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

Unless they are Viktor Hedman or Drew Doughty, projecting an 18 year old draft eligible kid defenceman as a top or bottom pairing guy is almost impossible for scouts, GM's, coaches.

I doubt anybody thought M-E Vlasic would turn out to be the great shutdown Dman that he has become. Or that Anton Stralman would develop how he did with Tampa.

Tough call on defenceman, they need coaching and the opportunity to play big minutes in the minors on their way up the ladder.

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

Bowman does't always follow conventional thinking and may be targeting a guy who isn't on most peoiple's top 3 list. If that's the case and if he's certain he can get what he wants using a later pick then I'd love to see the Hawks make this type of deal, getting another first and a good young player or prospect who has a good chance of skating with the Hawks in october.

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.
- tvetter

I’m thinking the same thing especially if the trade partner has the capacity to do a trade and sign. Gustafsson for a 1st + prospect and/or draft pick(s).

Agree, he did turn it up a bit with his defense. Still inconsistent but the intensity was there when he did exert himself. I actually love the snarl he brings but again just not consistent enough yet.

Unless they are Viktor Hedman or Drew Doughty, projecting an 18 year old draft eligible kid defenceman as a top or bottom pairing guy is almost impossible for scouts, GM's, coaches.

I doubt anybody thought M-E Vlasic would turn out to be the great shutdown Dman that he has become. Or that Anton Stralman would develop how he did with Tampa.

Tough call on defenceman, they need coaching and the opportunity to play big minutes in the minors on their way up the ladder.
- RickJ

Or that anyone thought Duncan Keith was the best player of the 2002 draft.

Unless they are Viktor Hedman or Drew Doughty, projecting an 18 year old draft eligible kid defenceman as a top or bottom pairing guy is almost impossible for scouts, GM's, coaches.

I doubt anybody thought M-E Vlasic would turn out to be the great shutdown Dman that he has become. Or that Anton Stralman would develop how he did with Tampa.

Tough call on defenceman, they need coaching and the opportunity to play big minutes in the minors on their way up the ladder.
- RickJ

Plus the top 2 defenders in Carolina in Slavin and Pesce were not 1st rounders (4th and 3rd rounds, IIRC). Giordano in Calgary was never drafted.

I’m thinking the same thing especially if the trade partner has the capacity to do a trade and sign. Gustafsson for a 1st + prospect and/or draft pick(s).

Agree, he did turn it up a bit with his defense. Still inconsistent but the intensity was there when he did exert himself. I actually love the snarl he brings but again just not consistent enough yet.
- AEL_Fox

Gus doesn't have to be a shutdown defenseman but he has to be at least average defensively. Right now he is not close to being average. Unless he is able to defend he isn't an asset to the team. I'm hoping the coaching staff focus on his weaknesses next season and get him to defend competently.

Bowman does't always follow conventional thinking and may be targeting a guy who isn't on most peoiple's top 3 list. If that's the case and if he's certain he can get what he wants using a later pick then I'd love to see the Hawks make this type of deal, getting another first and a good young player or prospect who has a good chance of skating with the Hawks in october.
- paulr

I don’t trust that KaKa it Hughes might drop if either NYR or NJD go “off board”
I bet Stan waits to see what they do, before doing anything crazy with the pick
... unless someone blows him away with an offer first

Or that anyone thought Duncan Keith was the best player of the 2002 draft.
- paulr

Absolutely.

And so many early pick defenceman who never became anything more than journeymen. Guys like Luke Schenn, Jared Cowen and many more.

If the Hawks think this Vancouver kid is worth taking at #3 over a big center then do it and plan on a year or 2 in the minors or back in junior. Then sign free agent forwards.

Unless they are Viktor Hedman or Drew Doughty, projecting an 18 year old draft eligible kid defenceman as a top or bottom pairing guy is almost impossible for scouts, GM's, coaches.

I doubt anybody thought M-E Vlasic would turn out to be the great shutdown Dman that he has become. Or that Anton Stralman would develop how he did with Tampa.

