I'll have a blog out in the morning with a full analysis of the Hawks pick.

Generally, I'm fine with Reichel as the pick albeit bummed knowing there were other prospects still on the board who I liked better as best player available. Admitedly, though, I was frustrated at first but have had time to think more logically by reading his profiles again.

Honestly, the Hawks really could have done a lot worse. And I will say Reichel wasn't a bad pick by any means, just not where I expected him to be picked, i.e. would have been stoked if he was still available at the Hawks next pick in the 2nd round.
- Theo Fox

Wiz’s 2nd round prediction (Dufour) would be a solid pick tomorrow. I wouldn’t mind if they went with Blomqvist either.

As has been said we will have to wait to see how the various players pan out. My immediate thought was. Mercer was closer to the top tier and Reichel was much lower. Perhaps there was not a big difference after #12. I thought a couple players were steals where they were taken and maybe Mercer is one of those. I am just going to wait on the prospects. But also wiz will probably comment more once the draft days dust has settled. I put a lot of faith into his observations.

Meanwhile Washington freaked out and said, we will not let Lapierre get snagged just in front of our pick.
- jhawk59

Ya I liked Mercer though that was going to be the pick . Lapierre is a great talent at Center with a big injury ? hard to take a pass on him but understand why . I hope the HAWKS address the goaltending situation in the next round and grit and size in the later rounds and FA day .

Ya I liked Mercer though that was going to be the pick . Lapierre is a great talent at Center with a big injury ? hard to take a pass on him but understand why . I hope the HAWKS address the goaltending situation in the next round and grit and size in the later rounds and FA day .
- oldduffman

Needed depth at top six wing so rechiel helps that need. Going forward goaltending and compete grit speed and physicality need to be addressed up front and on the backend.

Quality move by Doug Wilson Jr to sign when drafting Weisblatt who’s mother is deaf.

Exactly. One of the reasons why I don't mind the pick and can actually get behind it when thinking more logically.

And actually not just a bonus but one of the primary reasons why he may end up being a good pick at 17th.
- Theo Fox

Blasphemy!

So the Russian smurf Marat Khusnutdinov is still on the board ... could he still be there when the Hawks pick at #46? Keeping my fingers crossed he is and the Hawks select him.

@SBekovic

Kelley says the #Blackhawks spoke to MIN, WPG and NSH in an attempt to trade up.

would it be something if Reichel became the closest incarnation of Hossa. Wonder if Wiz might say that Reichel discipline suggests we could think thus could happen. Check back later he is still only what 17 turning 18 yr old kid? By the time he gets to NHL he will likely be heavier and stronger
- jhawk59

He sounds more like Sharp which is not a bad thing.

He sounds more like Sharp which is not a bad thing.
- rpeters01

So the Russian smurf Marat Khusnutdinov is still on the board ... could he still be there when the Hawks pick at #46? Keeping my fingers crossed he is and the Hawks select him.
- EbonyRaptor

Sounds good, but I think he's been mentioned too much here to be the pick, gonna be someone we weren't thinking about.

Don't know anything about Mysak who Wiz had at 31, maybe he is the guy who falls through to 46. Seems pretty well rounded C/LW.

According to the Elite Prospect stats, he had 59 points in 12 games in an under 16 league.

@SBekovic

Kelley says the #Blackhawks spoke to MIN, WPG and NSH in an attempt to trade up.
- Theo Fox

Question then is, whom did they like? Maybe quick immediate answer is they saw Purfetti slipping.
Although some scouts really liked Lundell. I am going to guess differently. I wonder if they like Quinn

I would like to compliment wiz who a couple months or more ago said Sanderson is quickly rising and the attributes he brings might so impress that he goes before Drysdale. But it was Ottawa with the draft whom I do not think have a good blueprint because the owner has money concern..Still they took Sanderson then Ducks took Drysdale

Wiz, in your opinion how does the 2021 draft compare to normal drafts? everyone seems to think The 2020 is a deep draft....2nd and 3rd round picks have a higher upside/value. I took a look at you 2021 mock and it seems to be a bit more balanced with a few more Dmen in the 1st round. Would an early 2nd round pick in this years draft hold more “value” than maybe a late 1st in next years draft? There seems to be a bunch of teams just waiting on trades with the flat cap in place. Wonder if we see a bunch of picks traded tomorrow for roster players or dumping contracts. Also, next year might be very active on trade front with picks with the expansion draft. I just ask in case maybe they try to move Strome or Nylander for example; for an early 2nd pick, which maybe holds more value in this draft as a mid to late 1st in normal drafts.

