If the plan is the long run - then fine - draft accordingly. But is the plan is to try to win another Cup in the next few years while T&K are still playing at a top level - then draft accordingly. My point is they should figure out a plan and then stick with it.
- EbonyRaptor

Which is why if there is no one available at 3 that can make an immediate impact at the NHL level, I’d seriously consider trading the pick. The T/K window is still open, but likely not much longer.

True but at the same time, Sikura was playing NCAA hockey last year at this time. He was a 6th Rd pick who has progressed and improved every year since being drafted.
What Ebony is saying is give the kid a bit more time before casting him aside.
- Elbows15

Yeah - what he said I said.

If the plan is the long run - then fine - draft accordingly. But is the plan is to try to win another Cup in the next few years while T&K are still playing at a top level - then draft accordingly. My point is they should figure out a plan and then stick with it.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree completely. Pick a lane and stick in it. When you teeter that's how you get stuck in the middle, which is obviously the worst place to be.

I'm just traditional in my mindset of building the team for sustainability. Taking a player who you know is worse but will immediately pay dividends is not in the best interest of this team.

I honestly don’t follow the game closely enough at the developmental levels to have a strong opinion.

All I do know is that the Hawks have a poor history with Russian draftees, and from what I’m reading, Podkolzin seems like he’s at least 2-3 years away from coming to North America if he ever does at all.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fair assessment, thanks. I like the Russian and Finn, but I do think a center makes sense as well. Toews is not going to play forever and bringing in a possible Top 6 center would not hurt at all either. Hawks are in better place tonight than they were this morning so I cannot complain at all right now!!

Ha!! Love your sarcasm!! I like the Finn and Russian a lot.
- ChicagoHope

If Kakko is available at #3 he’s a no brainer. Otherwise I’d be fine with Cozens, Dach or Byram. Given the Hawks defensive depth in the prospect pool I’d say it’s unlikely they pick Byram. I’d have no complaints if they did, but I don’t think it will happen.

I honestly don’t follow the game closely enough at the developmental levels to have a strong opinion.

All I do know is that the Hawks have a poor history with Russian draftees, and from what I’m reading, Podkolzin seems like he’s at least 2-3 years away from coming to North America if he ever does at all.
- Ogilthorpe2

This is where you just trust in the scouts and the organization to make a solid pick. It's been 12 years since the last time we had a great pick, so I don't think the organizational track record is really relevant at this point. We haven't taken many Russians in the top 3 of the draft lately. There will be interviews and evaluations and we'll see who they take. Probably going to get a decent player one way or another.

True but at the same time, Sikura was playing NCAA hockey last year at this time. He was a 6th Rd pick who has progressed and improved every year since being drafted.
What Ebony is saying is give the kid a bit more time before casting him aside.
- Elbows15

Agreed. Concerned when he has gone nearly half an NHL season with no goals. He is our best forward prospect, I guess I expected a little more out of him. Hope he puts on some serious muscle and lbs. this summer!!

This is where you just trust in the scouts and the organization to make a solid pick. It's been 12 years since the last time we had a great pick, so I don't think the organizational track record is really relevant at this point. We haven't taken many Russians in the top 3 of the draft lately. There will be interviews and evaluations and we'll see who they take. Probably going to get a decent player one way or another.
- breadbag

If there's one thing I do trust with this front office, it's their ability to identify talent in the early rounds.

I trust that Mark Kelley will be ready and that whoever we take at 3 (if we stay there) will be the right pick.

I agree completely. Pick a lane and stick in it. When you teeter that's how you get stuck in the middle, which is obviously the worst place to be.

I'm just traditional in my mindset of building the team for sustainability. Taking a player who you know is worse but will immediately pay dividends is not in the best interest of this team.
- TommyHawk

There will not be another Kane/Toews type duo anytime soon. They are still elite talents...for now. Immediate dividends IS in the best interest of this team, and should be the only interest of this team as far as this asset that just fell in their lap is concerned.




IMO

If Kakko is available at #3 he’s a no brainer. Otherwise I’d be fine with Cozens, Dach or Byram. Given the Hawks defensive depth in the prospect pool I’d say it’s unlikely they pick Byram. I’d have no complaints if they did, but I don’t think it will happen.
- DarthKane

If they don't take Byram, it's because the team deems him to not be BPA.

