Stan almost foams at the mouth when talking about Boqvist, I think they are absolutely elated about him, and the next marketed player.

I think Beaudin is the prospect that gets moved if that's the case. Not much hype around him either, so the team could afford the "PR hit".

Gus is a really interesting case to me because while he obviously has his defensive deficiencies with positioning, he EASILY has the best stick on the team. I'm not sure if there's an official stat that measures passes that are broken up, but he has to lead the team in that regard. Lightning quick stick and he had ample examples of breaking up 2-on-1's, 3-on-2's, etc. because of how active/quick his stick is. MAYBE (just maybe) he improves his defense just enough to not be a complete liability/one-way player.

If that's the case, he obviously gets re-signed, and the team is fortunate enough to have two lethal PP QB's in Gus and Boqvist to take that unit to another level.

But if Gus continues to be a one-trick pony this season? I don't see him being on the team beyond the trade deadline, because this team is likely not contending and their defense continues to be a dumpster fire.
- TommyHawk

I recall a rumor during the season, maybe around the TDL, where the Habs showed interested in Beaudin. Bergevin seems to covet French Canadian players as I'm sure the Montreal fan base does in general. He did poach Danault and has at one point coveted Beaudin (and maybe still does).

Could it be Mitchell? He does idolize Keith who would be a good mentor to him. So if Keith is traded then does Mitchell go with him or get shipped out in a separate deal elsewhere?

We all know the Hawks are drafting Caufield, but for the sake of an interesting discussion let’s say they don’t.

Should the Hawks draft Byram (who is the next best choice to Caufield) I see Boqvist as the odd man out, not Jokiharju. Boqvist would fetch a draft pick around the point where he was drafted or an equivalent forward prospect.

No, as far as off season moves I think there will be some shake ups but not major ones.

Good as gone - Anisimov, Hayden, 1-2 of Forsling, Koekkoek and Dahlstrom

Could be gone - Perlini

Unlikely to be moved, but anything is possible - Saad, Murphy, Gustafsson

I just don’t see Keith being moved and quite frankly don’t want him moved.

I expect none of the UFAs to be re-signed.

Prime UFA targets - Tanev and a veteran back-up goalie.

From Scottak last blog about why one would be happy about Crawford being hired:

13 full seasons as HC plus 3 partial seasons.
8 playoff appearances
1 Stanley Cup
1169 games
556 wins
431 losses
103 ties
79 OTL
Ranks #21 in the history of the NHL for wins

I will happily grant him his career record. The question I had was that he hasn’t had a playoff season since 03-04 with two separate 2-year opportunities. Bylsma has a cup too, and no one would be clamoring for him now. I’m just trying to understand why anyone would be excited about this guy.

I am a blog behind:

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

Mono----Logan Couture
the reason St. Louis traded out (and subsequently selected Iam Cole at San Jose's #18 slot)was no team but San Jose saw past his mono his draft year and was their at slot #9 a great value and a flub by at least half thew teams picking before that slot.

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

I think he is a reach that earlier I had him entrench in the second round but backed him up to slot #66

I didn't read the above but from the ten games of footage I saw he is everything the NHL teams could want in a Russian prospect: Tough, fast, skilled and highly offensive...
https://www.draftsite.com...ayer/daniil-misyul/31924/

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?
I for one am not giving up on Forsling...Hayden isn't worth a one and if a UFA Hayes only yields a 5th rounder for an early conversation, I can't believe Hayden yields much.
- resqmed99

I think that they will use the extra 4th rounder or both and a later pick as barter to move up into the 3rd.

I think he is a reach that earlier I had him entrench in the second round but backed him up to slot #66

I didn't read the above but from the ten games of footage I saw he is everything the NHL teams could want in a Russian prospect: Tough, fast, skilled and highly offensive...
https://www.draftsite.com...ayer/daniil-misyul/31924/
- wiz1901

Trading Hayden on his own would yield nothing better than a 4th at best and more likely a 5th rounder. The rest of the league has had ample sightings of his skating issues - namely lack of foot speed. He really is a minor league player - or a 13th forward on a poor NHL team.

THREE NEW THINGS quickly;

Marc Crawford addition stinks of a higher than Stan Bowman decision and also looks like the new intermediary head coach if and when they fire JC.
Does it add pressure con him? No it might offer some sound aids and experience.

And for what it is worth, I never saw Marc Crawford end anybody's career yet.

A Saad + Anisimov subtraction would fund a Trouba addition. I am not advocating it but think they can't upgrade the dee unless some team trades them a defenseman they are willing sign long term.

I an not sure you want to trade down and out of three even if each and every one of US thinks we "know" there is one prospect still there at 5 or 7 who will be "just" as good.

Joker will not be a Blackhawk for very long. I think he is going to be the one that gets squeezed out when push comes to shove.

