Rockford bound for sure but a nice signing by Bowman. Very low risk and the kid is playing lights out in the WHL. Let's see how he can do against men in the AHL.
- Justin Lowe

Nice signing. Beware that Chicago needs top line talent, difference makers ....the stars and this kid is not that ever. But he has ability, can skate and score just do not expect a ceiling of more than second line ability......that would be paraphrasing what wiz told me shortly after the signing. I personally question if he is like Kahun ability wise and giftedness but more of a scorer. How much of a complete physical edge does he have?

Beaudin has solid gap control. I like him a lot.

Here's an analysis from Elite Prospects:

Nicolas Beaudin is a diminutive yet cunning defenceman that is able to use his size to his advantage. His mobility is all but elite at this point; he primarily uses his speed to open up passing and shooting lanes in the offensive zone. With and without the puck he stays composed and in-position, allowing him to analyze situations effortlessly and make those calculated decisions. Defensively, he is assertive and, though he isn't able to impose himself physically, he uses his vision and quickness to take away options and put pressure on the opposition. He plays a structured game offensively, and he does the little things right. His ability to recognize where the puck is, where it is going to be, and why it is going to be there is an indicator of his high-level hockey sense. When you put together skill, speed, and excellent decision-making as well as he does, that translates to on-ice productivity and power-play time. All-in-all, Nicolas Beaudin is an offensive defenceman that understands his own game well and ever seeks to expand upon his strengths.
(Curtis Joe, EP 2018)
- Justin Lowe

It is interesting that you have three smallish size dmen in Mitchell, Beaudin and Galvas. How many does the coach and or GM ideally want......well if they all can play....
Ok, ok....
What side does each play?

Long term one of them lands somewhere else in NHL (?) IF you keep two out of Boqvist, Jokiharju, Forsling.

Forsling serms to be on some bloggers trade list. Listen I don't know how good he might develop and I don"t know if he will always have an injury riddled career. But what is it that he needs? Is it just regular TOI in Rockford. Among the dmen on the team last season, Forsling was best at how quick or how fast he could read and react. You know dmen take time to develop.

I would like to know why some say to trade him

It is interesting that you have three smallish size dmen in Mitchell, Beaudin and Galvas. How many does the coach and or GM ideally want......well if they all can play....
Ok, ok....
What side does each play?

Long term one of them lands somewhere else in NHL (?) IF you keep two out of Boqvist, Jokiharju, Forsling.

Forsling serms yo be on some bloggers trade list. Listen I don't know how good he might develop and I don"t know if he will always have an injury riddled career. But what is it that he needs? Is it just regular TOI in Rockford. Among the dmen on the team last season, Forsling was best at how quick or how fast he could read and react. You know dmen take time to develop.

I would like to know why some say to trade him
- jhawk59

The concern for me with Forsling is whether or not he can handle the forecheck. Right now he struggles. Whether or not he fills out, not something I know.

Nice signing. Beware that Chicago needs top line talent, difference makers ....the stars and this kid is not that ever. But he has ability, can skate and score just do not expect a ceiling of more than second line ability......that would be paraphrasing what wiz told me shortly after the signing. I personally question if he is like Kahun ability wise and giftedness but more of a scorer. How much of a complete physical edge does he have?
- jhawk59

There was a recent Athletic article that talked about Hagel impressing Hawks brass with his defense this season. At least he is showing responsibility without the puck and in his own end to go along with his offense. Whether that translates to success at the pro level remains to be seen but you can say that about all prospects.

It is interesting that you have three smallish size dmen in Mitchell, Beaudin and Galvas. How many does the coach and or GM ideally want......well if they all can play....
Ok, ok....
What side does each play?

Long term one of them lands somewhere else in NHL (?) IF you keep two out of Boqvist, Jokiharju, Forsling.

Forsling serms yo be on some bloggers trade list. Listen I don't know how good he might develop and I don"t know if he will always have an injury riddled career. But what is it that he needs? Is it just regular TOI in Rockford. Among the dmen on the team last season, Forsling was best at how quick or how fast he could read and react. You know dmen take time to develop.

I would like to know why some say to trade him
- jhawk59

As far as I know, Mitchell plays the right side while Beaudin and Galvas play the left.

Out of Jokiharju, Boqvist, and Forsling, if I had to keep 2: hands down Jokiharju and Boqvist. Like Dahlstrom and even Gustafsson, Forsling is okay for now but may not be in the long term plans if the D prospects from the past 3 drafts pan out to some degree or other to edge out the current crop of young defenders.

