https://thehockeywriters....l-draft-prospect-profile/

Quotables
“Across-the-board talent with a smart and efficient style. Great offensive instincts, quick acceleration and already the most complete two-way player in the crop. A constant battler, with underrated puck skills.” – Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects

“The University of Wisconsin commit plays a disciplined game, makes plays at top speed, has good hands, grit, and can move the puck effectively.” – Mike Morreale, NHL.com

“Alex has a combination of important assets in today’s game, like skating ability, being able to play above the pace of what the game is, reading the play, hockey sense and compete. That’s not even mentioning puck skills, but his skating, hockey sense and compete are at a very high level and very important when translating to what the pro game is today.” Dave Gregory, Central Scouting

“The best projected two-way game in this draft class. Has been hampered by injuries.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet

Joel Quenneville and #FlaPanthers finally announce coaching staff: Mike Kitchen, Andrew Brunette, Derek MacKenzie and Robb Tallas.

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) June 4, 2019

- DarthKane

A good crew.

Excited to see the team Dale gives Coach Q to work with this year. I suspect some big changes.

I don’t think I’d announce anything. However I’d work the rumor mill, let it leak the Blackhawks are leaning towards taking Byram. Maybe the Kings want him bad enough to move to #3 for #5 and #22.
- walleyeb1

Hello, Walleye. Haven't seen if you have a thought on who the Hawks will take?

My thoughts haven't changed, think they covet Zegras. Few scouts/national pundits don't acknowledge Zegras as the most skilled of any kid in this draft and we all know the Hawks rate skill 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 most important trait, all else be damned.

If they don't have Byram rated 3rd and with him being the consensus top Dman would be wonderful if the Hawks could leverage that. LA at 5 would be great but I think Detroilet covets Byram more than any team, they're worse on the back end than the Hawks organIzationally. ........ They hold the 6th overall and three 2nd rounders.

The Hockey Gods lavished the Hawks with the #3 and if that wasn't enough the top Dman expected to go #3 in many circles led ALL players in the WHL playoffs in points as a 17 yr old. If the Hawks don't rate him at #3 they hit the Daily Double with both horses at 30-1. .......... Now if they can leverage that? For this fan I'm near as excited for the 2nd rd as what the Hawks do in the 1st. Some really nice players down there, Beecher for instance, and would love to see the Hawks gather another 2nd rd asset. Hawks need to find another Hammer in the 3rd, 4th rd.

I'd guess this has been mentioned at this site, we know the deficiencies the Hawks have in their zone and depth at center. Drafting a 2 way center like a Turcotte would help on both counts. No he's not a Dman and can't influence his end like a Dman but an we all see what an O'Rielly, Toews, Bergeron means to his club in the D zone.

https://thehockeywriters.com/alex-turcotte-2019-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

Quotables
“Across-the-board talent with a smart and efficient style. Great offensive instincts, quick acceleration and already the most complete two-way player in the crop. A constant battler, with underrated puck skills.” – Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects

“The University of Wisconsin commit plays a disciplined game, makes plays at top speed, has good hands, grit, and can move the puck effectively.” – Mike Morreale, NHL.com

“Alex has a combination of important assets in today’s game, like skating ability, being able to play above the pace of what the game is, reading the play, hockey sense and compete. That’s not even mentioning puck skills, but his skating, hockey sense and compete are at a very high level and very important when translating to what the pro game is today.” Dave Gregory, Central Scouting

“The best projected two-way game in this draft class. Has been hampered by injuries.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
- gazza53

Following jrs over the yrs I've seen/read of quite a few kids having mono and what I understand is you don't just recover from that quickly. Takes a yr and you're weak for a long time as you recover. If so what Turcotte did this yr despite having mono is incredible.

Thing about Turcotte is his floor for me. Kid can skate, play physical, plays center, score, dish, plays both ends, ++++ compete. Contributes in so many ways that if he doesn't end up a Toews/Bergeron type that some scouts see his floor says 2C.

So I know we have the 3rd pick, but where are we drafting in the second, 4th (2 picks), 5th, 6th and 7th? And does anyone else see us trading Hayden or Forsling for a 3rd?

