mike Bossy.)

So stay with me, Vancouver IS taking defender at 7, so all you need is you need is Habs to take the best player available at Zadina or go for need with with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, leaving Ottawa to decide between Zadina or one of the defenders (as Karlsson exites) and leaves Arizona creaming as Zadina falls to five (incredible!)
So that would be one of the aforementioned "after Dahlin defenders" of Evan Bouchard,Quinn Hughes,Noah Dobson, and the second best passer and elusive skating Adam Boqvist who needs to catch up to the others as defensive poke checker, and uber manchild Noah Dobson.
TWO of these defenders have to be off the board.

Would Vancouver feel comfortable trading the hawks the 7th overall and take a chance they can predict the Hawks want Brady and still get the defender they want?

I don't think the Hawks are telling them...and I think the consensus is Vancouver will again go dee...but again, who the frank knows?



Crazier things have happened even recently as the early draft selections made at the Chicago draft.

But...do the hawks suddenly see a defender there and say, "we gotta have him?"

and Brady continues his decent?

Go read my draft board - you don't have to agree with it (and I don't have Kotkaniemi in the top eight there)....but you can see the board clearer on DraftSite, than trying to muddle through the mess above...
but "it might COULD happen...
- wiz1901

Wiz - maybe you addressed this already, but curious on your thoughts on why Boqvist has fallen throughout the year?

Did others like Dobson and Bouchard just pass him or did his play suffer a bit in the back half?

The problem is, Toews (and his agent) have to approve a trade to any of those cities.

He isn't getting traded. IF his name is even out there, in my opinion, it's done as a motivator

Scotty did it years ago with Yzerman to change his game. I think Kane was floated out there during his off ice escapades...and I think this has been done in order to get his game trending back in the positive direction versus the downward trend it has been going.

Just an opinion
- PatShart

I agree probably does not get traded unless he wants out. I propose the question for discussion sake thats all.

I know others have asked about Toews off season training, so I did a little research. Seems a little out there to me, but I’ll let you draw your own conclusions:

http://www.stack.com/a/in...s-taking-the-nhl-by-storm

If Brady Tkachunk is there at 8 that's who the hawks should pick big power forward with grit skill and just like his dad. Cory Perry Wayne Simmonds Tom Wilson type player exactly what the hawks need and have been missing for a long time.

Say Toews is traded the teams in my opinion where he might be traded to are:

Buffalo

Winnipeg

Montreal

Carolina

So to the panel or whoever would like to play arm chair GM what would the trades look like for each team. This is for discussion and thoughts until something actually happens. So to all GO!!!
- Scott1977

Victor Rask, Scott Darling, 1st in 2019

Wiz - maybe you addressed this already, but curious on your thoughts on why Boqvist has fallen throughout the year?

Did others like Dobson and Bouchard just pass him or did his play suffer a bit in the back half?
- Justin Lowe

That's a question I could expound on all day.

The beauty is everything I do is documented even the old draft boards I ranked...I have all the years of me doing this there, mistakes and all...try and find my buddy from Sirius Shane Malloy's draft boards or Russ Cohen's unless you have the transcripts of their shows it is all bluster and forgotten - no scoresheet to look at later.

I wasn't sold on Dobson. He was big, well schooled, and calm, and definitely had talent, but I told folks I felt the transition to the NHL speed was gonna hurt him, not because he had less offensive savvy, or that he wasn't gonna be a good size quicker footed guy, but that he seems to lag behind in reading and reacting with attacks/attackers. He never broke out of him calm demeanor, he just seemed to be getting lost. I said to guys who frequent this board that I felt he lacked "head speed."
Well, the long grind through the Memorial Cup still albeit junior play showed me he continued to improve, react better, and get faster in his diagnosis .
So yes he caught up to Boqvist, because he is gonna be a big man with decent fluidity.

I thought from the start that the Craig Button hype of Boqvist in the media started the rise, as the "other Dahlin"... but I saw when my copy of the Hockey News Draft issue arrived that their Hughes vs Boqvist article was maintaining that status quo, trying to paint Quinn Hughes as the better skater but Boqvist a slight notch below but a more graceful skater.
Hughes is an exceptional stickhandler, but Boqvist simply knows how to score and make scores with passes. (I have never called a goal a score before right now!)

Bouchard put up unheard of numbers that can't be dismissed and he has that high end ability to read things offensive besides shooting btheopuck and behind good sized and a good skater even with the hitch in his stride...
(He may be a guy over polished on the draft boards)

Who knows if Bouchard is the last of these four guys taken or Boqvist.
Too me, Hughes probably isn't going to be available at slot 8. After the World, he may play right away if he doesn't want to spend next season playing along side his brother...

I do think from watching Boqvist, he doesn't change up in the way he tries to defend, he has a signature telegraphed poke check and he was surprisingly hard heart defensively, and he was protected in many instances and didn't come off as close to adequate in his end, but we all know if he goes high, why.
Hughes will give a repertoire of ways of attacking the attackers

That is my answer I guess

That's a question I could expound on all day.

The beauty is everything I do is documented even the old draft boards I ranked...I have all the years of me doing this there, mistakes and all...try and find my buddy from Sirius Shane Malloy's draft boards or Russ Cohen's unless you have the transcripts of their shows it is all bluster and forgotten - no scoresheet to look at later.

