I love this signing. I think the young guys on the bench skate a little faster and finish their checks a little harder when he's out there. Great energy..


- Q-stache

I agree. 750K for him and a guy who understands and plays the role the team needs is perfect.

No word of NMC/NTC.
- Chunk

HA.....well done.

Don't worry.....Bowman has a few guys left to sign. I'm sure he will get back to over 50% of his roster having the power of where they can be dealt, essentially nurturing him at his own job.

Would rather have Tkachuk fall to 8 than Bouchard. Bouchard screams Cam Barker to me.
- 67hawks


I was thinking Seabrook



Bouchard is a finesse player next to Seabrook.

I put up my new mock draft board on DraftSite with the optimistic hope that Vancouver isn't frightened by Adam Boqvist's end of the season concusssion and still go defense as they planned.
That would drop a forward, maybe Brady...

I think there will be three defenders there and I don't like the options whittled to Dobson and Bouchard IF Boqvist is scary.

Three team say the would trade down, but that doesn't mean squat:
Montreal
Arizona
Vancouver

If Montreal doesn't reach at #3 for Jesperi, I am very afraid Arizona (still looking for a true big centre option) or Detroit(if Quinn Hughes is off the board) take him
- wiz1901

Wiz--

I don't follow prospects or have the indepth analysis that you do and I always enjoy reading your takes.

Can you please give me

1. Your ideal Hawks pick (realistically based on how you see the draft breaking)
2. A potential steal IF X player falls to 8
3. The dreaded Kyle Beach potentially bust pick as to who the Hawks stay clear from

I really like Filppula, and would be really happy if they picked him up for that number. That could effectively end AA's time here.
- Chunk

I am not sure Filppula is a 2nd line center anynore. I see him as more of a 3rd line center or LW. I also do not see Schmaltz as a 2nd line center. So if they moved AA they still need a 2nd line center. But maybe AA, the 27th pick and a "a- or b+" level prospect could get you a 2nd line center to play with Kane and Debrincat (and win faceoffs).

I am not sure Filppula is a 2nd line center anynore. I see him as more of a 3rd line center or LW. I also do not see Schmaltz as a 2nd line center. So if they moved AA they still need a 2nd line center. But maybe AA, the 27th pick and a "a- or b+" level prospect could get you a 2nd line center to play with Kane and Debrincat (and win faceoffs).
- -Doh-

I know he's not the strongest guy on the team, but I'm assuming here that Schmaltz is the "2C"

I think he'll have a bigger role this year after going down to the Rock and finding success and developing more there.
- Hank3Henshaw

I am not sure about that, he wasn't much of a factor on the scoresheet during the Hogs playoff run. He made a pretty good impression in handful of games in Chicago, but not enough to be considered a major factor in the future already. Hopefully he can build on that, but the expectations should not be very high. Let the kid play with no pressure. 750k is great and he will get a decent chance to prove himself.

I am not sure Filppula is a 2nd line center anynore. I see him as more of a 3rd line center or LW. I also do not see Schmaltz as a 2nd line center. So if they moved AA they still need a 2nd line center. But maybe AA, the 27th pick and a "a- or b+" level prospect could get you a 2nd line center to play with Kane and Debrincat (and win faceoffs).
- -Doh-

I think the Hawks should make a move for Ryan O'Reilly... not sure exactly what it would take, but I would start with the #27 pick

I am not sure about that, he wasn't much of a factor on the scoresheet during the Hogs playoff run. He made a pretty good impression in handful of games in Chicago, but not enough to be considered a major factor in the future already. Hopefully he can build on that, but the expectations should not be very high. Let the kid play with no pressure. 750k is great and he will get a decent chance to prove himself.
- stonefire

I don't think he has to necessarily be a big factor on the scoresheet - although that would be great.

I think he's going to be more of a physical and net-front presence with some hands/skill to maybe find the back of the net here and there.

I always just assumed he would be used more as the physicality they needed.

Isn't that the case with everyone who's available at #8? I hear you, this line of thinking maybe was the reason for guys like Fowler or Terävainen slipping in their draft years, but... There is also a reason why Tkachuk, Bouchard, Dobson and others are ranked so high and not somewhere in the 30s at best. Trust your scouts and don't go emulate what others are doing, just because.
- stonefire

Wrong take re: my view of things. I want the Hawks’ scouting team to be highly independent - not to care what others are doing at all. Having said that there is a huge difference between someone with high-end skill falling because he is perceived as too small like DeBrincat and Point or too much trouble like Saad and Merkley and someone falling because of a recognition of a lack of skill which would be Tkachuk.

Enzo, Tkachuk is playing against his peers which are kids. You draft him at 8 and he steps into the lineup and starts his rough stuff with a bottom 6 grinder who has been in the league 5 or 6 years and gets his ass tuned up by a man. Then what? Does he go into a shell and waste you a #8 pick, or does he take it like a man. Being tough isn't all about giving it, it's about taking it too. Even the baddest ass in the league has a tough day at the office once in a while. I'd prefer to know how he'd handle an ass kickin before I spend a #8 pick on him. To me he has risk. Just like Toews might still be a good center he's not a 10.5 million center at this point. This kid might be an NHL player, just not worth a #8 pick. I'd draft skill/speed/IQ that can't be taught with the #8. Then work something out for Walt's kid after that.
And it should be noted that he is related to the Hayes brothers, so there's that.
- 6628

66, the three main paths to the NHL is NCAA and Major Junior (OHL-WHL-QMJHL) and Europe. When you play in Major Junior the oldest players are 20 before the season starts. They age out after 20.. When you play NCAA you play against player who are many times 23 or even 24 yrs old.

Randomly I'm posting Union College's roster from last yr. They won the NCAA championship maybe 3-4 yrs back: http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0005862018.html

This is the competition Tkachuk and all players who compete in the NCAA play against. They play against 19 yr old kids and 23 yr old men.