So I know we have the 3rd pick, but where are we drafting in the second, 4th (2 picks), 5th, 6th and 7th? And does anyone else see us trading Hayden or Forsling for a 3rd?
- resqmed99

The Hawks second round pick is #43.

I could see the Hawks dealing Hayden, but I'm not sure about Forsling.

Following jrs over the yrs I've seen/read of quite a few kids having mono and what I understand is you don't just recover from that quickly. Takes a yr and you're weak for a long time as you recover. If so what Turcotte did this yr despite having mono is incredible.

Thing about Turcotte is his floor for me. Kid can skate, play physical, plays center, score, dish, plays both ends, ++++ compete. Contributes in so many ways that if he doesn't end up a Toews/Bergeron type that some scouts see his floor says 2C.
- Mr Ricochet

My guess he's the pick and I can see him playing w/Toews, Kane this year

Hello, Walleye. Haven't seen if you have a thought on who the Hawks will take?

My thoughts haven't changed, think they covet Zegras. Few scouts/national pundits don't acknowledge Zegras as the most skilled of any kid in this draft and we all know the Hawks rate skill 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 most important trait, all else be damned.

If they don't have Byram rated 3rd and with him being the consensus top Dman would be wonderful if the Hawks could leverage that. LA at 5 would be great but I think Detroilet covets Byram more than any team, they're worse on the back end than the Hawks organIzationally. ........ They hold the 6th overall and three 2nd rounders.

The Hockey Gods lavished the Hawks with the #3 and if that wasn't enough the top Dman expected to go #3 in many circles led ALL players in the WHL playoffs in points as a 17 yr old. If the Hawks don't rate him at #3 they hit the Daily Double with both horses at 30-1. .......... Now if they can leverage that? For this fan I'm near as excited for the 2nd rd as what the Hawks do in the 1st. Some really nice players down there, Beecher for instance, and would love to see the Hawks gather another 2nd rd asset. Hawks need to find another Hammer in the 3rd, 4th rd.

I'd guess this has been mentioned at this site, we know the deficiencies the Hawks have in their zone and depth at center. Drafting a 2 way center like a Turcotte would help on both counts. No he's not a Dman and can't influence his end like a Dman but an we all see what an O'Rielly, Toews, Bergeron means to his club in the D zone.
- Mr Ricochet

I’ve changed my mind at least three or four times, but I’d be happy with any of these, Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras.

Not in that specific order necessarily, although I do tend to like the two big centers.

The Hawks second round pick is #43.

I could see the Hawks dealing Hayden, but I'm not sure about Forsling.
- DarthKane

I've got this feeling that Stan is going to have a blowout sale. Hayden, AA, 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek, Dalstrom, and possibly Saad. Like everyone else, I will be interested to see what the returns are, but I think Stan is done filling in around the edges and wants to truly makeover the roster.

I've got this feeling that Stan is going to have a blowout sale. Hayden, AA, 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek, Dalstrom, and possibly Saad. Like everyone else, I will be interested to see what the returns are, but I think Stan is done filling in around the edges and wants to truly makeover the roster.
- Chunk

If it makes the team better I am all for it. I could see all those guys going too, except Saad.

I think Bowman is the position where every one of the 6 or 8 guys he can choose from is both a good pick and a bad pick. He is going to get second-guessed no matter what. The top two picks seem to be money in the bank. The next group will range from the next Toews or Debrincat to the next Cam Russell. If the Hawks end up with the 9th or 10th best player out of this draft, I would be okay with that. I just don't want them to end up taking the 137th best player with the 3rd pick. That won't be determined for a few years, but they really need to make sure this guy is going to be in Chicago as an impact guy sometime soon. I think the only mistake he can make is to reach for somebody not ranked in the top ten on draft boards.

Wiz would be better to respond to this but I will take a stab.

J.D. Burke of Elite Prospects said that Byram would have been right behind Dahlin and Quinn Hughes.

He put him in the same category as Bouchard, Dobson, Ty Smith (didn't mention Adam Boqvist).

Alex Turcotte is a little harder for me to gauge, especially because he's been everywhere from 3rd to 8th in my brain so far where he fits in this year's draft.

