Bobby Clarke was a diabetic and hit a lot of opponents.

Not to mention Ron Santo....
- StLBravesFan

Wait ... Bobby Clarke hit Ronnie? Ohhhhhhh nooooooo!

I’ve had Diabetes since I was 14 and played D1. Max Domi also has diabetes. IMO it’s more of an inconvenience.. as long as you are taking care of your body and mindful of what you eat.

Shouldn’t be a factor at all, but it’s a cool story for the type-1’s out there!
- Q-stache

Thank you for the information. Really looking forward to the next Finnish big time nhl scorer even if it is not with us.

If i was a betting type i would put all my chips on Hughes available at #3. And i am guessing that the nyr take Byrun most likely, and if not then one of Cozens, Podz or Hughes. I would take at #3 exactly in that order. Which is to say the dman over Cozens but only if Kelly is sold on him. I prefer Cozens but would gamble with this dman. If later on both Mitchell and Beaudin look promising early in their nhl csreer, at that time i trade one of them for a forward who might still be in junior or in other words not pro yet. You are getting too weak a return if you trade either Mitchell or Beaudin too soon.

The thougnt of Boqvist and Byram each in a top pair as puck movers is hard to pass up. That Byram will hit/check an opponent is a plus. A bigger plus than Beaudin and Mitchell whom i envision less effective if they do occassionally commit a body -to -body check. We have plenty of candidates to fill in around Boqvist and Byran. I am hopeful the strong skating strong compete Carlsson pairs with Boqvist (they have paired previously). Gilbert or Koekkoek on third pair because i want at least one dman on third pair whom will hit.

Dahlstrom is a good depth. Forsling can be traded. Murphy whom skates average at best, eventually will be traded.

This is the main ingredients on the defense. Gus traded at this draft or next trade deadline deadline. I only trade Gus now on condition that a goaltender Kelly prefers most, remains available..

One other note: darkhorse at #3 is Podz the russian.

Wait ... Bobby Clarke hit Ronnie? Ohhhhhhh nooooooo!
- EbonyRaptor

I was watching that game. And not being a Cubs fan I almost peed my pants laughing. But I did feel a little bad about it after. Every athlete in every sport should give the effort Santo did, no matter if on the field, in the booth, or doing something for a charity. Classic over achiever and a hell of a guy.

I was watching that game. And not being a Cubs fan I almost peed my pants laughing. But I did feel a little bad about it after. Every athlete in every sport should give the effort Santo did, no matter if on the field, in the booth, or doing something for a charity. Classic over achiever and a hell of a guy.
- 6628

I was a big Ronnie fan - I meant no disrespect ... but that was one of the best "Ronnie moments" ever.

I was going to . I still take Cozens , think he could play next year on the 3rd line . Byram would be exciting till we learn he can't play NHL defense ever . I think Turcotte will be the worst pick and only taken because the PR department is running the team . Dach would be a close second to Cozens ,Dach has some great skill , Cozens has the passion and Physicality . It not a tough call in MHO
- oldduffman

Scouting reports on Cozens and Turcotte. What stands out is the last category // Competiveness. Without the compete level ..... all the other strengths of the player will not come out. Turcotte is best ALL AROUND center





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnsOIh8_HWU






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQu1faENNbg

I was watching that game. And not being a Cubs fan I almost peed my pants laughing. But I did feel a little bad about it after. Every athlete in every sport should give the effort Santo did, no matter if on the field, in the booth, or doing something for a charity. Classic over achiever and a hell of a guy.
- 6628

I volunteered at the "Ron Santo Walk for a Cure" for many years.. He would always attend and speak to the crowd (even when his health was failing).

Would like to see SB make a trade for Milos Roman.
- gifman

His downside is he isn’t interested in hard battles for pucks on the wall or traffic. He isn’t timid, just leery.

Thinking outside the box

How to acquire a power forward or goaltender if you do indeed take the dman at #3

Keith and Mitchell for Matheson and Florida #1
But Matheson is not too good. He may not be too bad either if Colliton has a soundvsystem in place.

Now you can use Gus seperately for a #1 - which i do if it is near mid round any we could even give our #2 for their #3 if necessary

With two mid round #1's you can target a goaltender or a power forward type - which do you take first?

Another consideration is if Cozens at #3 then target either Broohy or the goaltender and hope for both. I go wirh the netminder first and consider what firwards remain possibly instead of Brophy.

The age old question for a first round pick, pick safe or pick for the highest potential? I have no idea who that may be in this draft but I'll go with the highest potential.
- paulr

I think we did that last year when Boqvist fell to us .I wanted Bouchard ,but I am very happy with Boqvist .
I just think Cozens is a self made player , and he is young player who already " Get's It " .We seen with Barker how quick a high profile D man can go south .

