You know with Saarla, Savoie, Nazar arrival to join Richardinson, Kurachev and Entwhistle there will be plenty of speed and compete. I have to believe a veteran forward will be headlights certainly after next season and it shouldn’t be R Johnson - he can suffice as an extra. Probably AA will have served his purpose just fine so he has one more year here. Perhaps Entwhustle moves along because we have Seney, Philip around to fill out roster when injuries occur

I would check with Boston for T Hall as his big contract is a problem for them insofar as the salary cap. He could ho to our top line. Offer the Bruins Phillips and a prospect dmen like Allen but not Del Maestro and hopefully not Vlasic. Ruins always like a lot of size and or toughness so they might consider this type of trade.

As far as Mitchell goes, “goes” is a key word here: Wiz and a response on the board say to let Mitchell play until he exhausts possibility he becomes a dominant
- jhawk59[ edit: descent] regular dmen. Or a bust

In goal either Mrazek or Stallock sticks as veteran and as many as three kids can rotate in goal (should Comesso sign). Just how well Stauber performs is a nice bonus.

Note I meant Richardinson, not Richardson above weird how I correct spelling then submit and it goes back to Ruchardson

Pretty sure Marazek had two years when the Hawks traded for him. Stalock is up, can't see him wanting to come back here, he's performed pretty well, he should be able to get a deal with someone competing.

becomes a dominant
- jhawk59[ edit: descent] regular dmen. Or a bust

Your spell-checker (or editor) consistently fails to correct "descent" to "decent" which is the proper word in the context in which you often use it...

Problem is SJ and CBJ have all tougher games remaining. Hawks have several games left that they SHOULD win. Ugh.
- Cmonalready

In SJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Arizona, and it is an away game.

In CBJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Phil, and it is away.

In Hawks final games, they play three teams with losing records, Stl, Van and Phil. And Phil and Stl are home.

Hawks still have 1-3 wins left in them, where it seems the other two have a maximum of 1. Ugh!

#screwedupthetank when they beat the bruins then Nashville (in Nash) two weeks ago

In SJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Arizona, and it is an away game.

In CBJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Phil, and it is away.

In Hawks final games, they play three teams with losing records, Stl, Van and Phil. And Phil and Stl are home.

Hawks still have 1-3 wins left in them, where it seems the other two have a maximum of 1. Ugh!

#screwedupthetank when they beat the bruins then Nashville (in Nash) two weeks ago
- Cmonalready

someone made a good point that some of CBJ opponents may have locked in playoff positions and thus will rest their top players

someone made a good point that some of CBJ opponents may have locked in playoff positions and thus will rest their top players
- glennjpawlak22

Not only that, the Hawks are icing by far the worst NHL roster at this point- an AHL level team. The only thing that'll allow a Hawks win at this point would be Mrazek or Stalock standing on their heads.

In SJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Arizona, and it is an away game.

In CBJ remaining games, they play only one team with a losing record. Phil, and it is away.

In Hawks final games, they play three teams with losing records, Stl, Van and Phil. And Phil and Stl are home.

Hawks still have 1-3 wins left in them, where it seems the other two have a maximum of 1. Ugh!

#screwedupthetank when they beat the bruins then Nashville (in Nash) two weeks ago
- Cmonalready

SJ have beaten Winnipeg the last 2 times they played (play them once more), and have overtime loss to Oilers (whom they place twice more) so there is hope for a few more points for SJ. See 1-2 more wins and 1 OT loss in SJ's future

CLB is a mess. They have overtime wins against the Isle and Caps, and an overtime loss to Pittsburgh (whom they play 1 more time), but they have been losing pretty badly lately (7-2, 8-2, 7-4). I see them with only 1 point from now till end of season.

See the Hawks winning 2 of 3 from Calgary. Philadelphia, Vancouver and Pittsburgh.

