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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Blackhawks Draft Day #2 / Trades Today?
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 23 @ 9:46 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Blackhawks Draft Day #2 / Trades Today? To my surprise, the Blackhawks selected Adam Boqvist with the 8th overall pick with Oliver Wahlstrom.

I'm not surprised of the pick, because let's be honest, it shouldn't be a shock that the Blackhawks took a Swedish defenceman. I thought they were sold on Oliver Wahlstrom but I guess Boqvist was a notch above him on their list.
PetterKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.12.2015

Jun 23 @ 9:53 AM ET
A lot of hawks fans seems to be disappointed with Boqvist, wanting a bigger and stronger defenseman. I think the hawks got really lucky to have him available at 8. Of the top 15 picks this years I think he will be the second best player.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 23 @ 9:55 AM ET
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI7j5KuGtL0&

Kid will be sick
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Jun 23 @ 10:08 AM ET
I spent two and half hours going back over every set a footage and there is a clear upside, and it was evident in these instances, where he would break, or start to slip in, behind the other teams mid forwards and get down near their defenders so quickly.....BUT, he would initial start with a pass, or see something and sneak down, and HIS TEAMMATES didn't recognize the opportunity, so he was left in low out to dry...he would get back on his horse and actually be back in time to help in the transitions.

I think it is funny how this continual Karlsson comparison comes up, and so many here seem to not embrace what having a Karlsson-lite means to the attack.

And watch his edging on the blades, how he easily rocks to the new destination seam or on dee, to the next guy that is his check.

Also I realized his big brother had grown a couple inches since I saw him in his draft year...so we might see a bigger kid when he arrives.

What does Darlin know? ...when he calls Boqvist play, "sick'...remember that being said about Kaner in his draft year...
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Jun 23 @ 10:14 AM ET
Wiz,

Lets just hope he stays healthy. Its the injury shadow that concerns me. Kind of a gamble in my book at 8 with Wahlstrom sitting there. 3 concussions in the last 2 seasons. He needs to be careful. At 511/170 he needs two years of weight room time. He needs a good 10-15 pounds of solid weight on him before trying to play D the NHL.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Jun 23 @ 10:14 AM ET
I spent two and half hours going back over every set a footage and there is a clear upside, and it was evident in these instances, where he would break, or start to slip in, behind the other teams mid forwards and get down near their defenders so quickly.....BUT, he would initial start with a pass, or see something and sneak down, and HIS TEAMMATES didn't recognize the opportunity, so he was left in low out to dry...he would get back on his horse and actually be back in time to help in the transitions.

I think it is funny how this continual Karlsson comparison comes up, and so many here seem to not embrace what having a Karlsson-lite means to the attack.

And watch his edging on the blades, how he easily rocks to the new destination seam or on dee, to the next guy that is his check.

Also I realized his big brother had grown a couple inches since I saw him in his draft year...so we might see a bigger kid when he arrives.

What does Darlin know? ...when he calls Boqvist play, "sick'...remember that being said about Kaner in his draft year...

- wiz1901



I'm interested to know what you think with all the prospect work you do about drafting that 8 spot but I think you take the guy with the most skill after the sure things are gone (if there are any).

Sounds like the kid has a good work ethic, humility and a fair sense of what he needs to work on to get to the next level.

He also seemed like the kid with the highest potential ceiling and I think you gotta take that player at that spot.
HamiltonHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.13.2015

Jun 23 @ 10:16 AM ET
Said at end of last blog more I read aboUT Boqvist the more I like . Thinking maybe it was a good pick. Would gave preferred size with the 27th . Hearing alot of people say the NEW nhl the D are small but looking at the final four this year the Defence were for the most part big I thought.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Jun 23 @ 10:18 AM ET
Said at end of last blog more I read aboUT Boqvist the more I like . Thinking maybe it was a good pick. Would gave preferred size with the 27th . Hearing alot of people say the NEW nhl the D are small but looking at the final four this year the Defence were for the most part big I thought.
- HamiltonHawk



Uhhhh yeah they were. Getting these small/skilled D is one thing, but as Justin pointed out you better have a Manson type partner to balance out the pair.
kwolf68
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Mt. Lebanon, PA
Joined: 12.18.2010

Jun 23 @ 10:30 AM ET

All the talk about how crazy this draft was going to be. LOL. More non-sense. Sports writers and bloggers are like weather people over hyping a storm to get people excited.