If Colliton really liked the kid, Henri Jokiharju would not have been sent down to the A for more seasoning. That was just the "safe" thing to do, and it saved face.
- TommyHawk

Wasn't that a move to keep his year / eligibility pushed back AND to actually try and get him some needed developmental time.

If he is gone, not the end of the world, he hasn't really stood out to me past being young and skilled, not necessarily dominate in any way.

We all know the Hawks are drafting Caufield, but for the sake of an interesting discussion let’s say they don’t.

Should the Hawks draft Byram (who is the next best choice to Caufield) I see Boqvist as the odd man out, not Jokiharju. Boqvist would fetch a draft pick around the point where he was drafted or an equivalent forward prospect.

No, as far as off season moves I think there will be some shake ups but not major ones.

Good as gone - Anisimov, Hayden, 1-2 of Forsling, Koekkoek and Dahlstrom

Could be gone - Perlini

Unlikely to be moved, but anything is possible - Saad, Murphy, Gustafsson

I just don’t see Keith being moved and quite frankly don’t want him moved.

I expect none of the UFAs to be re-signed.

Prime UFA targets - Tanev and a veteran back-up goalie.
- DarthKane

Agree with each bit of your post except the UFA part. For better or worse, Ward may still be an option that management is keeping in their back pocket.

Also, I assume you were only referring to UFAs who played in the NHL (Kunitz, Kruger, Ward) but I expect Tyler Sikura and possibly Andrew Campbell to resign and provide veteran leadership in Rockford again.

And I really admire your commitment to Caufield. Don't see him as the 3rd best player in the draft, though, but definite top 10 if not top 7.

Toronto says pass to that.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - and this is my personal hot take:

Joker will not be a Blackhawk for very long. I think he is going to be the one that gets squeezed out when push comes to shove.

Call it a gut feeling, call it intuition, doesn't matter. I don't really have reasoning behind it either, but I'm going off of a hunch.

If Colliton really liked the kid, he would not have been sent down to the A for more seasoning. That was just the "safe" thing to do, and it saved face.
- TommyHawk

I have no inside track on the reason Joki was sent down but the fact is that by keeping Joki below 40 games played in the NHL they in effect "bought" themselves one more RFA year of Joki. If he had played 40+ games, he would have become UFA 1 year sooner than he will now because he was held under 40 NHL games.

I think that could have been and probably was the reason Joki was sent down more so than because Colliton didn't like him. But I could be wrong.

Hawks acquire no one in FA with AAV over $4MM unless:

A. Their deal expires end of next year
B. They dump salary via trade first

Have to sign 12/17, and that wont happen until end of next year.

Sure it makes sense for the Hawks to buy low on Brassard but how is that a win for Brassard? If he’s betting on himself then surely he’s looking to elevate back to a 2C role with PP time, just like Hayes was receiving. He’s probably not going to go to a competing team. It’ll probably be a team like Ottawa where they sign him for 1 year and trade him at the deadline or it’s possible he auditions in Dallas. If CBJ misses out in FA then that would make some sense, the Rangers potentially, Nashville if they fail to land a center - he could aim to supplant Turris and Bonino in the rotation especially if one gets dealt. Obviously that’s just my opinion but I think it would be in his best interest to go to any of those other teams

CHI 3rd for LA 5th and 22nd
CHI 3rd for BUF 7th and 30th

Neither LA or Buffalo are giving up two picks in the first round to barely move up a few spots since Hughes and Kakko will be gone already.

CHI 3rd for LA 5th and 22nd
CHI 3rd for BUF 7th and 30th

Neither LA or Buffalo are giving up two picks in the first round to barely move up a few spots since Hughes and Kakko will be gone already.
- Shuswap Wap

It's unlikely LA or Buffalo give up two firsts for Chicago's 3rd overall, unless they have someone ranked extremely highly or if Chicago includes something to go along with the third overall.

Sure it makes sense for the Hawks to buy low on Brassard but how is that a win for Brassard? If he’s betting on himself then surely he’s looking to elevate back to a 2C role with PP time, just like Hayes was receiving. He’s probably not going to go to a competing team. It’ll probably be a team like Ottawa where they sign him for 1 year and trade him at the deadline or it’s possible he auditions in Dallas. If CBJ misses out in FA then that would make some sense, the Rangers potentially, Nashville if they fail to land a center - he could aim to supplant Turris and Bonino in the rotation especially if one gets dealt. Obviously that’s just my opinion but I think it would be in his best interest to go to any of those other teams
- WSCTeton17

When Brassard was with the Penguins, rumor was he was moping around the locker room a lot because he wanted to be more than a 3c (again, this was on the penguins, who are perfectly fine at 1 and 2c). Not sure he's the kind of guy the hawks would want around the locker room anyway.

