Just how good are 97 and 29 for Edmonton. Those guys are putting up video game numbers in the freaking playoffs!! DAMN are they good or what!! I just want Edmonton to keep winning to watch those 2 play. They make things look so easy at a stage of the season when it’s supposed to be much harder to score. Absolutely incredible show they are putting on for the NHL.

4-1-5-3-4

4-2-2-2-1

I would rather the Hawks have a potential cap problem next year and be a Stanley Cup contender than where they are now. But that is just me.
- LAHawk

I would love to have the greatest hockey player in the world playing for the Blackhawks, to me the NHL has created a game within the game with the hard salary cap. Its fascinating to watch the juggling act teams do to stay under or at it. Not only does your GM have to draft, develop, sign players but for years now they have to do it within the limits of the salary cap.

Which has opened the door to other teams to poach good players or good teams surrendering draft capital to get rid of contracts that seemed like a good idea the day they were signed.

As long as it takes to rebuild a team imho can also be set back quickly with several bad contracts. This is why i think NHL GM is the hardest job in sports.

Its going to be another fascinating off season for me. Hockey has done something no other sport has, kept my interest all year long.

Don't bring me
5-5-4-3-4

4-2-2-2-1
- HawkintheD

5-4-3-4-3

4-1-4-5-5

Lottery Eve

4-4-5-5-4

Yikes

May the hockey gods smile down upon us tomorrow

May the hockey gods smile down upon us tomorrow
- TheDrumonMadison

One day until tomorrow night lottery draft

You can soon count down the minutes and not the draft order

Kind of like Christmas Eve..,,,,
We are getting a major present (piece for rebuild)
AND
Wiz is pulling his hair out moving players up and down his draft list our Blackhawk present will be?

4-4-4-4-4

No joke, this seriously happened. Yes Wiz, I reset Tankathon after each turn.

Definitely going to be a tough call as to who to pick if the Hawks land the 3,4, or 5 spot. I hope it isn't Michkov. I'm not concerned as much as his KHL contract extending a few more years (the team isn't going anywhere in that time so they can afford to wait for him), but the overall geopolitical climate. I don't think it will get better over the next 3 or 4 years and it may become difficult for him to leave the mother country.

This is a big draft for KD. He can't afford to miss out a top forward. Hopefully he can pick either Carlsson or Smith with the early pick, and find another top 6 forward at 19 or 20.

With 4 2nd round picks, I hope they concentrate on more forwards or a good RD if available. Those to me are a greater organizational need than a goalie.
- boilermaker100

Not sure if I was the guy to say this first, doesn't matter really, but I'm scared to death to draft Michkov and scared to death not to. For all intents and purposes he's behind the Iron Curtain and it seems information is scarce. Russia's absence from the just played Worlds really hurts not seeing the kid's progression...... I can't get what some of the sharp ones saying Michkov is the best prospect to come out of Russia since OV and Malkin out of my mind. If true missing on a player like that could be franchise changing.

But, as you say, and I agree 100%, KD can not miss on a top 5 pick in this rebuild.

GMing ain't easy, Man. I would not wanna be the guy making the call on Michkov both drafting him or not drafting him.........

I think there is some good news, that IMO is being under reported, for top prospects being allowed to leave Russia in that 2022 1st rd, 20th overall, WSH pick Ivan Miroshnichenko, just signed with the Caps and is reported to be coming over for their camp next yr. ... Will that alleviate some fears for those looking to draft Michkov? Can't hurt.

The kid was ranked to go top 10 but got Hodgkins, and the Russia-Ukraine mess, and fell to the Caps at 20. Kid has been excellent in international competition and did well in the VHL as an 18/19 yr old so him being allowed to leave Russia is a great sign.

His stats, including 9 pts in 5 games at the Hlinka Tournament in his draft yr: https://www.capfriendly.c...ayers/ivan-miroshnichenko

Just how good are 97 and 29 for Edmonton. Those guys are putting up video game numbers in the freaking playoffs!! DAMN are they good or what!! I just want Edmonton to keep winning to watch those 2 play. They make things look so easy at a stage of the season when it’s supposed to be much harder to score. Absolutely incredible show they are putting on for the NHL.
- ChicagoHope

What would an all Canadian Finals of EDM vs TOR do for the sport, especially in Canada? They'd be talking about that 50 yrs from now! ...... I'd be ok with it.

Bedard or Fantilli.
- DarthKane

It's Bedard or Defense.

It's Bedard or Defense.
- rpeters01

The first defenseman is slotted after the tenth pick.

