Awesome music played when Isaac Howard was drafted!!

When does Lukas head back to Germany?

Scouts came away from this seasons All American-game wondering why Rinzel had such a terrible showing .That is ,until they learned he had just come back after having his appendix removed . That is from the hockey news ,may have had something to do with it .
- oldduffman

Hopefully that was the main reason. It would be nice if we hit at least on 2 out of 3 today and 1 more in the rest of the rounds this weekend

When does Lukas head back to Germany?
- mohel

Why? These moves almost make it a certainty that he’ll play on the NHL next year.

Why? These moves almost make it a certainty that he’ll play on the NHL next year.
- DarthKane

I have been wondering how they are going to ice a full roster in both Chicago and Rockford.

So let’s see what kind of trade Brisson works out for Kane.
- LAHawk

Wondering if he will bail before the season or hold on for the TDL to chase a Cup with one of the better contenders. Maybe he'll play the 3/4 of what is probably Toews' last year with him and then they both look for a trade at the deadline.

Kane will go to LA for Byfield and some picks
- PatShart

His dad won't fly so I can't see the west coast. I think he heads east if he goes

I have been wondering how they are going to ice a full roster in both Chicago and Rockford.
- pdx2ord

Cheap free agents on 1 year deals.

@MarkLazerus

Kyle Davidson said he wants Kane and Toews to be a part of this going forward, to "set the bar." But he said there's a conversation that'll need to be had now. Said he's been open with both of them about the plan, but that "It's real now." Needs to see where their heads are at.


hmmm

Can't say I am real excited about the players taken tonight ,do like Nazar but am far from a scout .Just read the hockey news draft report and like to hang onto the copies and look back at them years later and see the hits and misses . I did like how are GM worked the draft and think there are more big changes coming .And next year at this time we may be welcoming in the real big fish of the draft . GO HAWKS !!

His dad won't fly so I can't see the west coast. I think he heads east if he goes
- 6628

To Buffalo for Okposo and prospects.

To Buffalo for Okposo and prospects.
- Dieselhead

I doubt Kane will want to play for a team that isn’t very close to contending for the cup.

That little preview of Nazar did nothing much for me- he can score from a yard away from the goalie off of a rush -that's about it, how often do those happen at higher levels?

I assume there is more to it than that. But as far as a highlight goes, were they really highlights?

I doubt Kane will want to play for a team that isn’t very close to contending for the cup.
- paulr

I'm just thinking of a team that might have the cap space as well as one respectable line to help Kaner pad his stats.

I doubt Kane will want to play for a team that isn’t very close to contending for the cup.
- paulr

It has to be NYR, 50% retained, Laf/Kakko, a good pick, maybe flip Stillman for Nemeth to help make the money work…

I'm just thinking of a team that might have the cap space as well as one respectable line to help Kaner pad his stats.
- Dieselhead

I'm going to suggest that Kane be traded at the right time to best put us in position to draft Bedard. Is this something KD has on his mind?

I promised I would come back so here I am.
Well it looks like there are plenty of developmental defenseman left but beside Lane Hutson, I like the following forwards on my board for slot #39 tomorrow:

(And I really was hoping Edmonton wouldn’t take Reid Schaefer, but the Kraken probably would have scooped him at #35)


The Blackhawks pick in seven slots…here are, in my opinion the best forwards, and there is always super midget defender Lane Hutson…. or reach for a goalie

LC Luca Del Bel Belluz is forward I had in my late first, I( thought the Leafs might take him, because he has two way game ) He is currently a toppling centre on a good Mississauga team with change of pace gears and projects as a 2nd line centre with two way game.

Everybody loves RW-C Jagger “Circus” Firkus with his high motor and skills, although he is as skinny as they come/ high motored, sneaky creative skater and a finisher, and top notch set up man.

Owen Beck is a quality right handed centre who contributes in all ways and has a 200 ft game.he is built strong and is great in the dot

Rieger Lorenz one of my favs and he’ll project as a 2nd line centre too, he has great anticipation and is still growing into his larger frame.