When Brassard was with the Penguins, rumor was he was moping around the locker room a lot because he wanted to be more than a 3c (again, this was on the penguins, who are perfectly fine at 1 and 2c). Not sure he's the kind of guy the hawks would want around the locker room anyway.
- Jance

I haven't heard anything like that about his character... actually heard the opposite... that he's a good room guy.

Who knows. Sounds like after the last couple of years he knows his place.

THREE NEW THINGS quickly;

Marc Crawford addition sticks of a higher than Stan Bowman decision and also looks like the new intermediary head coach if and when they fire JC.
Does it add pressure con him? No it might offer some sound aids and experience.

And for what it is worth, I never saw Marc Crawford end anybody's career yet.

A Saad + Anisimov subtraction would fund a Trouba addition. I ma not advocating it but think they can't upgrade the dee unless some team trades them a defenseman they are willing sign long term.

I an not sure you want to trade down and out of three even if each and every one of US thinks we "know" there is one prospect still there at 5 or 7 who will be "just" as good.
- wiz1901

Wiz - you might be on to something.

I can't fully confirm but did hear whispers that the Hawks checked in on Trouba.

IMO, only when you're looking at a dman of his calibre where you look to move the Jokiharju or Boqvist.

Does anyone really think Hayden has much street value in a trade? Sweetener or straight up - I don't

Thanks for a late night blog Tyler!!!
- glennjpawlak22

No. But in a package or even on his own as a depth move I can see Hayden being moved. He's on a great contract and can play a physical game.

I like Hayden and hope he stays but if he is shipped out hoping the Hawks replace his size and physicality in some way.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - and this is my personal hot take:

Joker will not be a Blackhawk for very long. I think he is going to be the one that gets squeezed out when push comes to shove.

Call it a gut feeling, call it intuition, doesn't matter. I don't really have reasoning behind it either, but I'm going off of a hunch.

If Colliton really liked the kid, he would not have been sent down to the A for more seasoning. That was just the "safe" thing to do, and it saved face.
- TommyHawk

I don't like this take... but I've heard you may be correct.

The Hawks don't want to move him but if a top pairing guy becomes available (like a Trouba) Jokiharju might be in play.

Hmmmm ,Nazem Kadri....well , in the old-school thinking of hockey, first order of business for him, he knows next year when he plays the Bruins he’s going to have to “pay up “let’s see if he is man enough to “answer the bell “,
I do like his grit plus he can play and score goals. Hell I wonder if Washington is going to be in the “we’re open for business “mode also.
We do have a lot of skill now we need to get a couple players that can play and score goals and also protect these guys.
- wonthecup10

For the record, I really dislike a lot of things about Kadri.

However he's the level of centre you need to bring in.

A gritty centre that is capable is playing 2C or 3C, can be a shutdown C, score 20+ goals.

If you can't bring in a guy like him or Eakin or Lars Eller... then you might as well stick with Anisimov and focus on improvimg elsewhere.

No. But in a package or even on his own as a depth move I can see Hayden being moved. He's on a great contract and can play a physical game.

I like Hayden and hope he stays but if he is shipped out hoping the Hawks replace his size and physicality in some way.
- Tyler Cameron

They won’t have to replace much - only 54 games last season - 9:10 ATOI.

97 hits in that time was looks pretty good - almost 12 per 60 minutes - but doesn’t seem to have played well enough to avoid healthy scratches (I don’t recall 28 games worth of injuries, may be mis-remembering) and low ice times in games he played.

Just a replaceable guy, IMO - and not worth much by himself on the open market.

For the record, I really dislike a lot of things about Kadri.

However he's the level of centre you need to bring in.

A gritty centre that is capable is playing 2C or 3C, can be a shutdown C, score 20+ goals.

If you can't bring in a guy like him or Eakin or Lars Eller... then you might as well stick with Anisimov and focus on improvimg elsewhere.
- Tyler Cameron

I see the upside to Kadri but I also see the downside. He's proven he is undisciplined and frankly can't be trusted. Going into these playoffs one of the big talking points was, could Kadri keep his cool and help the Leafs or would he lose his poop again and hurt the Leafs in the process. And like clockwork, he did the latter. I'd prefer the Hawks steer clear.

I don't like this take... but I've heard you may be correct.

The Hawks don't want to move him but if a top pairing guy becomes available (like a Trouba) Jokiharju might be in play.
- Tyler Cameron

I think all of the trade rumblings will actually push the Hawks towards drafting a forward vs. a defensemen.

- If, as is suggested, the Hawks are swapping out a forward (Saad/AA) and a prospect for a Top4D, the cupboard is still bare of forward prospects.
- If and when the Hawks part with their low-level d-men or prospects, the Hawks have the advantage of knowing which prospect(s) they wish to retain due to work ethic, locker room presence, etc.

I actually think they are in somewhat of a position of strength for a team that was horrible to watch as late as December last year. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.