SJ have beaten Winnipeg the last 2 times they played (play them once more), and have overtime loss to Oilers (whom they place twice more) so there is hope for a few more points for SJ. See 1-2 more wins and 1 OT loss in SJ's future

CLB is a mess. They have overtime wins against the Isle and Caps, and an overtime loss to Pittsburgh (whom they play 1 more time), but they have been losing pretty badly lately (7-2, 8-2, 7-4). I see them with only 1 point from now till end of season.

See the Hawks winning 2 of 3 from Calgary. Philadelphia, Vancouver and Pittsburgh.
- Revco38

I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t win again, or just once. Calgary is fighting for a playoff spot, Vancouver can outscore us especially if we have three rookies plus C Jones on the blue line. Philadelphia and Vancouver have good goaltending but they need support defensively. The Penguins can be beat but they too can score and they too are concerned about the playoffs. Need good luck with the lottery drawing

You ignored my pre-final four NCAA review of Brindley taking all the face-offs instead on the centre on his line, Fantilli...
- wiz1901

Wiz, I might say if Michkov was playing OHL and hadn't signed a KHL contract that runs thru the 2025/26 season he'd probably have a 60/40 chance of going 2nd overall with Fantiilli going 3rd.

Kid is special but the situation he's in carries risk. Easy to see a club not willing to assume that risk at #2 overall when a big, skilled, natural centerman who is setting records in the NCAA is on the board. .... I think Fantilli goes 2nd.

Brindley is a right shot Fantilli a left. Did you see Brindley taking faceoffs on the left side and Fantilli on the right? ..... And I'm wondering how far Brindley falls? Kid is a player and might, just might be a late 1st rd pick but his size might bump him to rd 2, and that's the only reason.... Kid is highly skilled with a really high IQ. I'm ok comparing him to Point.

someone made a good point that some of CBJ opponents may have locked in playoff positions and thus will rest their top players
- glennjpawlak22

CBJ’s last three opponents Philly, Pitt, Buffalo. They could all play AHL rosters.

CBJ’s last three opponents Philly, Pitt, Buffalo. They could all play AHL rosters.
- Ztra

Send them each a late round pick to follow through on that master plan(dress X amount of AHL players)when playing Columbus, those picks only have a very small chance to make it in the NHL anyway.

Wiz, I might say if Michkov was playing OHL and hadn't signed a KHL contract that runs thru the 2025/26 season he'd probably have a 60/40 chance of going 2nd overall with Fantiilli going 3rd.

Kid is special but the situation he's in carries risk. Easy to see a club not willing to assume that risk at #2 overall when a big, skilled, natural centerman who is setting records in the NCAA is on the board. .... I think Fantilli goes 2nd.

Brindley is a right shot Fantilli a left. Did you see Brindley taking faceoffs on the left side and Fantilli on the right? (Nope...but I will be sure to watch next week as IO have my final four tickets..... And I'm wondering how far Brindley falls? Kid is a player and might, just might be a late 1st rd pick but his size might bump him to rd 2, and that's the only reason.... Kid is highly skilled with a really high IQ. I'm ok comparing him to Point.
- Mr Ricochet

Gavin Brindley - I love him, there is no luck as to why he lines up off hand on LW with Michigan's #1 scorer.

I have casually mention Brindley in all these possible hawk scenarios at the Lightning 1st rounder, the early second, the Ottawa mid second around #44 but never as late as the Possible #50 overall from NY rangers if the somehow crap out before that pick could CONDITIONAL raise to a future protected 2024 for an unprotected 2025.

I only recently heard that some think he goes earlier than the in the 20's Tampa pick.
I have trouble ranking him higher mostly because this means a carload of larger players will still be there.

A lot of my thinking on Brindley has to do with his weight and height, not his feet and hockey gifts.
I thought he may stick around until that #44 then thought he would be gone by Blackhawks early second rounder.

Is he a luxury grab at the Lightning slot in the first? At this point, I only know my opinion, and that is the TB pick there in the first could be one with a lot of good options.

