Yes. It´s amazing how strong 18 year old kid can be with puck. He reminds me of Peter Forsberg a lot.
- MjulQvist

If he is going to be that good (minus injuries) Hawks should really try and move-up for him. That would essentially give the Hawks 2 #1 lines that score in completely different ways.

Kakko Toews Saad
Dcat Strome Kane

Although Caufield is the obvious choice, I think Stan drafts Byram at #3 then takes a centre at #43 (Jamieson Rees, John Beecher, Adam Beckman).
- DarthKane

I think that’s the way it plays out as well. Lots of forward depth in the early second to choose from, which is why 3 could tilt in Byram’s favor.

Ok then, the question is what have they done in the last couple weeks that separated themselves from the rest of the top ten.
- walleyeb1

That’s a good question, and one I will not be able to answer.

Maybe it’s the fact that Byram is continuing to play at a torrid offensive pace in the postseason and is playing better than expected in the postseason against higher quality opponents. That would be my educated guess.

Not sure on the Turcotte front but if he’s really being compared to Toews and that’s what teams see, then...well...you know...

Either way, whether or not this is truly the case, it’s important for the players to distance themselves.

The last thing we’ll want is everyone to just be cluttered together at 3, where it’ll essentially be a pick out of the hat. Regardless of who it may be, it’s PARAMOUNT that someone begins to distance themselves as we get closer to the draft.

I think that’s the way it plays out as well. Lots of forward depth in the early second to choose from, which is why 3 could tilt in Byram’s favor.
- TommyHawk

If the draft Byram, do they trade Joki, Boqvist, Beaudin or Mitchell for a top 6 prospect?

If the draft Byram, do they trade Joki, Boqvist, Beaudin or Mitchell for a top 6 prospect?
- tvetter

It's too early to tell, but one of them could be moved eventually. My money is on Boqvist.

I've been on the Kakko bandwagon since day 1. Too bad the hawks are only draft at #3.
- RedRevenge

I posted here that I'd take KK over Hughes after watching both at the World Juniors this winter. Unfortunately, there's no way either fall to the Hawks.

It's too early to tell, but one of them could be moved eventually. My money is on Boqvist.
- DarthKane

I’m crazy, so my money is on both Beaudin and Joker.

I don’t think Joker ends up being deployed properly by Colliton and falls out of favor - he’ll be moved in an “NHL trade.”

I think Beaudin gets moved at the deadline for a rental (who could be re-signed) when the team is contending. Just a gut feeling.

Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Gus are shoe-ins, and that doesn’t account for any offseason additions or one of the younger kids stepping in and impressing in Camp and filling a bottom pairing void (like Krys, Gilbert, etc.)

I’m crazy, so my money is on both Beaudin and Joker.

I don’t think Joker ends up being deployed properly by Colliton and falls out of favor - he’ll be moved in an “NHL trade.”

I think Beaudin gets moved at the deadline for a rental (who could be re-signed) when the team is contending. Just a gut feeling.

Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Gus are shoe-ins, and that doesn’t account for any offseason additions or one of the younger kids stepping in and impressing in Camp and filling a bottom pairing void (like Krys, Gilbert, etc.)
- TommyHawk

I wouldn't expect both Jokiharju and Beaudin to be dealt, maybe just one of them. I don't think anyone gets moved for a rental, even it they're resigned.

Unless another GM comes in with a crazy offer I'd like to see what Byram, Jokiharju, Boqvist and Beaudin could actually develop into.

If the draft Byram, do they trade Joki, Boqvist, Beaudin or Mitchell for a top 6 prospect?
- tvetter

I don't this they have to move any of them at this point. I think all are going to have break out seasons. Boquist either in AHL or JR's (he came on strong at the end of the year) Joki in the NHL, Beaudin will be less under the radar in the AHL, and Mitchell will be one of the top D in college next year. plus Bowen is a left and the only one of the above is beaudin. The guys I would be open to trading as D men this off season would be: this is all based on the return. Keith (will never have more value and we cannot move seabs) Murph. had a solid 2nd 1/2 of the year, RD and is cost controlled
so he might return more then you think. having him and seabs both playing makes your D terrible slow. Gus because he has value to a team trying to win it all this year and he might be priced out of our $$$ range. Forsling, because he has some off capability but I just do not see a fit. To slow and to weak. I'm not saying all of them but I would be open.

Although Caufield is the obvious choice, I think Stan drafts Byram at #3 then takes a centre at #43 (Jamieson Rees, John Beecher, Adam Beckman).
- DarthKane

Good call on looking at drafting a forward in the 2nd round. Those 3 are good choices to consider. Brayden Tracey as well. Also wonder if Nolan Foote's bloodlines would translate to success at the NHL level. Older brother Callan (D) is in the Lightning's system.

