Saad is too good of an established player to make that kind of trade for a prospect/suspect. Nylander would be the guy!
- rpeters01

Yes Saad is a very good player ,and Nylander would make more sense for the HAWKS in a perfect world . Saad is older and maybe looking for a sizable increase in pay after next year . Nylander is younger and far cheaper ,he has skill to burn if he ever reaches his potential .That's a big IF .The difference between potential and money is beyond my pay grade .

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

Bowman was assistant GM and Tallon was the GM when Niemi was signed as a free agent on May 5th, 2008. I agree that the GM's listen to what the head amateur scouts, in this case Mark Kelley, recommend. All I did was compile the positions of Tallon, Bowman, Pulford and Smith when the player first became a Blackhawk. Usually a consensus decision is made by the staff but the GM has the final call.

Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on where the Blackhawks go from here

Where do we go???...ahead....slowly....We are in a FAR better place than we were 2-3 years ago...and by leaps and bounds...not just by a little bit.


Here is a partial list off the top of my head of "Under 25" guys we have. It is incredible compared to past years. Even though only SOME of these guys will pan out, it is still an impressive list of young talent. We DO need to find the "Goalie" of the future, either by trade, FA signing or a future draft pick...and maybe one or two more impactful forwards....still. Not many teams in the league have as many good young 18-24 year olds as these guys:

Beaudin
Boqvist
Mitchell
Fortin
Kurachev
Dach
Kubalik
Nylander
Krys
Carlsson
DeBrinCat
Vlasic
Strome
Barrett
Entwhistle

Not all will make it or be stars....but....a VAST improvement over the last 3 years!

Stay the course...patience

Bowman was assistant GM and Tallon was the GM when Niemi was signed as a free agent on May 5th, 2008. I agree that the GM's listen to what the head amateur scouts, in this case Mark Kelley, recommend. All I did was compile the positions of Tallon, Bowman, Pulford and Smith when the player first became a Blackhawk. Usually a consensus decision is made by the staff but the GM has the final call.
- FourOrr

We have no argument...I just thought Niemi was a Cristobal Huet insurance policy that happened after the Huet acquisition....was far from sure....just knew that Stan refused to answer me at that first convention as to what If / when when Huet was over fatigued by playoff time as he had never paid that many games ever...


I simply didn't recall Niemi in the system prior...that is all...all good.

Yes Saad is a very good player ,and Nylander would make more sense for the HAWKS in a perfect world . Saad is older and maybe looking for a sizable increase in pay after next year . Nylander is younger and far cheaper ,he has skill to burn if he ever reaches his potential .That's a big IF .The difference between potential and money is beyond my pay grade .
- oldduffman

When I suggested a hypothetical trade based solely upon the Blackhawks fortune to land the 5th selection in the 2020 Entry Draft, the question to fill in the blanks is going to be determined by what Chicago is willing and able to part with but moreover what renumeration would honestly interest a team holding the #4 pick.

Wiz has said that there is no way a top four drafting team trades down. I respect wiz tremendously and do.not expect such a trade actually happens.

I will add this caveat though that Ottawa could move down.one or two spots with them trading the second of their top picks. And whomever drafts at #4 ....to move down one spot..... sure I realize it is a buyers market.and a heavy price tag would be affixed.

So just because for once I want to dream since we would be so close to Drysdale selection spot in the draft....

If YOU were in the shoes of the other GM and you pass on adding a ready or close to ready for NHL talent like Drysdale - a kid whom may not come along with all his skill and demeanor for maybe a couple or more drafts - certainly not likely for your team to be in position to draft a Drysdale type down the road - just what package do you accept

I had suggested Saad for two reasons. His salary cap hit after this season per his role is definitely too high before the Corona era and surely since the Corona will greatly impact revenue and salary cap numbers

Also you have to give to get. All teams desire big fast wing position players bursting down ice who just happen to be responsible, defensive players.too.

We have some of the Saad qualities in young players like Hagel, Entwhistle, Highmore even Fortin. They need to play and keep developing. Give them an opportunity and they will be like hungry wolves looking for an opportunity. Whether they ever meet or exceed Saad level is unknown. But you have depth in numbers whom could replace Saad.

I do not know how much you have to give to land the draft spot for Drysdale. I included a #2 2020. Being respectful of wiz opinion, I will not consider what else as sweeteners makes this trade possible. My suggestion was only a starting point, a what if.

Furthermore I had broached this exchange of picks a couple or so months ago and wiz shot it down. But oh so sweet if only Drysdale/Boquist/Mitchell led the defense. I even dreamed that Carlsson and Moberg and either Beaudin or Kyrs round out that blueline. Fantasy I suppose if Strat o matic or Face Off board games still exist and you could have a computer play the games

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....
- wiz1901

Wiz,

You should have someone over at the draftsite.com site correct Lundell's birthday. It's listed as November 3, 1993. I can't believe a 27 year old is being drafted.

