Could be.

Could also be that McD being gone means SB “won” the power struggle.

Who knows?
- Ogilthorpe2

Wasn't the reason McD got fired was because he defended bowman?

If the Hawks draft 9th and Askarov has been taken I like the idea of selecting Lundell. A team can never have too many centres and Strome could move to the wing if needed.
- DarthKane

Strome is not a winger they tried that with little success. Strome is also not a shutdown center so its either 2nd line center or trade him don't see him fitting any where else.

I am not a fan of Mercer .I put him behind Quinn .And I always even if equal would draft the player from the OHL 1st . At 9th or 8th I think you will be picking from a very good group #Askarov
- oldduffman

With this being a deep draft, the Hawks have the opportunity to draft a good to great player no matter whether they are lucky to draw in at 5th or stay at the projected 9th.

Obviously, don't expect Byfield or Drysdale but the best player available at 5th and 9th is still a spot where an impact player can be had.

It would be great if the Hawks could gain another 1st rounder. Again, even if that pick is in the late teens or 20s, there will still be valuable prospects there as well. They'll just take longer to develop.

Case in point: Boqvist and Beaudin from the 2018 draft.

And I know they're no longer in Chicago and their trades are sore spots in Blackhawks history, Danault and Teravainen were late 1st rounders who are now near elite at what they do.

Wasn't the reason McD got fired was because he defended bowman?
- Scott1977

I've seen theories on varying things but haven't seen that one etched in stone.

Wasn't the reason McD got fired was because he defended bowman?
- Scott1977

McD got fired because he wants to make q big splash in free agency

In case anyone is interested in the whole Dale Tallon vs Mike Smith vs Stan Bowman GM issue as it relates to the 2009-2010 Stanley Cup Winning Roster, I spent a couple of hours researching it out of curiosity and lots of time on my hands lately. Here is what I found out in a nutshell:
Number of players the GM's were responsible for either by draft, trade, waiver claim or FA signing with notable players shown in parentheses)
1) Dale Tallon - 15 players (Campbell, Hjalmarsson, Hossa, Toews, Kane, Ladd, Madden, Niemi, Sharp, Sopel, Versteeg)
2) Mike Smith - 6 players (Burish, Byfuglien, Crawford, Eager, Keith, Seabrook)
3) Bob Pulford - 6 players (Bickell, Bolland, Brouwer)
4) Stan Bowman - 4 players (Boynton, Johnsson, Ebbett and Smolenak the latter two of whom were claimed off waivers and then reclaimed by another team shortly there after for reasons I do not recall).

I have a detailed excel spreadsheet with the entire roster as well as who the GM was, and what roles Tallon and Bowman had at the time the player became a Blackhawk. I am not sure there is anyway to put that out on this site - if so let me know.

In any case, I would say the data supports the fact that the team as constructed under four GM's is primarily due to Tallon with Mike Smith and Pulford in 2nd and 3rd place.

NHL's latest version of a draft before the resumption of the regular season.

Highlights -
Looking at around June 5 for the draft.
Draft position based on the team's point percentage.
There will be only one lottery winner with that winner limited to moving up only 4 spots.

So if Hawks are 9th in point percentage, they can only move as high as fifth.

https://www.spectorshocke...fee-headlines-may-2-2020/
- boilermaker100

Let's just say that this is what Uncle Gary is pushing for so he very well may get it.

I started throwing the player scouting reports up on DraftSite, and this two finger typist certainly could use An LL of you to read them and find the thousand typos and PM here, so O can fix them and look semi-legit.

Here is the present list of Hawk picks on the site:
https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/chicago/75/2020/

and you can just go there and click on any player and I think I have the first rounds up pretty well.
Enjoy!

(hey and dont kill the messenger b/c I just listed the 7 rounds in the best player available mode like I was the team each time)...yeah I know the hawks didn't take any defenseman (and teams TRY and make sure they add at all positions each year) but right now, I m just trying to walk through a top 217....

In case anyone is interested in the whole Dale Tallon vs Mike Smith vs Stan Bowman GM issue as it relates to the 2009-2010 Stanley Cup Winning Roster, I spent a couple of hours researching it out of curiosity and lots of time on my hands lately. Here is what I found out in a nutshell:
Number of players the GM's were responsible for either by draft, trade, waiver claim or FA signing with notable players shown in parentheses)
1) Dale Tallon - 15 players (Campbell, Hjalmarsson, Hossa, Toews, Kane, Ladd, Madden, Niemi, Sharp, Sopel, Versteeg)
2) Mike Smith - 6 players (Burish, Byfuglien, Crawford, Eager, Keith, Seabrook)
3) Bob Pulford - 6 players (Bickell, Bolland, Brouwer)
4) Stan Bowman - 4 players (Boynton, Johnsson, Ebbett and Smolenak the latter two of whom were claimed off waivers and then reclaimed by another team shortly there after for reasons I do not recall).