Coincidentally, Saad was also drafted at #43 and wore that jersey number for a bit before switching to #20.

It's too early to tell, but one of them could be moved eventually. My money is on Boqvist.
- DarthKane

If Boqvist is traded, I would imagine the Hawks would likely resign Gustafsson.

I prefer to trade Gustafsson at his peak for an optimal return, then build the blueline around Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell as well as Byram if drafted. Not all will make it but see what you have first in each of them before deciding on their fate.

This also doesn't count the non Big 4 prospects on D like Carlsson, Gilbert, Krys, and Hillman. I think at least Carlsson makes the Hawks within the next 2 years.

If Boqvist is traded, I would imagine the Hawks would likely resign Gustafsson.

I prefer to trade Gustafsson at his peak for an optimal return, then build the blueline around Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell as well as Byram if drafted. Not all will make it but see what you have first in each of them before deciding on their fate.

This also doesn't count the non Big 4 prospects on D like Carlsson, Gilbert, Krys, and Hillman. I think at least Carlsson makes the Hawks within the next 2 years.
- AEL_Fox

Why would you trade a young, cost controlled D-man on his ELC who is strong offensively and weak in his own end and keep an older d-man who is weak in his own end and will cost $5m+/year to keep?

Why would you trade a young, cost controlled D-man on his ELC who is strong offensively and weak in his own end and keep an older d-man who is weak in his own end and will cost $5m+/year to keep?
- TheTrob

Because one is a prospect, and the other is coming off a 60 point season in his first complete NHL season. That’s the reasoning behind it. That’s not necessarily what it’ll come down to, however.

I wouldn't expect both Jokiharju and Beaudin to be dealt, maybe just one of them. I don't think anyone gets moved for a rental, even it they're resigned.

Unless another GM comes in with a crazy offer I'd like to see what Byram, Jokiharju, Boqvist and Beaudin could actually develop into.
- DarthKane

I’d like to see what they could do together too, as would any other fan, but ultimately the odds are extremely slim that they all pan out let alone that they all get a chance to play together, so that’s why I’m not counting on it.

I think the SUPER high-end prospects (Byram and Boqvist) are untouchable for the time being, while the others could be moved in the right package. That’s what makes having all this depth so nice - it’s easier to move prospects when you’ve got an embarrassment of riches.

The only trade for the #3 pick I’d consider is:

Blackhawks #3 for the Avalanche’s #4 and #16 or the Kings #5 and #22. But, I can’t think of a reason why either of those teams would want to do that.
- walleyeb1

Only if the player they really really wants is at 3 then I could see that happening say hughes drops to three and la wants him bad then hawks should consider it but in my opinion hawks should not trade it and should either byram or cozens, cozens is my pick.

I think that’s the way it plays out as well. Lots of forward depth in the early second to choose from, which is why 3 could tilt in Byram’s favor.
- TommyHawk

I will be disappointed if it falls that way .Cozens is head and shoulder above the rest of the players after KK and Hughes
And if it was me I would take KK over Hughes .

After watching the 3rd period and OT of the USA-Finland game today - I'm becoming more convinced NJ will take Kakko at #1. WOW is Kakko good. On one play he had Suter draped all over him and he protected the puck, skated behind the net and made a scoring play out of nothing and there was nothing Suter or the couple other USA players in the neighborhood could do about it. His strength reminds me of Hossa and he is going to be a helluva player in the NHL next season.
- EbonyRaptor

Totally agree. Kakko might be a 40 to 50 goal scorer for the next 15 years. He is unbelievably strong on his skates and would make the Hawks PP one of the best in the NHL, not to mention a perfect fit on 1LW with Toews.
Does Bowman have the nads to put together a package to move up ??

Why would you trade a young, cost controlled D-man on his ELC who is strong offensively and weak in his own end and keep an older d-man who is weak in his own end and will cost $5m+/year to keep?
- TheTrob

I actually prefer to not trade Boqvist and instead get good assets in return for a peaking Gustafsson.

They each have a strength or points you like about their game. Improvement, consistency will play a big role in determining their future.

I have mentioned of the threesome, that Koekkoek shows the mraness or willingness to lay a heavy hit. Dahlstrom at times was using his big frame well in physical plays. Forsling is the golden boy if he amps up his consistency because he has the quick react make plays at speed. Bowman and Q really wanted to steer him through just because that abulity, but Firsling wasn't ready

Right place, right time a prospect could.turn the corner. You could go by their draft rating but that is outdated. Like wiz said about Forsling i will say actually about each one: givevthem ti maybevDecembervto show enough improvement.

