Really hoping they make it past the Islanders. Bet 100 dollars on them at the start of the series!
- RedRevenge

Did anybody see that faulk closed his hand on the puck before he scored shoulda been a penalty imo.

This... all of this makes sense.

I will also add that Beaudin coming to Rockford adds to the complexity of how the "4 horsemen" all end up in the NHL. Looks like the way it's shaping up:

Jokiharju - NHL this season
Beaudin - turns pro, plays a year in Rockford, possibly ready for 2020-21 season
Boqvist - another season in London, NHL in 2020-21
Mitchell - turns pro at the end of this season, Rockford 2020-21 -> NHL 2021-22

So conceivably all 4 of them are NHL ready for the 2021-22 season. At that time, you still have Keith, Seabrook and Murphy under contract.

I know, I know... the chances of all of them being there isn't likely however, who's ready to add another top tier defender in Byram?

It's a valid question when you look at the above.
- Tyler Cameron

If Byram's game was redundant - i.e. good offensively but all stick and positioning on defense (not much in the way of physical play) - then I agree it wouldn't make much sense to select Byram, but, from what I can tell Byram has a physical part to his game along with the good offense and ability to control the play and THAT is the reason I prefer Byram over the forwards even with the 4-horsemen waiting in the wings. I look at the 4-horseman and I see top-4 potential but not one of them has the complete game to be a true #1 and that why I want Byram - he has a good chance to be a true #1.

Did anybody see that faulk closed his hand on the puck before he scored shoulda been a penalty imo.
- Scott1977

The Islanders got more than their fair share of breaks from the pathetic Refs in that game. The Canes beat both the Islanders and the Refs.

If Byram's game was redundant - i.e. good offensively but all stick and positioning on defense (not much in the way of physical play) - then I agree it wouldn't make much sense to select Byram, but, from what I can tell Byram has a physical part to his game along with the good offense and ability to control the play and THAT is the reason I prefer Byram over the forwards even with the 4-horsemen waiting in the wings. I look at the 4-horseman and I see top-4 potential but not one of them has the complete game to be a true #1 and that why I want Byram - he has a good chance to be a true #1.
- EbonyRaptor

You present a solid argument for Byram at 3rd.

Of the Big 4, I think Jokiharju has the most potential to be a#1 or at least top pair as a#2.

Did anybody see that faulk closed his hand on the puck before he scored shoulda been a penalty imo.
- Scott1977

Happens almost. every time a player knocks it down with his glove.

You present a solid argument for Byram at 3rd.

Of the Big 4, I think Jokiharju has the most potential to be a#1 or at least top pair as a#2.
- AEL_Fox

Future top-pairing starting in a couples years for about a decade: Byram-Jokiharju

Boqvist on 2nd-pairing and PP-QB.

Trade one of Beaudin/Mitchell.

holy WTF...the canes on verge of a sweep to the conf finals....yeah we all saw this before the playoffs...

i still like the aves over the sharks...

aves/canes finals....

get your 8 seed WC special right here...
- bogiedoc

I still say Bos/SJ - with Jumbo Joe staking with with the cup to retirement.....NHL loves a sappy ending.

The Islanders got more than their fair share of breaks from the pathetic Refs in that game. The Canes beat both the Islanders and the Refs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree the officiating as been horrible both teams have gotten away with obvious penalties that should been called.

I still say Bos/SJ - with Jumbo Joe staking with with the cup to retirement.....NHL loves a sappy ending.
- powerenforcer

Jumbo Joe is a loser. Always has been, always will be. If the Sharks make it to the Final, they WILL lose.

Agree the officiating as been horrible both teams have gotten away with obvious penalties that should been called.
- Scott1977

Maybe in the series, but it seemed pretty one sided tonight.

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.
- AEL_Fox

I just love this kid, he is gonna play!

Jumbo Joe is a loser. Always has been, always will be. If the Sharks make it to the Final, they WILL lose.
- Ogilthorpe2

I never said I liked him, or liked the idea. But, what can they sell to the big markets?