Jack Hughes needs time and muscle but I really thunk he will be a pro in a few.

Luca Del Bel Belluz
In November 2021, I had him pegged as a late second rounder about on par with the plethora of OHL graduating centres. The fact that he was playing with a talent laden Mississauga and I don't think he was thought of as a possible top future NHL prospect his entire career, but his play with the steelheads as a top line centre displayed his hockey smarts, good vision, quick feet and hands. His confidence level and the way he uses his feet allows him to deceive defenders to set up looks. He has good size, a lean frame, quick hands and feet. Is light on his edges and will make sharp cuts and changes in direction. He is a deceptive puck carrier who isn't always in top gear crossing the blue line; he will change his pace and look over his options. before committing to distribution. A good decision-maker who can fight off checks and score with a man on his back. A surprise package who will get his name called quicker than the late second I had him in. 
Jagger Firkus
Undersized lightweight winger with a great nose for the net and big time motor and compete level, and big league shot. He generates speed off hard fast pivots, and leans on his edges harder than expect and drives in and out of with power in his stride. Creative skater who takes unexpected routes, weaving into vertical skating lanes toward the net at the last second. He a dangerous guy out there due to the fact you don’t know if he is going to try a behind the net lacrosse goal, an impossible gift wrapped pass to a line mates stick or just crash looking creatively for an option on the way. He was the MVP of the CHL prospects game.
Owen Beck
It is not that this sturdily built right centre was under-rated, as much as he spent the over performing his expectations. His Mississauga veteran team has benefited him well, but his success has bloomed through his hard work and abilities. Displays breakaway speed to separate in the neutral zone, and pulls away from defenders. To get dangerous looks. He uses his frame to leverage defenders off the puck, winning battles. A strong skater with balance and speed, who can make tight turns while in possessing the biscuit in small areas. Is possibly the face-off man in the entire draft. Shows superb body control in getting his shots away when off-balance. He has been excellent on both the penalty-kill and the power play. He aggressively causes turnovers with his speed. 
Rieger Lorenz
On the radar since his midget days, when he was clearly one of the undersized talented kids on the ice, and Lorentz was a hard working, strong-wristed speedster centre who has sprouted much longer legs and at least four inches in height. He displayed high end scoring ability back then and all-around commitment and smarts. His new size had him needing time to add the co-ordination to play with a bigger trunk. In is an usual route for this type of athlete goes the Tier 2 route, but isn’t that where we saw Cole Makar before college? Even by the end of 2021, you saw he was still learning to play a bigger man’s game. By the end of this season, he clearly showed he had control of his longer legs, and was adjusting  to again play at pace, and still make himself small in traffic areas. This kid was a wizard in his traffic, and that is going to re-emerge has a big man. He comes back hard on trailing forwards. Has an ability to anticipate and cut off passes.  A better prospect than Dylan Holloway was when he played at the same age for Okottoks. He has always crashed the net, had good timing, know when to slow it down and also when to ramp it up. Flicks firm passes of his strong wrists. He will force defenders in compromising positions and then quickly takes the puck from them. We he is completely comfortable with his feet, watch his take off when he adds the crash he should when he was smaller. There is a very good chance that when we all look back at the redraft of this class and wonder why he wasn’t the top half of the first round or close. Very under-rated Alberta Junior league.  He is committed to the University of Denver. 
Jack Hughes
Play making left handed centre who happens to share his name with former NJ first over-all selection, he is a playmaking centre-wing with off-the-charts hockey IQ, natural instincts as an attacker, and excellent puck skills. A tape to tape passer, and the smarts to take over a game. Not a speed demon, but a strong lateral skater who creates time and space because of his attributes and anticipation. His daddy is Montreal’s GM, who has already drafted his big brother. No relation top his namesake who was drafted first overall. He currently is the youngest player in the NCAA  Hockey division at Northeastern University. He is six foot, and a thin 168lb. two-way centre with good jump, vision, hockey IQ, and excellent distribution skills. Makes his line mates better with his poise and ability to skate and create, and fearlessness in the heavy traffic areas. He’s an accurate passer and skater at top speed. He is more of a pass first centre buy, he catches goalie with his sneaky release. Has a high worth ethic and the points will start to come based on his skill and smarts. He is growing but his present build, and lack of physical maturity worked against his production, and he is a projection on being a point producer is based on him playing comfortable with a veteran team. A prospect you let develop in college and hope he gets even faster and thicker. Needs more consistency, muscle and time. Has experience playing all forward positions, so his versatility will come into play as a guy who you can move up and down you forward units, IF he progresses the way everyone would like.

