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

Yep.. he has a tendency to slowly crap the bed over a seven-game series.

Hughes, Meier Mercer is going to be some line for the next 8 years.

3 grit goals and one skill of the rush for NJ. They're figuring out playoff hockey?

Yep.. he has a tendency to slowly crap the bed over a seven-game series.
- Chief4Feathers

Not a fan of Vanacek either. Thought NJ's only chance was Schmid but Lindy seems to pull all the right strings. Raanta is a coin flip too..... Gonna be interesting as this series progresses.

Carolina’s road uniforms, I keep waiting for the Krutov, Larianov, Makharov line to come on the ice.

Carolina’s road uniforms, I keep waiting for the Krutov, Larianov, Makharov line to come on the ice.
- LAHawk

Might as well have a “C.C.C.P.” across the front.

Just like the ill advised pass by Luke Hughes on the PP for the shorty BrindAmour will expose the kid more than a few times more but count me as wrong on the kid. When I read he drew in I thought the CAR structure/discipline would destroy the kid but he's looked really good especially against the forecheck.

Watching him at U of MI the kid at times was a train wreck in his zone and took way too many chances I thought he'd be exposed badly in the Bigs. Kid is impressive and when he learns the NHL thru reps he looks to be a difference maker..

Carolina’s road uniforms, I keep waiting for the Krutov, Larianov, Makharov line to come on the ice.
- LAHawk

Every time I see Detroit I think of the Red Army.

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
- Mr Ricochet

Its true his information may be scarce, but I'm going to assume NHL teams have people there and their information is while not 100%, i'm guessing its better than what we know.

If the Hawks or really anyone else in the top 10 or so take him, I'm going to bet their people have some info. Really no GM can screw up their top 10 pick in this draft.

You won't hear much about it before the draft, cause anyone who has any good inside info, is going to make sure it doesn't get out.

Just like the ill advised pass by Luke Hughes on the PP for the shorty BrindAmour will expose the kid more than a few times more but count me as wrong on the kid. When I read he drew in I thought CAR the structure/discipline would destroy the kid but he's looked really good especially against the forecheck.

Watching him at U of MI the kid at times was a train wreck in his zone and took way too many chances I thought he'd be exposed badly in the Bigs. Kid is impressive and when he learns the NHL thru reps he looks to be a difference maker..
- Mr Ricochet

I really like the spin move off the boards the Devils are using. Its led to some really nice chances and goals.

Its true his information may be scarce, but I'm going to assume NHL teams have people there and their information is while not 100%, i'm guessing its better than what we know.

If the Hawks or really anyone else in the top 10 or so take him, I'm going to bet their people have some info. Really no GM can screw up their top 10 pick in this draft.

You won't hear much about it before the draft, cause anyone who has any good inside info, is going to make sure it doesn't get out.
- vabeachbear

This x 1,000. If you notice not really a word from anyone, including the "insiders", on the Michkov situation. Tells me you are 100% correct, if any NHL team has any info, good or bad, on Michkov they ain't letting it get out.

Just gonna have to wait until draft day and I'm ok with that.

I really like the spin move off the boards the Devils are using. Its led to some really nice chances and goals.
- BetweenTheDots

That's kinda how we never see Kane take the full brunt of a hit. And an example where a smaller/shorter player has an advantage cuz they are quicker and more nimble/athletic enabling them to "spin" off of, side step, hits and get a step on the opponent.

Smaller/shorter can be a good thing and we're seeing the Devs take advantage of that.

Pretty goal by Wood.

Pretty goal by Wood.
- Chief4Feathers

We got a series now!!

Lafferty!!! Good to see him get rewarded.......

Lafferty!!! Good to see him get rewarded.......
- Mr Ricochet

👍

Might as well have a “C.C.C.P.” across the front.
- Chief4Feathers

If some team would see the Russian available at pick four or five - and Chicago has one of those picks - maybe they move up to our pick and give us their first. But is the pick in top 20? And can we somehow move our first pick in round two into a mid to late first? To grab a goaltender, a dmen or a goaltender (who do you want) late first Could KD find a way to choose four times in round one?

If we don’t get a top three maybe move down? If it can be manipulated to an extra first round pick. There is at least one team with multiple first round picks and maybe what they covet most is pick # 3-5 depending who is available at each slot #3-5.

If some team would see the Russian available at pick four or five - and Chicago has one of those picks - maybe they move up to our pick and give us their first. But is the pick in top 20? And can we somehow move our first pick in round two into a mid to late first? To grab a goaltender, a dmen or a goaltender (who do you want) late first Could KD find a way to choose four times in round one?

