Ok I am gonna start my first to last update on player rankings, dropping Podkolzin due to his production, until I find out there was an injury...
- wiz1901

Only a one spot drop is being kind.

He seems to be flying under the radar on the blog, but yeah I like the kid. Here’s a good read on him:

https://thestarphoenix.co...tick-for-parade-of-scouts
- walleyeb1

I like Dach a lot. I thought it was between him and Cozens for that 3rd pick but there seems to be a lot of uncertainty with that pick.

Going to be an interesting debate leading up to the draft.

I like Dach a lot. I thought it was between him and Cozens for that 3rd pick but there seems to be a lot of uncertainty with that pick.

Going to be an interesting debate leading up to the draft.
- Tyler Cameron

Like them both, glad I don’t have to decide.

I like Dach a lot. I thought it was between him and Cozens for that 3rd pick but there seems to be a lot of uncertainty with that pick.

Going to be an interesting debate leading up to the draft.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler what's your thoughts drafting Byram? Having a Defensive group that is or could be the strength of this team moving forward. If not Byram how about Turcotte?

Heard someone saying he might be expendable this summer with guys like Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield and Toews playing so well.
- Tyler Cameron

He was the guy Stan wanted in exchange for Nick Leddy, Snow laughed and instead we got Ville Pokka.

Tyler what's your thoughts drafting Byram? Having a Defensive group that is or could be the strength of this team moving forward. If not Byram how about Turcotte?
- BGKarras

I understand not drafting for need and taking the best available player but in this case hawks need to draft a center whether its cozens dach or turcotte but hawks need top 6 potential at that position for the future. Cozens is still my pick

I haven’t seen any of the game tonight so this may backfire a bit on me, but I’ve really liked Radulov’s play this year. He brings it every shift and has skill and some speed to go along.

Topsy turvy is defined as utter confusion, disorder..

Now you can check off which below is tospy.turvy

* Hughes is available, Stan! But are we taking Cozens or Turcotte? We're on the clock! What. No no no i say it again we shouldn't trade down and grab Pod or Caufield
* Bettman's inner voice: Carolina can't go that far. Columbus is kind of a headache but we can make out ok nice market here but just don't run our hockey straight up against that darn Ohio State
*Seattle is a viable hockey climate. Really they are. But Florida and Phoenix is just not pulling their weight. No Marge i am busy if that Trump calls again. If he thinks i fly to Russia for a photo shoot and presser.....forget about it
* That Nashville has to turn the corner because I think Winnipeg will get it right and Chicago isn't going to remain a dumpster fire
* mitch Marner is Toronto's star not Mathews

Tyler what's your thoughts drafting Byram? Having a Defensive group that is or could be the strength of this team moving forward. If not Byram how about Turcotte?
- BGKarras

I say no to drafting another defenceman unless Byram is hands down the best pick at #3. By the sounds of all of this debate on here, as well as amongst the experts, I would say that's not the case.

I have warmed up to Turcotte a lot and like his game. I would have loved him and his game in the #12 spot CHI was originally drafting as he seems more like a 2-way C but at #3 might be a bit of a stretch for me as I'm not sure he's got elite offensive skillset.

Remember though, I'm no scout.

I say no to drafting another defenceman unless Byram is hands down the best pick at #3. By the sounds of all of this debate on here, as well as amongst the experts, I would say that's not the case.

I have warmed up to Turcotte a lot and like his game. I would have loved him and his game in the #12 spot CHI was originally drafting as he seems more like a 2-way C but at #3 might be a bit of a stretch for me as I'm not sure he's got elite offensive skillset.

Remember though, I'm no scout.
- Tyler Cameron

Really tough decisions for Bowman. I hope he doesn't make a mistake on this pick with the ripple effect long term for this team. I do like Cozens and Turcotte however the more highlights of Byram I see the more I like his size ,speed, and play making abilities. Granted he isn't playing against NHL players but its evident. like you said I'm a fan not a scout evaluating talent. Keep up the good work

Thinking about the prospect of trading Gustafsson for a 1st rounder - if I were the team giving up a 1st rounder - I would want more then 1 year of Gustafsson. Maybe something like the Hawks' 2nd rounder plus Gustafsson for a mid 1st rounder.
- EbonyRaptor

I think that would be overpaying, maybe have a deal in place
for Gus signing w/new team.

