Meanwhile back at the OHL playoffs, Guelph has stormed back from a 2-0 game deficit to take a 3-2 game lead over Ottawa. Game 6 Sunday at Guelph. Entwistle with 2 goals and 3 assists through the 5 games.
- boilermaker100

Entwistle playing center or wing

Entwistle playing center or wing
- Scott1977

Don't know but he's on the 1st line and also on the PK

Don't know but he's on the 1st line and also on the PK
- boilermaker100

Sounds like promising prospect

Sounds like promising prospect
- Scott1977

Give him a year in Rockford and it would be nice if he'll make the Hawks in 20/21. Maybe he gets a look this season as an injury callup

Just spit balling here ... What if NJ takes Kakko and NYR decides to go with Byram or one of the bigger centers which drops Hughes into the Hawks lap. Then ... what if the Hawks trade the #3 pick (Hughes) to Vancouver so they can do the brother act again ... and the price to pay - Elias Pettersson.

Far fetched? Yep, but thoughts?
- EbonyRaptor

Not far fetched. One would think if the Canucks, who are hosting the draft so a big splash may be of interest to them, did trade for Hughes then a roster player like Pettersson or Horvat would have to be part of the deal. I would do the deal in a heartbeat if the trade did center around Hughes for Pettersson and whatever other assets are needed.

Consider this:

LW - Pettersson - Kane
Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Strome - RW
Caggiula - Kampf - RW

Pretty nice duos right off the bat, i.e. no waiting for a draft pick to mature 1-3 years.

Another 1st round pick could be picked up in another trade, albeit a later round choice, but there are some good prospects in the teens and early 20 spots.

EDIT: Then again, you could just draft and keep Hughes and slot him with Kane. It would be good to get them a big power winger, though.

Entwistle playing center or wing
- Scott1977

I haven’t watched this series, it earlier in the playoffs he was playing RW.

Intriguing possible developments, maybe not that far fetched.

If Hughes ever fell out of the top 2 Stanbo could hold an auction. Like if teams with multiple 1st rounders (Colorado, Buffalo, LAK and Anaheim) really want Hughes they have to give Chicago both their picks in return.

I think the Avs own 4 & 16 and LA 5 &22.

Sure would be fun to watch
- RickJ

Given the level of talent in the 1st round in general after these two, I would consider that trade of Hughes (if he drops to 3rd) for two 1st rounders. Not sure if the other team would but definitely worth considering.

For example, if the Hawks traded #3 (Hughes) to the Avs for #4 or #16, they could still pick up a top 10 prospect like Turcotte, Cozens, Dach, Krebs, Zebras, or Byram plus a mid-rounder like Newhook, Podkolzin, Harley, Lavoie, Soderstrom, or even Knight.

After a goal and assist on the 1st day of the World Championships, Kubalik followed up with 3 points today (1G+2A).

In his goal yesterday, Kubalik got the puck in deep from the top of the circles then sneaked past 4 Sweden players for a backdoor one-timer from the goalie's left.

If Kakko goes #1, maybe the Rangers aren't enamored with Hughes and holds the auction.
- boilermaker100

After the fourth pick I am not enamorated, not particularly thrilled with the next picks since they are much less cornerstone values. From Couzins to Dach or Turcotte a good example.

Dach does not skate well enough and while he could be a really nice add, he is not to be the same point producing tantalizing player as Cozens. This i derive based on wiz scouting report. As for Turcotte: he is too much of a lightweight and even if he added strength and a bit of size, he appears more like a really nice complimentary player on a top line.

We have to take that cornerstone player at #3 is what it boils down to. If you want to go for another player in the first round, i can imagine either of the top two goalies picked sooner than wiz had them or an attractive tough but skill forward. To get that other first round choice, you probably have to hope someone bites on Gus. Perhaps or not we need to give our #2 for their #3 round insofar as acquiring the second first round selection

The pro con regarding Gus has been discussed ad naseum. I am fine retaining him with the reasons being that we will be a much more competitive team next season. And his address not changing also lends credence to the notion that he is your dynamic offensive dman until Boqvist arrives. I am not going on a tangent whether he may improve his consistency as a reliable dman

That being the case, do not rush Boqvist. I would bet everything that he needs one year in junior and at least one year in Rockford. Then he might be close enough and you break him in.

