And Maatta just made it slower. So, there is that.
- Elbows15

Remind me when Hammer was a speedster.

Please draft Byram. You made a great move for a Pivot last year you dont need another one. This is the third overall, draft the Defensman that can come take the load off Keith in as early as 2 years but is ready for the NHL now.

Does it matter?

We aren't talking about breaking up the 1985 Edmonton Oilers here.

We are talking about improving a very bad Hawks team that has been exposed since Nashville ran a damn train on them.

You think Bowman is sniffing around top end F talent (Pavelski, Lee) because he thinks this team only needs a few tweaks? Hell no.....Im sure Bowman has a plan to easily replace AA if eh can find a taker. What about Sikura that everyone seems to think is a lock to make this team?

You take Kahun away, bench a turd on D and add in Maatta and that kid they just signed from the Worlds and this team improved. Sorry.
- SteveRain

Anisimov, like Saad, does a lot of the little things that go unappreciated by many including apparently you. He’s not irreplaceable, but he’s not just a waste of space either. They can’t all put up 60 points. The world needs ditch diggers too.

Does it matter?

We aren't talking about breaking up the 1985 Edmonton Oilers here.

We are talking about improving a very bad Hawks team that has been exposed since Nashville ran a damn train on them.

You think Bowman is sniffing around top end F talent (Pavelski, Lee) because he thinks this team only needs a few tweaks? Hell no.....Im sure Bowman has a plan to easily replace AA if eh can find a taker. What about Sikura that everyone seems to think is a lock to make this team?

You take Kahun away, bench a turd on D and add in Maatta and that kid they just signed from the Worlds and this team improved. Sorry.
- SteveRain

Sikura isn't a center. Pavelski spends most of his days on the wing at this point. Lee is a winger. Yes, it matter because at this point, AA is still one of the few guys who goes to the net consistently and can handle tougher QoC than anyone not named Toews from the center spot.

Remind me when Hammer was a speedster.
- SteveRain

He’d skate circles around Maatta.

Remind me when Hammer was a speedster.
- SteveRain

In comparison to Maatta, Hammer is (frank)ing Eric Heiden.

Toews didn’t jump right to the NHL, he went to University. Just Sayin.
- Ogilthorpe2

OK...but this is essentially a 2 man draft. So I have zero problem with them moving down because who knows if the kid at 3 will be any better then a kid at 8 or even 10. Get more assets. Build it up.

Way too many fans (not saying you) get stuck in some delusion that all these prospects are destined NHL stars. Or that we can complain to need to improve but as soon as Bowman does something......Maatta becomes the slowest, worthless D man ever to lace them up, and Kahun is destined to become the next Logan Colture.

The thing I noticed the most last year, is how much of a step 2 has lost. HE was starting to show signs vs Nashville when Johansson ran a train on him and Toews, and but the last 2 years.....he's really slowed down.

He’d skate circles around Maatta.
- Ogilthorpe2

Even being almost ten years older. At 24? Ah.. its not even worth it if this is the comparison being made.

And again....who cares? Is this is a franchise lock player who is going to jump into the NHL as soon as next year like Kane, or Crosby, or Toews, or McDavid or Malkin or Ovechkin? I highly doubt it.

So again....they will take a kid who can barely vote, not drink in the USA, and pray that his body fills out, and that his skill set maximizes and he develops...…

Once they make that pick....people will start with the "busts" and what have you because they didn't take "their guy"

Glad we have so many advanced scouts and draft gurus on here.....
- SteveRain

Kirby Dach is already 6'4" 200lbs and is compared to Thornton/Getzlaf as a big body playmaker. Cozens is 6'3" 185lbs, Byram at 6'1 195lbs and even Turcotte at 185lbs are all coming to the Draft with NHL ready physical stature. This is not to say that they all should/will be in the NHL next year. But these aren't 165lb kids they are looking to draft at #3. There is a lot to like about all the possible selections, unless StanBo is drunk and drafts 170lb Zegras

And again....who cares? Is this is a franchise lock player who is going to jump into the NHL as soon as next year like Kane, or Crosby, or Toews, or McDavid or Malkin or Ovechkin? I highly doubt it.

So again....they will take a kid who can barely vote, not drink in the USA, and pray that his body fills out, and that his skill set maximizes and he develops...…

Once they make that pick....people will start with the "busts" and what have you because they didn't take "their guy"

Glad we have so many advanced scouts and draft gurus on here.....
- SteveRain

Toews did not play his draft year and if we can draft somebody that can play in 20-21 even close to Toews' caliber I say jump on it!!

