Ward tonight, Delia tomorrow
- pdx2ord

DeSmith goes for PITT. Murray has been really hot but DeSmith does have good numbers. A good draw for the Hawks but in no way do they have their best chance to win when Delia is on the bench.

Do not like one bit the Hawks going forward without using Delia as the #1 to see if he cab handle the load both physically and between the ears at the NHL level.

Don't find out next yr with Crow on LTIR and Delia then shows he can't be a #1 with Forsberg, or the equivalent, as the #2. Find out now!

Him, Wise, Barratt, Kurashev, Soderlund, and possibly Entwistle could all be top 9 players in 3 to 4 years. I don't think the cupboard is as bare as some people say. Granted, there's no Kane or Toews in the pipeline, but let's see what this draft produces.
- tvetter

Great list of potential top 9 forwards. Same as mine. Hagel and Nordgren are dark horses.

For bottom 6, more so 4th line, there are possibles like Hakkarainen and Slavin.

Most if not all of the Hog forward will be long-term solutions for the Hawks. At most, placeholders and emergency call-ups. Some will never even get that far. Sikura (Dylan, not Tyler) is the only one with potential for top 9.

Great list of potential top 9 forwards. Same as mine. Hagel and Nordgren are dark horses.

For bottom 6, more so 4th line, there are possibles like Hakkarainen and Slavin.

Most if not all of the Hog forward will be long-term solutions for the Hawks. At most, placeholders and emergency call-ups. Some will never even get that far.
- AEL_Fox

Those are 2 that I'm quietly excited for.

He can play center too. He´s had underwhelming season so far in KHL. Don´t get too excited about Shalunov. There might be something there but he is far from sure thing.
- MjulQvist

Yeah, none of the Russian prospects are a sure thing. They are each talented in different ways but lots of factors to happen first before they even sniff the NHL. If anything, one of Shalunov, Kayumov, or Altybarmakyan makes it over. Happy to be surprised and have one or more of them finally cross over and make the team.

Thank you.......... Guelph going for it!

Entwistle didn’t waste any time after Canada’s quarterfinal loss to Finland on Thursday, scoring the game-winning goal with an assist and four shots on goal for Hamilton in the OHL the next night. On Saturday, he was traded to the Guelph Storm for five draft picks.
- Mr Ricochet

Also saw that Owen Tippett got traded immediately after the WJC. I believe from Mississauga to Saginaw.

Entwistle apparently got traded for a bunch of upcoming draft picks.

Blues put Jordan Schmaltz on waivers. How ironic would that be if Chicago claimed him

Blues put Jordan Schmaltz on waivers. How ironic would that be if Chicago claimed him
- ikeane

AZ should claim him.

Those are 2 that I'm quietly excited for.
- I Am The Breadman

Parker Foo has been turning it up during his sophomore season at Union College after a quiet freshman year. He had a handful of points last year but is a 0.50 PPG player this season. Another dark horse to keep an eye on. If he ever makes it, energy 3rd or 4th line winger like his brother.

If it came down to it and the Hawks are lucky enough to choose between Hughes or Kakko, would any of you pick Kakko?

Parker Foo has been turning it up during his sophomore season at Union College after a quiet freshman year. He had a handful of points last year but is a 0.50 PPG player this season. Another dark horse to keep an eye on. If he ever makes it, energy 3rd or 4th line winger like his brother.
- AEL_Fox

Oh yeah, Parker and Spencer Foo Fighters.....

I sent you a pm, don't know if you saw it.

If it came down to it and the Hawks are lucky enough to choose between Hughes or Kakko, would any of you pick Kakko?
- AEL_Fox

Sounds like the Matthews vs Laine debate (American Center vs big Finnish Winger)

I'd go Kakko if we feel Strome is a true 2C for Kane (or offensive top 6 center)

If it came down to it and the Hawks are lucky enough to choose between Hughes or Kakko, would any of you pick Kakko?
- AEL_Fox

I know Hughes missed some time in the tournament. Does anyone know if he is injury prone? If there's even a chance he is, I'd take Kakko in a heartbeat.

I know Hughes missed some time in the tournament. Does anyone know if he is injury prone? If there's even a chance he is, I'd take Kakko in a heartbeat.
- tvetter

He was listed as being sick. Don't think a team can pass up a center over a wing if things are near equal.


Steve Kournianos
‏ @TheDraftAnalyst
12h12 hours ago

Jack Hughes has played in every major pre-draft international tournament he was supposed to have played in by now.

U17 4 Nations
World U17 HC
U18 5 Nations (FEB)
U18 5 Nations (NOV)
IIHF U18 WC
WJSS
U20 WJC

His totals?

35 games. 22 goals. 43 assists. 65 points.

Oh yeah, Parker and Spencer Foo Fighters.....

I sent you a pm, don't know if you saw it.
- I Am The Breadman

Sorry, don't check my inbox often. Thanks for the PM.