@SBekovic

Kelley says the #Blackhawks spoke to MIN, WPG and NSH in an attempt to trade up.
- Theo Fox

I wonder if they were trying to move up in order to get the Russian goalie.

Senators have gotten a few calls already about acquiring their pick at 33rd.

Lundqvist is rumored to be signing with the Capitals on Friday.

I wonder if they were trying to move up in order to get the Russian goalie.
- Lido_Shuffle

That makes a lot of sense, maybe they offered their 1st and 2nd rounders but it wasn't enough, and they didn't want to add more?

I wonder if they were trying to move up in order to get the Russian goalie.
- Lido_Shuffle

Possibly. At least we know they weren't trying to trade up to get Mercer, Schneider, or Lapierre.

Possibly. At least we know they weren't trying to trade up to get Mercer, Schneider, or Lapierre.
- Theo Fox

Considering they went a bit out of left field and preferred a guy with a 200' game, maybe Holloway?

Possibly. At least we know they weren't trying to trade up to get Mercer, Schneider, or Lapierre.
- Theo Fox

It didn't really matter who the hawks pick today their not making the playoffs the next 3 years so get as many prospects as possible and hope some make a impact down the line. Way too many holes on the team to be fixed in one offseason. So we will all what bowman company does going forward.

1st round pick and they have to teach him how to skate
- BetweenTheDots

Oh he skates well enough...he has got to built a 200 foot game...he will play fairly soon too,

Senators have gotten a few calls already about acquiring their pick at 33rd.

Lundqvist is rumored to be signing with the Capitals on Friday.
- Theo Fox

There are still some very good prospects on the board, most of whom will be gone when the Hawks pick next unless they can move up.

Wiz, does Reichel remind you of TT, Teavo Teravainen without the quick twitch explosion? Speedy, wide stance, giddy up jump to his fluid effortless stride, very high cruising speed, slinky torso all shoulders & elbows, slashing/darting, perpetual motion, like a wrestler 2-3 rapid super quick stick moves to strip from behind, very high processing speed which gets the puck off his stick in a nano second whether it's a shot or pass, excellent closing speed.

He remind you of TT?
- Mr Ricochet

I haven't gotten that far into thinking about him as I am trying to get the stupid website to change the Calgary _Wasingrton trade slots, but you know what he IS TT-like!

Considering they went a bit out of left field and preferred a guy with a 200' game, maybe Holloway?
- Chunk

Yeah I am sure they would have too.

Wiz, does Reichel remind you of TT, Teavo Teravainen without the quick twitch explosion? Speedy, wide stance, giddy up jump to his fluid effortless stride, very high cruising speed, slinky torso all shoulders & elbows, slashing/darting, perpetual motion, like a wrestler 2-3 rapid super quick stick moves to strip from behind, very high processing speed which gets the puck off his stick in a nano second whether it's a shot or pass, excellent closing speed.

He remind you of TT?
- Mr Ricochet

You know, I haven't gotten that far into him, because I am having an issue on changing the Washington Calgary slot switch...I just cannot get it to change...but you know he IS TT-like

One last thing on Reichel: he has a really low panic point, like he not only see the ice and the game around him slowed down but like Kaner, just changes his idea when the ice changes and is never panicked by ensuing checkers or pressure, seems to ignore it and get things done.

I just keep thinking that if we wouldn't have won that Edmonton series we'd have Askarov right now...

I just keep thinking that if we wouldn't have won that Edmonton series we'd have Askarov right now...
- wiz1901

And if the Queen had balls she'd be the king...

I get that there are some strong opinions on these prospects, but what did everyone expect the Hawks to do? Roll out guys like Gilbert, Sikura, Quenneville (oh, yeah they did), Reese Johnson, et al to TRY and lose? Should they have just forfeited? I'm not pointing this at you specifically Wiz, but I don't understand what people expect a team to do? The players, and coaches are not ever going to intentionally lose no matter what the playoff gimmick/situation is. They want to play, and they want to play to win.