Now by acquiring that second #1 what i really say makes a lot of sense is to draft either of the two elite goaltenders. They are unique according to wiz since rarely is a goaltender selected so early .....but these two are ahead of the normal goaltender development curve and are extremly gifted. That being said, you ask yourself is this the best scenario where we obtain the heir apparent to Crawford? You do realize they need to play junior and surely one season or more AHL.

If you go that route then you ride out Crawford and a veteran as back up. I personally want to know more about Laakinen and i suspect that Bowman reached to quick a decision on the future of Dellia being so bright.......that kid is not ready for.prime time. Of course you know the top goaltender prospects we have drafted - Gravel - would play minor leagues and who knows how he develops.

For the record i want Cozens over Hughes. I want Cozens upside more than Hughes upside. I feel it might be more of a struggle to stay healthy for the smaller Hughes. The team that drafts Hughes, might consider his success could be predicated upon assembling a line with another top offensive player and a tough guy riding shotgun. However not a long line of qualified shotgun quality guys like Clark Gillies

By no means am i the smartest guy on this board. I feel that my ideas are sensible and realistic but wiz, Rick and some other bloggers may scrutinize and determine if they concur with any of this.

.

Given the level of talent in the 1st round in general after these two, I would consider that trade of Hughes (if he drops to 3rd) for two 1st rounders. Not sure if the other team would but definitely worth considering.

For example, if the Hawks traded #3 (Hughes) to the Avs for #4 or #16, they could still pick up a top 10 prospect like Turcotte, Cozens, Dach, Krebs, Zebras, or Byram plus a mid-rounder like Newhook, Podkolzin, Harley, Lavoie, Soderstrom, or even Knight.
- AEL_Fox

I wouldn't want to trade down unless it was to Colorado at #4 or LA at #5 because I wouldn't want to miss getting one of Byram, Turcotte or Cozens - unless it's for Pettersson who is already a large center with 60 point rookie season and superstar potential. Vancouver would have to believe Hughes projects to be as good or better than Pettersson and the ability to market the Hughes brothers would just be frosting on the top. Pettersson is obviously ready now but it might take Hughes a year or two to hit his stride. They probably wouldn't do it but it's food for thought.

I wouldn't want to trade down unless it was to Colorado at #4 or LA at #5 because I wouldn't want to miss getting one of Byram, Turcotte or Cozens - unless it's for Pettersson who is already a large center with 60 point rookie season and superstar potential. Vancouver would have to believe Hughes projects to be as good or better than Pettersson and the ability to market the Hughes brothers would just be frosting on the top. Pettersson is obviously ready now but it might take Hughes a year or two to hit his stride. They probably wouldn't do it but it's food for thought.
- EbonyRaptor

Most definitely. I would also do a trade for two 1st rounders only if it was for the Avs #4 or the Kings #5. Otherwise, just keep our #3 and trade for another 1st rounder another way.

Pylons like Chara would go the way of the Dodo bird.
- Beaver-Warrior

You mean "HOF pylons like Chara would go the way of the Dodo bird.

I would have loved for him to be a Blackhawk for the bulk of his career.

Couture is one nasty son of a female dog. Nothing Binnington could have done on that one.

Man watching Kaapo Kakko boy he’s good. He even made the empty netter look impressive. He’s very strong on his skates.
- walleyeb1

Pray the Rangers take the D man at #2 and Kakko falls intoBowmans lap at #3

Pray the Rangers take the D man at #2 and Kakko falls intoBowmans lap at #3
- wonthecup10

Crazy how volatile the draft rankings are. It used to be pray for the Rangers to take Podkolzin at #2 so the Hawks could nab Kakko. Now it's Byram. Podkolzin has dropped to the teens in many polls.

