Seems we "scout" in some of the same ways. I see an IQ play, or not, in a 9yr old or 30 yr old and it tells me 90% of what I need to know of a player....... Doesn't take speed/skill/size/talent to have an internal sense of what is happening, or should/will happen, in a given sequence.

Skill has slumps, IQ rarely does.
- Mr Ricochet

I agree.

Wondering what management thinks of Caligula as a bottom 6 after he's been here for 5ish games?......... Didn't see the fight but always liked his speed and energy and the kid always played the body when available. Kinda 3 things he brings nobody else does in the bottom 6.

No doubt the organIzation is short forwards. Conversely gotta love the Dmen in the pipeline. Before FA and the draft StanBow has a real chance to add a blue chip forward prospect at the TDL. ........ Would Gus bring one?
- Mr Ricochet

You might imagine what you could get for Gus and the way he plays up through the trade deadline may make your wish come true.

Take that with a grain of salt.

Because while Gus could play really well and excite another GM over gaining another weapon for their playoffs........

Yet as we know this late bloom dman could also cause nightmares. Therefore I am guardingly optimistic the return could be a second round selection. Which is not really a great haul. But to expect a blue chip prospect is maybe too much to hope for....maybe a fast rising prospect whom was not a really high pick but has progressed nicely.....just not as talented prospect with a big hole in his game...like Edjsell whom pribably nevrt makes it.

Speaking of that pick up from Nashville, he better become extremely lethal with the shot and show more his good vision/passing. It has to be elite since he is not physical and lacks quickness. He gives you nothing when he isn't scoring or looking like a real scoring threat.

Does that sound realistic? On both Gus snd Edjsell?

As I recall Al McNeil was Doug Jarrett's partner. How far back do you guys go? I saw my first game at the Stadium in 1959 when I was 12. In 1961 when they won the Cup, I was at the 3 overtime, 2-1 semifinal game against the Canadiens won by Murray Balfour -- a night I'll never forget.
- BMWChiFan

Early 60's for me also. That old barn was the best. Would literally race home every Sunday after church, to make it in time for CBS game of the week. Couldn't get enough of the NHL. Truly the best sport of all.

As I recall Al McNeil was Doug Jarrett's partner. How far back do you guys go? I saw my first game at the Stadium in 1959 when I was 12. In 1961 when they won the Cup, I was at the 3 overtime, 2-1 semifinal game against the Canadiens won by Murray Balfour -- a night I'll never forget.
- BMWChiFan

Remember clearly Al Arbour playing with spectacles. Obviously no contacts back then, right? Can you imagine anyone playing with eyeglasses today? Freaking suicide mission.

Loooong time lurker first time poster.

Quick bits about me: 1st game can’t remember was too little but dad said it was one of Tony O’s last. Grew up as die-hard with Secord, Graham, Savard, Wilson (Doug and Ben), fan fights in the second balcony, Hawks Vision, The Blue Line… Remember walking down from 2nd balcony in old barn kicking glass liquor bottles down the stairs asking my dad what that smell was. Was SRO at the game when Hawks and North Stars brawled for 10 mins during warmups before the refs could get dressed to come on the ice and break it up.

Got season tickets as adult in 2008 ($17/seat) and kept them until last year ($63/seat). Winning does that to ticket prices I get it. 10 years and 3 cups. Never would have dreamed it would happen. Had to cancel tickets cause relocated for work, couldn’t make it near as much anymore, and literally could not give the tickets away (tried all my contacts through the years and even donated 5 pairs of tickets to Illinois USO before my contact there said they wouldn't take them anymore). They were a luxury to have when the getting’ was good, and boy was it ever, but now the good times are over, for how long exactly is unknown.

Regardless, my first question for the group is… was it “better” (if so and how) back in the days when they fought hard every night but fell a little short? Is it an age thing with us as humans in regards to things tending to feel/seem to be “better back in the day” whether true or not? It has been mentioned before previously by another poster.

I still watch every night and hold out hope they can put together a nice 8 game win-streak to get back in it, but the grim reality I face is that they likely will not. Hopefully management comes to terms with it too. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery…

Glad to finally participate here thanks.
- Brownie's_Purse

Welcome aboard, buddy! A ton of great memories here. It may have been 'better' back then, because we were in the prime of our lives.

Sharks are fun to watch. If Jones can play above average, I like them to come out of the West. I imagine Wilson will be looking to add at the deadline too.

Sharks are fun to watch. If Jones can play above average, I like them to come out of the West. I imagine Wilson will be looking to add at the deadline too.
- EnzoD

Who would they want to add at the tdl, they definitely got cap problems on the horizon? Idk if true, but I heard EK would talk about extending.