I wasn't sold on Dobson. He was big, well schooled, and calm, and definitely had talent, but I told folks I felt the transition to the NHL speed was gonna hurt him, not because he had less offensive savvy, or that he wasn't gonna be a good size quicker footed guy, but that he seems to lag behind in reading and reacting with attacks/attackers. He never broke out of him calm demeanor, he just seemed to be getting lost. I said to guys who frequent this board that I felt he lacked "head speed."
Well, the long grind through the Memorial Cup still albeit junior play showed me he continued to improve, react better, and get faster in his diagnosis .
So yes he caught up to Boqvist, because he is gonna be a big man with decent fluidity.

I thought from the start that the Craig Button hype of Boqvist in the media started the rise, as the "other Dahlin"... but I saw when my copy of the Hockey News Draft issue arrived that their Hughes vs Boqvist article was maintaining that status quo, trying to paint Quinn Hughes as the better skater but Boqvist a slight notch below but a more graceful skater.
Hughes is an exceptional stickhandler, but Boqvist simply knows how to score and make scores with passes. (I have never called a goal a score before right now!)

Bouchard put up unheard of numbers that can't be dismissed and he has that high end ability to read things offensive besides shooting btheopuck and behind good sized and a good skater even with the hitch in his stride...
(He may be a guy over polished on the draft boards.
who knows if Bouchard is the last of those guys taken or Boqvist.
I do think from watching Boqvist, he doesn't change up in the way he tries to defend, and Hughes will give a repertoire of ways off attacking the attackers

that is my answer I guess
- wiz1901

So Wiz, if Bouchard, Hughes, or Dobson are still on the board along with Wahlstrom, is there one of them they take over him?

That's a question I could expound on all day.

The beauty is everything I do is documented even the old draft boards I ranked...I have all the years of me doing this there, mistakes and all...try and find my buddy from Sirius Shane Malloy's draft boards or Russ Cohen's unless you have the transcripts of their shows it is all bluster and forgotten - no scoresheet to look at later.

I wasn't sold on Dobson. He was big, well schooled, and calm, and definitely had talent, but I told folks I felt the transition to the NHL speed was gonna hurt him, not because he had less offensive savvy, or that he wasn't gonna be a good size quicker footed guy, but that he seems to lag behind in reading and reacting with attacks/attackers. He never broke out of him calm demeanor, he just seemed to be getting lost. I said to guys who frequent this board that I felt he lacked "head speed."
Well, the long grind through the Memorial Cup still albeit junior play showed me he continued to improve, react better, and get faster in his diagnosis .
So yes he caught up to Boqvist, because he is gonna be a big man with decent fluidity.

I thought from the start that the Craig Button hype of Boqvist in the media started the rise, as the "other Dahlin"... but I saw when my copy of the Hockey News Draft issue arrived that their Hughes vs Boqvist article was maintaining that status quo, trying to paint Quinn Hughes as the better skater but Boqvist a slight notch below but a more graceful skater.
Hughes is an exceptional stickhandler, but Boqvist simply knows how to score and make scores with passes. (I have never called a goal a score before right now!)

Bouchard put up unheard of numbers that can't be dismissed and he has that high end ability to read things offensive besides shooting btheopuck and behind good sized and a good skater even with the hitch in his stride...
(He may be a guy over polished on the draft boards.
who knows if Bouchard is the last of those guys taken or Boqvist.
I do think from watching Boqvist, he doesn't change up in the way he tries to defend, and Hughes will give a repertoire of ways off attacking the attackers

that is my answer I guess
- wiz1901

Wiz in your personal opinion who do you think the hawks take at 8 and who would you pick at 8 if you were the gm?

My only worry is, the hype of these defenseman, remember the last time we picked a defenseman I believe with the number 4 Pick, I believed it turned out to be Cam Barker, And looking at some of the bios on a few of these defenseman, some of the same attributes, like needs to improve foot speed, needs to improve skating, put up numbers because of who they were playing with. I don’t know, if it were me I’d go for a power forward. And yes I know about Kyle Beach which was also a bust. Briefly on him, I think the worst thing Chicago did was let him hang around the 2010 cup team, the sense of entitlement set in, instead of him staying down at Rockford, and working his ass off. Cost him a pro career. I don’t know what he’s doing now, may be carrying 2 x 4‘s at a construction site for $10 an hour.

Hey Blackhawks fans, I need your help please! We all saw what happened last year when Crawford went down. He's an elite, game changing, 2 time cup champ goalie. In from Philly. Wayne Simmonds only has a year left of his deal. Please just bare with me on this next question... Would you trade Crawford straight up for Simmonds? Do you think that be a fair trade? Would you do it, or do you think that's just a ridiculous question?

Hey Blackhawks fans, I need your help please! We all saw what happened last year when Crawford went down. He's an elite, game changing, 2 time cup champ goalie. In from Philly. Wayne Simmonds only has a year left of his deal. Please just bare with me on this next question... Would you trade Crawford straight up for Simmonds? Do you think that be a fair trade? Would you do it, or do you think that's just a ridiculous question?
- TonyBazz

It's not ridiculous at all. The only problem that we really would have is back-filling the goalie position. Like you said, we all saw what happened last year when he went down. If we have an above average tender to replace him with, then I'd do that deal all day. Otherwise, we are only slightly better than we were the last half of last season.