But I'd be ecstatic with Byram as well. The thought of Byram-Boqvist anchoring the top pairing for the next decade has me on the brink of soiling my underwear.

It's incredible how much of a turn this night has taken. Great, great night.

Which is why if there is no one available at 3 that can make an immediate impact at the NHL level, I’d seriously consider trading the pick. The T/K window is still open, but likely not much longer.
- Ogilthorpe2

All of this stuff is speculation so I don't have a line on what will happen anymore than anyone else, but my guess is that 2019/20 will be more of another building year in terms of learning and perfecting Colliton's system as well as solidifying some of the positions that need to be improved. The following - 2020/21 - is probably the earliest the Hawks might be in a position to contend for the Cup and even then only if a lot of things go right. So I'm guessing we're more than one season away and maybe even 2 seasons away which would put T&K at 32/33 and hopefully still with enough juice to make a difference. The 2020/21 season is the season I would target to have the d-corps improved significantly, have the team defense improved significantly and have the new players in the lineup ready to contribute.

There will not be another Kane/Toews type duo anytime soon. They are still elite talents...for now. Immediate dividends IS in the best interest of this team, and should be the only interest of this team as far as this asset that just fell in their lap is concerned.




IMO
- Ogilthorpe2

Well if immediate dividends are what matters most then the team may as well dangle that pick and see what they can reel in. They can easily add an established top-4 d-man for the pick. They can also *possibly* dangle Seabrook for any team to take him off their hands. Clearing all of that glorious cap space also pays immediate (and future) dividends for the team.

Ultimately, Stan is holding all the cards right now. It'll be fascinating to see what transpires over these next couple months.

Can we just fast forward to the end of June already?

Well if immediate dividends are what matters most then the team may as well dangle that pick and see what they can reel in. They can easily add an established top-4 d-man for the pick. They can also *possibly* dangle Seabrook for any team to take him off their hands. Clearing all of that glorious cap space also pays immediate (and future) dividends for the team.

Ultimately, Stan is holding all the cards right now. It'll be fascinating to see what transpires over these next couple months.

Can we just fast forward to the end of June already?
- TommyHawk

I agree that this should receive serious consideration. Just like I think that if the plan is more long term than trying to win again in the T&K window - then go for the rebuild full bore including trading T&K while they would still bring back a handsome package. Doing things half way is the worst path to take.

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

Sergei Krivokrasov would like word with you.

You don't know half as much as you think you do. You run your mouth like your word is gospel but you're just a confused geriatric
- GPHawksfan

This is extremely offensive and sick. You need to find a new home to spew this bile.

anybody for trading the #3 to fill a couple of holes? Just asking?

Craig Button on his April edition of the draft analysis made the point that the gap between Kakko at #2 and Podkolzin at #3 is closer then the gap between Hughes and Kakko ... so maybe NYR takes Podkolzin and Kakko falls in our laps.
- EbonyRaptor

I just did my pre draft analysis, and this was a big part of my hopes, but Podkolzin simply isn't as ready to step-in as Kakko so that might happen a drop to #3

Would you trade one of our d-prospects and the #3 pick for the Ranger's #2 pick? Fill out the trade with a draft later round draft pick coming our way to even it out a bit but doing what is necessary to secure Kakko? Maybe Mitchell and the #3 to NY for #2 and a lesser prospect? Or something like that.

The Rangers are in a rebuild - they don't have a T&K window that factors into their decision making. They would be in a position to wait on Podkolzin more than the Hawks are.

Just spit-balling.

The Russian might end up being a heck of a player. I wouldn't worry about it. Podkolzin apparently has a great work ethic to go with his skill.
- breadbag

He simply is....there is nothing I don't like about him except the language barrier.

anybody for trading the #3 to fill a couple of holes? Just asking?
- bogiedoc

Should receive serious consideration.

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

I love Cozen a shoot first fast big body too...but the Finn will not get moved off the puck, for real.

He simply is....there is nothing I don't like about him except the language barrier.
- wiz1901

My concern is not with him as a player - it's with his desire to play in the NHL, especially because he's got a 2-year contract with SKA which is one of the few teams that can and will pay their star players to stay.

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

u don't trade out of this slot this year....trust your scouting staff

u don't trade out of this slot this year....trust your scouting staff
- wiz1901

Do you think Bowan is at the same level as Heiskanen and Makar?