I have a detailed excel spreadsheet with the entire roster as well as who the GM was, and what roles Tallon and Bowman had at the time the player became a Blackhawk. I am not sure there is anyway to put that out on this site - if so let me know.

In any case, I would say the data supports the fact that the team as constructed under four GM's is primarily due to Tallon with Mike Smith and Pulford in 2nd and 3rd place.
- FourOrr

I am pretty sure bowman brought Niemi in, and the flaw in this logic is Mark Kelley made the picks since 2008...the general mangers just sat back and trusted the chief scout..or didn't ala dale Tallon with Beach over the recommendations of Kelley...but other years, the decision was basically aligned with Kelley's

I am pretty sure bowman brought Niemi in, and the flaw in this logic is Mark Kelley made the picks since 2008...the general mangers just sat back and trusted the chief scout..or didn't ala dale Tallon with Beach over the recommendations of Kelley...but other years, the decision was basically aligned with Kelley's
- wiz1901

Wiz, do you recall who Kelley wanted over Beach?

Whatever they do the 2020 draft will be different. Maybe they allow only trading draft picks. Maybe they reopen the trade deadline with some restrictions.

I know the owners will want to do whatever makes the most money. But I still say shut down the season. Hold the draft virtually in late June. Start free agency in early July and resume hockey in the fall.
- DarthKane

Wiz, do you recall who Kelley wanted over Beach?
- AEL_Fox

I wasn't privy to that...just that Tallon pushed and pushed.

Could be.

Could also be that McD being gone means SB “won” the power struggle.

Who knows?
- Ogilthorpe2

Danny won the power struggle.

I'm on the fence with Lundell. He does project to be a solid NHL center with 2C as his ceiling but likely may top out as a really good 3C with capacity to play top 6 as needed.

Thinking that Lundell could be similar to Danault or Jere Lehtinen (I know he was a winger, not center) as far as stellar 3-zone play and 40-50 point potential.

Although I'd much rather strive for a top 6 forward or top 3 defender at the 9 spot (whoever is BPA), Lundell does seem to be the most able to jump to the NHL next season (as a defensive specialist as he grows his offensive game).

The other draftees around that spot likely need at least 1-2 more seasons of development.
- AEL_Fox

If we draft Lundell I am really curious to see exactly how good he is in face offs. And his scouting report how he tried to break up plays....go read that. Interesting player could be really solid. We shall see if his skating could improve a tad perhaps if he had summer pro instruction

Bowman was brought in as a numbers guy - not a judge of talent. That came with time and as Bowman said himself when he was promoted to GM, he learned a lot from how to build a team from Dale Tallon - especially on the importance of continued success in drafting and developing players.
- FourOrr

"especially on the importance of continued success in drafting and developing players."

Seems kind of obvious... Didn't need that Notre Dame degree to figure that out.

All I DO know is if only one tram can leap for over us from the group just a bit higher in the % standings, the Hawks

a) are going to have a good chance get a RERALLY good prospect.

If no one leap frogs, b)the hawks are going to get a good player,

and if the hawks 5% chance to drop to slot FIVE is the lottery winner,
c) the Hawks are going to get a good player.

and I am not so certain that the teams selecting in the present 5-8 slots are going take the player the hawks see as the best one for them.

Not saying goaler either...just that the guy they may really like may be there... thought to be selected in the fifth spot on, by draft prognosticators but not necessarily by the real NHL scouting staffs ....

I totally understand why they would alter the lotto...and for the hawks, it comes as an opportunity to stay in a nice area without getting kicked bak several spots by lotto lucky teams behind them...

With this being a deep draft, the Hawks have the opportunity to draft good to great player no matter whether they are lucky to draw in at 5th or stay at the projected 9th.

Obviously, don't expect Byfield or Drysdale but the best player available at 5th and 9th is still a spot where an impact player can be had.

It would be great if the Hawks could gain another 1st rounder. Again, even if that pick is in the late teens or 20s, there will still be valuable prospects there as well. They'll just take longer to develop.

Case in point: Boqvist and Beaudin from the 2018 draft.

And I know they're no longer in Chicago and their trades are sore spots in Blackhawks history, Danault and Teravainen were late 1st rounders who are now near elite at what they do.
- AEL_Fox

If they land at #5!I am offering something pretty good to get one spot higher if that is where Drysdale goes. Eventually you could trade one of your dmen, say Beaudin but after he starts to be established in the NHL. Try to fetch a top forward for him. Whatever. But Drysdale, Boqvist and Mitchell would play big minutes as they each ripen into the player their ceiling calls for. In the new age NHL where dmen drive the play you can't ask for three better young studs. Drysdale so close to the 5th pick I would start with Saad and a #2 just to switch picks.