My feeling is that he'd be behind Kotkaniemi (3) and Hayton (5) but before Ty Dellandrea (13).
- Tyler Cameron

Believe this was the podcast you heard Burke, great listen. https://www.nbcsports.com...-draft-prospects-jd-burke ...... Burke is an analytics guy of sorts, rare for scouts at the Jr level. He tracks entries, exits, possession, shot share and those things. Asked for a comparison of Turcotte to NHL players he went on to say that the data he gathers Turcotte along with Hughes has no compaerables, none (at the 26:00 mark).

Burke gushes over Turcotte the whole podcast. Hawk fans will like what he has to say about Krys, Mitchell, Beaudin and the rest of the Hawk D pipeline. Solid and helpful listen.

I've got this feeling that Stan is going to have a blowout sale. Hayden, AA, 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek, Dalstrom, and possibly Saad. Like everyone else, I will be interested to see what the returns are, but I think Stan is done filling in around the edges and wants to truly makeover the roster.
- Chunk

What he does, or doesn't do, will shape this franchise for the next 10 yrs, good or bad.

Believe this was the podcast you heard Burke, great listen. https://www.nbcsports.com...-draft-prospects-jd-burke ...... Burke is an analytics guy of sorts, rare for scouts at the Jr level. He tracks entries, exits, possession, shot share and those things. Asked for a comparison of Turcotte to NHL players he went on to say that the data he gathers Turcotte along with Hughes has no compaerables, none (at the 26:00 mark).

Burke gushes over Turcotte the whole podcast. Hawk fans will like what he has to say about Krys, Mitchell, Beaudin and the rest of the Hawk D pipeline. Solid and helpful listen.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the link. It was a fun listen. I like his argument for taking Turcotte at the end (you will have a very good to great center on an ELC as Toews is eating up a good portion of the cap, and getting older).

With all of the talk about whether or not to draft Byram, I had a question pop in my head. Would it be better to have an amazing 1st pair, really good second pair and an average third pair, or just three really good pairs.

If all of our draftees hit their potential we may have 1 "true" top defenseman, and the rest really good.

Thanks for the link. It was a fun listen. I like his argument for taking Turcotte at the end (you will have a very good to great center on an ELC as Toews is eating up a good portion of the cap, and getting older).

With all of the talk about whether or not to draft Byram, I had a question pop in my head. Would it be better to have an amazing 1st pair, really good second pair and an average third pair, or just three really good pairs.

If all of our draftees hit their potential we may have 1 "true" top defenseman, and the rest really good.
- Chunk

That question is a good one. I personally would prefer 3 really solid pairs who -- along with the forwards -- play a consistent and cohesive team defensive system. Otherwise you risk putting all eggs in one or few baskets.

With that in mind, lately I have wondered why some are so quick to anoint Byram as a sure-fire #1 defenseman and rendering all of our past D draftees -- including the Big 4 of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell -- as not #1 or even 1st pair material. Again, I would much rather have 7 reliably solid blueliners than just 1-2 with the drop-offs in talent as you go down the depth chart.

Not saying the future back line will consist of all prospects since this doesn't taken in to account Keith and Seabrook as well as free agents and trades, but here's an example of pairs if they hit potential:

Beaudin - Jokiharju
Boqvist - Carlsson
Gilbert - Mitchell
Krys, Hillman

That depth is even better with Byram, and not because he would automatically be the #1, but because he would bring an all-around game to complement his D mates.

i don't follow all this draft banter...but a question I do have. Of the players available to the hawks, which one can play right away and not committed to college.

My main opinions on this: 1.) a center 2.) can be contributor this season. I don't want to see the hawks pick a player and have to wait 1-2 years. They need help now!

Thanks for the link. It was a fun listen.
- Chunk

Here's another, best way to misuse company time. It's a Red Army (Detroilet) podcast but the guest is Scott Wheeler who scouted the NHL and now writes for The Athletic. The May 9th episode: https://soundcloud.com/wingedwheelpodcast

That question is a good one. I personally would prefer 3 really solid pairs who -- along with the forwards -- play a consistent and cohesive team defensive system. Otherwise you risk putting all eggs in one or few baskets.

With that in mind, lately I have wondered why some are so quick to anoint Byram as a sure-fire #1 defenseman and rendering all of our past D draftees -- including the Big 4 of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell -- as not #1 or even 1st pair material. Again, I would much rather have 7 reliably solid blueliners than just 1-2 with the drop-offs in talent as you go down the depth chart.

