I'd go with Kirby Dach.
- DarthKane

Then they should trade down. Dach is falling in some of the rankings.

For me its more leery of the lack of success the Hawks have had drafting Russians. Kid is going to be a good player.
- Elbows15

Noted. But you have to look at some successes also. Ovechkin, Kucherov, Tarasenko, Panarin, Malkin, etc...

Plays C as well.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

The Russian? He's a winger.

I want a heavy center with a big wingspan who can skate. Or a Dman who can do the same.

They are much more valuable than a winger.
- RickJ

How about Kevin Hayes in free agency? Toews, Strome, Hayes, Kampf down the middle would be ok with me.

The Rangers will take this kid. Russians love New York area and there is a big Russian community there. And they will probably sign Panarin so he has a buddy.
- RickJ

And then Kakko falls into our laps. I don't think Hawks can pick wrong at 3. Very fortunate to have the 3rd overall pick!

I hear what everyone is saying about the Russian kid but what little I have read I like. Saying that I think Hawks go for Coz ens. Some have mention Turcotte but the Hockey News does not have him in the top 10. If Bowman picks a small defenceman I'm gonna drive to Vancouver and punch him in the throat.

I’d take Dach, Cozens and Byram over Podkolzin.
- DarthKane

Agreed....especially with Cozens or Dach. While the scouting on Podkolzin makes it sound like his ceiling is the highest of the players mentioned, the Hawks are in desperate need of centers with first or second line potential.

Noted. But you have to look at some successes also. Ovechkin, Kucherov, Tarasenko, Panarin, Malkin, etc...
- -Doh-

I mentioned the Hawks drafting Russians. Other teams have had success for sure. The best Russian the Hawks ever drafted was probably Igor Kravchuk. And the pissed him away trading for Joe (frank)ing Murphy.

Just a quick aside from draft pick talk. Does anyone on the board potentially see Dallas giving the Predators heartburn in the first round? Think it may get nasty (good).

Saad Toews Kakko ($1mil)
ADB Strome Kane
Tanev ($2mil) Hayes ($6.5 mil) Kubalik ($1.5 mil)
Caggiulla Kampf ($1.5mil) Kahun
Perlini or Sikura ($1.25mil)

Keith Joki
???? Murphy
Gus Seabs
Dahlstrom

Crow
Delia or Forsberg ($1mil)

Cap hit $73,000,000 plus cost of 2nd pairing defender (so maybe $79,000,000)

(AA, a prospect, and our 1st next year for a young stud defender with a few years of NHL experience)
- -Doh-

Arent we trading Keith/Seabs to Florida?!

The Russian? He's a winger.
- Elbows15

*Drops Gloves*


I said he plays C too.

How about Kevin Hayes in free agency? Toews, Strome, Hayes, Kampf down the middle would be ok with me.
- -Doh-

Hayes will want too much is my guess. Plus, with Strome and Hayes, they would be lacking in the speed department in the middle.

I mentioned the Hawks drafting Russians. Other teams have had success for sure. The best Russian the Hawks ever drafted was probably Igor Kravchuk. And the pissed him away trading for Joe (frank)ing Murphy.
- Elbows15

What a bum.




Literally.

https://www.freep.com/sto...oit-red-wings/1565171002/

Just a quick aside from draft pick talk. Does anyone on the board potentially see Dallas giving the Predators heartburn in the first round? Think it may get nasty (good).
- gabriel

I think Nashville is the most likely Division winner to lose in round 1

Just a quick aside from draft pick talk. Does anyone on the board potentially see Dallas giving the Predators heartburn in the first round? Think it may get nasty (good).
- gabriel

Depends if Bishop can stay healthy. The Preds forwards are a collection of meh after their top line.

Hayes will want too much is my guess. Plus, with Strome and Hayes, they would be lacking in the speed department in the middle.
- Elbows15

For the money, I honestly don’t know that we’ll do much better than Anisimov for 3C. I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that he’s gone.

What a bum.




Literally.

https://www.freep.com/sto...oit-red-wings/1565171002/
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah, I have seen that and its sad. Never know how much his head injuries have caused or if he just took too many drugs back in the day.

i so hated that trade.

I mentioned the Hawks drafting Russians. Other teams have had success for sure. The best Russian the Hawks ever drafted was probably Igor Kravchuk. And the pissed him away trading for Joe (frank)ing Murphy.
- Elbows15

If they draft Pod...what are the chances that he and Maxim Shalunov both come over next season?

Depends if Bishop can stay healthy. The Preds forwards are a collection of meh after their top line.
- Elbows15

Rinne ain’t what he was either.

Kakko or Pod. I really really like the Russian.

Yeah, I have seen that and its sad. Never know how much his head injuries have caused or if he just took too many drugs back in the day.

i so hated that trade.
- Elbows15

My sister loved Murph...even has an autographed sweater

For the money, I honestly don’t know that we’ll do much better than Anisimov for 3C. I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that he’s gone.
- Ogilthorpe2

If they sign Panarin then he's the number 2 center 😉. Haha

Then they should trade down. Dach is falling in some of the rankings.
- Elbows15

I watched Dach's Saskatoon play P.A. in the WHL playoffs a couple days ago and Dach looked lumbering/slow. That doesn't mean he won't be a very good player because he's got size and skill (see Dylan Strome) but from what I saw his skating was below average from a quickness/speed perspective.

Kakko or Pod. I really really like the Russian.
- SoftServe

You like guys who can make more money overseas than they can here, and might not be shy about holding that over The Orginization’s Head? Too risky, and too wingy.

Depends if Bishop can stay healthy. The Preds forwards are a collection of meh after their top line.
- Elbows15

Think I also read that Dallas has the 5th best D in the league. Handy as hell come playoff time. Will be rooting avidly for the Stars. Upsets CAN be enjoyable.