NOT ONE person stated they thought this would be a very quiet draft with little movement. Everyone was wrong. Although I am sure some thrills and chills will crank up today when a couple 5ths are moved for a 4th. Yawn!!!

I suspect the Hawks HAVE to do something. It would be hilarity to come back with essentially with the same crummy team as last year.
HamiltonHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.13.2015

Jun 23 @ 10:31 AM ET
What a move by Washington GM unloading Orbik
Ann now able to sign Carlson and getting a second. Thanks how you do it Stan .[/img]
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jun 23 @ 10:39 AM ET
Considering the draft positions Bowman has had to work with, I don’t think his picks have been bad:

2017 - Jokiharju (29) Mitchell (57) Altybarmakyan (70) - consensus is good potential, at least on the first two

2016 - AdB (39) Krys (45) Hillman (173) - AdB could be special

2015 - Tuulola (181) - some support for his potential

2014 - Schmaltz (20) Snuggerud (141) Soderberg (148) Sikura (178) - Schmaltz an important piece going forward

2013 - Hartman (30) Hayden (74) Johnson (134) - lots of angst over losing Hartman, Hayden should be here in October

2012 - TT (18) Hinostroza (169) - TT a useful player, Hino probably very useful going forward

2011 - Danault (26) Saad (43) Shaw (139) - Saad and Shaw important to two Cup winners - Danault did get them Weise (and is starting for the Habs)

2010 - Hayes (24) John’s (60) Nordstrom (90) - Hayes with the Rags, Johns just resigned in Texas, Nordstrom playing consistently in Raleigh.

Ok - so lots of as-yet-unrealized potential, several succeeding in not-Chicago locations - but not bad results with not-very-high picks (and lots of lower round selections).
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 23 @ 10:40 AM ET
A lot of hawks fans seems to be disappointed with Boqvist, wanting a bigger and stronger defenseman. I think the hawks got really lucky to have him available at 8. Of the top 15 picks this years I think he will be the second best player.
- PetterKane


I'll be honest, I was taken back because I wanted and heard that Wahlstrom was their pick.

But the more I thought about it... I'm super happy to have a talent like Boqvist now in the system. Even if he is 3 years away. Let him grow, add some muscle and play in Sweden for a few years and then he will be a weapon for them on the backend.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Jun 23 @ 10:42 AM ET
I'll be honest, I was taken back because I wanted and heard that Wahlstrom was their pick.

But the more I thought about it... I'm super happy to have a talent like Boqvist now in the system. Even if he is 3 years away. Let him grow, add some muscle and play in Sweden for a few years and then he will be a weapon for them on the backend.

- Justin Lowe



Whats your take on the CC issue? Are the Hawks looking to move him?
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 23 @ 10:46 AM ET
Whats your take on the CC issue? Are the Hawks looking to move him?
- z1990z


I don't see how they can move him to be honest. I can't see a team that takes him considering he's been off the ice for so long.

I think regardless of his health, it appears that they have identified Forsberg as not good enough at this time as a backup.

Based on recent reports, I can see them grabbing someone like Ward or Lehtonen at a fair price for insurance.

What happened last year in net CAN'T happen again this year.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 23 @ 10:48 AM ET
Can we please stop focusing on size alone? We need good hockey players. We have plenty of guys in the system that are large and closer to the NHL than anyone drafted when available to the Hawks (Gilbert, Hillman, Tuulola, Dahlstrom, Raddysh, even free agents Clendening and Svedbeg). I'm not blind to the fundamental need for larger guys to do some of the dirty work, but you need them to be good hockey players. I have no idea what Boqvist or Beaudin will be, but both have been extremely productive, and guys that get paid to evaluate players seem to like them a lot as well. Let's see what they actually become before getting all fired up for no reason. If they just drafted the "Next EK and Duncan Keith" no one will have any issue with this draft.
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Jun 23 @ 10:48 AM ET
He also seemed like the kid with the highest potential ceiling and I think you gotta take that player at that spot.
- fattybeef


It seems that is exactly what they did at a position difficult to find...high end pairing skilled player.

