There’s definitely a certain amount of luck involved in rebuilding through the draft and stocking up on prospects and draft picks.

How is a team built through skill?
- paulr

Have you ever played darts? It's a skill.

Have you ever played darts? It's a skill.
- Chunk

And the more you drink the more skillful you are at darts!

And the more you drink the more skillful you are at darts!
- DarthKane

So the key is to hire a drunk for GM.

So the key is to hire a drunk for GM.
- paulr

Is Pully still even alive?

Is Pully still even alive?
- Chunk

Weekend at Pully’s.

So the key is to hire a drunk for GM.
- paulr

Bob Murray? too soon?

So the key is to hire a drunk for GM.
- paulr

Then many of us are a fit.

There’s definitely a certain amount of luck involved in rebuilding through the draft and stocking up on prospects and draft picks.

How is a team built through skill?
- paulr

Just saw this tweet from Al, and it goes to explain in part why our cupboard seems so bare. I've been asking/wondering for a while how our prospect selection and development compares to other teams. I'd always gotten the impression that Kelley's eye for talent was one of better in the NHL, but this makes it sound otherwise.

Like with all of these chicken and egg / hindsight 2020 arguments, were his selections made to fit some strategy or fill a perceived upcoming gap or was it "best player avail at time?"

@AlCimaglia

I've mentioned before but bears repeating a main reason the Hawks haven't stayed relevant as long as the Caps-Pens-Bruins is they haven't drafted as well. Yes there has been Cat, but in players that were taken and played 200 NHL games since Lockout the Hawks r in the bottom 5.

@ChiSportUpdates
The Chicago Blackhawks haven't made a decision on whether they want to trade goaltender Marc-André Fleury but they are open to hearing trade offers for him, per
@emilymkaplan


I realize that handshake deals aren't worth much, but didn't Flower's agent extract a promise of no trade mid-year if he came here?

Not only are the Hawks open to trade offers for Borgstrom but they are also open to trade offers for Fleury per Emily Kaplan. Probably not surprising but Fleury has more of a say in what the Hawks do with him than Borgstrom.

EDIT: Beat me to it, pdx!

Then many of us are a fit.
- Angotti

Speak for yourself … ok and me.

That takes more luck than skill. Projecting 18 year olds is far from an exact science.
- rpeters01

this is why i think the draft age should be raised to 19 or even better 20. alot less misses would happen then and Jr hockey would benefit more from the players staying longer and developing properly. WHA messes this one up and not sure why the NHL hasn't considered it.

Just saw this tweet from Al, and it goes to explain in part why our cupboard seems so bare. I've been asking/wondering for a while how our prospect selection and development compares to other teams. I'd always gotten the impression that Kelley's eye for talent was one of better in the NHL, but this makes it sound otherwise.

Like with all of these chicken and egg / hindsight 2020 arguments, were his selections made to fit some strategy or fill a perceived upcoming gap or was it "best player avail at time?"

@AlCimaglia

I've mentioned before but bears repeating a main reason the Hawks haven't stayed relevant as long as the Caps-Pens-Bruins is they haven't drafted as well. Yes there has been Cat, but in players that were taken and played 200 NHL games since Lockout the Hawks r in the bottom 5.
- pdx2ord

Which is part of the reason I'd like them to bring someone outside the org in to completely retool that side of the org from top to bottom.

They can keep the European scouts - they seem to do a good job finding players there but the US and Canada and Pro scouting - woof.

That takes more luck than skill. Projecting 18 year olds is far from an exact science.
- rpeters01

It isn't just the 18 year olds, its which 22 year olds show enough to keep them around until they're 25 if need be - which veterans to bring in via FA - which veterans to target with a trade - which players to extend and which to say thanks but were moving on.

Only one of their first round picks between 2010 to 2020 is still on the team which is kind of problematic.

Just saw this tweet from Al, and it goes to explain in part why our cupboard seems so bare. I've been asking/wondering for a while how our prospect selection and development compares to other teams. I'd always gotten the impression that Kelley's eye for talent was one of better in the NHL, but this makes it sound otherwise.

Like with all of these chicken and egg / hindsight 2020 arguments, were his selections made to fit some strategy or fill a perceived upcoming gap or was it "best player avail at time?"

@AlCimaglia

I've mentioned before but bears repeating a main reason the Hawks haven't stayed relevant as long as the Caps-Pens-Bruins is they haven't drafted as well. Yes there has been Cat, but in players that were taken and played 200 NHL games since Lockout the Hawks r in the bottom 5.
- pdx2ord

And in fairness part of the reason they didn’t draft well was they tried to prolong the contending/championship window. But they also drafted to hit home runs like Boqvist when guys like Dobson and Bouchard were available.

As I and others have said before, the new hockey Ops guy has to assess every facet of the organization including the scouting staff

Not only are the Hawks open to trade offers for Borgstrom but they are also open to trade offers for Fleury per Emily Kaplan. Probably not surprising but Fleury has more of a say in what the Hawks do with him than Borgstrom.

EDIT: Beat me to it, pdx!
- Theo Fox

One of the well publicized themes in the Rocky era is "the Blackhawks will treat their players well."
If this is still the case, I cannot imagine Fleury has not already ok'd potentially being traded.

