Yup...I DO retain him.

All the guys I place in the hawks slots are guys I like.

The draft prognosticators that have Brayden Tracey as a first rounder...well, I guess I understand if he is off the board before slot #43, but...that just means someone ABOVE him on my list slipped toward the Hawks.

(Some guys have elevated Patrik Puistola to the first round too, but read my profile and you will see why I haven't but I'm the guy that sees chinks in Byram's armor too.)

I honestly think that from around pick #27 you could easily make a case for selecting any player up to that 43 slot, even in the later 40's....
Strike that I could see my board break downey slot # 23, but,
I like the players were I have them.

IT IS A DEEP Class...zso the guys from 23 to 48 might go in a lot of different orders depending upon the selectors...
- wiz1901

Wiz, one guy I'm interested in is that defenseman you having going to the Habs at 46. Big LHD that you say is going to be a mauler. If the Hawks take a center at 3 you think they have any interest in him?

Pro could just mean AHL - he's eligible because he was on loan to the Knights so the 20 age rule doesn't apply to him. The same way it wouldn't have applied to Jokiharju and a handful of other players in recent years.
- L_B_R

No, I agree and understand that part about pro meaning NHL and/or AHL. Didn’t know about the 20 age rule so thank you for sharing that aspect.

No argument here. I think given another year of development whether in London or Rockford, Boqvist could very well be poised to take the spot from Gustafsson. Would much rather Boqvist be either of those places in 2019-20 rather than on the Blackhawks roster.
- AEL_Fox

I leave Boqvist in London one more year ,let Hunter keep working with him. Then another year in the A maybe ,even the kid said himself said he was 3 years away from the Show at the draft .

Corey Perry ?

Gawddammitwtf

I leave Boqvist in London one more year ,let Hunter keep working with him. Then another year in the A maybe ,even the kid said himself said he was 3 years away from the Show at the draft .
- oldduffman

That’s a reasonable timeline. Let improved performance be proof in the pudding for whether to shorten that timeline and get Boqvist to the NHL quicker than planned. Having him in the NHL in 2019-20 is just too soon, IMO.

That same mindset applies to all prospects at all positions including whoever gets picked at #3 tomorrow.

That’s a reasonable timeline. Let improved performance be proof in the pudding for whether to shorten that timeline and get Boqvist to the NHL quicker than planned. Having him in the NHL in 2019-20 is just too soon, IMO.

That same mindset applies to all prospects at all positions including whoever gets picked at #3 tomorrow.
- AEL_Fox

Agreed. Especially considering we haven't been reading reports of him WOWing and exceeding expectations in his development timeline all year...

I leave Boqvist in London one more year ,let Hunter keep working with him. Then another year in the A maybe ,even the kid said himself said he was 3 years away from the Show at the draft .
- oldduffman

I would rather Boqvist join Beaudin in Rockford next season, ideally together as a d-pair. He excelled against OHL competition - let him get experience playing against grown men with the idea of him making the Hawks in 2020/21.

Agreed. Especially considering we haven't been reading reports of him WOWing and exceeding expectations in his development timeline all year...
- Slofire94

From the reports I've read and the few games I saw I think it's fair to say his offense was excellent all season and his defense improved as the year went along. I don't think there is any doubt that he's not ready to be an NHL defender in 2019/20 but he won't turn 19 until August so he is still very young and will grow and get stronger over the next year.

@ChiSportUpdates

The Chicago Blackhawks are showing interest in signing free agent Corey Perry. (Via @PierreVLeBrun)

--

Gross.

Not interested.
- Tyler Cameron

The good news is the same report implied the more realistic landing spot was Nashville with there being mutual interest between player and team. It would suck to have to play against him so much but better he done piss yellow to match his on-ice attitude.

Agreed. Especially considering we haven't been reading reports of him WOWing and exceeding expectations in his development timeline all year...
- Slofire94

There were a decent number of reports of him progressing quite nicely this season, especially in the playoffs. SecondCityHockey had a series on him and guys like Entwistle because they had writers who watched their teams regularly.

