Great stat for parity. Now it is only the Sabres who have not won a playoff series in over 10 years. Rebuilds work and parity keeps everything fresh.

Boston lost, just as the lightning did in 2019, because for most of the season, they had no adversity and little to play for. You can not win playoff series without knowing how to deal with adversity. Plus Florida is much better than people think and are finally healthy. They will give the leafs all they can handle.

Lets face it, Vegas, and now Seattle show how much depth of talent there is in the NHL and how having a fresh sheet of paper void of elephants in the room, can accelerate growth.

The better model is the Rangers. Yes they lost a tough series this year, but they gutted their team, like the hawks have done and rose back up in 3 years. The Kings too...retooled and are super competitive.

Next year, the Bruins do NOT make the playoffs. Bergeron and Krejci are done and they will lose a few others. You can not replace guys like that. Sabres take a step forward and the Wings and Senators will push in what will be the deepest/best division in hockey.



With Kane and now Toews gone, the team is ready for fresh direction and identity.

I think one of the most interesting aspects of the first round of the playoffs is the goaltenders.

Look at the goalies going home.
Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Hellebuyck
Fleury/Gustavsson
Sorokin/Varlamov

And those going to round 2.
Bobrovsky/Lyon
Samsonov/Woll
Raanta/Anderson
Schmid/Vanecek
Oettinger
Skinner/Campbell
Grubauer
Brossoit

Is it a case of having a hot goalie? (Remember Niemi)
Does goaltending mean a lot less if you have a strong lineup in front of them?
Do the Hawks have a Oettinger, Skinner, or Schmid currently in their system?
- -Doh-

Good post, Doh. But I think this is probably an outlier. Vasilevskiy has won 3 of the last 4 cups and Kuemper is no slouch winning it last yr...... But your point is taken and I'd add 2 of the final 8 goalies are rookies which I'm assuming is rare.

LBR (and I think Elbows on here) has stats (from JFresh I think) that weighs the improtance of late first round/second/third round picks. Someone who follows JFresh can answer it better, but my understanding is once you get into the later first/second round, you don't gain much advantage to move up in picks (unless you really want a player still on the board).
- LAHawk

I do not doubt LBR statistical analysis which you reference; however, I do not agree to take this as a slam dunk best strategy

This is a unique draft due to the fact it is both deep and quality filled. Looking at tier grouping of prospects, I am interested how to move into the second tier. What is the likelihood to pluck someone KD 1) really likes who may be gone by the first of our second round picks; and 2) is there significant greater impact or star player with the second tier!

Adding many good prospects is fine but I want to increase the number of impact star players we add. This should be closely scrutinized as a possible trade scenario in light of two reasons.

First we are not gratuitously able to select Bedard

Secondly we have plenty of second round picks and sending one to take on a veteran no want contract could garner us that more coveted first round pick

I won’t suggest a specific trade but I notice where a comment was made about Vancouver has a cupboard empty of top end prospects. They should be interested in acquiring additional prospects. Vancouver could accomplish this by getting an extra pick or swapping a 2024 for a 2023 both being second round picks. Attach that to the dumping of a bad contract as I mentioned above. So Vancouver would have two second rounders plus they got rid of the bad contract

LBR statistical analysis covers how many draft years and the strength of each draft varied. So while I agree there may be some truth to the statistical analysis, I do not go with it as a best approach in a deep 2023 draft where we can complete an advantageous transaction (trade).

Everyone is feeling peachy about a rebuild and who comes along to burst the bubble.
- paulr

Who, me? I'm the neighborhood unicorn, believer of all pipe dreams!!

I think it's the reason they are relevant again just like the Devils, Kings and so on

What is it 5 or 6 NHL players? Out of that lot
- BetweenTheDots

3 third line players, a #5 defenseman, and a #4 that looked like Calvin DaHaan this series.

I thought you said the Kings cut short their rebuild because they gave up a first rounder for Fiala?

I agree New Jersey has done it right.
They also have identified the right veterans to augment the kids. They did pay a huge price for Meier, who still is not signed.

Rangers draft order

2017 - #7, #21
2018 #'s9,22,28,39,70
2019 #2,49,58
2020 #1, 19,60

So 7 #1's in 4 years.. How has that worked out for them. Hope KD has better success than Gorton/Rangers did.
- LAHawk

Agree. You need good drafting, good prospect development, good coaching, wise cap management, a good trade or two and a generous amount of luck or good fortune. I think luck and good fortune are very very underrated.

