I think it's usually a bad idea to assess the efficacy of a program based on one-off circumstances, such as the way the draft is done this year when basically everyday life has turned into a one-off circumstance.

My assessment of the method used to conduct the NHL entry draft is about as good as it can get given the various concerns that have been addressed over the years. Putting this one-off draft aside, I think the draft format is just fine and doesn't need to be changed. Is it perfect? Of course not - no human endeavor is ever perfect and seeking perfection is an act of futility and usually injurious to the process attempting to be corrected. Just leave things alone and drop the puck already.

True. It's unfortunate the albatross contract often obscures Seabrook's vital contributions to the 3 Cup winning teams.
- EbonyRaptor

Here’s hoping that his surgeries help him regain some mobility, and that his shoulder is healed for contact in front of the net as well as the corners. He was obviously a liability the last year or two, as he was avoiding contact due to shoulder and hip injuries. If healthy he will not be 2015 Seabrook, but he will contribute as a solid NHL defenseman.

Definitely not a Trumper.
- rpeters01

You brought political discussion into this thread with your Elizabeth Warren comment. Wiz responded and now you continue the political discourse. Did you have a purpose in doing this or was it a complete disdain for others posting on here having to wade through inappropriate political commentary?

I think it's usually a bad idea to assess the efficacy of a program based on one-off circumstances, such as the way the draft is done this year when basically everyday life has turned into a one-off circumstance.

My assessment of the method used to conduct the NHL entry draft is about as good as it can get given the various concerns that have been addressed over the years. Putting this one-off draft aside, I think the draft format is just fine and doesn't need to be changed. Is it perfect? Of course not - no human endeavor is ever perfect and seeking perfection is an act of futility and usually injurious to the process attempting to be corrected. Just leave things alone and drop the puck already.
- EbonyRaptor

Your point is well thought out. I do however think the nhl imo should have scrapped the season . They seemed to be so mired in this notion of finishing out the season with the playoffs. To me it's almost July and with no real definitive start date for the playoffs or hiub cities locked down , it just seems a bit of a stretch .

I'd prefer if they put more consideration for addressing next season and the main driving factors a salary cap set in stone , how many buyouts and start dates . How the league will manage schedules , flights , hotels and they do share arenas with NBA teams that needs to be factored into any scheduling , along with international players , Europe, Canadian players being allowed in.


Also what is the plan for these teams farm league players .

I just think bettman , owners and players are truly missing the bigger picture .

Your point is well thought out. I do however think the nhl imo should have scrapped the season . They seemed to be so mired in this notion of finishing out the season with the playoffs. To me it's almost July and with no real definitive start date for the playoffs or hiub cities locked down , it just seems a bit of a stretch .

I'd prefer if they put more consideration for addressing next season and the main driving factors a salary cap set in stone , how many buyouts and start dates . How the league will manage schedules , flights , hotels and they do share arenas with NBA teams that needs to be factored into any scheduling , along with international players , Europe, Canadian players being allowed in.


Also what is the plan for these teams farm league players .

I just think bettman , owners and players are truly missing the bigger picture .
- Taylorst1

The point you make is not specific to the draft this season, but it nevertheless is a conversation worth having. I agree with you that all things considered it probably would have been better to scrap the remaining 2019/20 season and spend the time and energy getting it as right as possible with how to have the 2020/21 season.

But, where money is involved the most logical thing to do isn't always the thing done. So, here we are, and from a purely selfish perspective from this rabid hockey fan who wants to see hockey - I can't say I'm sorry with the decision.

SorryNotSorry.

The point you make is not specific to the draft this season, but it nevertheless is a conversation worth having. I agree with you that all things considered it probably would have been better to scrap the remaining 2019/20 season and spend the time and energy getting it as right as possible with how to have the 2020/21 season.

But, where money is involved the most logical thing to do isn't always the thing done. So, here we are, and from a purely selfish perspective from this rabid hockey fan who wants to see hockey - I can't say I'm sorry with the decision.

SorryNotSorry.
- EbonyRaptor

I understand your point. I too enjoy hockey and its frustrating as a fan that the nhl was in such a rush to restart and have the playoffs that the league is avoiding the harsh reality and challenges for the 2020--.2021 season.


Regarding the draft I think if the nhl just went ahead and scrapped the season they could have held a real draft selection and then focused on all the major hurdles for next year.

To be honest I heard the league was looking at a start date for 2021 more or less a short season.

