I just got the 'Future Watch' edition of the Hockey News, the Hawks top prospect - Ian Mitchell at 80th overall. The Islanders top prospect - Ilya Sorokin at #22.

The other top ranked Blackhawks prospects - Beaudin (#94), Carlsson, Quenneville, Krys, Demin, Soderlund, Hagel, Kurashev and Entwistle.

The Hawks are ranked 12th overall.

The top 5 prospects - Byram, Zegras, Shesterkin, Kaprizov and Knight. Caufield is erroneously ranked #14.

Anyone think that the Hawks will sign Mitchell soon? There have been quite a few
college signings this week.

Anyone think that the Hawks will sign Mitchell soon? There have been quite a few
college signings this week.
- TJYTJY

No, the Hawks will trade him to the Islanders provided the Rangers don’t sign him first.

I just got the 'Future Watch' edition of the Hockey News, the Hawks top prospect - Ian Mitchell at 80th overall. The Islanders top prospect - Ilya Sorokin at #22.

The other top ranked Blackhawks prospects - Beaudin (#94), Carlsson, Quenneville, Krys, Demin, Soderlund, Hagel, Kurashev and Entwistle.

The Hawks are ranked 12th overall.

The top 5 prospects - Byram, Zegras, Shesterkin, Kaprizov and Knight. Caufield is erroneously ranked #14.
- DarthKane

Obviously a misprint.

No, the Hawks will trade him to the Islanders provided the Rangers don’t sign him first.
- paulr

I have a bad feeling about this. Not sure Stanley will close the deal.

I just got the 'Future Watch' edition of the Hockey News, the Hawks top prospect - Ian Mitchell at 80th overall. The Islanders top prospect - Ilya Sorokin at #22.

The other top ranked Blackhawks prospects - Beaudin (#94), Carlsson, Quenneville, Krys, Demin, Soderlund, Hagel, Kurashev and Entwistle.

The Hawks are ranked 12th overall.

The top 5 prospects - Byram, Zegras, Shesterkin, Kaprizov and Knight. Caufield is erroneously ranked #14.
- DarthKane

Wonder where Dach would be on that list, or the drafted in front of him. Really, they are kind of still prospects.

I have a bad feeling about this. Not sure Stanley will close the deal.
- TJYTJY

It's just the Kevin Hayes hangover/angst effect. I remember all the hand wringing on the board before the great Dylan Sikura eventually signed following his senior season at Northeastern. Mitchell has indicated on multiple occasions that he is looking forward to signing with the Blackhawks and hasn't given any reason to doubt his word...

Wonder where Dach would be on that list, or the drafted in front of him. Really, they are kind of still prospects.
- vabeachbear

It's a fair question. The ranking Darth listed was in line with where the Athletic had the Hawks too and that was including Boqvist with the prospects.

They didn't include Dach or Nylander, and while the Hawks don't have a lot of high end prospects in the system especially at fwd (because most or all are already up with the big club), they've graded out where they have based on the amount of players that are thought to have a shot at playing in the NHL.

At least that's how the Athletic has categorized it the last two years that they have done prospect rankings.

Wonder where Dach would be on that list, or the drafted in front of him. Really, they are kind of still prospects.
- vabeachbear

I’d guess the 55-60 range.

I have a bad feeling about this. Not sure Stanley will close the deal.
- TJYTJY

That’s a fair and reasonable concern.

I have a bad feeling about this. Not sure Stanley will close the deal.
- TJYTJY

Stanley will (frank) this up just like anything he touches. Someone here referred to him as King Midas in reverse, which is also a song by the Hollies ...

I have a felling that Mitchell will sign soon, no inside information, just a hunch.

Stanley will (frank) this up just like anything he touches. Someone here referred to him as King Midas in reverse, which is also a song by the Hollies ...
- paulr

I love their song “ Long Kool Woman” great guitar tandem

It looks like the Hawks will go into the 2020/21 season with roughly the same roster they have right now. Obviously there are unknowns with possibly new players added, the re-signings of Strome, Kubalik, Caggiula, the playing status of Seabrook, deHaan, Shaw, and the (slim) possibility to get someone in the draft that will play next season.