3 third line players, a #5 defenseman, and a #4 that looked like Calvin DaHaan this series.

I thought you said the Kings cut short their rebuild because they gave up a first rounder for Fiala?

I agree New Jersey has done it right.
They also have identified the right veterans to augment the kids. They did pay a huge price for Meier, who still is not signed.
- LAHawk

No you said that, i said they shouldn't be giving up their 1st round draft picks because they start sniffing the playoffs in the weak division they are in.

Really don't care for the Meier trade either for the Devils

3 third line players, a #5 defenseman, and a #4 that looked like Calvin DaHaan this series.

I thought you said the Kings cut short their rebuild because they gave up a first rounder for Fiala?

I agree New Jersey has done it right.
They also have identified the right veterans to augment the kids. They did pay a huge price for Meier, who still is not signed.
- LAHawk

Its okay to be fearful of what they are doing, I'm embracing it, to me this is the best way to really build a very deep playoff team. And i don't get why you dismiss the Rangers because they were beat by a young and up and coming team, yet you sing the praises of LA who had been bounced in the first round 2 years in a row?

Agree. You need good drafting, good prospect development, good coaching, wise cap management, a good trade or two and a generous amount of luck or good fortune. I think luck and good fortune are very very underrated.
- -Doh-

Absolutely correct!!!

This is why GM's who have built a dominant team in the cap era haven't been able to repeat the feat (the jury is still out on Stevie Y, although his team has now missed the playoffs for the 4th straight year since his arrival).

Comesso off to the World Tournament playing for USA. He never got into a game for Rockford.
The Icehogs appear the worse team as they are in the do or die elimination with game three tonight vs Texas at Texas games 3-5 those applicable

Its okay to be fearful of what they are doing, I'm embracing it, to me this is the best way to really build a very deep playoff team. And i don't get why you dismiss the Rangers because they were beat by a young and up and coming team, yet you sing the praises of LA who had been bounced in the first round 2 years in a row?
- BetweenTheDots

Because the Rangers went all in this year with the Tarasanko/ Kane trade, especially the cap gyrations they had to do to fit in Kane. Kings trade for Krposalo/Gabrikov, I expect one or both to be signed and be on the team next year, that fill a long term need.

And the management of the Rangers who sent the rebuild letter (Davidson and Gorton) were fired, and Drury based on the moves he made at the TDL has taken them in another direction.

I don't expect you to know about the Kings, but they are right where they expected to be at this point in their rebuild. And unfortunately for them, as the team management has said, Edmonton is not going anywhere, so to take the next step of course they will need to beat them. How long did it take Toronto to get past the first round?

What am I missing? I have the Jets at 18, Tampa at 19, and the Wild at 20. I thought it was based on points at the end of the season?

Great stat for parity. Now it is only the Sabres who have not won a playoff series in over 10 years. Rebuilds work and parity keeps everything fresh.

Boston lost, just as the lightning did in 2019, because for most of the season, they had no adversity and little to play for. You can not win playoff series without knowing how to deal with adversity. Plus Florida is much better than people think and are finally healthy. They will give the leafs all they can handle.

Lets face it, Vegas, and now Seattle show how much depth of talent there is in the NHL and how having a fresh sheet of paper void of elephants in the room, can accelerate growth.

The better model is the Rangers. Yes they lost a tough series this year, but they gutted their team, like the hawks have done and rose back up in 3 years. The Kings too...retooled and are super competitive.

Next year, the Bruins do NOT make the playoffs. Bergeron and Krejci are done and they will lose a few others. You can not replace guys like that. Sabres take a step forward and the Wings and Senators will push in what will be the deepest/best division in hockey.



With Kane and now Toews gone, the team is ready for fresh direction and identity.
- TrueGrit

I think the Islanders also drop out. Too many very old players, some bad contracts, barely squeaked in this year. Horvat helps but it’s basically Sorokin, Barzal, and Horvat vs the world.

The Blackhawks are not in the same spot the Rangers were, simply because they don’t have free agents or young phenoms hellbent on only playing in Chicago. NYR got Panarin in free agency, Fox would only play in New York, and Trouba demanded the same.

It is shocking how ineffective Lafreniere and Kakko have been while waiting for the top spots on the PP to open up. Hard to imagine all the scouts were wrong about these two. LAF is only three years in, Kakko has decent underlying numbers but hasn’t impressed me personally.