I understand your point. I too enjoy hockey and its frustrating as a fan that the nhl was in such a rush to restart and have the playoffs that the league is avoiding the harsh reality and challenges for the 2020--.2021 season.


Regarding the draft I think if the nhl just went ahead and scrapped the season they could have held a real draft selection and then focused on all the major hurdles for next year.

To be honest I heard the league was looking at a start date for 2021 more or less a short season.
- Taylorst1

I can do nothing but speculate and no matter how well thought out the speculation is presented - it's still nothing but a guess. But, I suspect the 2020/21 season will not be a normal 82 game season played across 6 months - trying to squeeze 10 pounds of anything into a 5 pound sack is not usually successful. So my further speculation brings me to the opinion that not only is it the wrong thing to do to restart the 2019/20 season - it will also adversely affect the 2020/21 season.

. Buttmen and his little squad of shysters definitely come up with the plan and present it to the greedy gang of owners . There is no excuse to proceed with this Mickey mouse tournament the 2019-20 season is dead and buried in the ground for 3 plus months let it go .
- oldduffman

Get a pair of rollerblades. I know I need to get a pair. I'm terrible lol. (Get a ball and a hockey stick too. You got one of those?)

This draft result just shows what a joke bettman is turning this season into .He and the rest of his incompetent gang should have been fired long ago .. This season should have been canceled when every other HOCKEY league in the world was .
Should have been draft lottery as always follow by July 1 FA and working on trying to start next season as safely as possible .Impeach bettman !!!!!!
- oldduffman

get some fresh air and cheer up...now!!!

That works for me.
- EbonyRaptor

The rebuild is structurally complete. Another high draft pick. The picks playing well (that's what our whole game plan hinges on), we already rebuilt. What else do you expect. Yes we have to replace Hossa. We can do that with a little cashola in our reserves in a year or two. Lol. Otherwise...the rebuild is here

Seabrook scored so many big goals that year.
- Elbows15

Seabrook HOF 2044

get some fresh air and cheer up...now!!!
- just69sayin

Oh I am a pretty happy person I live 5 min walk from a sandy rather empty beach and spend many hours there with some great people .
And I will continue to voice my opinion on any issue I feel like and this sham tournament and idiotic draft will be top of my list .
Life a beach

You do fine - I may have to read your stuff two or three times, but it sinks in....

I like the wheel concept - eliminates tanking, ping pong balls - let’s teams plan and make moves knowing what their draft position will be going forward....

Especially with a hard cap forcing franchises to bust up good teams - even a Cup-contender can count on a top-5 pick every 6 years to aid in the eventual rebuild. It would put more value (and pressure) on front offices to make good moves knowing future draft positions, not relying on (hoping for) the luck of the ping pong balls.
- StLBravesFan

The thing about a wheel draft is every team knows where everyone picks in each round for the entire draft in advance, so If two teams make trade that includes say a third rounder they know exactly what they are getting, no luck, and if teams can do god scouting they can never worry about when they have To say, reload on defenseman prospects, so I know team b is picking earlier in the mid first round so that is a team who is a good trade partner to GET What we want a solid defenseman prospect, etc.

Hope everyone is staying safe and doing well during these unprecedented times. Haven't been on as much as I would like and I'm a little over-caffeinated right now, but after last night I can't help but fantasize about the possibility of winning the 1-1 pick right now.

But I'm curious what your thoughts are: should lightning strike twice and the Hawks end up being big time lottery winners, are we all of a sudden in better position than we were in 2008?

Kane and Toews were obviously young budding stars; Keith, Seabrook, and Sharp were good players on the upswing. Versteeg, Ladd, Bolland, Buff, Brouwer were all 23-and-under year old forwards who would be integral supporting cast players, and the Hawks didn't have much else in the pipeline at the time.

But looking at the roster today (with AL penciled in)...

We'd have the "future 19 and 88" as franchise players in Dach and Lafrenierre (while still have the original versions as veterans). We'd have DeBrincat, Boqvist, Kubalik, Strome, Nylander as the ascending young players, perhaps Carlsson/Beaudin as well. And that's without factoring in any of the other younger players that could be vital depth options on the team like Hagel, Kampf, Highmore, etc.

Of course, just like from 2010 and on we could very well likely face cap constraints moving forward so capitalizing on what we've got would be key.

Everything could be for naught at the same time as well.