But with all that blowing in the wind - the team will be by and large part the team we have right now - we will still be counting on the veteran players to play to their abilities and the young players to have taken another half step or whole step forward in their development and consistency. In other words we're banking on a tweak or two and the kids getting better. I don't have a problem with this approach because what other option do they have ... really?

But, it begs the question - will it be enough? If everything comes up roses for the Hawks between now and drop of puck on the 2020/21 season - will the Hawks lineup be good enough to compete for the Cup next season? Looking at the lineup on paper doesn't inspire much hope but what isn't seen yet is the improvement of the young guys and how well Mitchell will play.

I'm optimistic.

I have a felling that Mitchell will sign soon, no inside information, just a hunch.
- Angotti

Not a chance!

Not a chance!
- paulr

What makes you say that, no insider information is the core concept around these parts ...

*not a joke at Angotti's expense

What makes you say that, no insider information is the core concept around these parts ...

*not a joke at Angotti's expense
- I Am The Breadman

Ha, no issues here, I can take it as I will dish out as well. My fighting days stopped about 40 years ago, now I’m a lover not a fighter.

I believe that everyone would agree that the NHL season - as well.as other professional leagues - has ended and there will be no playoffs. The reasons why appear fairly obvious once you look at the overall picture. Let's see if you concur with this:

* Revenue from ticket sales is at stake. Little or no revenue makes playing the games almost trite as far as the ecomic health of the teams. It could cost more to actually play the games?

* Despite a possible reduction of reported cases by July 1, there is still way too many carriers of Corona who may not be systematic. Seating in close proximity at games is not conducive to staying healthy. Both fans and their team owners should be reluctant to open the gates to fans as well as the Corona virus

* Despite quarantines and businesses closed, despite people staying home a lot, despite sanitation measures at events and regarding personal hygiene: taken all this together I do not believe majority of fans would feel safe to avoid contact with Corona virus. Reports say the virus is airborne even in a room or hallway for a few minutes after someone with the virus had coughed as they passed through that room or hallway. And even if airborne the virus is less likely to be passed on, this is yet another red flag

* Insofar as to properly strategicly prepare for next season, the playoffs and entry draft, followed by free agency should not have a change of dateline. And how are contracts to play the games upheld if the contracts end June 30 but playoffs were to begin July 1?

* I as well as strongly believe health experts and politicians who are willing to be candid, do expect this pandemic to last for at least one year. Spikes in reported infections may occur if false belief we are past critical stage as a country persist. Re-read this last sentence fir the purpose of clarity and for emphasis. Believe it!

I actually am concerned next season begins on time. The best case scenario is fir the innoculations to work and for the innoculations carry on fir a few months....then we can start believing we have got through the worse part.

Stay healthy and be healthy everyone.

It's just the Kevin Hayes hangover/angst effect. I remember all the hand wringing on the board before the great Dylan Sikura eventually signed following his senior season at Northeastern. Mitchell has indicated on multiple occasions that he is looking forward to signing with the Blackhawks and hasn't given any reason to doubt his word...
- Davewn

People just need to look at his actions. He returned to DU because he was named Captain and he felt he owed to DU to return. Seems to me loyalty is important to him..

Some big name players who may never play another game in the NHL. Seabs and Ladd included:

https://theathletic.com/1...st-game/?source=twittered

What a way to go out for those who hang them up.

I believe that everyone would agree that the NHL season - as well.as other professional leagues - has ended and there will be no playoffs. The reasons why appear fairly obvious once you look at the overall picture. Let's see if you concur with this:

* Revenue from ticket sales is at stake. Little or no revenue makes playing the games almost trite as far as the ecomic health of the teams. It could cost more to actually play the games?