If we don’t get a top three maybe move down? If it can be manipulated to an extra first round pick. There is at least one team with multiple first round picks and maybe what they covet most is pick # 3-5 depending who is available at each slot #3-5.
- jhawk59

IMO KD has no thought of trading down. He covets 1-5 as much as any team. Even at 5, Smith or Leonard will be a great pick. I heard on a podcast some scout said if Hawks ate at #5, if Michkov drops it will be him, if. It he thinks KD will take Leonard over Smirh. Leonard skated better, Smith has better hands.

I have no clue, haven’t seen any of them

If some team would see the Russian available at pick four or five - and Chicago has one of those picks - maybe they move up to our pick and give us their first. But is the pick in top 20? And can we somehow move our first pick in round two into a mid to late first? To grab a goaltender, a dmen or a goaltender (who do you want) late first Could KD find a way to choose four times in round one?

If we don’t get a top three maybe move down? If it can be manipulated to an extra first round pick. There is at least one team with multiple first round picks and maybe what they covet most is pick # 3-5 depending who is available at each slot #3-5.
- jhawk59

Doubt if KD trades the 4th or 5th. Maybe KD and Dubas can do a replay of the Mrazek trade. Murray and Boston's pick, 29th overall, that Toronto owns for one of the Hawks 2nd rounders.

Still would like to see Murphy traded for a 1st too.

I think whatever pick the lottery supreme being give us, the Hawks take the best player on their board no matter who it is. The first 5 are all forwards...so you take the best forward and hope. A lot of this drafting stuff is a gamble anyway. You hope you take someone that will live up to their draft position. Just in case, make sure it's a worthy sacrifice we make to the hockey Gods!!!

If some team would see the Russian available at pick four or five - and Chicago has one of those picks - maybe they move up to our pick and give us their first. But is the pick in top 20? And can we somehow move our first pick in round two into a mid to late first? To grab a goaltender, a dmen or a goaltender (who do you want) late first Could KD find a way to choose four times in round one?

If we don’t get a top three maybe move down? If it can be manipulated to an extra first round pick. There is at least one team with multiple first round picks and maybe what they covet most is pick # 3-5 depending who is available at each slot #3-5.
- jhawk59

Rumor is Montreal wants the Russian but valid that rumor is just that a rumor. Plus have to wait until tomorrow where the teams end up picking. Still think hawks are going to pick 3.

If some team would see the Russian available at pick four or five - and Chicago has one of those picks - maybe they move up to our pick and give us their first. But is the pick in top 20? And can we somehow move our first pick in round two into a mid to late first? To grab a goaltender, a dmen or a goaltender (who do you want) late first Could KD find a way to choose four times in round one?

If we don’t get a top three maybe move down? If it can be manipulated to an extra first round pick. There is at least one team with multiple first round picks and maybe what they covet most is pick # 3-5 depending who is available at each slot #3-5.
- jhawk59

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but in KD's only draft besides draft picks received for Dach and Dcat KD has only moved up and that was to get a 3rd 1st rounder and he took Rinzel with that pick.

So what little we know is KD has only moved up in the draft, not down. Let's assume the Hawks get the 5th pick and Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Smith were already drafted leaving Michkov on the board at #5 and KD decides he's not worth the risk and he gets some offers to move down.

Is KD looking at the pipeline like the Bears did? He needs everything and a lot of it. Would he take, depending how the balls bounce, Montreal's 2 1st rd picks, Detroit's two 1st rounders (DET also has the 41st-42nd-43rd, Hawks have the 44th, picks in rd 2) STL's 2 late 1st rounders plus? Does he see a group of players from 6th to 12th tiered the same or does he see a Dvorsky, Leonard, Benson as a sure 1st liner at #5? Or an offer that he sees two probable top 6 guys instead of one probable top 3/6 guy at #5?

Use your imagination. McKenzie's 1st rd ranking: https://www.eliteprospect...ter/2023/tsn-bob-mckenzie

The draft order before the balls bounce: https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/draft_order

Woll moves very nicely. Really well balanced and the Canadian feed said he's 6ft 4in which makes his balanced in control movement even more interesting.

I see Hrabal moving like that at 6ft 6in. Quick, in control and balanced.

McCabe and Kampf watching the game winner go in, and Hawks moving one victory away from #19.

Thanks boys!