Anisimov, like Saad, does a lot of the little things that go unappreciated by many including apparently you. He’s not irreplaceable, but he’s not just a waste of space either. They can’t all put up 60 points. The world needs ditch diggers too.
- Ogilthorpe2

So for what he brings NOW you guys (o/elbows) are OK with that cap hit and include a cap hit like Saad?

its' all about ROI for me. When the defensive numbers slide, its never a guy's fault but the teams fault even though he is supposed to be some defensive whiz or PK specialist.

To me this team can't be paying 10+ million annually for 2 guys who can't contribute consistently in the top 6. If you want to keep 1 you go right ahead, but 2? That's how you get yourself in cap hell.

Before we talk about how this team gets weaker losing 1, how much crappier can they get defensively?

OK...but this is essentially a 2 man draft. So I have zero problem with them moving down because who knows if the kid at 3 will be any better then a kid at 8 or even 10. Get more assets. Build it up.

Way too many fans (not saying you) get stuck in some delusion that all these prospects are destined NHL stars. Or that we can complain to need to improve but as soon as Bowman does something......Maatta becomes the slowest, worthless D man ever to lace them up, and Kahun is destined to become the next Logan Colture.

The thing I noticed the most last year, is how much of a step 2 has lost. HE was starting to show signs vs Nashville when Johansson ran a train on him and Toews, and but the last 2 years.....he's really slowed down.
- SteveRain

Its not a 2 man draft. This isn't a bunch of fans saying that this is a draft loaded with guys who are going to become very good NHL player. Its across the board from scout around the league.

Yeah. ease up on the hyperbole. There was not one person who compared Kahun to Couture. He was called a useful player. Which he is. No one called Maatta worthless but by the same token, people thinking he is going to fix all the ills are delusional. His mobility is an issue. So are his injuries. His dependence on the correct type of partner is also real. The numbers bear it out.

Sikura isn't a center. Pavelski spends most of his days on the wing at this point. Lee is a winger. Yes, it matter because at this point, AA is still one of the few guys who goes to the net consistently and can handle tougher QoC than anyone not named Toews from the center spot.
- Elbows15

lets not confuse AA with Jaime Benn or even JT Miller....AA, if still on the team this year will be a productive player and he has his niche but he's one of the spots on the roster you would like to upgrade at. Not saying its gonna be easy but I think it'll get done....IF not upgrade at least find a cheaper alternative that does the same things AA does

Even being almost ten years older. At 24? Ah.. its not even worth it if this is the comparison being made.
- Elbows15

He's a shot blocking defensive defensemen. What else is there to be made? What is Hammer? The pinnacle of that category who they wrongly traded and are trying to replace with a younger version.

My god....Lets see how bad Maatta is.....he can't be any worse then the 6 clowns who took the nice most nights last season.

Does it matter?

We aren't talking about breaking up the 1985 Edmonton Oilers here.

We are talking about improving a very bad Hawks team that has been exposed since Nashville ran a damn train on them.

You think Bowman is sniffing around top end F talent (Pavelski, Lee) because he thinks this team only needs a few tweaks? Hell no.....Im sure Bowman has a plan to easily replace AA if eh can find a taker. What about Sikura that everyone seems to think is a lock to make this team?

You take Kahun away, bench a turd on D and add in Maatta and that kid they just signed from the Worlds and this team improved. Sorry.
- SteveRain

Sure it matters. Every move matters.

Its not a 2 man draft. This isn't a bunch of fans saying that this is a draft loaded with guys who are going to become very good NHL player. Its across the board from scout around the league.

Yeah. ease up on the hyperbole. There was one person who compared Kahun to Couture. He was called a useful player. Which he is. No one called Maatta worthless but by the same token, people thinking he is going to fix all the ills are delusional. His mobility is an issue. So are his injuries. His dependence on the correct type of partner is also real. The numbers bear it out.
- Elbows15

If it's not a 2 man draft who is the lock at 3 then? Who is the clear guy at 3? I haven't seen one.

I have read and heard about 5-6 guys who could go as high as 3 so essentially it is a 2 man draft because there isn't a league wide agreement that this kid is 1, this kid is 2, and this kid is 3......so if the Hawks like 6 guys why not move down a few spots and gain picks?

Nobody said Maatta is going to fix the D. I posted a few blogs back I'd like to see 2, top 4 guys. They got 1. EVery D man is dependent upon his partner. Is their a coincidence Keith's warts have shown up more and more as Seabrook's regression expedites or Keith playing with rookies?

I do know Maatta > Gus, Dahlback, Forsling, Koekoek...so if it means 1 of those turds is now sitting or out of the organization......god bless.

OK...but this is essentially a 2 man draft. So I have zero problem with them moving down because who knows if the kid at 3 will be any better then a kid at 8 or even 10. Get more assets. Build it up.