I didn't want to go too in-depth with a forecasting - especially because we don't even know how the playoffs will play out - but looking ahead at the possibility of striking gold twice in the lottery, it's hard not to fantasize.

A lot of factors - especially luck - go into the dynasty run we had, and I'm not insinuating that's what will happen, but I can't help but to feel that we'd be set up even better than we were a decade ago before the run began. All we'd need to do is to replace an inexperienced head coach with a veteran coach

Hope everyone is staying safe and doing well during these unprecedented times. Haven't been on as much as I would like and I'm a little over-caffeinated right now, but after last night I can't help but fantasize about the possibility of winning the 1-1 pick right now.

But I'm curious what your thoughts are: should lightning strike twice and the Hawks end up being big time lottery winners, are we all of a sudden in better position than we were in 2008?

Kane and Toews were obviously young budding stars; Keith, Seabrook, and Sharp were good players on the upswing. Versteeg, Ladd, Bolland, Buff, Brouwer were all 23-and-under year old forwards who would be integral supporting cast players, and the Hawks didn't have much else in the pipeline at the time.

But looking at the roster today (with AL penciled in)...

We'd have the "future 19 and 88" as franchise players in Dach and Lafrenierre (while still have the original versions as veterans). We'd have DeBrincat, Boqvist, Kubalik, Strome, Nylander as the ascending young players, perhaps Carlsson/Beaudin as well. And that's without factoring in any of the other younger players that could be vital depth options on the team like Hagel, Kampf, Highmore, etc.

Of course, just like from 2010 and on we could very well likely face cap constraints moving forward so capitalizing on what we've got would be key.

Everything could be for naught at the same time as well.

I didn't want to go too in-depth with a forecasting - especially because we don't even know how the playoffs will play out - but looking ahead at the possibility of striking gold twice in the lottery, it's hard not to fantasize.

A lot of factors - especially luck - go into the dynasty run we had, and I'm not insinuating that's what will happen, but I can't help but to feel that we'd be set up even better than we were a decade ago before the run began. All we'd need to do is to replace an inexperienced head coach with a veteran coach
- TommyHawk

Hey, Tommy. Yes, definitely a lot to be excited about even if there are still hurdles to clear. Picking #1 is not a done deal but the odds got much better.

At least as far as the forwards go, Lafreniere would really help create a formidable top 6.

The 4th line could be killer in a year or two.

It's the 3rd line that is a tad questionable as far as balancing in defense with the obvious offensive power.

Lafreniere - Dach - Kane
Saad - Toews - Kubalik
DeBrincat - Strome - Nylander
Hagel - Entwistle - Highmore

Salary cap is always a factor, too, especially as the youngsters start commanding higher-priced contracts.

Out of the 20 drafts going back to 2000, only Pittsburgh (Fleury and Crosby), Washington (Ovechkin), and Chicago (hang on - I’ll think of the name) have won a Cup with the player they selected overall #1 (St. Louis picked Eric Johnson in 2006).

And of course there’s Edmonton - 4 #1s, 3 in a row - and they’ve only been in one post-season tournament since 2010.


It takes a lot more front office skill than lucking into an overall #1 to build a consistent contender.
- StLBravesFan

It also takes bridge contracts which nobody is doing.

Hey, Tommy. Yes, definitely a lot to be excited about even if there are still hurdles to clear. Picking #1 is not a done deal but the odds got much better.

At least as far as the forwards go, Lafreniere would really help create a formidable top 6.

The 4th line could be killer in a year or two.

It's the 3rd line that is a tad questionable as far as balancing in defense with the obvious offensive power.

Lafreniere - Dach - Kane
Saad - Toews - Kubalik
DeBrincat - Strome - Nylander
Hagel - Entwistle - Highmore

Salary cap is always a factor, too, especially as the youngsters start commanding higher-priced contracts.
- AEL_Fox

Not sure if it's what I've got cooking or reading this line combination, but I've got a little bit of drool on my chin right now.

Nice article btw.

It also takes bridge contracts which nobody is doing.
- rpeters01

You are correct on that, but I have to wonder with the cap shrinking what teams will require and what players will sacrifice to stay around their present teams if the roll back I expect truly happens...

I know the hoopla is around the play-in teams getting the #1 placeholder but it can't be understated how the Kings came up big last night locking in the #2 pick.

Assuming they take Byfield, they'll be solid down the middle with Kopitar, Byfield, and Turcotte as the top 3 centers.

Similar to the Hawks where Toews likely won't be #1 center until he retires, Kopitar will be the same way for the Kings.