I saw this a few minutes ago on Thursday:
Making his debut appearance in the first round on Button’s list is Fantilli’s Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley at No. 23. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 157 pounds, he has 12 goals and 38 points in 40 games as a freshman on a stacked Michigan roster. He was also one of three draft-eligible players to make the American World Juniors squad that earned bronze.
“Smaller players have to show me that they have unique qualities,” said Button. “His game has grown massively since the World Juniors.
“Three things: His brains – he’s exceptionally dialled in, understands the game in every regard. His quickness – he’s quick in his speed, quick in his hands. And he’s a massive competitor.”

Send them each a late round pick to follow through on that master plan(dress X amount of AHL players)when playing Columbus, those picks only have a very small chance to make it in the NHL anyway.
- Angotti

Conditional pick, it improves if they win.

Gavin Brindley - I love him, there is no luck as to why he lines up off hand on LW with Michigan's #1 scorer.

I have casually mention Brindley in all these possible hawk scenarios at the Lightning 1st rounder, the early second, the Ottawa mid second around #44 but never as late as the Possible #50 overall from NY rangers if the somehow crap out before that pick could CONDITIONAL raise to a future protected 2024 for an unprotected 2025.

I only recently heard that some think he goes earlier than the in the 20's Tampa pick.
I have trouble ranking him higher mostly because this means a carload of larger players will still be there.

A lot of my thinking on Brindley has to do with his weight and height, not his feet and hockey gifts.
I thought he may stick around until that #44 then thought he would be gone by Blackhawks early second rounder.

Is he a luxury grab at the Lightning slot in the first? At this point, I only know my opinion, and that is the TB pick there in the first could be one with a lot of good options.

I saw this a few minutes ago on Thursday:
Making his debut appearance in the first round on Button’s list is Fantilli’s Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley at No. 23. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 157 pounds, he has 12 goals and 38 points in 40 games as a freshman on a stacked Michigan roster. He was also one of three draft-eligible players to make the American World Juniors squad that earned bronze.
“Smaller players have to show me that they have unique qualities,” said Button. “His game has grown massively since the World Juniors.
“Three things: His brains – he’s exceptionally dialled in, understands the game in every regard. His quickness – he’s quick in his speed, quick in his hands. And he’s a massive competitor.”
- wiz1901

I'm not the biggest Button fan but no doubt he's right on Brindley, kid is a player. But as you post Wiz, taking him anywhere before the end of the 1st rd means you're passing over kids with a lot of talent AND size.

He played USHL as a 16 yr old for the Tri City Storm. Everyone knows the Steel from the USHL but the Storm are not far behind them, a really good franchise led by coach/GM Anthony Noreen. Great evaluator and coach.

Brindley was super small then but many games I thought he was the best player on the ice, as a small 16 yr old on a good team vs USHL competition. Kid had crazy IQ and was fearless. Now he's developing some strength.

As I posted, IMO it's fair to compare him to Point even though he's a winger and Point a centerman. Both of them smallish with incredibly high IQ and lotsa skill except Brindley is a better skater than Point was in his draft yr.

I'm not the biggest Button fan but no doubt he's right on Brindley, kid is a player. But as you post Wiz, taking him anywhere before the end of the 1st rd means you're passing over kids with a lot of talent AND size.

He played USHL as a 16 yr old for the Tri City Storm. Everyone knows the Steel from the USHL but the Storm are not far behind them, a really good franchise led by coach/GM Anthony Noreen. Great evaluator and coach.

Brindley was super small then but many games I thought he was the best player on the ice, as a small 16 yr old on a good team vs USHL competition. Kid had crazy IQ and was fearless. Now he's developing some strength.

As I posted, IMO it's fair to compare him to Point even though he's a winger and Point a centerman. Both of them smallish with incredibly high IQ and lotsa skill except Brindley is a better skater than Point was in his draft yr.
- Mr Ricochet

I agree on Button, it was just easier to state HIS rank and thoughts.

Brindly is so good b/c he is so quick to react get his stick on pucks, never second guessing, just reacting...

Gavin Brindley - I love him, there is no luck as to why he lines up off hand on LW with Michigan's #1 scorer.