Turcotte is best ALL AROUND center
I moved Cozen back in slot three...there is simply too much there on the defensive side, the energy side and the 'size size" to not take him.
And here is the thing:
I say two more seasons of development help round Cozen, but thee are plenty of signs he's a kid who wouldn't get overloaded by making the team IF he beats out a pro, not a gimme elevation.
That isn't me telling you he is ready, just that he refuses to quit on so many levels of his energy and competitiveness.

I love Turcotte and he will go to school, but I am not so sure he projects to a high end centre or wing who teams would have to match up against...




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnsOIh8_HWU






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQu1faENNbg
- chuckdahammer

Scouting reports on Cozens and Turcotte. What stands out is the last category // Competiveness. Without the compete level ..... all the other strengths of the player will not come out. Turcotte is best ALL AROUND center





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnsOIh8_HWU






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQu1faENNbg
- chuckdahammer

I just wonder as all season Wiz had Turcotte below Cozens. Thought i read where Turcotte too easily pushed off puck in uSHL.

I think we did that last year when Boqvist fell to us .I wanted Bouchard ,but I am very happy with Boqvist .
I just think Cozens is a self made player , and he is young player who already " Get's It " .We seen with Barker how quick a high profile D man can go south .
- oldduffman

I was watching some Youtube clips of Cozens last night. He's not fancy he's a straight ahead north south player who is either driving to the net or in front of the net. None of his goals I saw were from the perimeter. He has a quick release and a great shot. My bet is he is as safe a pick as there is in the draft.

I was watching some Youtube clips of Cozens last night. He's not fancy he's a straight ahead north south player who is either driving to the net or in front of the net. None of his goals I saw were from the perimeter. He has a quick release and a great shot. My bet is he is as safe a pick as there is in the draft.
- paulr

It is Cozens or the dman at #3

It is Cozens or the dman ay #3
- jhawk59

There are several good options at number 3,but the Hawks can only pick one. No matter who they pick, there will be loads of criticism from arm chair GMs who probably never saw any of the kids ever play. Cozens playing style is compared to Ryan Kessler, where Turcotte's style is compared to Ryan O'Reilly. Both good choices but with the problems outside of Toews, for winning face offs, I think you know where you have to look.

It is Cozens or the dman ay #3
- jhawk59

I have read at different times Cozens, Byram, Turcotte, Dachs and the Russian at #3. I have seen clips of all of them and they all look good in different ways, I have no idea who the best choice would be?

I have read at different times Cozens, Byram, Turcotte, Dachs and the Russian at #3. I have seen clips of all of them and they all look good in different ways, I have no idea who the best choice would be?
- paulr

Cole Caufield.

I think we did that last year when Boqvist fell to us .I wanted Bouchard ,but I am very happy with Boqvist .
I just think Cozens is a self made player , and he is young player who already " Get's It " .We seen with Barker how quick a high profile D man can go south .
- oldduffman

He had habits, working out not being one of them. There was a character issue before anything else. He wasn't in shape when he first got here and I'm not sure he ever was.

Wonthecup hates weak players who don't complete. Gardiner is excellent when he has the puck on his stick and there is no forechecking pressure. Moderate to heavy forechecking he becomes a giveaway machine. He may lead the NHL in icing the puck because he panics. I have no idea why any Hawk fan would think Gardiner at $6M a season would be a good signing?
- paulr

It is part of the reason why I just throw stuff out there and Deferred to all of you guys That follow it a lot more than me. It is been interesting so far to read all the differences of opinion all the potential .I am looking forward to it sounds like they are in a good position no matter what. And you’re right I want players that compete look at these playoffs there are no passengers.

Murphy has 3 years left, Keith 4 and Seabrook 5.

I know that seems like a long time but d-men take longer to develop and that's not necessarily measured by when they start in the NHL full time. In the next 3-5 years the team could gradually introduce Jokiharju, Beaudin, Boqvist, Byram and Mitchell to the NHL level. Maybe 1-2 at a time depending on their development.

3 years isn't that far away, I like Murphy but if the young guys are ready to go he's the first to be replaced. Maybe at that time Keith and Seabrook are the bottom pairing or Seabrook is the #7.
- DarthKane

Good point about years remaining for the veteran defensemen. Still a lot for the one who seems to be degrading the fastest but your point about easing in the D prospects sequentially over time may not be that bad of a situation. A few other assumptions that may be helpful to frame the blueline situation:

Murphy with 3 years left may actually be just 2 years if the Hawks look to trade him before his final year so he doesn't walk away as an RFA for nothing in return.

Keith (4 years left) is the most likely of the trio to play through the end of his contract and will either retire or sign an extension if he still desires to play into his 40s as he has stated on a few occasions. If the renewal terms are 1-2 years at a time at a low AAV, then go for it as his veteran presence would still be a great asset. Otherwise, don't make the mistake of investing in older players who are simply past their expiration date.

Seabrook could play all 5 years remaining or could also retire 1-2 years before then. I know it's been posted here several times what the payout would be if he was bought out but can't remember what the financial implications are if he retires early.