Sharks are fun to watch. If Jones can play above average, I like them to come out of the West. I imagine Wilson will be looking to add at the deadline too.
- EnzoD

Nashville is better IMO

Preds vs Lightning will be the SCF

Correct. Assume he goes pro after this season. ......... Kid has a real chance IMO due to his 2 way game. Have to wait to see how his skill translates to pros though.

Love to see him evolve like a Kuraly. Big scorer in the USHL, changed his game for pros to a bottom 6 guy who chips in with scoring back class.
- Mr Ricochet

Exactly. Evolve from an offensive talent to a checking forward with skill to provide secondary scoring. That type of bottom 6 forward is what the Hawks need more of.

like Edjsell whom pribably nevrt makes it.

Speaking of that pick up from Nashville, he better become extremely lethal with the shot and show more his good vision/passing. It has to be elite since he is not physical and lacks quickness. He gives you nothing when he isn't scoring or looking like a real scoring threat.
- jhawk59

Granted Beaudin and/or Kurashev could flop, Ejdsell could end up being the weakest of the 3 assets in the Hartman trade and result in being the throw away. Hope he does find another gear and make a sharp turn upward in his development but he isn't trending well.

If Ejdsell is part of a trade, I doubt anyone would miss him. But if either Beaudin or Kurashev were traded, there could be some angst on these boards.

Sharks are fun to watch. If Jones can play above average, I like them to come out of the West. I imagine Wilson will be looking to add at the deadline too.
- EnzoD

Gustafsson for Alexander Chmelevski.

Who would they want to add at the tdl, they definitely got cap problems on the horizon? Idk if true, but I heard EK would talk about extending.
- I Am The Breadman

Depth defense. They are loaded up front. Kane, Thornton, Pavelski, Coutoure, Hertl, Donskoi are all threats plus one of Burns or Karlsson on the ice almost the entire game. Dominant stretch of play for SJ the last 2 months.

Gustafsson for Alexander Chmelevski.
- DarthKane

Where do I sign?

Depth defense. They are loaded up front. Kane, Thornton, Pavelski, Coutoure, Hertl, Donskoi are all threats plus one of Burns or Karlsson on the ice almost the entire game. Dominant stretch of play for SJ the last 2 months.
- EnzoD

Timo Meier has emerged this season. He's going to be a beast.

Depth defense. They are loaded up front. Kane, Thornton, Pavelski, Coutoure, Hertl, Donskoi are all threats plus one of Burns or Karlsson on the ice almost the entire game. Dominant stretch of play for SJ the last 2 months.
- EnzoD

Kane seems to have turned out to be what we expect out of Saad. Fast/heavier game with about 50pts per year.

Depth defense. They are loaded up front. Kane, Thornton, Pavelski, Coutoure, Hertl, Donskoi are all threats plus one of Burns or Karlsson on the ice almost the entire game. Dominant stretch of play for SJ the last 2 months.
- EnzoD

Ahhh, okay. I know they have been on a hot run of late. I don't have the confidence in Jones to step-up and be the goaltender the team needs come play-off time. Is Dell a good back-up?

His contract was expiring, and he wasn't going to sign here again. The trade itself was not the mistake. We have to look at the events that led up to and forced the trade.
- 333inthe3rd

The problem was partially to blame on how Q and Bowman wasted a talented player while here and did not get much in return from Washington.

Bowman signs someone - snags someone from Europe - then between Q and Bowman Kempny was never put in a situation to show how he could prosper here. Bowman needed to control or have Q do as Bowman wishes. When Q beats too much to his own drum then you have issues.

We shall see if Bowman has learned to employ more toughness on a roster.

The latest trade is a win win so far. Let us see how both players perform for their new teams.

Granted Beaudin and/or Kurashev could flop, Ejdsell could end up being the weakest of the 3 assets in the Hartman trade and result in being the throw away. Hope he does find another gear and make a sharp turn upward in his development but he isn't trending well.

If Ejdsell is part of a trade, I doubt anyone would miss him. But if either Beaudin or Kurashev were traded, there could be some angst on these boards.
- AEL_Fox

First of all, I really enjoy and respect your input on this board. Mr Richochet - to name another- and you really know a lot and or have good insight

Now let me address a comment Z3 made about prospects. The jest of it is that only a small percentage of heralded prospects make it to the NHL...or make it as star players in the NHL.

I believe the last couple of so years that Bowman has drafted more genuine NHL prospects than during his earlier GM years. With our top billed choices I think it is going to come down to (this applies to the boatload of dmen): how good NHL player will they become. Because most of them are going to play NHL. It is just a matter of whether some of them can evolve into top pairing or not.