If we draft Lundell I am really curious to see exactly how good he is in face offs. And his scouting report how he tried to break up plays....go read that. Interesting player could be really solid. We shall see if his skating could improve a tad perhaps if he had summer pro instruction
- jhawk59

https://www.draftsite.com...ayer/anton-lundell/31985/

I think a team ahead has their eye on him so that means a another good player rotates not slot 9


If he cant win them, the Russian winger I have them selecting in the 3rd round will:

https://www.draftsite.com...yer/bogdan-trineev/36157/

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/anton-lundell/31985/

I think a team ahead has their eye on him so that means another good player rotates not slot 9


If he cant win them, the Russian winger I have them selecting in the 3rd round will:

https://www.draftsite.com...yer/bogdan-trineev/36157/
- wiz1901

If they land at #5!I am offering something pretty good to get one spot higher if that is where Drysdale goes. Eventually you could trade one of your dmen, say Beaudin but after he starts to be established in the NHL. Try to fetch a top forward for him. Whatever. But Drysdale, Boqvist and Mitchell would play big minutes as they each ripen into the player their ceiling calls for. In the new age NHL where dmen drive the play you can't ask for three better young studs. Drysdale so close to the 5th pick I would start with Saad and a #2 just to switch picks.
- jhawk59

And replace Saad with...?

If they land at #5!I am offering something pretty good to get one spot higher if that is where Drysdale goes. Eventually you could trade one of your dmen, say Beaudin but after he starts to be established in the NHL. Try to fetch a top forward for him. Whatever. But Drysdale, Boqvist and Mitchell would play big minutes as they each ripen into the player their ceiling calls for. In the new age NHL where dmen drive the play you can't ask for three better young studs. Drysdale so close to the 5th pick I would start with Saad and a #2 just to switch picks.
- jhawk59

The thought that a team is trading out of a top 4 spot is unrealistic...the team trading out would have to justify their trade down in the form of the Saad or whomever puts a concrete target on that GM, the player (Saad) and all you need to happen is the guy taken in their original slot to have earlier success than the guy the team out takes later, and your franchise is cooked wit bad PR from their fan base.[/I]
(Holy Forsberg to Nashville...good thing the Capitals won a Cup despite this trade AND Forsberg still hasn't been dominant.)

I happen to like many of the players sitting in the slots on my board up to #13 (and past) including one nice USA defenseman whose daddy was a big leaguer...

I don't think any one should rely on Central Scouting, Bob McKenzie 12 apostle scouts, Craig Button, Scott Wheeler, Corey Prohman, my NHL Draft, talkathon, or me for that matter as the "experts" this time around.
I am not going to let myself be influenced, and I am fairly certain that the class is strong past 20 thick into second round with guys who will play in the league...

I wasn't privy to that...just that Tallon pushed and pushed.
- wiz1901

No worries, just curious.

If we draft Lundell I am really curious to see exactly how good he is in face offs. And his scouting report how he tried to break up plays....go read that. Interesting player could be really solid. We shall see if his skating could improve a tad perhaps if he had summer pro instruction
- jhawk59

Being great at breaking up plays will be a plus for Lundell to have staying power in the NHL. The question is more so on his offensive upside.

If Lundell is a defensive stalwart but can only put up Kruger-like numbers, then that would retrospectively be seen as a "wasted" pick at the 9th spot.

But if he generates offense around a 0.67 PPG clip while being lights out in his own zone, then selecting him in the 9th spot would be another gem.

Then if he is somewhere in the middle offensively, taking him 9th would be okay because the Hawks get a strong 3C but the team could have done better (retrospectively) especially with a lack of top 6 forwards in the pipeline.

And replace Saad with...?
- Ogilthorpe2

Glorious cap space.

With this being a deep draft, the Hawks have the opportunity to draft good to great player no matter whether they are lucky to draw in at 5th or stay at the projected 9th.

Obviously, don't expect Byfield or Drysdale but the best player available at 5th and 9th is still a spot where an impact player can be had.

It would be great if the Hawks could gain another 1st rounder. Again, even if that pick is in the late teens or 20s, there will still be valuable prospects there as well. They'll just take longer to develop.

Case in point: Boqvist and Beaudin from the 2018 draft.

And I know they're no longer in Chicago and their trades are sore spots in Blackhawks history, Danault and Teravainen were late 1st rounders who are now near elite at what they do.
- AEL_Fox

If the HAWKS got to 5 ,it would be tough to take Askarov there .Still a lot think NJ may as they have another pick in the 1st .Taking Askarov there for the HAWKS would be a heck of pick, leaving players who may still be on the table like Drysdale Raymond Holtz Rossi .I don't think I would take Askarov over any of them .
Maybe the HAWKS could swing a deal for one of the Rangers 1st picks + .Move Saad and a second ,if they are so inclined to move Saad . I have heard his name mentioned in rumors .

And replace Saad with...?
- Ogilthorpe2

Saad is too good of an established player to make that kind of trade for a prospect/suspect. Nylander would be the guy!