Also there is also a huge difference between a player having grounded confidence rather than unjustified arrogance. Dach has said about himself that he put the Saskatoon Blades on his back. Well the other players may have had a say in whatever minor success was achieved, including those who had more points than him.

Byram is going to be a star. So is Turcotte, so is Cozens. Dach is going to be too slow to succeed and his 26 goals in Junior will never be reached in the NHL.
- Z3Hawk

Didn't Dach's head coach state he was the best player they've ever had? And he was a pleasure to work with, a true team player?

I think we should run with that storyline vs. analysts, fans, bloggers opinions. It's acknowledging the weight of opinion of a person (the head coach) who has spent many months with the player, including hundreds of hours off the ice. To me, his opinion should be integrated into our overall assessments.

Careful, you don't want to sound to much like VopatsRash's brother.

Alex Vlasic

Chicago-area defensive prospect with fluid feet and lots of size already. Still raw, but quickly advancing as an all-around force on the backline. This a tall USA defender with an excellent overall skill package. Has a high panic threshold and stays cool under pressure, never scrambling and throwing pucks away. A sharp outlet passer in transition and when in the attack zone, he reads the attack well and uses his strong wrists to deliver precise passes. Takes away centre ice and closes his gaps well in the back pedal. Closes off passing lanes and reacts to what is happening in the moment. Will break out in transition and make good decisioned outlets, and occasional home-run pass. But isn't looked at as a future NHL mailman as an attacker. Is good offensively from the blue line and makes plays back there. Committed to Boston College.
- wiz1901

Thanks wiz

Any profile on him? How is his mobility etc..
- Scott1977

Read what Wiz posted. He has a ton of upside potential and many thought he was a 1st rounder. Its a great value at 43.

I will add he is continuing to progress every game.. Needs time to become comfortable with his size like most big men. College will be good for him.

Lots of smoke leading into this draft but not a lot of trade fire. I am curious what Stan has up his sleeve since Carolina made out like bandits in the marleau trade

Still holding out hope for something woth Vegas.

Vegas has not dumped abyone yet right? They will have to.
- mrpaulish

Darren Dreger
‏Verified account @DarrenDreger
31m31 minutes ago

Keep an eye on Vegas. With Karlsson extension looming, teams are expressing interest in Nikita Gusev. Can the Golden Knights afford to sign him?

https://www.eliteprospect...player/75169/nikita-gusev

Lots of smoke leading into this draft but not a lot of trade fire. I am curious what Stan has up his sleeve since Carolina made out like bandits in the marleau trade
- ikeane

They got a late 1st and a 7th. Not exactly bandit worthy. And have to spend 6M to do it.

Hayden traded for Q
- I Am The Breadman

Did the Hawks really need to make this Trade now? Had Stan waited he would have got much more for Hayden.

I haven't noticed anyone mention this (if they have, forgive me, I missed the post), but did ya'll take a close look at Tyler's post of Dach's highlight video? I mean real close. Like jump to 2:29-43 on the timeline.

Puck comes around boards to defender. He and his 2 teammates are only ones in video. Strangely, the defender is looking over his shoulder to check on something. Within a second, 'super slow' Dach comes blitzing around net into video, heading full speed to the defender. Within seconds, he comes from behind and "forced the steal" per the announcers. Puck gets knocked into middle of ice, where now it's Dach and 4 opponents, including the defender, all whom have a fair chance to get to puck (still none of Dach's teammates showing in video). But 'super slow' Dach somehow beats all 4 players, including this defender to the puck, does a sweet move to get past one, then somehow shoots what seems like a soft shot at net, but it has nice leverage and goes over the goalies shoulder. Goalie didn't even flinch, as the puck came so quick.

In essence, Dach beats 5 players, starting with the steal, so its obvious why this is on his highlight reel.

But take a close look at the defender, the one the announcers describe Dach as having "picked the pocker of the defender along the wall" before beating him to the puck and scoring.

It's none other than #44, Bowen Byram! Bowen was so concerned about that Mack Truck coming around the boards at him that he's watching over his shoulder for his approach (vs. focused on getting the puck and moving it out of zone asap). Then he gets fleeced, gets beaten to the puck, then almost lazy like doesn't respond to continue defending.

I understand this is only 1 play, 1 highlight, but still, if this is Dach's ceiling, then it clearly shows he is vastly superior to the acknowledged best defender in this draft.

Once you watch this short video a few times, those who desired Bowen or those who still wax nostalgic about wishing he was the pick (or if you're just Scott Wheeler saying Bowen was the better pick)... this scene might soften the blow of your perceptions. This brief highlight alone shows what many have spoken of about his ability to steal/backcheck and soft hands/good shot, but it also shows what few have fully noted, the impact of a 'Mack Truck' coming around the boards has on excellent defenders such as BB.

They got a late 1st and a 7th. Not exactly bandit worthy. And have to spend 6M to do it.
- Elbows15

And $6m on the cap - they don't get any relief from buying him out as is planned. They can afford it since they're not likely to be near the cap even after paying players and signing FA. The Hawks don't have quite as much space and I hope they use some of it more this year for useful things anyway.