One of the well publicized themes in the Rocky era is "the Blackhawks will treat their players well."
If this is still the case, I cannot imagine Fleury has not already ok'd potentially being traded.
- 35Tony0

- pdx2ord

*smile emoji*

Looks like Yetman has been recalled from Indy. He's been a PPG player down there. Hopefully he can keep developing.

Edit: recalled to Rockford.

And in fairness part of the reason they didn’t draft well was they tried to prolong the contending/championship window. But they also drafted to hit home runs like Boqvist when guys like Dobson and Bouchard were available.

As I and others have said before, the new hockey Ops guy has to assess every facet of the organization including the scouting staff
- paulr

I suggest that a few Icehogs are getting closer to becoming NHL players. Sure, bottom line guys. But more impact, better compete and some may even become role players. By this time next season one or two dmen from Rockford emerge to blueline members here in Chicago. Then you have to say that Kelly has not been such a poorly rated talent evaluator

In one example of prospects development, let's look at Boqvist. How could you know he would be brittle when we drafted him. And I buy into the McDonough pushing for his advancement too soon for the obvious reason: McDonough was hoping Boqvist could put some life into a somewhat stagnant, slip sliding down the tube on ice team.

Ironic that McDonough was headlights sooner than his fancy which was Boqvist.

I suggest that the biggest challenge is to find/acquire a top line center. Even a #2 center. If we draft this center, though, it may be a couple years before he starts to show he is that future #1 or even #2 center. I personally aim fir a #1 center and hope that Dach can become the #2 pivot. There will be several choices for #3 center and one of them could be Toews if he sticks around.

There is going to be a strong support cast with all these kids ......I love I think was it fattybeef who implored the Slavin, Slaggert, Entwhistle 4th line combo. Leaves Altybarmaken, Barret and possibly Borgstrom on third line.

Kubalik needs a center to give him the puck in shooting situations. I don't know if he gets traded, but I hate to see him moved before he shows what he could mean as a scorer and descent in other areas of the game.

Hagel-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Strome
Kubalik-Borgstrom-Khaira
Hardman-Slavin-Carpenter

Gustafsson-SJones
McCabe-Murphy
Kalynuk-CJones

Fleury

Slavin is a center? I thought he was a winger.

That 3rd pairing will be interesting to watch.

I suggest that a few Icehogs are getting closer to becoming NHL players. Sure, bottom line guys. But more impact, better compete and some may even become role players. By this time next season one or two dmen from Rockford emerge to blueline members here in Chicago. Then you have to say that Kelly has not been such a poorly rated talent evaluator

In one example of prospects development, let's look at Boqvist. How could you know he would be brittle when we drafted him. And I buy into the McDonough pushing for his advancement too soon for the obvious reason: McDonough was hoping Boqvist could put some life into a somewhat stagnant, slip sliding down the tube on ice team.

Ironic that McDonough was headlights sooner than his fancy which was Boqvist.

I suggest that the biggest challenge is to find/acquire a top line center. Even a #2 center. If we draft this center, though, it may be a couple years before he starts to show he is that future #1 or even #2 center. I personally aim fir a #1 center and hope that Dach can become the #2 pivot. There will be several choices for #3 center and one of them could be Toews if he sticks around.

There is going to be a strong support cast with all these kids ......I love I think was it fattybeef who implored the Slavin, Slaggert, Entwhistle 4th line combo. Leaves Altybarmaken, Barret and possibly Borgstrom on third line.

Kubalik needs a center to give him the puck in shooting situations. I don't know if he gets traded, but I hate to see him moved before he shows what he could mean as a scorer and descent in other areas of the game.
- jhawk59

Mine.

I suggest that a few Icehogs are getting closer to becoming NHL players. Sure, bottom line guys. But more impact, better compete and some may even become role players. By this time next season one or two dmen from Rockford emerge to blueline members here in Chicago. Then you have to say that Kelly has not been such a poorly rated talent evaluator

In one example of prospects development, let's look at Boqvist. How could you know he would be brittle when we drafted him. And I buy into the McDonough pushing for his advancement too soon for the obvious reason: McDonough was hoping Boqvist could put some life into a somewhat stagnant, slip sliding down the tube on ice team.

Ironic that McDonough was headlights sooner than his fancy which was Boqvist.

I suggest that the biggest challenge is to find/acquire a top line center. Even a #2 center. If we draft this center, though, it may be a couple years before he starts to show he is that future #1 or even #2 center. I personally aim fir a #1 center and hope that Dach can become the #2 pivot. There will be several choices for #3 center and one of them could be Toews if he sticks around.

There is going to be a strong support cast with all these kids ......I love I think was it fattybeef who implored the Slavin, Slaggert, Entwhistle 4th line combo. Leaves Altybarmaken, Barret and possibly Borgstrom on third line.

Kubalik needs a center to give him the puck in shooting situations. I don't know if he gets traded, but I hate to see him moved before he shows what he could mean as a scorer and descent in other areas of the game.
- jhawk59

The fact that he already had two concussions before they Hawks drafted him, and he was kind of slight to begin with.

I get your point though. Injuries definitely play a role in how these drafts play out. A guy like Stephen Johns is another example of a guy that would have had a much more notable career without injury.

Love Slavin’s number.
Edit- Not Highmore

Love Slavin’s number.
- Angotti

I'm liking his game so far as well. PK time, Pretty aware defensively, works well on the boards thus far, even got off a decent backhander in close.