Tough call on defenceman, they need coaching and the opportunity to play big minutes in the minors on their way up the ladder.
- RickJ

I think his comp at 6-1 195 and still 17 is dougthy. I just do not see any of the 8 or so forwards that I feel are sure fire 2nd line or better players. for me bowen is either a true #1 or at worst a top pair player. he is putting up a historic season for D men and is leading the whole league in playoff scoring.

“This kid gets it. Everything about Byram tells that story,” NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr told Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup. “He stepped into the league (with the Giants) and he helped take that team to the level that it’s at now. He’s a pretty complete package in that he can make plays in all zones, under pressure, in traffic, and from the blue line to the goal line, which is not something that a lot of defencemen can hone their craft at.”

many scouts have said they felt he was NHL ready. its not often scouts say that. he has the size to play in the NHL next year which is what allot of guys struggle with.

Gus doesn't have to be a shutdown defenseman but he has to be at least average defensively. Right now he is not close to being average. Unless he is able to defend he isn't an asset to the team. I'm hoping the coaching staff focus on his weaknesses next season and get him to defend competently.
- paulr

Agree, well said.

Plus the top 2 defenders in Carolina in Slavin and Pesce were not 1st rounders (4th and 3rd rounds, IIRC). Giordano in Calgary was never drafted.
- AEL_Fox

Yup, the list is long. Shea Weber, Mattias Ekholm ...................

I think his comp at 6-1 195 and still 17 is dougthy. I just do not see any of the 8 or so forwards that I feel are sure fire 2nd line or better players. for me bowen is either a true #1 or at worst a top pair player. he is putting up a historic season for D men and is leading the whole league in playoff scoring.

“This kid gets it. Everything about Byram tells that story,” NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr told Sportsnet’s Starting Lineup. “He stepped into the league (with the Giants) and he helped take that team to the level that it’s at now. He’s a pretty complete package in that he can make plays in all zones, under pressure, in traffic, and from the blue line to the goal line, which is not something that a lot of defencemen can hone their craft at.”

many scouts have said they felt he was NHL ready. its not often scouts say that. he has the size to play in the NHL next year which is what allot of guys struggle with.
- kmw4631

He might even move up to #2 and the Rangers take him, who knows.

Gus doesn't have to be a shutdown defenseman but he has to be at least average defensively. Right now he is not close to being average. Unless he is able to defend he isn't an asset to the team. I'm hoping the coaching staff focus on his weaknesses next season and get him to defend competently.
- paulr

Two problems with Gus that I see (and I certainly did like the way he took over on the PP and was an important contributor to its improvement):

He is 27 - not 21 - does he have the ability to improve his defensive skills to the point of being average after so many pro years without?

Until last season (17+43=60 in 79 games, 2.01 pts per 60), he was not a prolific scorer either in Chicago, or in Rockford, or in Sweden.

His best season in Sweden in points was 4+25=29 in 55 games in 2014-15 (I don't know is total TOI); at Rockford, he was 3+14=17 in 25 games.

So - was last season an aberration in terms of points? Does he "regress to the mean"? Or has he "gotten it" and continues above 2 points per 60 minutes of play?

He might even move up to #2 and the Rangers take him, who knows.
- RickJ

If Buffalo wants someone other than Hughes or Kappo, don't they try to move down in the draft to pick up other assets in addition to the one they want?

Same with the Rags if they don't want Kakko (or Hughes)?

Seems to me - one way or the other - if Chicago stays at #3, Hughes and Kakko will probably be off the board.

Be interesting to see what offers the Hawks get for that #3 pick?
- z1990z

It'd be even more interesting if we knew the actual offers, rather than the phony rumors that become repeated enough to become "fact".

Alas, we won't hear the actual offers. Perhaps we'll hear that a team was interested, but not the offer.

It'd be even more interesting if we knew the actual offers, rather than the phony rumors that become repeated enough to become "fact".

Alas, we won't hear the actual offers. Perhaps we'll hear that a team was interested, but not the offer.
- mohel

Ask Bob.