And it's honestly a typical cap dump type of deal - usually the price is a top pick, prospect, or young player. It's pretty much the same as the Datsyuk to Yotes trade in 2016.

Did the Hawks really need to make this Trade now? Had Stan waited he would have got much more for Hayden.
- DarthKane

Such as?

Did the Hawks really need to make this Trade now? Had Stan waited he would have got much more for Hayden.
- DarthKane

Damn Bowman always screwing up ... this is just dominoes though.

My fear is that SB actually thinks the blueline is fine...

...and camp opens with the current group.

Such as?
- boilermaker100

Loaded with sarcasm, boiler.

And $6m on the cap - they don't get any relief from buying him out as is planned. They can afford it since they're not likely to be near the cap even after paying players and signing FA. The Hawks don't have quite as much space and I hope they use some of it more this year for useful things anyway.

And it's honestly a typical cap dump type of deal - usually the price is a top pick, prospect, or young player. It's pretty much the same as the Datsyuk to Yotes trade in 2016.
- L_B_R

Exactly. That was my point. It wasn't a fleecing but business as usual.

My fear is that SB actually thinks the blueline is fine...

...and camp opens with the current group.
- ArlingtonRob

I hope not. Just adding Maata to this group is not gonna be a huge difference.
They have cap space, even with Strome and Cat's raises. I'd like to see a bold move by Bowman.

Now that you don't like Dach I like him more. He'll likely go on to a Hall of fame career
- GPHawksfan

I suggest you go place bets on that - like to see you lose money.

Hayden offers some protection to Hughes if other teams get tough with him.
- boilermaker100

It's sad if John Hayden is the enforcer to protect your franchise

Well sadly I was right concerning who the Hawks would NOT take at 3 but was totally wrong concerning who they would take. I said I did not think the Hawks would take Byram or Turcotte at 3. I also said no chance of Zegras or Caufield at 3. Didn’t think I needed to even mention Seider or Broberg. I knew Podkolzin would fall.

Dach is simply too slow to be taken at 3. A team must take an elite skater at 3. You also want a player with a huge motor, not a lazy player, which Dach has been accused of being.

Also there is also a huge difference between a player having grounded confidence rather than unjustified arrogance. Dach has said about himself that he put the Saskatoon Blades on his back. Well the other players may have had a say in whatever minor success was achieved, including those who had more points than him. Dach has also said about himself that he has an incredible Hockey IQ. Dach has also said about himself that he sees the game 2, 3, 4 moves ahead of other players, who in the WHL are all apparently dullards. Imbecile Cozens someone stumbled his way to WHL Rookie of the Year though. You’d think if this was all true Dach would have scored more than 26 goals.

The positive thing is that when he is a complete bust he apparently is so freakin’ intelligent he will immediately recognize it. You let other people talk about you.

I wanted Cozens at 3. Otherworldly skating. Also skill, leadership and unrelenting motor on O and D. However, if not Cozens I would have been very happy with Byram. Also Turcotte - could even justify Zegras or Caufield. Basically anyone but Dach. Watched lots of video on all these players and Dach by far was the least impressive and slow.

Now say hypothetically that the Hawks take Caufield, who actually fell to the Habs at 15, leaving Dach and others available. Do the Avs take Dach over Byram at 4? Absolutely not. Do the Kings take Dach over Turcotte at 5? Of course not. Do the Wings take Dach over Sieder at 6? Wings loved Sieder so no. Do the Sabres take Dach over Cozens at 7? Absolutely not given the reaction of the entire Sabres’ organization that they were so very lucky to get Cozens. Eichel was doing handstands.

This is how stupid this pick is. Bowman and Kelley should be fired. Bowman has clearly lost his mind. Even the arrogant Dach himself was stunned when his name was called. The fans in attendance were in disbelief. On Social Media this pick has been ravaged including on the Hawks’ Official Site.

Byram is going to be a star. So is Turcotte, so is Cozens. Dach is going to be too slow to succeed and his 26 goals in Junior will never be reached in the NHL. I was right in reverse about DeBrincat and myself and other shocked fans are right on Dach. Get ready to be majorly disappointed.
- Z3Hawk

This post is hilarious!

It's sad if John Hayden is the enforcer to protect your franchise
- vandymeer23

This made me laugh

This made me laugh
- RedRevenge

Vandy has some obscure ECHL guys who would be better.

Such as?
- boilermaker100

2020 first round pick.

Did the Hawks really need to make this Trade now? Had Stan waited he would have got much more for Hayden.
- DarthKane

I dont know...Quenville had 31g in the WHL which would make him better than Dach. So it's a steal....according to some

2020 first round pick.
- DarthKane

You're right, Stan should have waited.

Did the Hawks really need to make this Trade now? Had Stan waited he would have got much more for Hayden.
- DarthKane

Ha ha. Good one Darth. Keep us entertained.

Well if the Dach pick is as bad as some feel, we traded one Hayden and acquired another one.

Darth,

Caulfield still on the board