I wouldn't want to trade down unless it was to Colorado at #4 or LA at #5 because I wouldn't want to miss getting one of Byram, Turcotte or Cozens - unless it's for Pettersson who is already a large center with 60 point rookie season and superstar potential. Vancouver would have to believe Hughes projects to be as good or better than Pettersson and the ability to market the Hughes brothers would just be frosting on the top. Pettersson is obviously ready now but it might take Hughes a year or two to hit his stride. They probably wouldn't do it but it's food for thought.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree about the consequences of trading down.

An interesting story for you:

As a young man i helped compile the 1979 Draft. I made calls, asked questions, maile out questionares. It was not a top profesdional report and this Mark Urbanski of East Chicago was really more into compiling draftcreports for other sports. He had relatives whom he thought would get drafted. Brad Palmer on newsradio 78 on draft day said that the Blackhaeks drafted player, Savard, is reportedly a strong offensive player but not much for defensive rating. Something like that

But i use that as a segway to one of the most memorable conversations i had. And it has been decades since i have bern involved reasearching players.

I was talking by phone to Harry Howell. I asked what the difference would be for the Blues to put Joey Mullen on wing compared to this other somewhat nice looking prospect named Bobby Crawford. Right. Who - Crawford.......well Crawford did wind up having some NHL games. But Howell said, Crawfird might possibly score in the twenty goal range if it works out for him but Mullen is a 50 goal scorer guy. Huge difference.

I think of that conversation when i realize miving out of the #3 slot to draft a Dach or Turcotte instead of Cozens. This is not to ssy thst Cozens is 50 goal material. But you do better to keep the prize #3 than move down to some player just not the same projection

I see where wiz makes a point of being sure the playet you drafy at #3 is cornerstone (my edit: or closer to that label) than Dach, Turcotte etc al

I do find Caufield an intetesting case study. He is so gifted that if he did land on the correct team for him then sooner rather thsn later he could rack up a lot of goals. Theoretically at least. Did wiz have him going to Edmonton? But Lucic riding shotgun is not the guy to put with Caufield and either Draiisslti or McDavid. Lucic likely gone soon and Caufield delays the NHL trial by further development at U of Wisc

I wouldn't want to trade down unless it was to Colorado at #4 or LA at #5 because I wouldn't want to miss getting one of Byram, Turcotte or Cozens - unless it's for Pettersson who is already a large center with 60 point rookie season and superstar potential. Vancouver would have to believe Hughes projects to be as good or better than Pettersson and the ability to market the Hughes brothers would just be frosting on the top. Pettersson is obviously ready now but it might take Hughes a year or two to hit his stride. They probably wouldn't do it but it's food for thought.
- EbonyRaptor

Marc Kelley's job is to identify the best forward and best Dman available when the Hawk's turn comes up. If Byram is gone in the first 2, from there it's Bowman's decision completely on the player he picks or whether he should trade the pick for something that helps the Hawks even more - like an established player and a later pick.

Some pressure on Stanbo to make the correct call.

After the fourth pick I am not enamorated, not particularly thrilled with the next picks since they are much less cornerstone values. From Couzins to Dach or Turcotte a good example.

Dach does not skate well enough and while he could be a really nice add, he is not to be the same point producing tantalizing player as Cozens. This i derive based on wiz scouting report. As for Turcotte: he is too much of a lightweight and even if he added strength and a bit of size, he appears more like a really nice complimentary player on a top line.

We have to take that cornerstone player at #3 is what it boils down to. If you want to go for another player in the first round, i can imagine either of the top two goalies picked sooner than wiz had them or an attractive tough but skill forward. To get that other first round choice, you probably have to hope someone bites on Gus. Perhaps or not we need to give our #2 for their #3 round insofar as acquiring the second first round selection

The pro con regarding Gus has been discussed ad naseum. I am fine retaining him with the reasons being that we will be a much more competitive team next season. And his address not changing also lends credence to the notion that he is your dynamic offensive dman until Boqvist arrives. I am not going on a tangent whether he may improve his consistency as a reliable dman

That being the case, do not rush Boqvist. I would bet everything that he needs one year in junior and at least one year in Rockford. Then he might be close enough and you break him in.