I don’t see how you could do any trades of NHL roster players if the draft is June 5th because:

1) the current season hasn’t ended ( including playoffs). If you trade a player from a current roster that is playing, and is traded, which team does he play for? His current team or his new one. Hasn’t the trade deadline passed for this season.

2) UFA’s, RFA’s. All contracts end on June 30’th. Are you trading for a UFA,s rights. How can you trade for an Unsigned RFA not having a clue of:

3). What salary cap do you have to work with next year, and in future years ( that big pot of gold TV contract might have turned into a bronze. ESPN (Disney) was cutting costs before COVID. They are not going to throw big money at an NHL contract with the huge losses they have in there other businesses. All entertainment Companies (Fox, Comcast, etc.) have much lighter pocket books than they had a few months ago.

Yes Saad is a very good player ,and Nylander would make more sense for the HAWKS in a perfect world . Saad is older and maybe looking for a sizable increase in pay after next year . Nylander is younger and far cheaper ,he has skill to burn if he ever reaches his potential .That's a big IF .The difference between potential and money is beyond my pay grade .
- oldduffman

Can’t have a team full of all high skill/low grit type guys though. Need balance, and right now, this team needs more Saad types, not fewer, to achieve the kind of balance that wins...especially in the playoffs.

One last thing on the draft, especially THIS 2020 draft:

As a team, you want to use your slot to provide your team with the first chance to get what you think you need more of.

You need more ______ , you now have a chance to get the prices commodity that you have scouted, vetted, and projected as a "need filling youngster" no matter if you have to wait.

Taking Kirby Dach is an excellent example.

No matter what all these draft sites say or have written about the astounding abilities of this kid or that one, the biggest trigger has to be, "Can we get a guy that we need before he is gone?"

It might seem odd that prospects like Trevor Zebras, Cole Caufield are still around at their #9 and 16 spots to be plucked...
you have to see the selections of Turcotte (a jackknife centre for a rebuilding Kings), a Mo Seider (big strong edgy with upside to last), Cozens (again a clear big quick kid who helps you for a long time as a pro), and Philip Broberg (just a solid skating all around bigger defender, no matter if he becomes an offensive force or not)...

as teams who are attempting to climb out of non playoff standings and get them some of what they are sure they won't be able to get later in the draft unless there is a sleeper that are fortunate to take and he blossoms by way of his attributes/attitude and abilities as a late bloomer.

My point is don't dismiss a kid like Dylan Holloway who has elite lateral movement, can take a pass at top speed, and is strong on the puck, very smart and handle the puck like it is on a string.
Oh this 8 gals he scored and 9 assists trouble you in his initial college season in Wisconsin?

...but...Lucas Raymond's 4 goals and 10 points in the top Swedish league are ok to you?...

...or Alexander Holtz's 9 goals and 16 points and the taste from international competition has sold you?...

...or for that matter the German kid 7 goals and 34points as winger / centre in the German pro?...

...does that dismiss the great point totals of North American Junior players Zary in the dub, Quinn in the OHL, or Marvic Bourque in the Q ?

My entire point is all those teams in rebuilds are not focusing on simply what we have seen of these kids. They are thinking, well, we really can use ______ this facet, and ______ because we haven't seen it emerge from our past draft selections.

So don't try and get caught up in the lists, the outside hypes and even the successes they youngsters have had so far.

Their soon to be new pro teams are viewing them as "close to certain" pros and they are trying to ferret out as much as they prospects can elevate their team's current personal as much as evaluate if the talent in place can bring out the best (and still developing) parts of their current games to see them emerge as dominant in the nHL much like the Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov ascends from rookie prospect, to emerging talent to eventually a impact dominate force as a pro player.

That in my humble opinion is the goal each and every NHL team is trying to decide...not just look at the Central Scouting Service list and say, what name is next?

Wiz,

You should have someone over at the draftsite.com site correct Lundell's birthday. It's listed as November 3, 1993. I can't believe a 27 year old is being drafted.
- boilermaker100

That "someone" is me...only me.

That's why I need you guys to be my proof readers.

I don't know how that 199 got in front of the 3. that was 200 3, and I do know that the month was all me typing a 10 and not an 11...

The other thing is the readers are able to help by adding the guys to upcoming drafts and I hate it when they do, because they rarely do the births and every guy gets entered as from USA, and I ma happy you are are excited as me, but I dunno why right now I want to add the 17 Latvian players you want to the 2022 group....

I used to never do the birthdates but then when you start having TWO Sebastian Aho's at the same time you need them, and the Russian names well between translation and the abundance of Ks...s's and z's...that birthdate is my identify.

Thank ou sincerely for letting me change that...u can alway PM here with the next 99 typos that you find, b/c I know my brain works faster than my two fingers...

