Cool - let's make a deal. Let's swap #3/#5 so you can get ahead of Colorado who are also looking to take one of the centers and in exchange we'll also swap 2nd round picks (#33?/#43?).
- EbonyRaptor

you gonna ensure Spencer Knight is there at #33?

I would suggest swap #3/#5 give the hawks #43 and get the Muzzin Toronto pick that will end up being around #23...then you got a deal...

Cool - let's make a deal. Let's swap #3/#5 so you can get ahead of Colorado who are also looking to take one of the centers and in exchange we'll also swap 2nd round picks (#33?/#43?).
- EbonyRaptor

I mean yeah, I think I would do that. Not sure Kings have a true 2C in the pipeline to be honest. Vilardi is a huge question mark and I don’t know if kempe is the guy. JAD is there but most peg him as the future 3C maybe he makes the jump to 2C some day. Only time will tell

you gonna ensure Spencer Knight is there at #33?
- wiz1901

Knight probably won't drop to #33 so I would package #33 with another asset to move into the mid-1st round and get Knight. Coming out of this draft with Knight and one of Byram/Turcotte/Cozens would be very nice.

You would be jumping off the rocks from that Lloyd Bridges restaurant @ Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 if that happened.
- wiz1901

If kings got Cozens?

If kings got Cozens?
- KINGS67

yup

yup
- wiz1901

Yeah. I would be ecstatic. I can’t believe the kings dropped the max amount of spots.

Kings will still get a very good player but come on!

you gonna ensure Spencer Knight is there at #33?

I would suggest swap #3/#5 give the hawks #43 and get the Muzzin Toronto pick that will end up being around #23...then you got a deal...
- wiz1901

No deal. Moving up 2 spots for 2 firsts isn’t worth it IMO.

Rather stay at 5 or drop down for more picks.

Unless the kings can trade the 2 2nds for a 1st. I can see that

you gonna ensure Spencer Knight is there at #33?

I would suggest swap #3/#5 give the hawks #43 and get the Muzzin Toronto pick that will end up being around #23...then you got a deal...
- wiz1901

That would be even better but if LA wouldn't go for that - then maybe add an asset like Mitchell or something along that line.

Trading the #3 pick is an option, but if you look through the last 20 drafts it's rare that a top 5 pick is moved. Stan will always listen to offers, but will one be good enough?

I don't think it would be worth it to LA to move their 2 firsts for Chicago's first and second. Overall the difference from 3 - 10 isn't that great and I don't see any of those teams want to move up. The only possible exception would be if somehow Hughes was available at #3, then Vancouver might look to make a deal.

If I were to guess I would think the Hawks keep their pick.
- DarthKane

Well if Hughes or someone else that Chicago was not going to take at #3 - eg another team is hot after someone. - then trading down to #5 would be worthwhile perhaps if we are torn on whom we want. This means at #5 only one of two players we miss out on should the #4 pick be one of the two Kelly and Bowman are agonizing over. Now to move only down to #5 i think you need to move our #2 round up to late first round.

I will suggest then that Gus plus the late first for a bit higher first and their #2 would be worth consideration. It is worth consideration if we aim to add with that higher first a type player Bowman and Kelly cannot pass upon. This cohld be a co dition a l trade. What if a forward type is available - maybe now you see us competing in playoffs with two skill forwards whom also display grit. Or with the seco d choice in round one we snag a goaltender or s o meone who has slipped - say Pod.the Russian. Maybe we take instead the first goaltender. Keepnin mind that we have through this trade a #2. Tracy or someone else could.be a steal. The down side is that Ghs is gone. But we have prospects emerging whom.soon take a spot on defensr. Boqvist would be Gus like hen he first arrives. So Bowman is not out the sensational impact (offensive) dman when Boqvist comes up.

I can see the Hawks being swayed into trading their pick only if someone really wants the defenseman Byram (assuming Kakko and Hughes are picked). Perhaps a couple of teams would start a bidding war and offer multiple first round picks (as long as one of the picks is at least a top 10), a player and prospect(s). This is a really juicy pick.

Otherwise, since this pick is so valuable, they should simply draft the best player available on their board.

No deal. Moving up 2 spots for 2 firsts isn’t worth it IMO.

Rather stay at 5 or drop down for more picks.

Unless the kings can trade the 2 2nds for a 1st. I can see that
- KINGS67

I agree that trades of early picks are rare...the Blackhawks staff would have to have THREE candidates with EXACTLY the same grades and that would have to be an odd occurrence that high up your board.