If Buffalo wants someone other than Hughes or Kappo, don't they try to move down in the draft to pick up other assets in addition to the one they want?

Same with the Rags if they don't want Kakko (or Hughes)?

Seems to me - one way or the other - if Chicago stays at #3, Hughes and Kakko will probably be off the board.
- StLBravesFan

Well, if the Hawks sell the idea that they're strongly considering the D-man at three, the Rangers would need to stay at 2 to ensure they get him. Also, anyone below the Hawks will need to trade up to get him.

Ask Bob.
- tvetter

Bob knows all. Just ask him...

Well, if the Hawks sell the idea that they're strongly considering the D-man at three, the Rangers would need to stay at 2 to ensure they get him. Also, anyone below the Hawks will need to trade up to get him.
- mohel

#3 is a great spot - select a good player; trade the pick for a really good NHL ready player; trade down for a lower pick plus something else. Lots of good options for Bowman.

Scott Power in the Atheletic makes a real important point. The Pk must improve and the hawks points might improve by 10-15 points.

>>>I don’t think enough attention was placed on how horrendous the Blackhawks’ penalty kill was this season. How about this stat? At 10.07 goals against per 60 minutes on the penalty kill, the Blackhawks had the worst rate in the last 12 seasons, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Blackhawks allowed 63 goals while shorthanded in 2018-19. The Columbus Blue Jackets allowed 30.<<<

Alex Edler is the guy: >>>Of the top shorthanded defensemen using Evolving-Hockey’s goals above replacement model, Edler ranked third this past season. He led the Canucks in average shorthanded ice time and had solid rates for expected goals against and shots against per 60 minutes. He’s also valuable elsewhere. In 56 games, he had 10 goals and 34 points this past season. Four goals and 17 points came off the power play. He’s someone who could help on the second power play unit. Overall, he could help relieve some of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook’s duties.<<<

He will be in demand even at age 33. I suspect he might command 3 years at 3-4 million per.

#3 is a great spot - select a good player; trade the pick for a really good NHL ready player; trade down for a lower pick plus something else. Lots of good options for Bowman.
- RickJ

Yeah this really seems to be the case with this year’s draft, it may end up being a draft day decision.

Scott Power in the Atheletic makes a real important point. The Pk must improve and the hawks points might improve by 10-15 points.

>>>I don’t think enough attention was placed on how horrendous the Blackhawks’ penalty kill was this season. How about this stat? At 10.07 goals against per 60 minutes on the penalty kill, the Blackhawks had the worst rate in the last 12 seasons, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Blackhawks allowed 63 goals while shorthanded in 2018-19. The Columbus Blue Jackets allowed 30.<<<

Alex Edler is the guy: >>>Of the top shorthanded defensemen using Evolving-Hockey’s goals above replacement model, Edler ranked third this past season. He led the Canucks in average shorthanded ice time and had solid rates for expected goals against and shots against per 60 minutes. He’s also valuable elsewhere. In 56 games, he had 10 goals and 34 points this past season. Four goals and 17 points came off the power play. He’s someone who could help on the second power play unit. Overall, he could help relieve some of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook’s duties.<<<

He will be in demand even at age 33. I suspect he might command 3 years at 3-4 million per.
- bogiedoc

He hasn't signed with Vancouver because he wants a NTC, would you give him that?

He hasn't signed with Vancouver because he wants a NTC, would you give him that?
- LAHawk

No, and I think it’d take more than 3-4 million per year to sign him.

Carolina trades prospect Adam Fox to the Rangers for a 3rd round pick (becomes a 2nd if he plays 30 games next year). New York is working on a contract with Fox now.

Meanwhile, back at the United Centre...

Carolina trades prospect Adam Fox to the Rangers for a 3rd round pick (becomes a 2nd if he plays 30 games next year). New York is working on a contract with Fox now.

Meanwhile, back at the United Centre...


- DarthKane

Now you know he needs to get his nap in.

Steep price to pay without knowing for sure he would sign.