I have casually mention Brindley in all these possible hawk scenarios at the Lightning 1st rounder, the early second, the Ottawa mid second around #44 but never as late as the Possible #50 overall from NY rangers if the somehow crap out before that pick could CONDITIONAL raise to a future protected 2024 for an unprotected 2025.

I only recently heard that some think he goes earlier than the in the 20's Tampa pick.
I have trouble ranking him higher mostly because this means a carload of larger players will still be there.

A lot of my thinking on Brindley has to do with his weight and height, not his feet and hockey gifts.
I thought he may stick around until that #44 then thought he would be gone by Blackhawks early second rounder.

Is he a luxury grab at the Lightning slot in the first? At this point, I only know my opinion, and that is the TB pick there in the first could be one with a lot of good options.

I saw this a few minutes ago on Thursday:
Making his debut appearance in the first round on Button’s list is Fantilli’s Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley at No. 23. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 157 pounds, he has 12 goals and 38 points in 40 games as a freshman on a stacked Michigan roster. He was also one of three draft-eligible players to make the American World Juniors squad that earned bronze.
“Smaller players have to show me that they have unique qualities,” said Button. “His game has grown massively since the World Juniors.
“Three things: His brains – he’s exceptionally dialled in, understands the game in every regard. His quickness – he’s quick in his speed, quick in his hands. And he’s a massive competitor.”
- wiz1901

Every time I have watched Michigan play he is noticeable. Him, Fantilli and L. Hughes are their best players. He is small but competes and always seems to be in the middle of it and seems to have good puck skills and speed. I'd take him at 25ish.

I agree on Button, it was just easier to state HIS rank and thoughts.

Brindly is so good b/c he is so quick to react get his stick on pucks, never second guessing, just reacting...
- wiz1901

Wiz, have you ever thought of ranking players in tiers as well as numerically? ... As I've told you before I don't have the breadth of seeing players that you have so for me after USHL kids, who I see a good bit of, seeing players ranked in tiers/clumps is helpful.

For instance, I knew Scott Morrow was a player, same with Biuum and Kniess for instance, and many Steel players like Coronato and Farrell cuz I see them, but don't know if they're late 1st or 2nd rounders, or a 3rd or 4th rounder, cuz I don't see enough Major Junior/Europe to compare THAT particular draft class.

You follow me? Bedard a tier of his own, maybe Michkov, Fantilli, Carlsson in a tier followed by Benson and x amount of players, then Riechenbacher and 7 other players and so on? ....... You know, 10 players kinda similar clumped into a tier?

As far as Button he's respected for sure. I think I'm jaded by his color work in the booth. He's states the obvious like he's unearthed nuggets of knowledge. It wears thin for me.

Every time I have watched Michigan play he is noticeable. Him, Fantilli and L. Hughes are their best players. He is small but competes and always seems to be in the middle of it and seems to have good puck skills and speed. I'd take him at 25ish.
- Black Raven

Yeah I am going to the final four to see if Fantilli is what "they" think he is, and want to see #43 Hughes as a defender, because this guy is SO offensive, he gets a huge pass defensively. Remember how the aforementioned Craig Button raved about how the just drafted Byram Bowen was a real #1 defender in the NHL, well Hughes looks like he has more bite and aggressive feet in his offense.
I just want to see if the defense he attempts hold up at the college level.
Brindley has my attention, and Fantelli too.

This is the game that worries me....have to lose this game. Got a miracle from San Jose the other night and need to stay right on Columbus's heels. Head out west and get smacked around...come back home vs Minn (likely will be jockying for positioning) off to Pittsburgh (same as Minny) and then close out vs Philly with a hopefully the Hogs in the lineup.

A man can dream.....

This is the game that worries me....have to lose this game. Got a miracle from San Jose the other night and need to stay right on Columbus's heels. Head out west and get smacked around...come back home vs Minn (likely will be jockying for positioning) off to Pittsburgh (same as Minny) and then close out vs Philly with a hopefully the Hogs in the lineup.

