Who cares what the internet is awash with. You can judge the pick now but it's not like Dach was a stretch at 3. After the first two players there were many that were considered 3rd best and Dach was in the conversation.

To your other points in the War and Peace post:

A) Dach wasn't surprised at all. Also, if he was the arrogant wiener you claim him to be, he certainly wouldn't have been surprised.

B) The Avs seemed happy that Byram was there but how do you know they wouldn't have been just as happy with Dach or for that matter that the Kings wanted him?

It' s all just speculation on your part and reading things into the situation but most likely completely innacuarte.
- HawkintheD

I wonder if Bowman made inquiries with the teams that picked 4-7. If Byram was the best player at 3 I would think the Avs or the Wings would have made an offer for the Hawks pick especially the Wings since they drafted a d-man. I think in the end there just was a 2nd tier group that could have been picked anywhere between 3-7.

Could have traded down and gotten him. Still, I don't think there was much difference between 3rd and 9th with the players. after the top 2 it was a crapshoot. This guy could bust or do well, just like every player picked after him.
- kwolf68

I think the notion of CHI trading down was easier said than done.

The word out of last night was due to the compressed talent and degree of difference of team's draft list it was highly unlikely that trading up and down was going to happen. There was just too much unpredictability amongst teams.

The Coyotes and Flyers swung a small move... but that was it.

The Hawks wanted Dach and there was no guarantee he would be there at 5, 7 or 10.

So do you risk the guy really want and think can be an impact player for your team as soon as next year for what? An additional 2nd round pick?

It doesn't seem worth it at that point.

While I wanted B.B. I don't understand why they took this guy over Alex T. Turcotte is a vastly superior skater. In this day and age, premium value has to be placed on skating ability. That's just my take. I know it's heresy to question the Bowman cabal, but I did it.
- kwolf68

"and felt the 6-foot-4, 197-pound Dach separated himself from the rest because he plays the kind of style that wins games in both the regular season and playoffs."

That's why they took him, and I for one, am happy they are thinking this way.

For 10 years I've heard folks here female doging about Stan and his smurfs, now they take a guy who they believe will be a beast and has an NHL body already, and its a huge mistake.

We don't know that for sure. Plus, there has to be a team that wants to move up and if there's not much difference between 3 - 9 why would a team part with an asset to move up?
- DarthKane

I'm surprised you're so calm that the Hawks missed the boat on Caufield. Or maybe now you don't care about the Hawks and have become a Habs fan?

"and felt the 6-foot-4, 197-pound Dach separated himself from the rest because he plays the kind of style that wins games in both the regular season and playoffs."

That's why they took him, and I for one, am happy they are thinking this way.

For 10 years I've heard folks here female doging about Stan and his smurfs, now they take a guy who they believe will be a beast and has an NHL body already, and its a huge mistake.
- vabeachbear

One skill Dach has that hasn't been discussed or highlighted is his ability to follow the play out of the opponents end and strip the puck carrier or pick off a transition pass. There was another Blackhawk who did this very well.

I'm surprised you're so calm that the Hawks missed the boat on Caufield. Or maybe now you don't care about the Hawks and have become a Habs fan?
- paulr

Come on man. That's not cool. He's posting through tears right now and you are needling him.

"and felt the 6-foot-4, 197-pound Dach separated himself from the rest because he plays the kind of style that wins games in both the regular season and playoffs."

That's why they took him, and I for one, am happy they are thinking this way.

For 10 years I've heard folks here female doging about Stan and his smurfs, now they take a guy who they believe will be a beast and has an NHL body already, and its a huge mistake.
- vabeachbear

It's funny... the Hawks draft big, talented centre... people lose their sh*t.

Hawks draft a small kid named Alex DeBrincat a few years ago... people lose their sh*t.

Can't make everyone happy.

The reality is that we truly won't know if Davh was the right pick years to come.

Great size & skill. Would like to see him shoot more, and be a bit faster. Great pick and cannot wait to see him in the Indian Head Sweater! Love his physicality and compete. If he works on his FO% he will be in Chicago 2 years.

One skill Dach has that hasn't been discussed or highlighted is his ability to follow the play out of the opponents end and strip the puck carrier or pick off a transition pass. There was another Blackhawk who did this very well.
- paulr

Agreed Paul.

Dach's numbers don't jump out at you but his overall game is really good.

Also, the intangibles that he brings.

Stan brought it up and I've heard it elsewhere as well that Dach's ability to take his team on his back and play big, meaningful minutes is something that shouldn't go overlooked.

"and felt the 6-foot-4, 197-pound Dach separated himself from the rest because he plays the kind of style that wins games in both the regular season and playoffs."

That's why they took him, and I for one, am happy they are thinking this way.

For 10 years I've heard folks here female doging about Stan and his smurfs, now they take a guy who they believe will be a beast and has an NHL body already, and its a huge mistake.
- vabeachbear

I haven’t seen him play but what I read is his skating lacks explosiveness...not that he has a bad stride. Maybe the Hawks think they can improve his explosiveness? Look at how much more explosive D-Cat was this year. It’s not like Dach is Strome level as far as skating. If Dach and Strome can lock down 1C 2C (in 3-4 years) and the D prospects hit then this team has a great foundation for another 10 year stretch of dominance.

Team drafts size at C and people on here just complain!

Oh... and happy Draft Day #2.

Looking forward to more movement today in the trade category.