Way too many fans (not saying you) get stuck in some delusion that all these prospects are destined NHL stars. Or that we can complain to need to improve but as soon as Bowman does something......Maatta becomes the slowest, worthless D man ever to lace them up, and Kahun is destined to become the next Logan Colture.

The thing I noticed the most last year, is how much of a step 2 has lost. HE was starting to show signs vs Nashville when Johansson ran a train on him and Toews, and but the last 2 years.....he's really slowed down.
- SteveRain

The kid at 3 is a D-man and is projected to be a #1 in the NHL. You need to improve your team, here is your chance to do that and start to move Keith towards retirement. Byram is closer to being NHL ready than every Dman we have in the system. This is a no brainer and the fact that we would even consider to take another forward is asanine. THe only reason another team would trade up with us is to take Byram at 3.

lets not confuse AA with Jaime Benn or even JT Miller....AA, if still on the team this year will be a productive player and he has his niche but he's one of the spots on the roster you would like to upgrade at. Not saying its gonna be easy but I think it'll get done....IF not upgrade at least find a cheaper alternative that does the same things AA does
- rwilliams88

They need guys who can play BIG, and play smart. That's their issue. I don't care about size but I do care that a giant Like Perilini seems to disengage far too much for a guy his size.

I truly hope Bowman deals him in the next week. He'll tease you for a game and then be non existent for the next 10.

The kid at 3 is a D-man and is projected to be a #1 in the NHL. You need to improve your team, here is your chance to do that and start to move Keith towards retirement. Byram is closer to being NHL ready than every Dman we have in the system. This is a no brainer and the fact that we would even consider to take another forward is asanine. THe only reason another team would trade up with us is to take Byram at 3.
- nickmo2699

But he isn't a lock at 3.....he's been mentioned there, Caufield, Cozens, Turcotte, and so on....that's my point.

IT's based on need at 3, and Hawks could easily go either way as what F depth do they have up and coming in the system?

Sure it matters. Every move matters.
- mohel

I don't love Maatta but I will give him a chance to see what he can do and not come into it with preconceived notions that his 10 speed rating is going to nuke this team.

I think they got better with the trade....a ton? No....but they got better and that's the goal as this offseason goes along.

Kirby Dach is already 6'4" 200lbs and is compared to Thornton/Getzlaf as a big body playmaker. Cozens is 6'3" 185lbs, Byram at 6'1 195lbs and even Turcotte at 185lbs are all coming to the Draft with NHL ready physical stature. This is not to say that they all should/will be in the NHL next year. But these aren't 165lb kids they are looking to draft at #3. There is a lot to like about all the possible selections, unless StanBo is drunk and drafts 170lb Zegras
- EnzoD

Right you just gave me 4 guys....so why not see if somebody below is in love with ONE guy and HAS To have him.....this team needs all the assets they can get.

Right you just gave me 4 guys....so why not see if somebody below is in love with ONE guy and HAS To have him.....this team needs all the assets they can get.
- SteveRain

If it was any other team besides Chicago Byram would be a strong lock for #3 based on everything I've read since the Draft Lottery. The only reason that Byram isn't a lock at 3 is because of the Hawks recent drafting of Jokiharju, Boquist, Beaudin and Mitchell. IF the Hawks don't want Byram at 3, they would be smart to explore a trade with another team in the Top 10 that is in desperate need of a Top Pair Defense prospect.

lets not confuse AA with Jaime Benn or even JT Miller....AA, if still on the team this year will be a productive player and he has his niche but he's one of the spots on the roster you would like to upgrade at. Not saying its gonna be easy but I think it'll get done....IF not upgrade at least find a cheaper alternative that does the same things AA does
- rwilliams88

Pretty sure I didn't compare him to either but whateves.

On another note...I am trying to figure out the lure of Lee or Pavelski?

Both of those guys are going to want north of 6, maybe 7 AAV so does the guy Bowman gets slot in with Toews and X?

I was mentioning blogs ago about the need to have more scoring as I fear some guys may regress or continue to regress in regards to production, but dropping 6-7 AAV on a winger seems odd unless they are clearing out a combo of AA, Saad, Murphy

Lets hope so...I think he's the guy without a chair right now in this lineup and what he offers to the table.

If they can add another veteran D man, things start to look a helluva lot better stabilizing the back end.

2,5,7,6 (maatta), 56 and 28....and in a veteran and I like it.

I still keep Gus for offensive purposes.....
- SteveRain

Olli Maata is taking number 6? A list of the last 11 Hawks to wear good old number 6.

Anton Babchuk 2004
Jaroslav Spacek 2006
Lasse Kukkonen 2007
Magnus Johansson 2008
Jordan Hendry 2009-2011
Sean O'Donnell 2012
Mike Kostka 2014
Adam Clendening 2015
Trevor Daley 2016
Michal Kempny 2017-2018
Cody Franson 2018