This is all my mind trying get Spencer Knight too...

I can see the Hawks being swayed into trading their pick only if someone really wants the defenseman Byram (assuming Kakko and Hughes are picked). Perhaps a couple of teams would start a bidding war and offer multiple first round picks (as long as one of the picks is at least a top 10), a player and prospect(s). This is a really juicy pick.

Otherwise, since this pick is so valuable, they should simply draft the best player available on their board.
- stan-ley-cups

I am of the other opinion. Because there are so many intriguing players in this draft (like Broberg for example) I'd be happy if the Hawks could trade down and get a pick between 5 and 15 this year plus a good NHL ready prospect and a second rounder this year or next.

Well if Hughes or someone else that Chicago was not going to take at #3 - eg another team is hot after someone. - then trading down to #5 would be worthwhile perhaps if we are torn on whom we want. /i]
- jhawk59

NO TEAM is passing on Hughes.

You can use the size thing to prejudiced yourself but no one is passing on Hughes at #2, or #3 or #4..

He is too good already.

It is a new age game.

I agree that trades of early picks are rare...the Blackhawks staff would have to have THREE candidates with EXACTLY the same grades and that would have to be an odd occurrence that high up your board.

This is all my mind trying get Spencer Knight too...
- wiz1901

Yeah I’m very curious to know where that kid ends up. I HOPE it’s not Vegas

Who is writing today??

I mean yeah, I think I would do that. Not sure Kings have a true 2C in the pipeline to be honest. Vilardi is a huge question mark and I don’t know if kempe is the guy. JAD is there but most peg him as the future 3C maybe he makes the jump to 2C some day. Only time will tell
- KINGS67

I said last blog we will swap #3 and #5 with you for Kempe, he would be a perfect #3 center here. He dowsn't seem to be able to finish what he creates with his speed.

I haven't seen anything official but I saw a tweet from Nicolas Beaudin's father reading "After 4 years in the Q...It’s time for professionnel step at 20...All the best to come and so proud of you" ... sounds like Beaudin signing is immanent.

I said last blog we will swap #3 and #5 with you for Kempe, he would be a perfect #3 center here. He dowsn't seem to be able to finish what he creates with his speed.
- LAHawk

Kempe for a SECOND rounder is a stretch

I haven't seen anything official but I saw a tweet from Nicolas Beaudin's father reading "After 4 years in the Q...It’s time for professionnel step at 20...All the best to come and so proud of you" ... sounds like Beaudin signing is immanent.
- EbonyRaptor

Kid might have to pick a different number. Pictures from probably when he got drafted had him wearing #18

I haven't seen anything official but I saw a tweet from Nicolas Beaudin's father reading "After 4 years in the Q...It’s time for professionnel step at 20...All the best to come and so proud of you" ... sounds like Beaudin signing is immanent.
- EbonyRaptor

That is great to hear. Halifax eliminated Drummondville to advance to the QMJHL finals so Beaudin's season is done. Hope he decides to play pro next season. That would project the Ice Hog blueline as (just an example of pairings):

Gilbert - Carlsson
Beaudin - Tuulola
Hillman - Krys

This doesn't count Dahlstrom, Forsling, and/or Koekkoek. Even if you count these 3, all 9 D-men are LH shots.

Besides Beaudin, the one other prospect who I hope joins Rockford next season is Soderlund so he can start getting experience on North American ice. He needs to sign an ELC first.

Kid might have to pick a different number. Pictures from probably when he got drafted had him wearing #18
- 6628

I believe Beaudin wears #92 for Drummondville. In last fall's training camp, he wore #74. The #18 was just the draft year so all picks from a year ago wore a jersey with that number.

Entwistle is getting great experience this season playing for Team Canada at the WJC in December and now in the OHL playoffs. Guelph came back from a 3-0 deficit vs. London and 3-1 deficit vs. Saginaw. Lots of high pressure and clutch scenarios that should prove useful in the pros, especially in a playoff chase and Cup pursuit.

I said last blog we will swap #3 and #5 with you for Kempe, he would be a perfect #3 center here. He dowsn't seem to be able to finish what he creates with his speed.
- LAHawk

I wouldn’t do that.

#3 for #5 and kempe? Yeah I wouldn’t do that.

I wouldn’t do that.

#3 for #5 and kempe? Yeah I wouldn’t do that.
- KINGS67

I wouldn't either if I were you.

I can see Pods being taken by the Rangers and KK falling to us.