Someone talked earlier about the All Star game being replaced with a prospects game. How's this for a blueline of Blackhawks prospects:

Beaudin - Jokiharju
Carlsson - Boqvist
Krys - Mitchell
Hillman, Galvas

If half of these guys hit potential, the team is in good shape. Not all will make it so trade the other ones to shore up elsewhere on the roster or for high draft picks.

Really solid pick up for the Leafs.

They're not done either. I say 1-2 more moves are coming.
- Justin Lowe

The Leafs want to end their Cup drought as bad as the Hawks did in 2010, probably more so.

Agree as well gents.

London another year would be a great idea for Boqvist based on what I've seen and knowing the Knights org.
- Justin Lowe

If Boqvist is ready then great, the Hawks shouldn’t be over cautious with the kid. However, there’s no need to rush Boqvist if he’s not ready.

The d-man prospect I’m most looking forward to next season is Mitchell. If the Hawks can ladder their young D prospects with Jokiharju - Mitchell - Boqvist they’re in a food spot to ease their prospects into the lineup. Not sure when Beaudin will be ready but he doesn’t have to be rushed either.

I’m more concerned with the Hawks building another sustainable long term run versus a quick rebuild.

As far as I know, Mitchell plays the right side while Beaudin and Galvas play the left.

Out of Jokiharju, Boqvist, and Forsling, if I had to keep 2: hands down Jokiharju and Boqvist. Like Dahlstrom and even Gustafsson, Forsling is okay for now but may not be in the long term plans if the D prospects from the past 3 drafts pan out to some degree or other to edge out the current crop of young defenders.

Someone talked earlier about the All Star game being replaced with a prospects game. How's this for a blueline of Blackhawks prospects:

Beaudin - Jokiharju
Carlsson - Boqvist
Krys - Mitchell
Hillman, Galvas

If half of these guys hit potential, the team is in good shape. Not all will make it so trade the other ones to shore up elsewhere on the roster or for high draft picks.
- AEL_Fox

Raddysh could be a dark horse prospect in the next season or two.

Muzzin 4 goals, 17 assists, +10 on the worst team in the Western Conference....he’s a very solid 2nd pair Dman and built for the playoffs. Mid-late Round 1st and a couple middling prospects...great move for the Leaves
- EnzoD

Babcock will find something to dislike about Muzzin. (It might be his beard). He let him play one game in the 2016 World Cup and sat his sorry butt out in favour of Bouwmeester.

There really is only one Dman that means anything to Babcock - Shea Weber. Because he scares the sh$t out of forwards. Just ask AA.

Raddysh could be a dark horse prospect in the next season or two.
- DarthKane

Agree, Raddysh is a dark horse candidate. His game is similar to Gustafsson: offensively gifted with good vision, great point shot, adept passing, PP specialist, and decent wheels but a lot left to be desired in the defensive department.

In other words, if Gustafsson can make it, Raddysh quite possibly could if given the chance. Raddysh can improve his stock if he really strengthens play in his own end.

Babcock will find something to dislike about Muzzin. (It might be his beard). He let him play one game in the 2016 World Cup and sat his sorry butt out in favour of Bouwmeester.

There really is only one Dman that means anything to Babcock - Shea Weber. Because he scares the sh$t out of forwards. Just ask AA.
- RickJ

who wants to get in front of that canon



certainly not tyler myers anymore...wow
https://www.sportsnet.ca/...players-fear-webers-shot/

If Boqvist is ready then great, the Hawks shouldn’t be over cautious with the kid. However, there’s no need to rush Boqvist if he’s not ready.

The d-man prospect I’m most looking forward to next season is Mitchell. If the Hawks can ladder their young D prospects with Jokiharju - Mitchell - Boqvist they’re in a food spot to ease their prospects into the lineup. Not sure when Beaudin will be ready but he doesn’t have to be rushed either.

I’m more concerned with the Hawks building another sustainable long term run versus a quick rebuild.
- DarthKane

Totally agree with how you laid out a laddering system to bring in D prospects into the fold. That order of one per season makes sense as well: Jokiharju, Mitchell, Boqvist, and Beaudin as far as the Big 4.

Other D prospects could also be part of a concurrent laddering with possibly Carlsson next season, then year by year with Hillman, Raddysh, Krys, and Galvas.

Maybe Gilbert, too, but he is the least skilled of the bunch. Love his physical play, though, and willingness to hit, protect the house, and drop the gloves.

Totally agree with how you laid out a laddering system to bring in D prospects into the fold. That order of one per season makes sense as well: Jokiharju, Mitchell, Boqvist, and Beaudin as far as the Big 4.

Other D prospects could also be part of a concurrent laddering with possibly Carlsson next season, then year by year with Hillman, Raddysh, Krys, and Galvas.