A man can dream.....
- SteveRain

Tears on Tiers:

I used to attempt to draw tiers for the first round, but it was never accurate to where I saw teams taken guys.

This year even poses a greater problem b/c that Covid year that so many had off might have added weight room for prospects but not opportunities to play and improve.
To me this means I have a HUGE number of guys who are very accomplished in some areas of development, but not all. The group is huge.
Here's an example to illustrate the confusion for me.

While Charles Stramel was with the USA National program in the USHL, I moved where he was going and he was in the mid first range for the taking by a team looking for the size/.skill to kick in to a more elite upside later.

At Wisconsin things weren't working team wise. So he obvious lost the shine so I figured he is a guy I would hope would be there in the early second, because it is a risk that he does become a dominant NHL centre.

So if the hawks really like him, do they use the Tampa pick?

I have seen him in some tiers where he gets taken before the hawks go second.

Red Wings select twice before we pick our second.
Coyotes select twice before we pick our second.
Montreal select twice before we pick our second.
and Nashville might also if TB Lightning go on a run and acrew more points than Edmtn.

A second pick in the first round in most drafts means teams ARE willing to emphasis a strength / position with the second one.

The blues have three picks before out 3rd pick.

So no matter the tier, where does an interested team take Stramel?
I have him at #27 on my list but he could be taken in the "teens.
and Stramel is one of so many guys you get to select this year and they probably blossom long term.

Usually that "tier" starts around 20 unless a team is in love with a guy and make a statement by taking him on their turn no matter what the "experts" say.

This year that last first tier that starts around #20, lasts until the last third round.

And the way the forward class exploded into teh first round, you have to wonder what if a gifted still developing Swedish defenseman Theo Lindstein is someone who is head over heels better that the next forward do the Hawks go away from need in the early second?
Same with ALL the Russians! Who is taken them and WHEN?
When do the Hawks see one of them as best on the board?

Ok I will attempt a loose tier grouping for you

1 Bedard

2 Michkov

3 Fantilli

4 Carlsson He gets his own tier b/c he is better on his pins and bigger and more of a shooter than the next couple of guys.

5th Tier If the hawks pick 5th overall:

5Will Smith all around centre
5Zach Benson undersized
5Eduard Sale a dark horse with incredible creativity and abilities offensively
5Colby Barlow a big wing
5Nate Danielson he is #9 on my list, nobody else's, based on he is a hockey player like we are used to for decades, one who projects as an effective future NHL centre who can score, and fly...((I STAND corrected, as my girlfriend Corey Pronman HAS HIM AT SLOT FIVE ahead of Will Smith. Davidson is the epitome of the description keeps saying he wants in his forward group, fast and able to make plays, and is a very under-rated stick-handler. He plays tough, 200 feet and maybe the best skater in the class. Is he the hawks pick if they draft 5 ?

5Brayden Yager ---I love that he didn't have super star production this season, and he got spanked down to slot ten...wow...Blues are picking ten...

5Ryan Leonard with Will Smith he formed the USA top line with Chicago area Gabriel Perreault (who some think is the true engine of the line, now all three are committed to Boston U. for next year.
Now my list becomes more of my own but it still passes slot #20 and includes a huge tier.
Tier 5 continues
5Andrew Cristall and undersized elusive attacker and another of my "reaches"

5Calum Ritchie. <---was in my top ten forever and some have him around in the SECOND!

5Matthew Wood worried about his foot speed? His hands and quickness will win you over...

5Oliver Moore - the USA development teams next first line centre.

5Ethan Gauthier - to think that 5 Dalibor Dvorsky has been unworthy to be taken until slot #17 but despite the fact that Gauthier isn't a burner, he sure is scrappy, and has good skills and wears his heart on his sleeve. To think he is before Dvorsky is behind him is more about the strength of this draft in the teens and past.

5-6Axel Sandin Pelikka Defense eventually a defender HAS to get taken.

Lookee here, I have trouble starting Tier 6 here but will and it continues, in my opinion until the starts of the fourth...unheard of!

but this Tier 6 should see 19-32 have at least three defensemen going to teams who like the prospects and want to fill a backline need.

and to think Kasper Halttunen didn't show enough and can be had in almost the bottom quarter of the first round, again, crazy depth in the class.

