That throwing motion....egads.
- Beaver-Warrior

I don't know what was worse, throwing the ball or swinging the bat. No way he hit an inside the park home run with that swing, even in little league.

DC !!!

Take the shoot first sniper centre with thee speed.

Such a great day, add a gifted forward to that group of young D men thats on the way.


You know the Rangers may (frank) this whole thing up and take the Russian at #2. Kakko falls to 3 to the Blackhawks ? Hockey twitter would go bananas.
- mrpaulish

I agree.

I don't see the Rangers taking Hughes, that's for sure.. I see the Rangers taking the Russian which leaves the Hawks with Hughes or Kakko, lol... And remember, Hughes is no longer the hands down 1st overall pick, despite how great Hughes is he does have issues with his size and defensive game. I mean he's easily bumped off the puck and that may scare New Jersey from taking him first overall, and the Rangers love bigger stronger players so I cant see them taking Hughes, so I really think the Hawks will get Hughes or Kakko... And it will be absolutely amusing watching other teams fans go bananas over it.. Of course when it happens they will claim the Hawks "tanked" for Kappo or Hughes, just like they claim the Hawks tanked for Toews and Kane despite the fact there has been a draft lottery for over 20 years now.

Oh, and I absolutely enjoy the anger and envy of other teams fans. It's just too funny and I do enjoy ribbing them er trolling them a little bit over it...

I won’t be happy with anyone but Cozens.
- Ogilthorpe2Don’t (frank) this up Stan

I like Cozens, but he's a project. Don't get me wrong he's going to be an excellent NHL player. But I see him as a "poor mans" Connor McDavid.. I mean he has the speed and the ability to be dynamic like McDavid but he doesn't have the natural talent of McDavid which is why he's a project.. His ceiling is really high, but just because he has the ability doesn't mean he has the natural talent or the "it" factor and players like that generally concern me... With a top 3 pick you have to draft a player with natural talent, because you cant teach natural talent - you have it or you don't... It's like art - some artists have the natural talent and effortlessly create masterpieces, while other artists don't have that natural talent or "it" factor but they have learned to create masterpieces by working hard and perfecting their technique ... And that's how I view Cozens. I mean he could become a player like McDavid because of his speed or perhaps a Joe Thornton type player but he's going to have to work hard at it..

So yea, like I said - I really believe that going with the natural talent is the way to go with a top 3 pick, or a high pick in general.. But Cozens is an interesting player because he'll be great regardless, but if he wants to take his game to an elite level he's going to have to work hard at it and perfect his game.

Either way, I'm happy we're all debating which top prospect the Hawks should take, because it's great knowing the Hawks will get a fantastic player in June, and as a die-hard Hawks fan of almost 40 years it makes me happy knowing this team will be great for another decade with a bunch of new faces with different styles and different games.

I agree.

I don't see the Rangers taking Hughes, that's for sure.. I see the Rangers taking the Russian which leaves the Hawks with Hughes or Kakko, lol... And remember, Hughes is no longer the hands down 1st overall pick, despite how great Hughes is he does have issues with his size and defensive game. I mean he's easily bumped off the puck and that may scare New Jersey from taking him first overall, and the Rangers love bigger stronger players so I cant see them taking Hughes, so I really think the Hawks will get Hughes or Kakko... And it will be absolutely amusing watching other teams fans go bananas over it.. Of course when it happens they will claim the Hawks "tanked" for Kappo or Hughes, just like they claim the Hawks tanked for Toews and Kane despite the fact there has been a draft lottery for over 20 years now.

Oh, and I absolutely enjoy the anger and envy of other teams fans. It's just too funny and I do enjoy ribbing them er trolling them a little bit over it...
- Savard2Secord

No way the Devils pass on Hughes

I agree.

I don't see the Rangers taking Hughes, that's for sure.. I see the Rangers taking the Russian which leaves the Hawks with Hughes or Kakko, lol... And remember, Hughes is no longer the hands down 1st overall pick, despite how great Hughes is he does have issues with his size and defensive game. I mean he's easily bumped off the puck and that may scare New Jersey from taking him first overall, and the Rangers love bigger stronger players so I cant see them taking Hughes, so I really think the Hawks will get Hughes or Kakko... And it will be absolutely amusing watching other teams fans go bananas over it.. Of course when it happens they will claim the Hawks "tanked" for Kappo or Hughes, just like they claim the Hawks tanked for Toews and Kane despite the fact there has been a draft lottery for over 20 years now.

Oh, and I absolutely enjoy the anger and envy of other teams fans. It's just too funny and I do enjoy ribbing them er trolling them a little bit over it...
- Savard2Secord

Why is it Hughes has been the number one overall consensus pick since like
forever and still is if he has defensive issues and size issues, while the Russian
and Kaako don't?

Bob looking leaky in Tampa.