Great size & skill. Would like to see him shoot more, and be a bit faster. Great pick and cannot wait to see him in the Indian Head Sweater! Love his physicality and compete. If he works on his FO% he will be in Chicago 2 years.
- Power29

Yesterday during the draft it was discussed if he could make the team next season. The concensus was he could and that he would begin his career as a winger. If he makes it out of camp, based on ability, it may be a factor of why he was chosen?

Personally I think a junior player should finish his time in Junior and then needs time in the minors to fully develp him.

Who cares what the internet is awash with. You can judge the pick now but it's not like Dach was a stretch at 3. After the first two players there were many that were considered 3rd best and Dach was in the conversation.

To your other points in the War and Peace post:

A) Dach wasn't surprised at all. Also, if he was the arrogant wiener you claim him to be, he certainly wouldn't have been surprised.

B) The Avs seemed happy that Byram was there but how do you know they wouldn't have been just as happy with Dach or for that matter that the Kings wanted him?

It' s all just speculation on your part and reading things into the situation but most likely completely innacuarte.
- HawkintheD

The internet is also awash with flat earth theories and the Holocaust did not happen posts.

Trying to predict how an 18 year old will perform 2-3-4 years from now is an impossible task. Scouting is one of the only professions where being correct 20% of the time makes you a genius.

Go back and read the analytics LBR posted on his defensive abilities and see where there is value. Read about his edgework and movement and speed for such a big body. Think this pick may surprise many (but I’m just another internet voice trying to predict the future).

The internet is also awash with flat earth theories and the Holocaust did not happen posts.

Trying to predict how an 18 year old will perform 2-3-4 years from now is an impossible task. Scouting is one of the only professions where being correct 20% of the time makes you a genius.

Go back and read the analytics LBR posted on his defensive abilities and see where there is value. Read about his edgework and movement and speed for such a big body. Think this pick may surprise many (but I’m just another internet voice trying to predict the future).
- Revco38

But the earth is flat.

Oh... and happy Draft Day #2.

Looking forward to more movement today in the trade category.
- Tyler Cameron

Should be a interesting day, hopefully more exciting than yesterday.

He looked like Urlacher on skates....what a physical specimen
plus he has speed, Boston got one there.

It's funny... the Hawks draft big, talented centre... people lose their sh*t.

Hawks draft a small kid named Alex DeBrincat a few years ago... people lose their sh*t.

Can't make everyone happy.

The reality is that we truly won't know if Davh was the right pick years to come.
- Tyler Cameron

Just imagine what would be being posted in here had Caufield been the pick at 3...by pretty much everyone other than Darth of course.

UPDATE: hearing some stuff from Vancouver.

1) Early chatter is that the Hawks would like to move up from there 43 overall pick.

Not sure if the Hawks would move an additional pick with their 2nd rounder or if they would try to include a roster player/prospect.

2) Hawks cautious optimism that Dach can play in the NHL next year has tweaked their summer planning the last week or so. What does that mean? Hawks might have more room to take on a bad contract if Dach is only taking up 925k in their top 9.

3) Someone told me that Dach pick might be similar to Kotkaniemi. Dach has spent 3 years in the WHL and he heard a lot of chatter about him being ready physically, it just up to him on how he plays in training camp. The Habs targeted the Kotkaniemi last year and all but had him penciled in as an NHL centre. "It worked out pretty good for them and Dach's even further along physically."


.... more as I hear it.

Should be a interesting day, hopefully more exciting than yesterday.
- SaskHawkFan

It will be.

SaskHawkFan... you see Dach live a lot with the Blades this year?

Kaliyev looked crushed that he wasn't picked in the 1st round. Kid is 18. The knock is his work ethic. He has scored a load of goals for being lazy. If he takes it as motivation, someone is going to get themselves one pissed off motivated 2nd round pick.
- Elbows15

Saw him play in Hamilton this year, and he has a great shot. However, most of the game he looked disinterested, which has been the knock on him. He has real talent but I think many look at him as Ho Sang 2.0.

It will be.

SaskHawkFan... you see Dach live a lot with the Blades this year?
- Tyler Cameron

I will be in Moose jaw this year so have the opportunity to see him there as well as Regina and saskatoon.

Scott Wheeler is a very smart man and knows his hockey. Historically right. He is dead-on that Dach was a mistake. He isn’t alone in this thinking. The internet is awash with criticism of this pick.
- Z3Hawk

Is he the James Tanner of the Athletic?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hawks move up to grab one of these guys. Maybe Kaliyev or Lavoie.
- DarthKane

Looks like Ottawa has first pick in rd 2 and with them having so many needs maybe they accept a deal for more picks. But yea seems like 50+ goal guy Kaliyev will, and should, be a target for a lot of clubs. .......... Hurts that the Hawks don't have a 3rd rd pick if they are looking to move up.

Was hoping like hell they got out with Beecher in rd 2 but really that was a pipe dream. Kid is a beast and deserved to go rd 1. Same for Dman Johnson, those 2 were targets for me personally.

Deep draft so there should be a solid player for the taking at #45. ....... The Hawks have to find a difference maker like a Hammer in the later rounds.

Come on man. That's not cool. He's posting through tears right now and you are needling him.
- HawkintheD

Don’t worry, I’ll keep my tremendous and crippling grief internalized.

Although Dach wasn’t my first choice I am interested to watch his development. If he develops into his potential this will be a home run for Stan. We’re likely a few years away from having any idea though.

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

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