There were a decent number of reports of him progressing quite nicely this season, especially in the playoffs. SecondCityHockey had a series on him and guys like Entwistle because they had writers who watched their teams regularly.
- L_B_R

But were the along the lines of "top prospect bovquist isn't disappointing" or "top prospect bovquist is challenging for an NHL blue line earlier than expected"

But were the along the lines of "top prospect bovquist isn't disappointing" or "top prospect bovquist is challenging for an NHL blue line earlier than expected"
- Slofire94

Boqvist on the offensive side of the puck is good enough to play in the NHL next season. Boqvist on the defensive side of the puck is not good enough to play in the NHL next season. However, there are plenty of d-men in the NHL that excel offensively that have never gotten very good defensively - we have one on the Hawks who wears #56. But, the difference between Gustafsson and Boqvist is that Gustafsson is 10 years older and hence has the strength of a 28 year old - whereas Boqvist is still just 18 and growing out of his boy's body. Boqvist should get stronger next season as a 19 year old and again as a 20 year old. Hopefully the Hawks don't get wowed by his offense and start him in the NHL until he's gotten stronger and more capable of playing against grown men.

But were the along the lines of "top prospect bovquist isn't disappointing" or "top prospect bovquist is challenging for an NHL blue line earlier than expected"
- Slofire94

They didn't extrapolate as to when Boqvist would impact the NHL, but they were analysis of his performance, things like: "Boqvist is getting better as the season progresses", "his role on the team is growing", and "he's wowing in the playoffs".

I'm not advocating that Boqvist should play in the NHL next season btw - I just thought it odd someone said their was a lack of reports of his growth when there def was. It's like if a lot of stuff is written about a player it gets labeled "hype" but if it's quieter but still positive it's like the player is written off lol.

There was also a bit more focus on his defensive growth in particular at the end of the season. Here is a direct quote from Knights assistant coach Dylan Hunter from March: “He’s really bought into our defensive strategies and how to be a defenseman and play that 200-foot game. He’s done a really good job of it.”

Imo it's not Boqvist's lack of defensive skills that are holding him back from being NHL ready so much so that he's just still really young and so needs to mature a bit more physically. That's just something that takes time. That's why I think the AHL is the perfect next step for him: get him into a more physical league, let him work on getting stronger closer to home, allow for a call-up to get a taste of the NHL if needed...

The good news is the same report implied the more realistic landing spot was Nashville with there being mutual interest between player and team. It would suck to have to play against him so much but better he done piss yellow to match his on-ice attitude.
- L_B_R

well done!!!

hawks and corey perry....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I can't see any reason to pass on Byram as the pick at #3. The 3rd best player in the draft and also a #1 D in the making, which none of the "Four Horsemen" can claim to be. The Hawks are crazy if they go for Turcotte with any sort of "He grew up loving Toews" justification, or any other forward when the best D in the draft is staring them in the face. You can't have too much talent on your blue line in today's NHL -- look at St. Louis, Nashville, and most other Cup contenders.

And let's be real, the Hawks are delusional if they think Keith is still a number 1, he would be 5-6 on St. Louis or most other top teams. The rest of the bunch are middle to low pairing guys at best. And though Joki, Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin each have their strong points, none has the total package to be a top defender. I'm dreading the team blowing this amazing gift they've been given by drafting for "need" when they always claim to be guided by Best Player Available. Byram is both "need" and BPA. Don't screw up this opportunity, Stan and Mark Kelley...

They didn't extrapolate as to when Boqvist would impact the NHL, but they were analysis of his performance, things like: "Boqvist is getting better as the season progresses", "his role on the team is growing", and "he's wowing in the playoffs".

I'm not advocating that Boqvist should play in the NHL next season btw - I just thought it odd someone said their was a lack of reports of his growth when there def was. It's like if a lot of stuff is written about a player it gets labeled "hype" but if it's quieter but still positive it's like the player is written off lol.

There was also a bit more focus on his defensive growth in particular at the end of the season. Here is a direct quote from Knights assistant coach Dylan Hunter from March: “He’s really bought into our defensive strategies and how to be a defenseman and play that 200-foot game. He’s done a really good job of it.”

Imo it's not Boqvist's lack of defensive skills that are holding him back from being NHL ready so much so that he's just still really young and so needs to mature a bit more physically. That's just something that takes time. That's why I think the AHL is the perfect next step for him: get him into a more physical league, let him work on getting stronger closer to home, allow for a call-up to get a taste of the NHL if needed...
- L_B_R

I meant that there were a lack of reports, indicating that he was progressing faster than expected and/or would be NHL ready by next season.