And goalies - you tell me when giant Michael Hrabal, Carson Bjarnason, world junior surprise second year eligible Adam Gajan.

and we still haven't called Gavin Brindley's name, or Buffalo area's Quentin Musty, sniper Koehn Ziemmer, the Dub's Samuel Honzek, Russian super offense man Mikhail Gulyayev, sedi centre prospect Otto Stenberg,Finnish attacker Jesse Kiiskinen,Mathieu Cataford,young defender Theo Lindstein,centre Noah Dower Nilsson,off handed RW Alex Ciernik,Coulson Pitre,USA Danny Nelson,Carson Rehkopf and a lot of defenders at various levels of development....
All easily fit close to the guys in Tier 6 completely a matter of scouting...

Hey Wiz, not teh-The. I don't know if it is your computer but as a writer it is driving me nuts.

Hey Wiz, not teh-The. I don't know if it is your computer but as a writer it is driving me nuts.
- bjphawkfan

A writer, eh?

if you are ready to proof the first three rounds of profiles, I am ready to hand you the keys to the car....

it is my fingers they are dyslexic.

I think I fixed them before I read your cautionary note.Tehy fixed?????

And do I re-read my words, hardly ever.

[quote=jhawk59] becomes a dominant
- stanleyhawk[ edit: descent] regular dmen. Or a bust

Your spell-checker (or editor) consistently fails to correct "descent" to "decent" which is the proper word in the context in which you often use it...

Same with lose and loose...

Since we are going to police words

See dat deflection?

and we still haven't called Gavin Brindley's name, or Buffalo area's Quentin Musty, sniper Koehn Ziemmer, the Dub's Samuel Honzek, Russian super offense man Mikhail Gulyayev, sedi centre prospect Otto Stenberg,Finnish attacker Jesse Kiiskinen,Mathieu Cataford,young defender Theo Lindstein,centre Noah Dower Nilsson,off handed RW Alex Ciernik,Coulson Pitre,USA Danny Nelson,Carson Rehkopf and a lot of defenders at various levels of development....
All easily fit close to the guys in Tier 6 completely a matter of scouting...
- wiz1901

Damn Wiz, I didn't want to put you thru all that work. Thanks for the effort!

I left the last paragraph. Shows just how deep and exciting the draft is and that it's a damn fine thing the Hawks have two 1sts, FOUR 2nds and two 3rds!!

I've gravitated towards tiers. How often are 6-7 players, or more as you go deeper in the draft, almost a coin flip to go, say 25th, or 48th, or 60th? Often enough where tiering them makes the draft easier to understand. I do know it adds work though

Yeah I am going to the final four to see if Fantilli is what "they" think he is, and want to see #43 Hughes as a defender, because this guy is SO offensive, he gets a huge pass defensively. Remember how the aforementioned Craig Button raved about how the just drafted Byram Bowen was a real #1 defender in the NHL, well Hughes looks like he has more bite and aggressive feet in his offense.
I just want to see if the defense he attempts hold up at the college level.
Brindley has my attention, and Fantelli too.
- wiz1901

I'm jealous, Wiz. Four excellent squads will make for some great matchups and games. ... Count me as a guy who thinks the way Dman Hughes plays is just crazy. Seems he allows as many chances as he creates. NJ is gonna have to coach the wild horse out of him for him to be a difference maker at the NHL level. He'd make a riverboat gambler blush.

One thing that always drew me in watching Fantilli live with the Steel was the power of his stride that you just don't get watching on film. Also how chippy he is and loves contact. Kid is powerful.

Look forward to your scouting report on Hawk prospects, especially Commesso. Love the kids calm demeanor and efficiency of movement. No, he's not Carey Price but plays that economical calm style.

Really good preview of the Frozen Four by Tony Ferarri. https://www.msn.com/en-us...a8e896e21daa1a09634&ei=33