It has to be NYR, 50% retained, Laf/Kakko, a good pick, maybe flip Stillman for Nemeth to help make the money work…
- stonefire

If retaining part of the contract is part of the deal the only three teams I can see him agreeing to are the Rangers, Leafs and possibly Tampa.

I don't follow these kids so just curious who would of you drafted in those spots
- BetweenTheDots

At 25 I am taking a flyer on Lambert. Being passed over could be the kick in the ass he needs. His skills are NHL levels. If he doesn't work, oh well. Lots of 1st rounders don't. Heck, I would have taken Howard before Rinzel. Who I believe would even be there at 60.

At 7? Savoie or Lekkeriamaki because of the dearth of forwards in the system.

Nazar was spot on

I am gonna walk back my comments on Sam Rinzel

I just think he has lots of catching up to do.

He clearly wasn't equipped after playing in high school to suddenly play with Canadien top prospects who play so many more games and are fit and fast.

He has really good balance and wheels and handles the puck, a magnificent reach...he needs time and some snarl...I just wanted the forwards I saw there when we were planning on a kid who won't see actions in the bigs until 2026 at best...

That little preview of Nazar did nothing much for me- he can score from a yard away from the goalie off of a rush -that's about it, how often do those happen at higher levels?

I assume there is more to it than that. But as far as a highlight goes, were they really highlights?
- SC116

Don't judge him on that clip. He is a dynamic player with a high motor and IQ. If he was 6 feet he would have been a top 7 pick easily. Prolly closer to top 5.

At 25 I am taking a flyer on Lambert. Being passed over could be the kick in the ass he needs. His skills are NHL levels. If he doesn't work, oh well. Lots of 1st rounders don't. Heck, I would have taken Howard before Rinzel. Who I believe would even be there at 60.

At 7? Savoie or Lekkeriamaki because of the dearth of forwards in the system.

Nazar was spot on
- Elbows15

On my b card at #25 I would have taken Jiri Kulich. or if I knew Edmonton was going to reach on Schaefer, I would have taken him....

Obviously doesn't like a lot of the dmen in the pipeline either...........
- vabeachbear

Seems like it. My worry is that in three years, KD will be gone and the new guy will have the desire to start from scratch again. How much did the scouting department change recently? For quite a while, their results were not great. Not to mention development in Rockford. Moving young players and bringing in picks-only, instead of prospects a bit further along in development, that not only adds years to the rebuild, but also shows great confidence in the scounting personnel. Is that warranted? I am not so sure. I am not completely against wholesale, but this way of doing things is too risky for my liking. Oh, well.

I'm going to suggest that Kane be traded at the right time to best put us in position to draft Bedard. Is this something KD has on his mind?
- jhawk59

They already are in the best position to draft Bedard. They will end up with Fantilli at worst.

This one of the 3 worst rosters in the NHL. Mrazek won't be healthy enough to matter. Guy has the groins of an 80 year old

One little tidbit lost in the shuffle is the fact that Nazar is committed to University of Michigan, which has done an excellent job of churning out quality NHL talent (Dylan Larkin, Kyle Connor, Jacob Trouba, Zack Werenski, Quinn Hughes, JT Compher) and Matty Beniers, Kent Johnson, and Owen Power this past season.