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

Bryan McCabe? Oh wait, Hawks already did that to allow the Canucks to get the Sedins!! Turn back the clock days!!

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

Not enough to pass on Hughes.

Can't wait for Tallon to stick Q with Bob.

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.
- Savard2Secord

The Russian will be in Russia for at least 2 more years. Like what I read about him, but he is not coming to North America right away.

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.
- Savard2Secord

S2S, You're on a roll. Been drinking Red Bull or something today?

Seriously, I don't think Hughes or Kakko falls to us. As of others have posted, Podkolzin, being a Russian, scares me off. Cozen would be my choice, unfortunately maybe not immediate help next year.

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.
- Savard2Secord

Reason #1 that Hawks fan don't want Panarin to come back to the Hawks = salary cap.

Can't wait for Tallon to stick Q with Bob.
- Elbows15

Maybe Huet is available? Maybe he can have 2 goalies making $13 million on the Cats cap.

Reason #1 that Hawks fan don't want Panarin to come back to the Hawks = salary cap.
- EbonyRaptor

Agreed 100%!! Especially with 12 and 17 due big raises very soon!

I think Andrew Shaw is expecting Schiefle to have a hearing with DOPS

Bob with 4 10 bell saves in second.

Bryan McCabe? Oh wait, Hawks already did that to allow the Canucks to get the Sedins!! Turn back the clock days!!
- ChicagoHope

I was referring to that when Vancouver wanted the sedins. Hovart hutton Vancouver 10th and depeitro that would be the only way i would consider trading the 3rd overall pick.

Reason #1 that Hawks fan don't want Panarin to come back to the Hawks = salary cap.
- EbonyRaptor

Related reason #2.....he is not worth the money somebody else will pay him.

Sounds weird hearing the name Toews on the Islanders

Sounds weird hearing the name Toews on the Islanders
- LAHawk

Funny how he's on the #1 power play unit not Leddy?

Wow that was a long non whistle

Funny how he's on the #1 power play unit not Leddy?
- BetweenTheDots

D. Toews is a pretty nice player.

Wow Columbus!

Shorty

The Russian will be in Russia for at least 2 more years. Like what I read about him, but he is not coming to North America right away.
- ChicagoHope

TSN's Craig Button said Tuesday night that he doesn't have any doubts that Podkolzin will play in the NHL next season

Columbus all the way back to tie it at 3.

CBj 3 TBL 3 with the BJ's headed to the PP.

Lightning ready for playoffs.
- TrueGrit

Are they?

CBj 3 TBL 3 with the BJ's headed to the PP.
- HawkintheD

Amalie is as quiet as a Marcelle Marceau concert.

Chance of a good old fashioned OT game tonight with the tied and close games so far.