I say no to drafting another defenceman unless Byram is hands down the best pick at #3. By the sounds of all of this debate on here, as well as amongst the experts, I would say that's not the case.

I have warmed up to Turcotte a lot and like his game. I would have loved him and his game in the #12 spot CHI was originally drafting as he seems more like a 2-way C but at #3 might be a bit of a stretch for me as I'm not sure he's got elite offensive skillset.

Remember though, I'm no scout.
- Tyler Cameron

My preference would be Caufield, but drafting Byram makes sense too. There’s no harm is stocking up on solid defensive prospects. Not all will hit and some can be traded. Byram would be the closest to being NHL ready compared to the other prospects. Cozens, Turcotte and Dach could be solid options too. Hopefully whomever the Hawks draft can play in the NHL either this season or next.

I say no to drafting another defenceman unless Byram is hands down the best pick at #3. By the sounds of all of this debate on here, as well as amongst the experts, I would say that's not the case.

I have warmed up to Turcotte a lot and like his game. I would have loved him and his game in the #12 spot CHI was originally drafting as he seems more like a 2-way C but at #3 might be a bit of a stretch for me as I'm not sure he's got elite offensive skillset.

Remember though, I'm no scout.
- Tyler Cameron

I take Bowen, I know we don't have any real game breakers in the pipe line depth for Forwards or centers, but But we also do not have any LD depth really. our 3 best prospects are probably Joki, Boquist and Mitchell which are all RD Beuadin is LD but he does not project as a top pair guy. Really none do. Also so much eaiser to find Centers and forwards then D. we traded for a 2nd line center and 2 3rd line forwards. We have to give Hammer to just get a fringe 2nd pair d. from everything I have seen and read. Bowen has # 1 d potential. he does not have any holes In his game so I look at him as a safe pick. every other guy between 4-12 Caufleid-can you have Cat, Kane, and him in your top 6 and not expect to be giving up a ton of goals-plus playoffs are more physical. Turcotte takes a lot of hits and has had injury problems. a few of the guys are pass 1st guys and that does not always play out well. are all the C going to end up playing center. I also think Bowen could play next year. not sure about the rest. our D is so bad how are we going to improve it?

I understand not drafting for need and taking the best available player but in this case hawks need to draft a center whether its cozens dach or turcotte but hawks need top 6 potential at that position for the future. Cozens is still my pick
- Scott1977

I agree. It seems that drafting Cozens or Dach would be drafting the best player available, AND a position of need.

Thinking about the prospect of trading Gustafsson for a 1st rounder - if I were the team giving up a 1st rounder - I would want more then 1 year of Gustafsson. Maybe something like the Hawks' 2nd rounder plus Gustafsson for a mid 1st rounder.
- EbonyRaptor

I know it was only one year, but if I'm trading a 60 point defenseman, I want more than just a 1st. Plus, he looked better defensively toward the end of the season.

okay, since we're fessing up, my REAL name is Ron Jeremy.

I don't write, but I'm in the film industry.

I say no to drafting another defenceman unless Byram is hands down the best pick at #3. By the sounds of all of this debate on here, as well as amongst the experts, I would say that's not the case.

I have warmed up to Turcotte a lot and like his game. I would have loved him and his game in the #12 spot CHI was originally drafting as he seems more like a 2-way C but at #3 might be a bit of a stretch for me as I'm not sure he's got elite offensive skillset.

Remember though, I'm no scout.
- Tyler Cameron

For the first week or so after we knew the Hawks got the #3 pick - I was right there with you. I thought not another d-man - get a stud center with this gift of a draft pick. But then I watched some game highlights of Vancouver in the WHL playoffs and I noticed that Byram wasn't really redundant with the other high-end d-prospects the Hawks have drafted the last 2 years. He's redundant on the offensive side of the puck and is probably better than the other guys with the exception of Boqvist. Where he separates himself is on the defensive side of the puck and he does that by playing physical and "chippy". He's not exclusively a stick and positioning defender - he'll hit people. Two plays stood out to me - one where two opponents and one team mate where in a scrum along the wall and he came in like a bowling ball and knocked all three of them down. The other play was where he stuck the opposing player carrying the puck behind the net and basically stapled him to the wall and took the puck away. Those are plays I don't think those other guys make and that leads me to think Byram has what it takes to be a #1 d-man.