But they are both so strong defensively that being stellar 3Cs in the twlight of their careers while Dach/Strome and Byfield/Turcotte graduate to the top 2 is still great depth.

Not sure if it's what I've got cooking or reading this line combination, but I've got a little bit of drool on my chin right now.

Nice article btw.
- TommyHawk

Thanks, Tommy.

Even with concern about the defensive play of a line with Strome centering DeBrincat and Nylander, one solution is making sure they have favorable matchups as the Toews line and Dach line can take on tougher matchups.

Or create new lines that have the right mix of defensive awareness and offensive talent on each one. What I shared was just an example.

You are correct on that, but I have to wonder with the cap shrinking what teams will require and what players will sacrifice to stay around their present teams if the roll back I expect truly happens...
- wiz1901

If it does happen like you think it can. You have to think the GM of any team has some considerable leverage in negotiating with that said player if indeed that player wanted to stay with his current team. Could get interesting moving forward.

Tommy Blanton, dead in prison at 81.

The last surviving Ku Klux Klansman who bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL in September, 1963.

Four African-American children were killed in the blast:

Addie Mae Collins, 14
Denise McNair, 11
Carole Robertson, 14
Cynthia Wesley, 14

He wasn’t prosecuted for this until 2001 - his partners weren’t convicted until 1977 and 2002. Good Southern justice.

A true alef ha-shalom for the four girls.

Certainly none for Blanton.

. Buttmen and his little squad of shysters definitely come up with the plan and present it to the greedy gang of owners . There is no excuse to proceed with this Mickey mouse tournament the 2019-20 season is dead and buried in the ground for 3 plus months let it go .
- oldduffman

I don't feel the same as you, if they can get away with doing a tournament I'm all for it, I'm a bit weary of COVID not infecting a locker room but hell if they can get away with it it'd be great. i guess my point is this is the owners doing this if you are going to assign blame it should be all on the owners

Negative i guess that's what the truth is now negative? Honestly just by his username you shouldn't respond to him he's probably just a kid.

You should treat his posts like when someone passes gas by you in a store, you don't address them or accuse them you just walk away from the foul smell.

Your point is well thought out. I do however think the nhl imo should have scrapped the season . They seemed to be so mired in this notion of finishing out the season with the playoffs. To me it's almost July and with no real definitive start date for the playoffs or hiub cities locked down , it just seems a bit of a stretch .

I'd prefer if they put more consideration for addressing next season and the main driving factors a salary cap set in stone , how many buyouts and start dates . How the league will manage schedules , flights , hotels and they do share arenas with NBA teams that needs to be factored into any scheduling , along with international players , Europe, Canadian players being allowed in.


Also what is the plan for these teams farm league players .

I just think bettman , owners and players are truly missing the bigger picture .
- Taylorst1

Your point is well thought out. I do however think the nhl imo should have scrapped the season . They seemed to be so mired in this notion of finishing out the season with the playoffs. To me it's almost July and with no real definitive start date for the playoffs or hiub cities locked down , it just seems a bit of a stretch .

I'd prefer if they put more consideration for addressing next season and the main driving factors a salary cap set in stone , how many buyouts and start dates . How the league will manage schedules , flights , hotels and they do share arenas with NBA teams that needs to be factored into any scheduling , along with international players , Europe, Canadian players being allowed in.


Also what is the plan for these teams farm league players .

I just think bettman , owners and players are truly missing the bigger picture .
- Taylorst1

We know what drives the personality and the business acumen of the wealthy: It is all about money. So it should be no surprise as we have heard that the NHL (and assume the owners) do not want to return monies already paid for games yet to be played to the amalgam.of cable and or TV .

A couple other points go hand - in - hand with that - most notable may be the desire from the nhl/owners to have a friendly relationship and therefore not a bad taste in negotiating the next network contract.

Well yeah this is not a good thing to play hockey in warm weather amidst the economic woes due to Covid19. But you know the elitist wealthy only care about money and prefer to push for their way. I really believe the players are divided on this issue but if the league continues the season obviously the players association is thumbs up with it.

I suggest that most folks want entertainment and although not thrilled will enjoy the continuation of a season. Myself I am so wishing that the NHL draft was not postponed. And I really wonder whom the next President will be btw. It is said patience is a virtue, eh? Oh what an understatement if Lafraniere skates for a mid level team like the Penguins and not for one of the worse teams in the league next season