I just love this kid, he is gonna play!
- wiz1901

How is this possible? Didn’t Stan trade for him?

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

I stated this early on, and hoped that they would so they could bring both Vitali Kravtsov and Podkiolzin, but it idd not happening...because

there
are simply far too many

positives involving the play of Kakko.

Nothing says you can’t trade one (or more) of them for more immediate help.
- Ogilthorpe2

Including Keith who is still a marketable commodity who might just finally want to go win another Cup somewhere else...

Future top-pairing starting in a couples years for about a decade: Byram-Jokiharju

Boqvist on 2nd-pairing and PP-QB.

Trade one of Beaudin/Mitchell.
- EbonyRaptor

I do not think you ever want to trade a prospect just because you draft another dman. Speculation be damned but i want very badly to see what we have with top prospects. I am warming up to the #3 (another)dman only because Bowman might actually do it. It is the home run play of you see some nasty edge and #1 pair projection.

The problem however is this: if that then where and when do top six forwards with grit skill fast join. Message: we do not really have those type and in playoffs especially you need this kind of players

As for one particular prospect we have in the stable: Beaudin is said to be good already in understanding and playing well defensively. Suggestion has been this applies not merely at the junior level. He gets it, knows how can do makes the reads. I know that our cadre of prospects is nearly entirely on the thin non physical side. But i am willing to give kids opportunity to become men then see. The one prospect whom might be the ace best defensively: Beaudin.
.

Byram, but, from what I can tell Byram has a physical part to his game along with the good offense and ability to control the play and THAT is the reason I prefer Byram over the forwards even with the 4-horsemen waiting in the wings. I look at the 4-horseman and I see top-4 potential but not one of them has the complete game to be a true #1 and that why I want Byram - he has a good chance to be a true #1.
- EbonyRaptor

He uses his body basically in offensive positioning, with his great feet and balance.

I don't see this evidence that he has much bite defensively even the times he has the wherewithal to be in the right spot to defend and not off elsewhere.

I need to hear Mark Kelley tell me he is a true #1 because so far I have heard that about so many guys since I started doing this that were never what this #1 defender tag is supposed to be.

Hell, I am not convinced Rasmus Dahlin is one...until I see better work defensively
I love Miro Heiskanen but I am not about to call him a #1 just yet.
Is Noah Hanifin he went early at #5? Nope.
Is first overall drafted Aaron Ekblad? he not on the top PP unit, right?
Ryan Murray second overall he was called the real deal
Griffin Reinhart at #4 ouch!~
Adam Larsson 4th overall.
Erik Gudbranson 3rd overall
Zach Bogosian 3rd overall
Thomas Hickey 4th overall
Has Erik Johnson ever been a true #1 and he was elected #1 overall.

My point Ebony Raptor, is just 'cause you read, it and know you read it and now have an opinion, but complete game? Complete with the errors of the CHL prospects game and the countless times he is not thinking and reading and getting ahead of the real time plays before his zone is cleared of the puck or he is not sure who he picks up in defensive rotation?

I trust in Kelley, but I hope he has eyes wide but focused on what is and not what is hype....

The fallback on Boqvist is you can't teach his offensive instincts and his feet and head. If he figures out the back end terrific, but if not he's a wing and successful there.
I could write this entire statement again and change the name:
The fallback on Byram is you can't teach his offensive instincts and his feet. The head is exceptional in the generation of offense but I think there are two Hawks drafted defenders (NOT Boqvist) that the hawks are hoping steps up (Henri Jokiharju + Nicolas Beaudin) who are FAR AHEAD of Buran is thinking the defensive game.
You have to give the prop to have the balls to stand firm on what I think I SEE lacking,not agree, but understand as you peruse the defenders I listed above who we all thought were the new shiny agents of change who turned out not having the hockey sense to put together strong in their end performances, so just because you think you see this "potential", just cast a look at all the potential that got drafted early in those drafts of the next great defense prospects.