My post above wasn't suggesting much but that he sees the ice and opportunities very very well, and creative attackers are what you look for.

Bouchard may be a fine NHL defender with the ability to defend and use his cannon, Dobson may grow into a big man and by that time be a really effective two way player and anchor a top four pairing, but this is a rock star pick where they are trying to add a weapon that already shows feet, head, shot, and quick pass attacking recognition...more than "able to get the shot through" ability.

Last year I had Henri Jokiharju as a late second rounder at maybe slot 47.
Sure I saw him at the prospects game where he shined, and even though I wrote:
"lessed with great balance and quick feet, he is superb puck mover who advances the biscuit with sharpness and accuracy. Smart with or without the puck, he makes quick decisions and always places it, in the correct spot at the right time when advancing it."

I was still underwhelmed with the views I saw, and you know what?

I still am locked in the old paradigm, that these "undersized" defenseman are not stoppers, deterrents, or punishers, because it is ingrained in my mind of what the position requires...you all are probably feeling that mixed emotion thought when you process the selections.
The Maples Leafs trade down spots to take a chance on Sandin, who willl admit freely he has trouble back there...
but that was clearly their target and man...

so it is difficult to change the mind set...but only TWO defenders went before them, and one was surprisingly similar to Boqvist, and the other and generation anomaly, and he takes up ice chances without thinking twice too.

So instead of firing StanBo or Q, buckle up for what may be an exciting rookie player.
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Jun 23 @ 10:49 AM ET
He also seemed like the kid with the highest potential ceiling and I think you gotta take that player at that spot.
- fattybeef


It seems that is exactly what they did at a position difficult to find...high end pairing skilled player.

My post above wasn't suggesting much but that he sees the ice and opportunities very very well, and creative attackers are what you look for.

Bouchard may be a fine NHL defender with the ability to defend and use his cannon, Dobson may grow into a big man and by that time be a really effective two way player and anchor a top four pairing, but this is a rock star pick where they are trying to add a weapon that already shows feet, head, shot, and quick pass attacking recognition...more than "able to get the shot through" ability.

Last year I had Henri Jokiharju as a late second rounder at maybe slot 47.
Sure I saw him at the prospects game where he shined, and even though I wrote:
"lessed with great balance and quick feet, he is superb puck mover who advances the biscuit with sharpness and accuracy. Smart with or without the puck, he makes quick decisions and always places it, in the correct spot at the right time when advancing it."

I was still underwhelmed with the views I saw, and you know what?

I still am locked in the old paradigm, that these "undersized" defenseman are not stoppers, deterrents, or punishers, because it is ingrained in my mind of what the position requires...you all are probably feeling that mixed emotion thought when you process the selections.
The Maples Leafs trade down spots to take a chance on Sandin, who willl admit freely he has trouble back there...
but that was clearly their target and man...

so it is difficult to change the mind set...but only TWO defenders went before them, and one was surprisingly similar to Boqvist, and the other and generation anomaly, and he takes up ice chances without thinking twice too.

So instead of firing StanBo or Q, buckle up for what may be an exciting rookie player.
vabeachbear
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Ft Courage - out in the middle of Indian Country, NC
Joined: 10.17.2011

Jun 23 @ 10:50 AM ET
I'll be honest, I was taken back because I wanted and heard that Wahlstrom was their pick.

But the more I thought about it... I'm super happy to have a talent like Boqvist now in the system. Even if he is 3 years away. Let him grow, add some muscle and play in Sweden for a few years and then he will be a weapon for them on the backend.

- Justin Lowe


Think maybe you heard Wahlstrom was their pick because they never thought Boqvist would be there at #8?
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Jun 23 @ 10:54 AM ET
Every draft I attended started with NHL player trade on the second day.