Ruuuuutta steals from Panarin and sets up for goal 3.

And we want Panarin right?

Lightning ready for playoffs.

Ruuuuutta steals from Panarin and sets up for goal 3.

And we want Panarin right?
- RedRevenge

ABout to be 4-0

There is a lot of time between now and the draft for Bowman to figure out the possibility of Podkolzin playing in the USA next year or the year after. We have seen that there seems to be no set rules for Russian players under contract. Everything is negotiable (under the table or above board). Players get out of contracts one way or another on a regular basis. If Stan can get him here that is the direction I would go.

If he is not a strong option to come over right away there are plenty of C options and Byram really looks good too.

If they drafted Byram he might be able to play in the NHL next year. Keith, Joki, Murphy, Byram, Gus, Seabs, Dahlstrom is not too shabby. With Boqvist, Beaudin, Hillman, Mitchell not far behind the Hawks could be set for years on defense. They would have enough depth that they actually could move one of them in a trade to fill other needs.
- -Doh-

There is absolutely no way the Hawks draft a defenseman with that 3rd overall pick. As you pointed out the Hawks have plenty of young defenseman with top 4 if not top 2 potential and high ceilings, and with this forward crop, and the fact the Hawks could use a young elite forward, you draft Hughes, Kakko or Podkolzin. Don't get me wrong I love DeBrincat and Strome, however the Hawks need one more younger "elite" forward to help carry them for the next decade... I know Toews just came off a career year at 30 years old, but he's no Patrick Kane and he's perhaps 4-5 years away from becoming a 3rd line center so the Hawks need to find his replacement now.. Because whoever the Hawks draft with the 3rd overall pick will be entering their prime when Toews loses his scoring touch and is ready to be bumped to the 3rd line.. Toews reminds me a lot of Bryan Trottier and I think Toews is going to regress in a similar way and at a similar age as Trottier.. I'm not saying Toews will be useless in 4-5 years, on the contrary - I think he will be an elite veteran 3rd line center but he will no longer be a 1st line player, especially with the emergence of who the Hawks draft this season and who they've drafted the past couple of seasons.

Besides, Bryam isn't considered a top 5 pick anyway. Sure he's a fringe 5th overall pick and certainly a top 10 pick but drafting Bryam would be absolutely redundant given the aforementioned, that we have Joker, Boqvist, Beaudin and Mitchell whom all have top 4 potential and talent.. Not to mention Murphy as well. And also consider Keith and Seabrook who are both signed for 4-5 more years and both have NMC's, so both are basically guaranteed a roster spot for the next half decade unless Bowman can trade them.. So our back end is already crowded as it is and it would be a travesty if there's no room for our young stud defenseman because Seabrook and or Keith are taking up spots. So blowing 3rd overall pick on a defenseman wouldn't be wise at this point.. The Hawks lack quality NHL defenseman now but they won't in a couple of years... And lets not forget that it's almost certain that Bowman is going to sign a top 4 defenseman this summer and who knows how long that contract will be for?... I guess my point is that it would be a shame if the Hawks cant logistically fit Joker, Boqvist or Beaudin into the lineup because of Seabrook, Keith and their NMC's and I would hate to see those 2 first round picks blown because of it, or see them traded just because of logistics... Not to get off topic from the draft or the youth movement but it would be nice if Seabrook waived his NMC to make room for the kids, and IMO if he doesn't I will view him as selfish and egotistical.. The organization and us Hawks fans were good to him for over a decade now, perhaps it's time for him to return the favor and go play for Q in Florida or go play for his hometown team in Vancouver or go to a young team where he can play a leadership role, where young players will look up to and admire him for the role he played (and still plays) and what he accomplished with the Hawks.

But yea, I don't think drafting a defenseman with a first round pick for the 3rd year in a row makes any sense at all... I mean if there was a surefire generational talent defenseman available then I would have a different opinion, but this draft doesn't have one... So I would bet both my balls that Hughes, Kakko or Podkolzin will be the newest member of the Blackhawks this June.

ABout to be 4-0
- TrueGrit

Are the Jackets even playing?

It's crazy to think that Panarin and Bob are going to want ~10 mil.
Duchene is going to want ~8 mil.

And I bet this team gets swept against the lightning with these 3 players.

He'll always strike out fear as Jimmy Piersall to me.

Worst actor depiction of an athlete in the history of movies (yes - worse that Gary Cooper).
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, jimmy is probably still rumbling upstairs about the freakin Transy who portrayed him. Jimmy and Harry together in the booth we're absolutely outlandishly funny.... They cracked me up! In today's world they would have been suspended or relieved because of all this"politically correctness. What bull shyly.

Are the Jackets even playing?

It's crazy to think that Panarin and Bob are going to want ~10 mil.
Duchene is going to want ~8 mil.