Maybe Gilbert, too, but he is the least skilled of the bunch. Love his physical play, though, and willingness to hit, protect the house, and drop the gloves.
- AEL_Fox

Oh exciting times for fans who really dig seeing the prospects move up the chain to one step closer to the primetime NHL gig.

Mark Kelly remains the head scout so I do not really know what to attribute the increase real prodpects

You go back all the way to the 80's and forward towards your Talllon goof picks. There is just no comparison even if half of the prospects now have a gander of NHL ice.

I want to suggest that Jokiharju needs to play somewhere regularly to develop the way you want. And your estimatiom is that Jokiharju is in the first batch.

I do not see top.end prospects arriving via trade as easily I imagine draft choices. We are not trading anyone whom
fetches us those top end players

I am a proponent of hitting an icon when you like or agree with a post and a icon when you dislike or disagree with a post. Then in the upper corner of the posts it tabulates the net +/-.

I also would be ok with a feature where you can unfollow certain posters that are trolls, or that continue to post and repost the same themes, or are belligerent, or prone to be habitually factually inaccurate. (Similar to facebook where those posters would not appear in your feed.)
- -Doh-

100% agree.

hawks now in 29th place in the League after Philly and NJ won. play there next 3 games on the road.

Muzzin to leafs: two prospects, first-round pick in 2019 Draft

a decent trade for the leafs for a non UFA

a 3-4 dman
age 29
1 year left at 4 mil

kiss goodbye keith going to the leafs; as if he was going anywhere

not sure what this says about keiths value...
- bogiedoc

Yep and not sure anyone he'd accept a trade to any other contender that would want him.

Raddysh could be a dark horse prospect in the next season or two.
- DarthKane

Darth, this makes 3 non-sarcastic posts in a row. Are you ok?

The Dallas-Pitt trade sounds like there was some Collusion going on - with Bettman being the ring leader. Something is always up with Pitt.
So the NHL now has a 1 season trade-back program?
- powerenforcer

He fit the mold of the locker room in Dallas and was well liked when he was here. Plus, it looks like Johns and Methot are done for the year and they needed a 6D. Roman Polak has been playing on the second pair.....

Beaudin has solid gap control. I like him a lot.

Here's an analysis from Elite Prospects:

Nicolas Beaudin is a diminutive yet cunning defenceman that is able to use his size to his advantage. His mobility is all but elite at this point; he primarily uses his speed to open up passing and shooting lanes in the offensive zone. With and without the puck he stays composed and in-position, allowing him to analyze situations effortlessly and make those calculated decisions. Defensively, he is assertive and, though he isn't able to impose himself physically, he uses his vision and quickness to take away options and put pressure on the opposition. He plays a structured game offensively, and he does the little things right. His ability to recognize where the puck is, where it is going to be, and why it is going to be there is an indicator of his high-level hockey sense. When you put together skill, speed, and excellent decision-making as well as he does, that translates to on-ice productivity and power-play time. All-in-all, Nicolas Beaudin is an offensive defenceman that understands his own game well and ever seeks to expand upon his strengths.
(Curtis Joe, EP 2018)
- Justin Lowe

Wasn't this pretty much the analysis on Leddy when he was coming up?

hawks now in 29th place in the League after Philly and NJ won. play there next 3 games on the road.
- kmw4631

Suck for Kakko

Suck for Kakko
- Assman22

Play like crapo for Kaapo

Nice signing. Beware that Chicago needs top line talent, difference makers ....the stars and this kid is not that ever. But he has ability, can skate and score just do not expect a ceiling of more than second line ability......that would be paraphrasing what wiz told me shortly after the signing. I personally question if he is like Kahun ability wise and giftedness but more of a scorer. How much of a complete physical edge does he have?
- jhawk59

A possible 2nd liner is okay with me. Wiz say anything about comparisons to Debrincat?

The Leafs want to end their Cup drought as bad as the Hawks did in 2010, probably more so.
- DarthKane

Just because they have a monkey on their shoulders the size of King Kong? '67 was a lonnnng time ago. It's "all in" time for them.

Just because they have a monkey on their shoulders the size of King Kong? '67 was a lonnnng time ago. It's "all in" time for them.
- Beaver-Warrior

They'll have a tough go of it. Probably play the Bruins, who seem to have their number, in the first round. Then if they survive, most likely play the Lightning.

They'll have a tough go of it. Probably play the Bruins, who seem to have their number, in the first round. Then if they survive, most likely play the Lightning.
- boilermaker100

They arguably have as difficult a route as a Central team would having to play Nashville and Winny.