Any new D men brought in this summer and beyond should preferably be UFAs on 1-2 year deals at affordable AAV to be placeholders until the prospects are ready to fill roster spots.

Scouting reports on Cozens and Turcotte. What stands out is the last category // Competiveness. Without the compete level ..... all the other strengths of the player will not come out. Turcotte is best ALL AROUND center
- chuckdahammer

I would also prioritize compete level if most other strengths are equal or balance out. Go for the prospect who gives 100% every shift and in every zone. See that from Turcotte and even Krebs and Zegras. Cozens compete level has been questioned despite his reputation as a fast power forward.

Scouting reports on Cozens and Turcotte. What stands out is the last category // Competiveness. Without the compete level ..... all the other strengths of the player will not come out. Turcotte is best ALL AROUND center





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnsOIh8_HWU

Fair enough .I just like a kid who is playing in the Jr. A . now and facing tough competition every day in meaningful games .What bother me about Turcotte is he plays behind Hughes ,and then faces easier matchups IMO .
Cozens looks to me to be the more complete player with better life experience to handle what ever comes his way .
I just hope the powers that be make the right choice at the time .




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQu1faENNbg
- chuckdahammer

Here's another crazy hypothetical "what if" ...

What if Detroit would trade the #6 pick to the Hawks in exchange for Boqvist?

Boqvist was taken #8 last season and had a phenomenal year playing on a top OHL team and scoring over 1ppg in the regular season (20g/60pts in 54 games) and playoffs (13pts in 11 games) - he is one year closer to the NHL and he's still only 18.

The Hawks would then select Byram at #3 and at #6 select one of the centers who would be there - Turcotte/Cozens/Dach/Zegras.

OR

Package #3 and #6 to move up and take Kakko.

Thoughts?

He had habits, working out not being one of them. There was a character issue before anything else. He wasn't in shape when he first got here and I'm not sure he ever was.
- 6628

Ya I think now the scrutiny the players are under takes a lot of that out of the equation .Byram could be the next big thing ,I just feel the lack of quality defenseman in the draft has pushed him up much higher ,and his play in the playoffs has not hurt . As we see right now in the NHL playoffs it not always the Stars that rise at this time of the year ..

[quote=EbonyRaptor]Here's another crazy hypothetical "what if" ...

What if Detroit would trade the #6 pick to the Hawks in exchange for Boqvist?

Boqvist was taken #8 last season and had a phenomenal year playing on a top OHL team and scoring over 1ppg in the regular season (20g/60pts in 54 games) and playoffs (13pts in 11 games) - he is one year closer to the NHL and he's still only 18.

The Hawks would then select Byram at #3 and at #6 select one of the centers who would be there - Turcotte/Cozens/Dach/Zegras.



if we depend on how desperate they are for a high end D. somebody mentioned zadina and the 6th for the 3rd. kind of the same type of trade. It would depend how they view boquist. he is 10 months younger then both bouchard and hughes from his draft so that is allot. Bowen is a june bday. boquist Aug and bouchard and hughes are OCT. I think boquist is going to kill it this year so I would wait for 1 more season before you ever moved him.



KMW

Good point about years remaining for the veteran defensemen. Still a lot for the one who seems to be degrading the fastest but your point about easing in the D prospects sequentially over time may not be that bad of a situation. A few other assumptions that may be helpful to frame the blueline situation:

Murphy with 3 years left may actually be just 2 years if the Hawks look to trade him before his final year so he doesn't walk away as an RFA for nothing in return.

Keith (4 years left) is the most likely of the trio to play through the end of his contract and will either retire or sign an extension if he still desires to play into his 40s as he has stated on a few occasions. If the renewal terms are 1-2 years at a time at a low AAV, then go for it as his veteran presence would still be a great asset. Otherwise, don't make the mistake of investing in older players who are simply past their expiration date.

Seabrook could play all 5 years remaining or could also retire 1-2 years before then. I know it's been posted here several times what the payout would be if he was bought out but can't remember what the financial implications are if he retires early.

Any new D men brought in this summer and beyond should preferably be UFAs on 1-2 year deals at affordable AAV to be placeholders until the prospects are ready to fill roster spots.
- AEL_Fox

You raise good points but the expansion draft two summers hence has to be factored in. The Hawks have to expose a D man who is signed for 21/22, and has the requisite 3 years played, 70 games over the last two seasons prior to the draft, 40 games the last season before the draft.

Assuming Hawks protect Keith, Seabrook, and Joki, Murphy is the only existing eligible D meeting the above criteria. Instesd of losing him for nothing in the draft, yes trade him before that time and get something in return. However. Hawks still have to expose a D man, so a relatively worthless "veteran", think the 21/22 version of Roszival, has to be on the team. Of course getting Keith or Seabrook to waive there NMC would make them eligible.

Any of the kids that play next year and/or in 20/21year will be exempt from the draft due to the 3 year rule.