Yes Saad is a very good player ,and Nylander would make more sense for the HAWKS in a perfect world . Saad is older and maybe looking for a sizable increase in pay after next year . Nylander is younger and far cheaper ,he has skill to burn if he ever reaches his potential .That's a big IF .The difference between potential and money is beyond my pay grade .
- oldduffman

I’m a Saad fan, but if he wants a sizable increase, then I’m sure that he will be traded. If Saad is willing to take a reasonable AAV, then he should stay, as one of the things that this team is missing is another one or two 200’ players, the last thing we need is one less 200’ forward.

I’m a Saad fan, but if he wants a sizable increase, then I’m sure that he will be traded. If Saad is willing to take a reasonable AAV, then he should stay, as one of the things that this team is missing is another one or two 200’ players, the last thing we need is one less 200’ forward.
- Angotti

I’m a Saad fan too but I think he’s wearing a different jersey before his current contract runs out.

I’d love to see Saad stay, from the on-ice perspective that’s the right thing to do. I don’t think the Hawks will give Saad a long term, high-prices contract that carries him into his mid-30s.

I don't see Saad getting a big increase on his next contract. Saad is a known quantity now. He will be 29 at the start of his next contract. He is going to get pretty much what he makes now.

I don't see Saad getting a big increase on his next contract. Saad is a known quantity now. He will be 29 at the start of his next contract. He is going to get pretty much what he makes now.
- Elbows15

Would you be willing to pay Saad $6 million per year for 5-6 years?

Aton Wedin signed with HV71(SHL) for next season. No real surprise that he’s heading back to Europe and no real loss.

Disclaimer: silly question ahead.

Anything to the story Ek has on the front page re: Hawks being one of the teams in the hunt for a Finnish d-man that has been playing in the KHL? (forgot his name already) Don't know details but unless the guy is a superstar in the making, ala Panarin, don't see the fit for the Hawks with their current d-man roster situation.

Would you be willing to pay Saad $6 million per year for 5-6 years?
- DarthKane

Yes, I would. The next 5-6 years should be prime-time years for Saad, who has the size and speed to not get worn down over the years. He provides the overall game that in the total picture is commensurate with a ~$6M salary.

Disclaimer: silly question ahead.

Anything to the story Ek has on the front page re: Hawks being one of the teams in the hunt for a Finnish d-man that has been playing in the KHL? (forgot his name already) Don't know details but unless the guy is a superstar in the making, ala Panarin, don't see the fit for the Hawks with their current d-man roster situation.
- EbonyRaptor

I haven't seen anywhere the Hawks are in on him.

He looks destined for NYR or NJ.

Aton Wedin signed with HV71(SHL) for next season. No real surprise that he’s heading back to Europe and no real loss.
- DarthKane

Just saw that. Figured he was Europe-bound.

Theo and I will have a IceHogs recap and early preview in the coming weeks once some sort of decision on hockey is made.

Disclaimer: silly question ahead.

Anything to the story Ek has on the front page re: Hawks being one of the teams in the hunt for a Finnish d-man that has been playing in the KHL? (forgot his name already) Don't know details but unless the guy is a superstar in the making, ala Panarin, don't see the fit for the Hawks with their current d-man roster situation.
- EbonyRaptor

I say he worth a Look ,HAWKS have been doing ok with players coming over in this fashion, good scouting .And can never have to many defenseman can you .

Saad is a very good player now ,and I am a fan . If the HAWKS could get another 1st RD. pick in ' THIS ' draft I would deal him and a second for a 1st and maybe a B prospect . Time marches on .

Yes Saad is a very good player ,and Nylander would make more sense for the HAWKS in a perfect world . Saad is older and maybe looking for a sizable increase in pay after next year . Nylander is younger and far cheaper ,he has skill to burn if he ever reaches his potential .That's a big IF .The difference between potential and money is beyond my pay grade .
- oldduffman

With everything going on and the Krieder contract in NYC, Saad will take what he's making now and "like it."

Can’t have a team full of all high skill/low grit type guys though. Need balance, and right now, this team needs more Saad types, not fewer, to achieve the kind of balance that wins...especially in the playoffs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Saad is much stronger than all the possible replacements Jhawk mentions. He is not overpaid now.

Would you be willing to pay Saad $6 million per year for 5-6 years?
- DarthKane

If at least some of your 3rd line guys aren't making $6, you're either not very good or about to be paying big increases.

With everything going on and the Krieder contract in NYC, Saad will take what he's making now and "like it."
- rpeters01

Well I don't think he will sign here then ,he will most definitely test the FA market if that the case . Some teams can offer the same contract, and nice tax breaks to boot .

With everything going on and the Krieder contract in NYC, Saad will take what he's making now and "like it."
- rpeters01

Who knows what the cap situation and associated salary levels will be in the upcoming post Covid era. Maybe $6M now equates to $4M in a year or two.