He does have great flow.

I value him more, too.

Honestly, I feel like the 750K was him probably understanding that the Hawks could be trying to save some money for something in the works. Big John seems like he'd be the kind of dude that was cool with just being able to resign and not whine about money - which is what his mindset should be right now as a rookie'ish player still learning the ropes.
- Hank3Henshaw

Yep!

I've heard he's a really level headed guy and will be a great leader in this league for a long time.

I am not saying I agree with the number, but with 20 points in only 57 games, Rutta would be 4th or 5th best UFA-to-be dman. If you see where he ranks against this years group, it is hard to argue with him looking for this amount of money. The price range at the top, even after Carlson and De Haan, will be higher than 2.3M. Not a bad haul for 27 yr old rookie, though, good for him and hope he can justify the salary. If he does not, he's off the books next year anyway.
- stonefire

The money for Rutta was outrageous. Yes Rutta got some points but there was nothing seen last year that indicates he has any idea how to play defence. Was constantly wildly out of position and somehow went the entire season without ever initiating contact with an opposing player.

Did they announce both or just the joint effort between Wally and I (I made a 2nd proposal)?
- DarthKane

Not sure listening now:

https://twitter.com/markl.../1007610028176609280?s=21

They need is to tighten up defensively.
Secure a back-up.
Get more scoring soon by way of this pick and Wahlstrom or by sending #27 for real player that makes them better in three zones

I have run every scenario from Habs reaching for a centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, taking a defender, and not the best player available, Detroit taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a run of four defenseman (after Dahlin), and each and every permutation has the most likely scenarios of either three defenders or two defenders and one forward remain available...with the Finn the most likely forward available...
- wiz1901

Ok the Hawks go after a #2 or a 1A in Hutton. That means Forseberg has to clear waivers to be sent down. .... Will the Hawks do this, risk him to waivers?

Justin Faulk.

I think the Hawks should make a move for Ryan O'Reilly... not sure exactly what it would take, but I would start with the #27 pick
- frafra

I don't think the Hawks have the assets to acquire O'Reilly.
AA, Forsling, and the 27th pick probably not enough.
AA, Forsling and the 8th pick maybe.
AA, Jokiharju and the 27th pick probably.
AA, Jokiharju and the 8th pick might be more like it, and may be too much.

At 27 I like BO-Groulx or K'andre Miller. I doubt we'll even have that pick though.
- Panarin27

Listening to the Pipeline Show right now and it was mentioned this beastly kid has only played defense for 3 yrs. Lotta upside.

For those with time this Pipeline Show has a guy who was an NHL scout, puts out the Draft Black Book that is for sale. They talk in depth about a lot of prospects: https://soundcloud.com/pipeline-show

Well and put Keith in a position to have success. He is best when he is disrupting things between the blue lines rather than retreating behind his own. Certainly someone who can play on his right side would be helpful as well.

Getting the defenders moving the puck forward with their feet is probably necessary and the centers will need to come lower to retrieve the puck. The ring around the boards and 200ft pass to the off side winger are kind of predictable at this point.

Anyway, they need to add 25 goals in free agency or guys taking the next step. They probably have 3 years left with this group so going ham now before both the Sox and Cubs are good at the same time makes sense to me. Plus I'm not one to save a pitcher for tomorrow - it might rain.
- fattybeef

Keith has been a Rover his entire career. To succeed Keith requires a quality veteran D-Man to cover for him and allow him to rove. Hammer recently, Seabrook before. Last year Keith had a terrible minus rating because he had to babysit for the first time in his career. Curiously when Keith played with Seabrook towards the end of the season suddenly he played better and with more confidence. Duh Keith and Seabrook partnering - what a concept. No instead torture Keith by putting inexperienced with limited talent Oesterle playing backwards as his partner.

Skating -too slow.
Bouchard has good size and apparently a bomb from the point like Barker but his skating is the main question. This aspect may also prevent him from transitioning to the faster NHL.
- 67hawks

Barker was a low IQ guy.

I think the Hawks should make a move for Ryan O'Reilly... not sure exactly what it would take, but I would start with the #27 pick
- frafra

I really like Ryan O’Reilly. At Worlds he was a force as a big man on big ice. Great on face-offs too. However, I think he makes $7.5M so you would need the Sabres to take back substantial salary say Toews which isn’t likely as O’Reilly younger.

Barker was a low IQ guy.
- Mr Ricochet

Barker had a very odd Blackhawk career. Taken really high. Never seemed to play with enough confidence. Puck was like a hot potato. When he had it he couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. Game seemed to never slow down for him. Never seemed comfortable.

Not sure listening now:

https://twitter.com/markl.../1007610028176609280?s=21
- walleyeb1

2 separate deals. Loved it!

Not sure listening now:

https://twitter.com/markl.../1007610028176609280?s=21
- walleyeb1

I can't stand Lazeurs.

Gods speed...….

Justin Faulk.
- BINGO!

Wait a second... why do you want to get rid of him so badly?

What do you think of Filppula as a 3rd/4th C/LW. His $5 mil conrtract was crazy high when he signed it 5 years ago. I am thinking maybe you could sign him for $2.5 mil for 2 or 3 years. UFA, Decent speed, 50% plus at the dot, can play in all situations, probably 12 to 15 goals and 30+ assists, smart hockey player, averaged close to 80 games the last 5 years, 6'0" 195, okay plus minus numbers, left handed.
- -Doh-

A Q, Babcock and now Cooper kinda guy. Predictable in all 3 zones and at the dot. He's the right guy for the right team in need of a solid yet unspectacular 3C emergency 2C. Kind of a faster more dynamic, creative Anisimov but much better at the dot.