Not saying the future back line will consist of all prospects since this doesn't taken in to account Keith and Seabrook as well as free agents and trades, but here's an example of pairs if they hit potential:

Beaudin - Jokiharju
Boqvist - Carlsson
Gilbert - Mitchell
Krys, Hillman

That depth is even better with Byram, and not because he would automatically be the #1, but because he would bring an all-around game to complement his D mates.
- AEL_Fox

I like to think of it as a list of conditions and trying to meet those in some combination while having no one pair that is just dreadful in their own end.

What pair will fill the need for offensive zone starts
What pair will be slotted defensively for matchup and shutdown.
Which 4 guys will form the usual PK
Who are the ~2 guys that will get the bulk of the D PP minutes.

I think we'd all agree it isn't only about having 6 or 7 guys who are NHL caliber individually, but having that right mix of skills to handle all situations.

I'm assuming the Hawks have been talking about their D prospects a lot to try to gauge if they need to choose another Dman. If it were me, I'd be trying to determine the approximate odds of success for each guy to hit expectations in the lineup and consider also what I might be able to get in trade for one or two of the prospects I could live without. I have a feeling that unless the Hawks have lost confidence in some of these prospects, they will choose a forward at #3, otherwise they take the Dman and then look to use the other D prospects in trade.

Bowman seems confident in trying to fill forward holes with European imports, but he has had to give up on his recent D imports that didn't fit in with the Hawks plans. Maybe he keeps trying to build the D until it is looking solid.

Hello, Walleye. Haven't seen if you have a thought on who the Hawks will take?

My thoughts haven't changed, think they covet Zegras. Few scouts/national pundits don't acknowledge Zegras as the most skilled of any kid in this draft and we all know the Hawks rate skill 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 most important trait, all else be damned.

If they don't have Byram rated 3rd and with him being the consensus top Dman would be wonderful if the Hawks could leverage that. LA at 5 would be great but I think Detroilet covets Byram more than any team, they're worse on the back end than the Hawks organIzationally. ........ They hold the 6th overall and three 2nd rounders.

The Hockey Gods lavished the Hawks with the #3 and if that wasn't enough the top Dman expected to go #3 in many circles led ALL players in the WHL playoffs in points as a 17 yr old. If the Hawks don't rate him at #3 they hit the Daily Double with both horses at 30-1. .......... Now if they can leverage that? For this fan I'm near as excited for the 2nd rd as what the Hawks do in the 1st. Some really nice players down there, Beecher for instance, and would love to see the Hawks gather another 2nd rd asset. Hawks need to find another Hammer in the 3rd, 4th rd.

I'd guess this has been mentioned at this site, we know the deficiencies the Hawks have in their zone and depth at center. Drafting a 2 way center like a Turcotte would help on both counts. No he's not a Dman and can't influence his end like a Dman but an we all see what an O'Rielly, Toews, Bergeron means to his club in the D zone.
- Mr Ricochet

Like this analysis a lot. Like you I have a feeling the Hawks like Zegras. If true, would love the opportunity to trade down to the 5th or 6th spot and pick up more picks and then take Zegras or maybe Turcotte. With so many talented forwards available I can't see them taking Bynam given all of the Dmen we have drafted recently but who knows.

Thanks for the link. It was a fun listen. I like his argument for taking Turcotte at the end (you will have a very good to great center on an ELC as Toews is eating up a good portion of the cap, and getting older).

With all of the talk about whether or not to draft Byram, I had a question pop in my head. Would it be better to have an amazing 1st pair, really good second pair and an average third pair, or just three really good pairs.

If all of our draftees hit their potential we may have 1 "true" top defenseman, and the rest really good.
- Chunk

I'm sure there's an argument for either scenario but the hawks won three cups with basically two strong pairs of defensemen. On the other hand had there been an injury to the wrong guy the results may have been very different in which case the balance of three strong pairs makes sense. I'd go with the former and have a dominant first pairing and a solid scond pairing and spot the third pair.