And I bet this team gets swept against the lightning with these 3 players.
- RedRevenge

I remember when some here had Panarin as the best Hawk player...classic.

Give Saad his own line to drive. Seems he responded really well this season once he was placed in that spot.
- Elbows15

I wonder if he defers too much to Toews when he's on his line.

I remember when some here had Panarin as the best Hawk player...classic.
- HawkintheD

I really liked Panarin when he first came over. But after watching two seasons of him play in the playoffs, I was ready for him to leave.

I hope he signs big money in NY which will make NY more likely to draft the RW Russian, since they'll have a full elite Russian line.

Justin mailbag question.
Should the hawks listen to offers for the 3rd overall pick and if so what would the hawk be looking for? If it was me a top 3 d man and center. So what teams and players would fit that description? Only reason ask is two things keep the pick for the future or trade the pick for now to possibly contend while toews and kane are still playing at high level and have a 4 year window or less. Personally i keep the pick.

What does Vancouver have that we would want if Hughes does fall to us? Just for discussion sake

What does Vancouver have that we would want if Hughes does fall to us? Just for discussion sake
- Scott1977

If a miracle happens and the Hawks got Hughes at 3? The would absolutely not trade him, imo.

Are the Jackets even playing?

It's crazy to think that Panarin and Bob are going to want ~10 mil.
Duchene is going to want ~8 mil.

And I bet this team gets swept against the lightning with these 3 players.
- RedRevenge

It is not that easy against Tampa.

What many do not know about Tampa is that they were top 10 in league in hits. While they play with a ton of speed and skill, they will match physically, play any way you want.

They will not get swept.

Are the Jackets even playing?

It's crazy to think that Panarin and Bob are going to want ~10 mil.
Duchene is going to want ~8 mil.

And I bet this team gets swept against the lightning with these 3 players.
- RedRevenge

This is going to be a terrific tournament - wish the Hawks were part of it.

Pens-NYI, Leafs-Bruins, Caps-Canes, Blues-Jets, Preds-Stars, Flames-Avs, Sharks-VGK - all could be long close series. Only Bolts-CBJ is iffy.

IMO, Rangers will go with a player that can play with them right away. They are in full rebuild mode. They aren’t going to wait on a player that may be two years away. There is no doubt the Finn will go to the Rangers and Hughes to New Jersey. I will eat crow if I am wrong. Hawks at three definitely have lots of decisions to make. Do they keep the pick, are they willing to wait a couple of years for a draft pick as 88 and 19 age more, or do they try to pick a player that in their opinion is NHL ready now. By all accounts, the only 2 that are NHL ready are the top 2 picks. Who really knows

until these kids actually play against NHL players. Exciting time to ponder right now!!

Ruuuuutta steals from Panarin and sets up for goal 3.

And we want Panarin right?
- RedRevenge

Up until the draft lottery I was convinced (and I supported the idea) that Bowman was going to bring Panarin back.. As a matter of fact I'm convinced that was Bowman's plan and strategy all along and that Panarin was well aware of it when he was traded.. Get Saad back and then resign Panarin as a UFA. However I think the fact the Hawks are picking 3rd overall has changed all of that, because with that pick the Hawks are getting a first line forward or a top 6 forward at worst which would leave no room for a top 6 forward in Panarin.... But God knows I would be thrilled with a top 9 that looks like this:

Panarin-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin
Saad-Kahun-Perlini
Caggiula-Kampf-xxxxx

Tell me that top 12 wouldn't be nice.

Also, I find it interesting that the same people that condemned the Saad/Panarin trade now don't want Panarin back.... Makes no damn sense to me.

Panarin is an excellent player and I have absolutely no idea why anyone in their right mind would be opposed to him returning to the Hawks.

I mean Panarin was extremely vocal about the fact he loved it in Chicago and loved playing with Kane.. Has anyone ever bothered to think that perhaps Panarin wants to come back and be part of another decade of contending and winning Cups?

The Hawks are a legitimate #4 and #5 defenseman away from contending for a Cup.. I don't know how anyone cant see this.. If the Hawks had an average defense they would be in the playoffs right now.. I mean that Schmaltz/Strome, Perlini trade and the acquisition of Caggiula really changed this team for the better, you add a couple more players to this team and the Hawks will be a force, and adding Panarin would just be a cherry on top for the most potent offence in the league..

So I don't get the Panarin hate.. Only a crazy person would be opposed to adding a PPG player to their team.

No way the Devils pass on Hughes
- mrpaulish

Agree .Heard somewhere Shero is close to the family . But could see the Rangers passing on KK for the Russian .Then it get's tough with those big talented Centers right there . Heard KK may be able to play Center ,I think you take him either way .Great problems to have ..

Islanders bringing the lumber tonight

What does Vancouver have that we would want if Hughes does fall to us? Just for discussion sake
- Scott1977

The other Hughes.