* Despite a possible reduction of reported cases by July 1, there is still way too many carriers of Corona who may not be systematic. Seating in close proximity at games is not conducive to staying healthy. Both fans and their team owners should be reluctant to open the gates to fans as well as the Corona virus

* Despite quarantines and businesses closed, despite people staying home a lot, despite sanitation measures at events and regarding personal hygiene: taken all this together I do not believe majority of fans would feel safe to avoid contact with Corona virus. Reports say the virus is airborne even in a room or hallway for a few minutes after someone with the virus had coughed as they passed through that room or hallway. And even if airborne the virus is less likely to be passed on, this is yet another red flag

* Insofar as to properly strategicly prepare for next season, the playoffs and entry draft, followed by free agency should not have a change of dateline. And how are contracts to play the games upheld if the contracts end June 30 but playoffs were to begin July 1?

* I as well as strongly believe health experts and politicians who are willing to be candid, do expect this pandemic to last for at least one year. Spikes in reported infections may occur if false belief we are past critical stage as a country persist. Re-read this last sentence fir the purpose of clarity and for emphasis. Believe it!

I actually am concerned next season begins on time. The best case scenario is fir the innoculations to work and for the innoculations carry on fir a few months....then we can start believing we have got through the worse part.

Stay healthy and be healthy everyone.
- jhawk59

A statement by Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, last week appeared in an ESPN story I saw on a Google newspage (home screen for Google if you go to Google search, scroll down and see the Corona virus story by a lady reporter)

Bettman indicated that the NHL is concerned about not doing anything this season which would interfere with the normalcy if next season.

This could be an Inferrnce to starting next season on time. This could be related to the playoffs this season and the spread of the Corona Virus.

I just got the 'Future Watch' edition of the Hockey News, the Hawks top prospect - Ian Mitchell at 80th overall. The Islanders top prospect - Ilya Sorokin at #22.

The other top ranked Blackhawks prospects - Beaudin (#94), Carlsson, Quenneville, Krys, Demin, Soderlund, Hagel, Kurashev and Entwistle.

The Hawks are ranked 12th overall.

The top 5 prospects - Byram, Zegras, Shesterkin, Kaprizov and Knight. Caufield is erroneously ranked #14.
- DarthKane

Future watch indeed. Future watching many games postponed for one season. Half of a season. Who knows.

I love their song “ Long Kool Woman” great guitar tandem
- spanky

.much better than all the crap people sing everywhere out loud while walkiing with cell phones

I expect pre college history lessons will take note of first the cell phone & tablets, their rampant popularity and technological advancement followed by the unruly disrespectful folks who sing aloud to the beat on their celly's.. And you need to be aware of those people in certain environments in particular. They may not be all together mentally ....or have a poor man filthy appearance and mouth. It's the shape of things nowadays. Disgusting. Difficult to sympathize over them

A statement by Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, last week appeared in an ESPN story I saw on a Google newspage (home screen for Google if you go to Google search, scroll down and see the Corona virus story by a lady reporter)

Bettman indicated that the NHL is concerned about not doing anything this season which would interfere with the normalcy if next season.

This could be an Inferrnce to starting next season on time. This could be related to the playoffs this season and the spread of the Corona Virus.
- jhawk59

I would favor this, even if it ended this season without an ending.

If there ever again will be an”normal” to get back to, we need to get back to it as soon as we can.

Baseball in the summer, football in the fall, basketball and hockey in the winter. Let them bleed into surrounding seasons, but not too far....

I would favor this, even if it ended this season without an ending.

If there ever again will be an”normal” to get back to, we need to get back to it as soon as we can.

Baseball in the summer, football in the fall, basketball and hockey in the winter. Let them bleed into surrounding seasons, but not too far....
- StLBravesFan

Imo if hockey is not playing by may 1st then the rest of the regular season of 10 to 12 games left will not be played. Then various playoff scenarios will be in play.