Believe this was the podcast you heard Burke, great listen. https://www.nbcsports.com...-draft-prospects-jd-burke ...... Burke is an analytics guy of sorts, rare for scouts at the Jr level. He tracks entries, exits, possession, shot share and those things. Asked for a comparison of Turcotte to NHL players he went on to say that the data he gathers Turcotte along with Hughes has no compaerables, none (at the 26:00 mark).

Burke gushes over Turcotte the whole podcast. Hawk fans will like what he has to say about Krys, Mitchell, Beaudin and the rest of the Hawk D pipeline. Solid and helpful listen.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the link, perfect timing gave me something to listen to at the the fitnesses place.

Burke would make a great salesman. I think a big factor in what the Blackhawks ultimately do will depend on where Goodman see’s these guys are at and where he thinks they could be three years down the road. I’m sticking with these four: Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras. But I’m just going to trust Bowman, Kelley, Goodman and the rest of the gang will make the right pick regardless of what we all think.

Not talked much about who the Blackhawks take with their 2nd pick but after listening to Burke I think we should be taking a look at Daniil Misyul, he’s a big Russian defenseman.

https://www.habseyesonthe...-scouting-report-analysis

Thanks for the link, perfect timing gave me something to listen to at the the fitnesses place.

Burke would make a great salesman. I think a big factor in what the Blackhawks ultimately do will depend on where Goodman see’s these guys are at and where he thinks they could be three years down the road. I’m sticking with these four: Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras. But I’m just going to trust Bowman, Kelley, Goodman and the rest of the gang will make the right pick regardless of what we all think.

Not talked much about who the Blackhawks take with their 2nd pick but after listening to Burke I think we should be taking a look at Daniil Misyul, he’s a big Russian defenseman.

https://www.habseyesonthe...-scouting-report-analysis
- walleyeb1

The second round is always more challenging to predict, there is always some late first rounders that slip to the second.

Vlasic, Hoglander (just to see the Rockford marketing hype), and Tracey would be solid options.

Source : #Canucks are busy working phones on the trade market. They checked in on the price for Toronto defenseman Nikita Zaitsev who is getting lots of interest.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 4, 2019

I am serious actually. For years there's been a narrative on this site about Stan getting the job because of his Dad, McDonough Meddles, the Front Office telling the world how great they are without one iota of proof. Do you expect McDonough to tell the world Stand is stupid, and I McMeddler am a dolt? Then with no proof about any of this the narrative has continued for years.

The two "failed seasons" as you call them, are to most fans the unfortunate result of their decade of success. If you didn't expect the team to bottom out you aren't being realistic. I expect the team to show improvement but it is still going to take awhile, with good drafting, smart trades and UFA acquisitions plus plenty of luck for the team to contend.
- paulr

I can you tell with 100% fact.....

1. Stan was in charge of cap long term under Dale, and they also used the Bulls cap guy until Rocky invested money into the team. stan was also on the rebound health wise after a cancer scare or else he being GM would have happened sooner.

2. The RFA scandal while under Dale's watch was NOT Dale's fault. The reups were done and not mailed out. Dale was at home with an illness.

3. Dale was let go because he was too honest/talkative vs the environment McDonough wanted

4. Bowman SR was the guy who got Savard fired. He watched his training camp and realized he wasn't the guy to lead them. They had Q after his firing from Colorado and subsequent DUI

5. If you honestly don't think Bowman SR pushed a man who had ZERO hockey knowledge to push his son into the GM role....I can't help you. Go back and watch either game 1 or 2 of the Western semis vs Vancouver in 2009 and watch Bowman SR female doging at Dale about Campbell.

Why do you not think instead of reaching out to other known GMs at the time the Hawks decided to give a guy a shot in the most pivotal time in their franchise history?

Come on.....it worked out for everyone but to think Scotty wasn't pulling strings for this organization early on is just being naïve as a fan.....look at the media (Josh Mora, the two other guys ) who got booted from Hawks controlled television stations or had press passes revoked for being negative.

It's all about the Hawks brand....Sharp let one slip when Thornton did an interview shirtless with no hat on, on NBCSN saying in Chicago hats to had to be on (never backwards) and never shirtless.

Main stream media saying Hawks had done due diligence on Kevin Hayes before he was sent to Philly. May not sign there, but who knows....

Shows you they aren't just concerned with the back-end and also looking at top 6....who'd have thunk it......