So far Cole Makar has stayed above water with a plus one, little offensive production, but pretty decent all around play, but he was in a college system requiring he play. His position - not play rover like the Giants have let Byram...
my opinion.

Including Keith who is still a marketable commodity who might just finally want to go win another Cup somewhere else...
- wiz1901

I don’t think that’s in Keith’s DNA - seems to me like he’s going to ride out being a Hawk win or lose.

He uses his body basically in offensive positioning, with his great feet and balance.

I don't see this evidence that he has much bite defensively even the times he has the wherewithal to be in the right spot to defend and not off elsewhere.

I need to hear Mark Kelley tell me he is a true #1 because so far I have heard that about so many guys since I started doing this that were never what this #1 defender tag is supposed to be.

Hell, I am not convinced Rasmus Dahlin is one...until I see better work defensively
I love Miro Heiskanen but I am not about to call him a #1 just yet.
Is Noah Hanifin he went early at #5? Nope.
Is first overall drafted Aaron Ekblad? he not on the top PP unit, right?
Ryan Murray second overall he was called the real deal
Griffin Reinhart at #4 ouch!~
Adam Larsson 4th overall.
Erik Gudbranson 3rd overall
Zach Bogosian 3rd overall
Thomas Hickey 4th overall
Has Erik Johnson ever been a true #1 and he was elected #1 overall.

My point Ebony Raptor, is just 'cause you read, it and know you read it and now have an opinion, but complete game? Complete with the errors of the CHL prospects game and the countless times he is not thinking and reading and getting ahead of the real time plays before his zone is cleared of the puck or he is not sure who he picks up in defensive rotation?

I trust in Kelley, but I hope he has eyes wide but focused on what is and not what is hype....
- wiz1901

Wiz, I didn't mean he has a complete game right now - I meant he has more of what is sometimes called "the neanderthal gene" than the "4-horsemen" do and I think that willingness to get chippy and physical will differentiate him from those other guys. I haven't seen him play much but I've watched the WHL playoff game highlights where I saw him make a couple very physical plays that none of the other 4 would make and I think it's a matter of a player either has that physical instinct in him or he doesn't and I've seen Byram show that he does.

Now, that's not to say he is a finished product or that he's even ready for the NHL right now and most likely not for a year or maybe two. But I think he immediately becomes the best d-prospect we have and is the only one capable of becoming a true #1. Doesn't mean he will get there - but he has a good chance.

Future top-pairing starting in a couples years for about a decade: Byram-Jokiharju

Boqvist on 2nd-pairing and PP-QB.

Trade one of Beaudin/Mitchell.
- EbonyRaptor

It makes absolutely no sense to draft kid, bring him along, and pull the plug before he gets to show his stuff.

Sure you may garnish interest from teams who feel the same kid CAN play and will help them, but they are not shelling out big trade assets to help you clear a roster space, just like Dallas wasn't helping the hawks find cap space home for Patrick Sharp out of generosity or any other cap unloads.


Besides right now, just exactly do you feel the value is on assets like Mitchell?

THEY ARE BASICALLY throw ins at the deadline when you sweeten the pot to get the guy who its your playoff feel.
You think the get you a shiny upside prospect like strong turned out to be?
Hardly.

Believe me not afraid of taking defender after taking three in the first round and one in the second, not at all.
but he BETTER be better than a 6 3 eventual 200 pound centre who is gonna fill a high skilled spot somewhere. THERE is no guarantee the centre at #3 are answers, but they have versatility. tell me again where Byram plays if he he never learns hoe to play his end? (B E C A U S E he doesn't know yet...two more years junior poop, the Russian will be here by then...
and to expect a crash course to play against NHL attackers...I haven't seen that class offered anywhere or all those EARLY SELECTED DEFENDERS in PAST DRAFTS would be taken it.