Now by acquiring that second #1 what i really say makes a lot of sense is to draft either of the two elite goaltenders. They are unique according to wiz since rarely is a goaltender selected so early .....but these two are ahead of the normal goaltender development curve and are extremly gifted. That being said, you ask yourself is this the best scenario where we obtain the heir apparent to Crawford? You do realize they need to play junior and surely one season or more AHL.

If you go that route then you ride out Crawford and a veteran as back up. I personally want to know more about Laakinen and i suspect that Bowman reached to quick a decision on the future of Dellia being so bright.......that kid is not ready for.prime time. Of course you know the top goaltender prospects we have drafted - Gravel - would play minor leagues and who knows how he develops.

For the record i want Cozens over Hughes. I want Cozens upside more than Hughes upside. I feel it might be more of a struggle to stay healthy for the smaller Hughes. The team that drafts Hughes, might consider his success could be predicated upon assembling a line with another top offensive player and a tough guy riding shotgun. However not a long line of qualified shotgun quality guys like Clark Gillies

By no means am i the smartest guy on this board. I feel that my ideas are sensible and realistic but wiz, Rick and some other bloggers may scrutinize and determine if they concur with any of this.

.
- jhawk59

I m with you i want Cozens unless by some stupidity by Jersey or N.Y. kappo drops to us i take Kappo. Then beecher or tracy in the 2nd round unless knight drops to mid 2nd round

Kahun is not proven at the dot, small sample size but I think he was around 40% at the dot
- Bjm84

So... he’s like every other center not named Toews?

I m with you i want Cozens unless by some stupidity by Jersey or N.Y. kappo drops to us i take Kappo. Then beecher or tracy in the 2nd round unless knight drops to mid 2nd round
- Scott1977

Where it may get interesting is with the Worlds, if Hughs bombs out and Kakko continues on the tear he’s on, I could see Jersey taking Kakko #1.

Then who knows what the Rangers do!

I m with you i want Cozens unless by some stupidity by Jersey or N.Y. kappo drops to us i take Kappo. Then beecher or tracy in the 2nd round unless knight drops to mid 2nd round
- Scott1977

I think New Jersey is going to surprise and not take Hughes. They need a big skilled forward or a big wheelhorse defenceman much more than a high skill small kid to play up front. They got that type when they chose Nick Hischier who was not the best player chosen out of the top 5 or 6.

Marc Kelley's job is to identify the best forward and best Dman available when the Hawk's turn comes up. If Byram is gone in the first 2, from there it's Bowman's decision completely on the player he picks or whether he should trade the pick for something that helps the Hawks even more - like an established player and a later pick.

Some pressure on Stanbo to make the correct call.
- RickJ

I’m pretty sure he’ll weigh in on who he/his team thinks is the best player, next best player etc....

Crazy how volatile the draft rankings are. It used to be pray for the Rangers to take Podkolzin at #2 so the Hawks could nab Kakko. Now it's Byram. Podkolzin has dropped to the teens in many polls.
- AEL_Fox

It is crazy, especially when analysts like Buttons change their perspective on an almost weekly basis.

I’m pretty sure he’ll weigh in on who he/his team thinks is the best player, next best player etc....
- walleyeb1

That is his job, that's what he gets paid for and that's why he spends so many hours in cold rinks all over the world. If Bowman chooses not to take his recommendations, it won't be Kelley's fault if the kid he identifies turns out to be a superstar.

Where it may get interesting is with the Worlds, if Hughs bombs out and Kakko continues on the tear he’s on, I could see Jersey taking Kakko #1.

Then who knows what the Rangers do!
- walleyeb1

Jersey needs both a scoring winger and center i still think jersey takes kappo