Sounds like the Matthews vs Laine debate (American Center vs big Finnish Winger)

I'd go Kakko if we feel Strome is a true 2C for Kane (or offensive top 6 center)
- Slofire94

The Hockey News had a recent article that talked about the exact debate you mentioned.

https://thehockeynews.com...l-deal-for-the-2019-draft

If it came down to it and the Hawks are lucky enough to choose between Hughes or Kakko, would any of you pick Kakko?
- AEL_Fox

I would! Kakko might turn out to be center after all. Has played center few games this season in FEL and excelled there. Even as a winger he might turn out to be next Hossa/Rantanen.

I know Hughes missed some time in the tournament. Does anyone know if he is injury prone? If there's even a chance he is, I'd take Kakko in a heartbeat.
- tvetter

I had a similar reservation about Hughes: is he durable?

Even with Matthews vs. Laine, both have been monsters at the NHL level so can't go wrong with either. However, Matthews has missed substantial playing time while Laine has missed a handful in comparison.

With Hughes vs. Kakko, can't seem to go wrong with either so it may depend on what the greater team need is. For the Hawks, they really need a top 6 forward whether center or wing. Currently wing is the greater need.

However, even if Strome becomes a fixture as a top 6 center, Toews may not necessarily wind down his career as a top 6 center and could eventually evolve in to a checking 3C.

I would! Kakko might turn out to be center after all. Has played center few games this season in FEL and excelled there. Even as a winger he might turn out to be next Hossa/Rantanen.
- MjulQvist

Thanks for the info on his ability to play center. Great comparables by the way. For the reasons you stated, personally I would draft Kakko over Hughes.

If another team drafted Kakko and Hughes "fell" to the Hawks, that's awesome as well. Again, can't go wrong with either.

Sorry, don't check my inbox often. Thanks for the PM.
- AEL_Fox

That's fine. You're welcome.

Thanks for the info on his ability to play center. Great comparables by the way. For the reasons you stated, personally I would draft Kakko over Hughes.

If another team drafted Kakko and Hughes "fell" to the Hawks, that's awesome as well. Again, can't go wrong with either.
- AEL_Fox

Have yet to read the link you posted but Kakko is doing real well playing with men s a 17 yr old: https://www.eliteprospect...player/396655/kaapo-kakko

Get out to Geneva to see Jack Hughes, Boldy, Turcotte and their mates play the Steel live this yr. Much easier to access live: https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/currentroster

You still need guys who can play but also won't allow other teams to go after your star players.

If you look at what happened to Crawford recently if Chicago had some team toughness that might not have happened. But the worst part was nobody came to crows defense. That's real sad.
- Taylorst1

Malkins run at Corey along w/Kanes pushing of Strome and no one
came to his defense let alone Eddie O who on both occaisions
defended those scum bags, Eddie O is only worried about his own
paycheck from NBC

Thanks for the info on his ability to play center. Great comparables by the way. For the reasons you stated, personally I would draft Kakko over Hughes.

If another team drafted Kakko and Hughes "fell" to the Hawks, that's awesome as well. Again, can't go wrong with either.
- AEL_Fox

If the ping pong balls land just right, and the Hawks and Canucks are 1,2, what would Vancouver give to switch picks. As you said, I'd be happy with Hughes or Kakko, so while I lean towards Hughes, if we could get Kakko plus a pick or a prospect to unite the Hughes brothers in Vancouver, I'd be all for it.

Thank you. Always thought Torres had some hockey skills. Think he wasted those though and pigeon holed himself as a purpose player.

The following vids (next 2) is where I get behind Pauly and his argument to end fighting, at least in certain instances. .... That freak Tortarella sent out his guys to line brawl. That is when a player could get killed/maimed with no refs to step in once a guy is in trouble. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH6VXsRjzLg

But, as Sage mentioned this kind of nonsense sells tickets.
- Mr Ricochet

I think we're debating two different things. Does fighting prevent players taking liberties with other players and should fighting be removed from the NHL. I think the former is an o going opinion although I feel I have provided more examples of how that isn't the case. As for removing fighting from the game I feel that will happen, maybe not next season or the next five but one day it will be removed and it probably won't be because of progressive thinking on the NHL's part but because of Intervention from the courts due to head related injuries or worse.

If the ping pong balls land just right, and the Hawks and Canucks are 1,2, what would Vancouver give to switch picks. As you said, I'd be happy with Hughes or Kakko, so while I lean towards Hughes, if we could get Kakko plus a pick or a prospect to unite the Hughes brothers in Vancouver, I'd be all for it.
- tvetter

If such a scenario played out, even if they want to unite the Hughes brothers, the pieces that I want, aren't on the table from Van ... who are you wanting to fleece from them?

Have yet to read the link you posted but Kakko is doing real well playing with men s a 17 yr old: https://www.eliteprospect...player/396655/kaapo-kakko

Get out to Geneva to see Jack Hughes, Boldy, Turcotte and their mates play the Steel live this yr. Much easier to access live: https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/currentroster
- Mr Ricochet

Wish I could catch some of those live games in Geneva. I used to live next door in Aurora, then Evanston and the northside but now live in California.