If Kelley makes this surprising move, I will be far more surprised that they watched tape and didn't see what I think I do...

yeah and (frank) central scouting service check the results in the past decade and you will see how accurate their ranks are.

Kendall Coyne hanging tough having to work with Pierre. I don't think Pierre was trying to be patronizing the last time, but he's not too smart either.

Adding Krebs!

Thanks MjulQvist!
- Tyler Cameron

Good call by MjulQvist on Krebs. At least as things stand today, Krebs is my sleeper for 3rd if the Hawks pull a Coyotes/Hayton selection. Then again, Krebs does seem to be inching up especially after the U18 World Championships.

It makes absolutely no sense to draft kid, bring him along, and pull the plug before he gets to show his stuff.


- wiz1901

That was in response to a comment that all 5 guys aren't going to fit in the lineup with the guys who will still be under contract. It was more of a comment that Byram, Joki, and Boqvist have the highest ceilings so if not all can make the team - then trade one of the other two.

Wiz, I respect your opinion and have for many years - but that doesn't mean I can't have a different opinion. I've stated the rationale for my opinion and I've also stated I trust Stan and the scouting staff and I'm convinced we're going to get a very good player no matter who Stan selects - I just prefer Byram and if not Byram my second choice is Turcotte.

Kendall Coyne hanging tough having to work with Pierre. I don't think Pierre was trying to be patronizing the last time, but he's not too smart either.
- 6628

She’s good at hockey, sucks at broadcasting. Really bad. Awful.

He uses his body basically in offensive positioning, with his great feet and balance.

I don't see this evidence that he has much bite defensively even the times he has the wherewithal to be in the right spot to defend and not off elsewhere.

I need to hear Mark Kelley tell me he is a true #1 because so far I have heard that about so many guys since I started doing this that were never what this #1 defender tag is supposed to be.

Hell, I am not convinced Rasmus Dahlin is one...until I see better work defensively
I love Miro Heiskanen but I am not about to call him a #1 just yet.
Is Noah Hanifin he went early at #5? Nope.
Is first overall drafted Aaron Ekblad? he not on the top PP unit, right?
Ryan Murray second overall he was called the real deal
Griffin Reinhart at #4 ouch!~
Adam Larsson 4th overall.
Erik Gudbranson 3rd overall
Zach Bogosian 3rd overall
Thomas Hickey 4th overall
Has Erik Johnson ever been a true #1 and he was elected #1 overall.

My point Ebony Raptor, is just 'cause you read, it and know you read it and now have an opinion, but complete game? Complete with the errors of the CHL prospects game and the countless times he is not thinking and reading and getting ahead of the real time plays before his zone is cleared of the puck or he is not sure who he picks up in defensive rotation?

I trust in Kelley, but I hope he has eyes wide but focused on what is and not what is hype....

The fallback on Boqvist is you can't teach his offensive instincts and his feet and head. If he figures out the back end terrific, but if not he's a wing and successful there.
I could write this entire statement again and change the name:
The fallback on Byram is you can't teach his offensive instincts and his feet. The head is exceptional in the generation of offense but I think there are two Hawks drafted defenders (NOT Boqvist) that the hawks are hoping steps up (Henri Jokiharju + Nicolas Beaudin) who are FAR AHEAD of Buran is thinking the defensive game.
You have to give the prop to have the balls to stand firm on what I think I SEE lacking,not agree, but understand as you peruse the defenders I listed above who we all thought were the new shiny agents of change who turned out not having the hockey sense to put together strong in their end performances, so just because you think you see this "potential", just cast a look at all the potential that got drafted early in those drafts of the next great defense prospects.

So far Cole Makar has stayed above water with a plus one, little offensive production, but pretty decent all around play, but he was in a college system requiring he play. His position - not play rover like the Giants have let Byram...
my opinion.
- wiz1901

Clearly in Byram you don't seem to see Seth Jones or Morgan Rielly type potential. If that's the case I take a pivot with a big wing span and skating, scoring and distributing capabilities.