I like Dach a lot. I thought it was between him and Cozens for that 3rd pick but there seems to be a lot of uncertainty with that pick.

Going to be an interesting debate leading up to the draft.
- Tyler Cameron

Isn't the knock on him his skating? We already have Strome who isn't the most gifted skater.

After watching MacKinnon torch people I can't a potential top line C who can skate (obviously no one in this draft has MacKinnon level talent).

I take Bowen, I know we don't have any real game breakers in the pipe line depth for Forwards or centers, but But we also do not have any LD depth really. our 3 best prospects are probably Joki, Boquist and Mitchell which are all RD Beuadin is LD but he does not project as a top pair guy. Really none do. Also so much eaiser to find Centers and forwards then D. we traded for a 2nd line center and 2 3rd line forwards. We have to give Hammer to just get a fringe 2nd pair d. from everything I have seen and read. Bowen has # 1 d potential. he does not have any holes In his game so I look at him as a safe pick. every other guy between 4-12 Caufleid-can you have Cat, Kane, and him in your top 6 and not expect to be giving up a ton of goals-plus playoffs are more physical. Turcotte takes a lot of hits and has had injury problems. a few of the guys are pass 1st guys and that does not always play out well. are all the C going to end up playing center. I also think Bowen could play next year. not sure about the rest. our D is so bad how are we going to improve it?
- kmw4631

Wiz has Bowen going 12th as the 4th dman taken. If that's who Stan wants, I hope he trades down to get him. Would Buffalo trade 7 and 20 for the 3rd pick? Could you get a top 6 forward (RNH) plus pick 8?

Isn't the knock on him his skating? We already have Strome who isn't the most gifted skater.

After watching MacKinnon torch people I can't a potential top line C who can skate (obviously no one in this draft has MacKinnon level talent).
- bhawks2241

Not sure maybe Wiz can shed some light on that:

“Not a speedster, but has a great stick and soft hands as a high-end playmaker. Can control the pace and the play. Another wing-centre who is very strong on his skates and can move with above average speed while he maintains possession using his soft hands to find open line mates when he has the puck, and quickly ghost into quiet soft areas to receive returns and scoring looks.”

Wiz has Bowen going 12th as the 4th dman taken. If that's who Stan wants, I hope he trades down to get him. Would Buffalo trade 7 and 20 for the 3rd pick? Could you get a top 6 forward (RNH) plus pick 8?
- tvetter

I would trade #3 to the Kings for #5 and Adrian Kempe, who is RFA this year but should not cost more than $3 mil. X3. Big center fast, gritty, would be a perfect #3 on the Hawks, has potential to slide into the top 6 on occasion, but his finishing touch doe not seem to be there

I would trade #3 to the Kings for #5 and Adrian Kempe, who is RFA this year but should not cost more than $3 mil. X3. Big center fast, gritty, would be a perfect #3 on the Hawks, has potential to slide into the top 6 on occasion, but his finishing touch doe not seem to be there
- LAHawk

Be interesting to see what offers the Hawks get for that #3 pick?

I would trade #3 to the Kings for #5 and Adrian Kempe, who is RFA this year but should not cost more than $3 mil. X3. Big center fast, gritty, would be a perfect #3 on the Hawks, has potential to slide into the top 6 on occasion, but his finishing touch doe not seem to be there
- LAHawk

Interesting, Wiz had us picking him at # 27 in that draft year.

Interesting, Wiz had us picking him at # 27 in that draft year.
- walleyeb1

Kings need top 6 talent, and in a rebuild, #3 pick assures they get Poldzolkin.

Not sure maybe Wiz can shed some light on that:

“Not a speedster, but has a great stick and soft hands as a high-end playmaker. Can control the pace and the play. Another wing-centre who is very strong on his skates and can move with above average speed while he maintains possession using his soft hands to find open line mates when he has the puck, and quickly ghost into quiet soft areas to receive returns and scoring looks.”
- walleyeb1

That scouting report reads a lot like Strome as it does for Dach.