Not a lack of positive reports indicating progress and growth in his over all game

Bovquist himself, even classified his projection as 3 years away from the NHL, at the time he was drafted.
Combined with his late birthday, thats more than reasonable for a future (potential) impact defenseman to come to Chicago and make a difference

I more wanted to highlight that and temper expectations that any moves in the next year or two (Maatta) had any impact on him making the team

Take the best skating C in Cozens if you think he can help at some point next year. Use some of that cap $ on Anders Lee and Brandon Tanev. Trade Anisomov, Hayden and some prospects for some D or bottom 6 help. Keep Saad. Sign Perlini & Kampf. Save some $ to resign ADB. It ain't that hard.

I like the idea of improved size, speed & strength up the middle with Toews, Strome, Cozens & Kampf. That combined with healthy Crow takes a lot of pressure off D-men.

1 - Lee, Toews, Kane
2 - Perlini, Strome, DeBrincat
3 - Saad, Cozens, Kubalik
4 - Caggulia, Kampf, Tanev

D1 - Keith, Jokijarju
D2 - Murphy, Matta
D3 - Gustafson, Seabrook

G - Crawford, Delia
- ChiTownHawkFan

Perlini on the 2nd line. No thanks. I wouldn't be upset if he only played for us when the injuries start. I'm not as infatuated by size, speed, and strength as much as brains and hands.
Where is Wedin in this as well

To play for this team, you have to really love Toews...

I do...

oh yeah?! How much???

A lot...

Right, you're in...

to paraphrase the Life of Brian as it applies to the NHL draft narrative...

Long time reader from years ago, joining the draft bandwagon and what will hopefully be the reboot of this great hawks team.

Been watching the tape, and if you think cozens is going to fill that frame out- hard to turn down. Otherwise, Dach is the real deal.

But what matters most is who’s gonna grab the torch and keep it going.
- TheDrumonMadison

Welcome to the pit of misery!!!

Corey Perry ?

Gawddammitwtf
- mrpaulish

NO....GOD PLEASE NO.....Perry has a face that you want to keep punching every time you see him.

I meant that there were a lack of reports, indicating that he was progressing faster than expected and/or would be NHL ready by next season.

Not a lack of positive reports indicating progress and growth in his over all game

Bovquist himself, even classified his projection as 3 years away from the NHL, at the time he was drafted.
Combined with his late birthday, thats more than reasonable for a future (potential) impact defenseman to come to Chicago and make a difference

I more wanted to highlight that and temper expectations that any moves in the next year or two (Maatta) had any impact on him making the team
- Slofire94

Boqvist technically said 2 to 3 years, but who knows really. I think 2 is probably closer to being ready than 3 - he's already put on a decent bit of muscle since the draft and his progress was extremely promising. Maybe not ready for this next season (outside maybe a taste), but closer than some are giving him credit imo. I always found it promising that Q seemed to want to keep him around - we all know how picky he was about his defensemen.

I do agree, though, that Maatta's signing has little to no impact on Boqvist.

They didn't extrapolate as to when Boqvist would impact the NHL, but they were analysis of his performance, things like: "Boqvist is getting better as the season progresses", "his role on the team is growing", and "he's wowing in the playoffs".

I'm not advocating that Boqvist should play in the NHL next season btw - I just thought it odd someone said their was a lack of reports of his growth when there def was. It's like if a lot of stuff is written about a player it gets labeled "hype" but if it's quieter but still positive it's like the player is written off lol.

There was also a bit more focus on his defensive growth in particular at the end of the season. Here is a direct quote from Knights assistant coach Dylan Hunter from March: “He’s really bought into our defensive strategies and how to be a defenseman and play that 200-foot game. He’s done a really good job of it.”

Imo it's not Boqvist's lack of defensive skills that are holding him back from being NHL ready so much so that he's just still really young and so needs to mature a bit more physically. That's just something that takes time. That's why I think the AHL is the perfect next step for him: get him into a more physical league, let him work on getting stronger closer to home, allow for a call-up to get a taste of the NHL if needed...
- L_B_R

So Boqvist is eligible to play in the AHL under 20 because he was on a SHL team when he was drafted and not a CHL team?

Sour Cream & Onion, BBQ, Cheddar, or Original Potato Chips for tomorrow night?
- EnzoD

YES...Yes...to ALL potato chips!!!! mmmmmm....munchies!!!

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/2N0Ew88

Happy Draft Day!