The first defenseman is slotted after the tenth pick.
- paulr

Maybe KD will take Axel Sandin Pelikka at #4? If the Hawks can’t get the best forward in the draft they might as well get the best d-man.

Then at #19/#20 KD can grab the first netminder - Michael Hrabal.

#winningthedraft #kdisthesmartestmanintheroom

I would rather the Hawks have a potential cap problem next year and be a Stanley Cup contender than where they are now. But that is just me.
- LAHawk

Meant to post this awhile back concerning the cap and how to construct a roster that will satisfy the cap and still sustain excellence.

Right after the Kings won the cup as the Hawks were being devastated by the cap, 2013(?) I asked on this board is it better to have a team with just a couple guys taking up a decent percentage of the cap, like the Kings with Kopitar and Doughty, that plays a system/heavy/team game than having a handful of expensive skill guys, Toews/Kane being the biggest hits?

The question was never answered and I never came to a conclusion myself. With the benefit of hindsight both the Hawks and Kings made their style/cap allocation work, but the question is still being answered/addressed. The Hawks though were more devastated losing guys like TT, Sharp and Bickel to become cap compliant.

Of course you collect the very best players you can but can do that with an eye to the cap. EDM is showing a good possibility of getting to the cup with two very high paid players as is CAR with cap money spread out in a plug and play SYSTEM without being trop heavy.

I do believe whatever path an organIzation takes cap allocation wise drafting and developing is key. Like a MN losing Fiala to the cap. If they can replace him within the pipeline, and get a good return on moving him instead of using top prospects/picks to do so (Hawks) they can keep chugging along. The hope was Marco Rossi was that guy but he isn't as of yet, but you get my point.

Hawks fans will hopefully be discussing this in 5 yrs when they have so many good to great players that the cap problem arises again but until then get as many elite/great/good players as they can starting with Bedard or Fantilli!!

Maybe KD will take Axel Sandin Pelikka at #4? If the Hawks can’t get the best forward in the draft they might as well get the best d-man.

Then at #19/#20 KD can grab the first netminder - Michael Hrabal.

#winningthedraft #kdisthesmartestmanintheroom
- DarthKane

Then trade the fourth or fifth for 8, 9 or 10 and hope it wasn’t a mistake. And KD can’t afford a mistake.

Maybe KD will take Axel Sandin Pelikka at #4? If the Hawks can’t get the best forward in the draft they might as well get the best d-man.

Then at #19/#20 KD can grab the first netminder - Michael Hrabal.

#winningthedraft #kdisthesmartestmanintheroom
- DarthKane

Wonder what you personally think of Pelikka? I know Wiz digs him but honestly he didn't do much for me up until the just played Worlds and even after he was ok for me. What do YOU think, Kaner?

As much as I've been a Hrabal guy since September the Hawks are so devoid of forward talent there is sure to be a player available at #19/20 that can be a legit top 6 guy. ......... I'm torn and as I've posted for months I'm curious where Hrabal goes. IMO his size/foundation will have an organIzation very high on him, enough to use a 1st rd pick on him.

Would that franchise be the Hawks even though they must get forward talent in the pipeline? Would the Hawks use some of their 2nd rounders to move into the 1st rd to get Hrabal? Does KD even value the position enough to use a 1st rounder on a goalie?

Timo!!!

Wonder what you personally think of Pelikka? I know Wiz digs him but honestly he didn't do much for me up until the just played Worlds and even after he was ok for me. What do YOU think, Kaner?

As much as I've been a Hrabal guy since September the Hawks are so devoid of forward talent there is sure to be a player available at #19/20 that can be a legit top 6 guy. ......... I'm torn and as I've posted for months I'm curious where Hrabal goes. IMO his size/foundation will have an organIzation very high on him, enough to use a 1st rd pick on him.

Would that franchise be the Hawks even though they must get forward talent in the pipeline? Would the Hawks use some of their 2nd rounders to move into the 1st rd to get Hrabal? Does KD even value the position enough to use a 1st rounder on a goalie?
- Mr Ricochet

I wouldn’t take Pelikka at #19/#20. The Hawks need to replenish their forward prospects. If hes there in the 2nd round then sure, but I don’t think thats likely.

I’d take Hrabal in the 2nd round, but not with the Hawks pick.

No defencemen in the first round please.

Freddy Anderson is back!! Tree-zip, NJ.

Hahaha, i guess Carolina thought they would just show up and win.

Welp… it appears “Playoff Anderson” has finally shown up in goal.