There is not really a magical date how long to wait on each player. They arev relatively cheap but other prospects are pushing and getting closer.

I am.personally intrigued by Tuulola how he might surprise even later on in another organization.

Tyler Cameron refused on at least two occassions inasked for explanation to say why he does not like Koekkoek. Must believe K just sucks worse among the threesome.
- jhawk59

jhawk - I didn't refuse, I just didn't see your question. I apologize.

My thoughts on Koekkoek?

I didn't say I don't like him, I did believe he was going to be the odd man out though. I was wrong.

I thought this because of a couple reasons.

* His usage by Colliton - he was used sparingly and was moved into a rotation with Forsling and Dahlstrom near the end of the year.

* Stan's history - I was trying to read the tea leaves as well as use Bowman's trends to determine if Koekkoek would be retained. Bowman has invested a lot into Forsling (looked great at the time by acquiring him for Clendening) and Dahlstrom was a player he drafted.

* The crowded blueline - there's a lot of them back there and none of those 3 showed enough to really stay but new at least 1-2 of them would be. It just looked like Slater was the odd man out in my eyes.

I looked at the acquisition along the same line as Anthony Duclair who wasn't resigned after Stan brought him in for Richard Panik.

At times, I've really liked Koekkoek's game, as you said, his willingness to lay the body was a nice change of pace.

However, Stan did this 2 year's ago when he re-upped the exact same defencemen after everyone knew that this was an area that needed to be upgraded.

I believe changes will be made this year to bring in at least 1 top 4-5 D and that means something has to give on the backend with the guys under contract.

If the draft Byram, do they trade Joki, Boqvist, Beaudin or Mitchell for a top 6 prospect?
- tvetter

Maybe. However, there is no rush to move any of them.

Does this affect Mitchell's decision to sign in Chicago though is Byram is drafted? He's the only one not officially signed from the guys you listed above.

Maybe. However, there is no rush to move any of them.

Does this affect Mitchell's decision to sign in Chicago though is Byram is drafted? He's the only one not officially signed from the guys you listed above.
- Tyler Cameron

Possibly. But if he's had a good relationship with the Hawks so far I wouldn't expect that to change. On the flip side I could see Mitchell being dealt for a forward prospect.

I've been on the Kakko bandwagon since day 1. Too bad the hawks are only draft at #3.
- RedRevenge

I, too, think Kakko is the player to get. Most of the trade suggestions I have seen here about moving down to take one of the other best of the rest, but I think the Hawks should try and move up.

So if the Devils take Hughes, and Kakko is there at #2, what would it take to swap picks with the Rangers? Would you trade Boqvist & the 3rd overall to move up one spot to take Kakko? I don't think Rangers would for Gustafsson and the 3rd, but I would prefer that of course. What about Sikura, although probably not enough for the Rangers either.

I just think they should go all in to try and get Kakko. If you are looking for a player to come in a play right away, this is one of the two that will be able to, and I personally think he is better than Hughes.

I, too, think Kakko is the player to get. Most of the trade suggestions I have seen here about moving down to take one of the other best of the rest, but I think the Hawks should try and move up.

So if the Devils take Hughes, and Kakko is there at #2, what would it take to swap picks with the Rangers? Would you trade Boqvist & the 3rd overall to move up one spot to take Kakko? I don't think Rangers would for Gustafsson and the 3rd, but I would prefer that of course. What about Sikura, although probably not enough for the Rangers either.

I just think they should go all in to try and get Kakko. If you are looking for a player to come in a play right away, this is one of the two that will be able to, and I personally think he is better than Hughes.
- spudrock512

I think the Rangers would be salivating to get Kakko just as much if not more than the Hawks. Then they sign Panarin as a free agent.

I, too, think Kakko is the player to get. Most of the trade suggestions I have seen here about moving down to take one of the other best of the rest, but I think the Hawks should try and move up.

So if the Devils take Hughes, and Kakko is there at #2, what would it take to swap picks with the Rangers? Would you trade Boqvist & the 3rd overall to move up one spot to take Kakko? I don't think Rangers would for Gustafsson and the 3rd, but I would prefer that of course. What about Sikura, although probably not enough for the Rangers either.

I just think they should go all in to try and get Kakko. If you are looking for a player to come in a play right away, this is one of the two that will be able to, and I personally think he is better than Hughes.
- spudrock512

Would any of you trade:

3rd overall 2019
2nd round pick 2020
Beaudin

For Kakko?

Would any of you trade:

3rd overall 2019
2nd round pick 2020
Beaudin

For Kakko?
- RedRevenge

Change the 2nd to a 3rd and Beaudin to Mitchell.