It does appear that some of them have so much ability it is hard to dismiss them. In the case of Kyrs how much can be overcome certain weak areas. I know you see progress in performance since freshman season .

If Rick poster does not like a prospect, I appreciate his input. Look at how all those first round dmen on NYI via their own drafts or otherwise acquisition- have panned out

Ahhh, okay. I know they have been on a hot run of late. I don't have the confidence in Jones to step-up and be the goaltender the team needs come play-off time. Is Dell a good back-up?
- I Am The Breadman

Dell has been solid but he’s had a bit of an off season this year. If he’s willing to waive his NMC I think Ward could be moved at the deadline. Toronto may need a goalie to back up Andersen, especially with his injury history.

I doubt Winnipeg will look for a goalie, Brossoit has been a solid back. Maybe Washington or Tampa look to bring in a veteran goalie.

Timo Meier has emerged this season. He's going to be a beast.
- AEL_Fox

Forgot about Meier! That’s how much scoring depth they have!

Edit: they are doing all this winning without Vlasic who’s injured

Dell has been solid but he’s had a bit of an off season this year. If he’s willing to waive his NMC I think Ward could be moved at the deadline. Toronto may need a goalie to back up Andersen, especially with his injury history.

I doubt Winnipeg will look for a goalie, Brossoit has been a solid back. Maybe Washington or Tampa look to bring in a veteran goalie.
- DarthKane

I wasn't advocating a goalie trade, just wanted to ask about SJ's goalie situation. I don't think they have what it takes to win because of it though. I wanted more light on the situation.

First of all, I really enjoy and respect your input on this board. Mr Richochet - to name another- and you really know a lot and or have good insight

It does appear that some of them have so much ability it is hard to dismiss them. In the case of Kyrs how much can be overcome certain weak areas. I know you see progress in performance since freshman season.
- jhawk59

Thanks, jhawk. Appreciate it.

Regarding Krys, he's an example of a prospect that has had to evolve to stay relevant. Before the past few drafts, Krys was arguably the best D prospect in the system. Now with Jokiharju on the Hawks plus Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell poised to round out the "Big 4" if they all hit their potential, not to mention the rise of defensive defensemen in Carlsson and Hillman, Krys stands to be at best 5th on the depth chart and possibly further down at 8th.

As a result, Krys needs to really differentiate himself and stand out in a new way. He's no longer the top offensive D talent in the system but still does bring a decent O package to the rink. When first drafted and even during his freshman year at BU, he wasn't that good without the puck and in his zone in general. He really worked on that last year as a sophomore.

Then after the 1st day of the most recent prospect camp where he was playing too fast and loose, Krys really tightened things up the rest of the week and showed a solid defensive effort. Like Delia but just at a different position, Krys is compact in his skating and puck handling with efficient movement, tight turns, and pretty good edge work.

It may be best for Krys to set himself apart as an unflashy yet reliable 2-way defender who can eat minutes on the 3rd pair. Possibly 25-30 point potential.

Niemi had himself a really nice game for MTL tonight. Isn't one of the Waite brothers the goalie coach up there?

Also, if you get the chance, take a look at Kotkaniemi's goal in the same game. Speed, power, dangles, control, and a really nice release.

Thanks, jhawk. Appreciate it.

Regarding Krys, he's an example of a prospect that has had to evolve to stay relevant. Before the past few drafts, Krys was arguably the best D prospect in the system. Now with Jokiharju on the Hawks plus Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell poised to round out the "Big 4" if they all hit their potential, not to mention the rise of defensive defensemen in Carlsson and Hillman, Krys stands to be at best 5th on the depth chart and possibly further down at 8th.

As a result, Krys needs to really differentiate himself and stand out in a new way. He's no longer the top offensive D talent in the system but still does bring a decent O package to the rink. When first drafted and even during his freshman year at BU, he wasn't that good without the puck and in his zone in general. He really worked on that last year as a sophomore.

Then after the 1st day of the most recent prospect camp where he was playing too fast and loose, Krys really tightened things up the rest of the week and showed a solid defensive effort. Like Delia but just at a different position, Krys is compact in his skating and puck handling with efficient movement, tight turns, and pretty good edge work.

It may be best for Krys to set himself apart as an unflashy yet reliable 2-way defender who can eat minutes on the 3rd pair. Possibly 25-30 point potential.
- AEL_Fox

So less Gustafsson and more TVR.

A question to those that pay attention to all prospects and not just the Hawks':

What happened to Oliver Wahlstrom this year? Is it just a matter of playing his first year in NCAA, or has he been hurt? 16 games and 7 total points this year. He was a monster last year before the draft.