I think Dale Talon is who Stan thinks he can get Dale's one second rounder from...the Panthers have very few pick after that one, so dropping into the Hawks early 3rd and getting another of the Hawk picks might suit him, and his pick at 34 is well suited for a strong developmental player, not a "lock"- so talon may be interested as he has to play the long game with all the those young pros who will start eating his Cap
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 23 @ 10:55 AM ET
Think maybe you heard Wahlstrom was their pick because they never thought Boqvist would be there at #8?
- vabeachbear


That's what I'm thinking as well!
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Jun 23 @ 10:56 AM ET
Think maybe you heard Wahlstrom was their pick because they never thought Boqvist would be there at #8?
- vabeachbear


Wahlstrom doesn't like the corners that's for sure, but when Edmonton passed, I kinda figured the word was out that played sleep until Hughes was his permanent Centre with Farabee going and getting the pucks....
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Jun 23 @ 10:57 AM ET

As I said before great picks at 8 and 27.

I was following the Draft 2 ways - who was gone or undraftable was as important to me as as who was still available. Happy when Tkachuk was taken. I don’t think the Hawks would have taken Tkachuk, even if he had been there at 8, as Hawks only seem to want to draft high-end skill, high-end skating but not an issue as Ottawa grabs Tkachuk at 4. Hope it works out for both sides. Zadina also taken. Bouchard and Dobson fall as I expected them to but I do not want them. Hughes falls but taken at 7. I liked him but in the light of day the truth is he’s very slight. So wow somehow Boqvist available at 8. Once rated so very high. Wahlstrom available too. Know Hawks won’t want Bouchard or Dobson so don’t care that they are available. Not enough skill or skating.

Boqvist clearly over Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom has always been towards the end of the top 10 and benefitted from playing with the other Hughes. It’s BOQVIST! Great pick. Only a short time ago it would have seemed IMPOSSIBLE for him to be there at 8. Thinking clearly what a pick - prefer Boqvist over Wahlstrom and also over Hughes. Hawks very lucky. Was it the concussions? Hawks must feel Boqvist is fine. Boqvist was a victim of over-analysis - thankfully fell when no hockey was even being played. There are very few in the Draft that can be ELECTRIFYING - Boqvist is one. So far a good day. At the time I was thinking - now if we can get Merkley.....
mrpaulish
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Itasca, IL
Joined: 01.18.2010

Jun 23 @ 10:59 AM ET
Every draft I attended started with NHL player trade on the second day.

I think Dale Talon is who Stan thinks he can get Dale's one second rounder from...the Panthers have very few pick after that one, so dropping into the Hawks early 3rd and getting another of the Hawk picks might suit him, and his pick at 34 is well suited for a strong developmental player, not a "lock"- so talon may be interested as he has to play the long game with all the those young pros who will start eating his Cap

- wiz1901



34 would be great.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Jun 23 @ 11:01 AM ET

One thing that intrigued me about Merkley which I drilled down on in part because he had a perceived attitudinal problem was his youth. His birthday is August 14, 2000. He was 17 when drafted and has performed well internationally while still very young. His body of work was created while he was still very young. High ceiling.

Well Hawks’ fans Boqvist’s birthday is August 15, 2000 one day younger than Merkley. Again Boqvist’s body of work was created while he was still very young - he is still only 17. Internationally he has already won the best D-Man at BOTH the Ivan Hkinka tourney (while only 16) and the World U-18s. It is actually INCREDIBLE that the Hawks could draft him at 8. Boqvist is going to be a huge star.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jun 23 @ 11:04 AM ET
Can we please stop focusing on size alone? We need good hockey players. We have plenty of guys in the system that are large and closer to the NHL than anyone drafted when available to the Hawks (Gilbert, Hillman, Tuulola, Dahlstrom, Raddysh, even free agents Clendening and Svedbeg). I'm not blind to the fundamental need for larger guys to do some of the dirty work, but you need them to be good hockey players. I have no idea what Boqvist or Beaudin will be, but both have been extremely productive, and guys that get paid to evaluate players seem to like them a lot as well. Let's see what they actually become before getting all fired up for no reason. If they just drafted the "Next EK and Duncan Keith" no one will have any issue with this draft.
- Chunk


This franchise needs to be replacing superstars and outstanding players up and down the roster - not even considering any recent drop off in play, just an aging set - Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Toews, Hossa, Kane, Crawford - even if they all bounce back next season (or, in Kane’s case, continue on) - the end would be coming sooner than we’d like.

You don’t do that with the safe pick - you do it by “gambling” on high reward (if high risk) potential trophy (team and individual) winners.
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