The Hawks top young guns seem to be Reichel, Korchinski, and whoever they get with this top five pick. The guys who might arrive later are Nazar, Ludwinski, del Mastro, Allan, etc.

Most are likely just everyday players, we’ll see who becomes a real needle mover. It feels quite nice having zero cap worries for once.

6 picks in the top 56 in a deep draft.


It also is possible that he could move a pick or two in this draft for an earlier pick or two in next year's draft. I know this year's draft is deep, but that might incentivize some desperate GM to overpay for a pick in this draft.

Right now, the only teams I could possibly see fitting that scenario is Vancouver (slotted at #11 right now, Pittsburgh #14, and Calgary #16. Don't see any other team in the lower 16 that would be interested in moving their pick.
- LAHawk

I would prefer to package two (depending upon which two ...#20 plus ?... in this draft to move up in this draft to slots a top 12 spot.

So some here saw a dominant Kane for the Rangers? (one game)

I think the Rangers would have been better off adding Lafferty's speed and Mccabe's defense, because those two young NY defenders didn't play well and there seemed to be no adjustments to solve the devil's speed.

What's an Artemi Panarin?
- rpeters01

Probably relieved that he doesn't have to get hit in the playoffs any more; this was his worst attempt in the playoffs and if he is NOT injured I don't know how they rationalize the contract.

And when he and kane finally got some time on the ice, they didn't click.

The reason a KD quick overhaul seems more prudent than a Winnipeg Jets, keep getting great draft picks and 1uick pros who all want to be paid, so they trade, and the window closes...

Detroit rebuild get them to the playoffs yet? It was coming after they drafted Larkin.

Luck is a factor form Lottery on.

What helps is every bad selection made before your team picks.

Seattle McCann was an early pick...hiowlong that take to become a recognized 40 goal player?

These upcoming drafts with luck, give us the cream at the top, and besides that, think of all the additional pieces the Blackhawks added to get where they where.

First Cup Brian Campbell signed to a crazy $$$ deal.
Prior to first Cup: Getting a prototypical two way left wing in Andrew Ladd.

(we could go on about the luck of being trade Versteeg.)

The late centre additions of
2010, PK Michael Frolík, C John Madden
2013, C Micheal Handzus
2015, C Andrew Desardins C Brad Richards

It is often just assumed here that rebuilds work. The reality is that they often don't. This is why teams that have an aging group of great players are often hesitant to start over.
- mohel

Rebuilds usually mean loss of revenue. That's probably a bigger reason why they can't let go of aging stars. Two summers ago, the Hawks went for it, probably because ownership couldn't bear the thought of the pain of the rebuild.

We could talk about rebuilds that worked and those that didn't. The Avs are one that obviously worked as well. Ottawa keeps trying to get it right. Minnesota pulled off the bandaid with those buyouts, but they are still competitive. The Oilers took how many high first round selections to get to now?

We're talking about trading depreciating assets for hopefully appreciating assets. There are no guarantees. The answer is it depends. It depends on the front office executing the rebuild. It depends on the front office to make the right moves to keep a team with an aging core competitive on the ice, on the flip side. Neither path is a slam dunk.

Great stat for parity. Now it is only the Sabres who have not won a playoff series in over 10 years. Rebuilds work and parity keeps everything fresh.

Boston lost, just as the lightning did in 2019, because for most of the season, they had no adversity and little to play for. You can not win playoff series without knowing how to deal with adversity. Plus Florida is much better than people think and are finally healthy. They will give the leafs all they can handle.

Lets face it, Vegas, and now Seattle show how much depth of talent there is in the NHL and how having a fresh sheet of paper void of elephants in the room, can accelerate growth.

The better model is the Rangers. Yes they lost a tough series this year, but they gutted their team, like the hawks have done and rose back up in 3 years. The Kings too...retooled and are super competitive.

Next year, the Bruins do NOT make the playoffs. Bergeron and Krejci are done and they will lose a few others. You can not replace guys like that. Sabres take a step forward and the Wings and Senators will push in what will be the deepest/best division in hockey.



With Kane and now Toews gone, the team is ready for fresh direction and identity.
- TrueGrit

The talent pool at the end of the day is pretty diluted. Goaltending also happens. Florida had a pretty good team. That should have been kind of obvious with the way they finished the year.

Colorado had a significant injury and a weird legal thing that took out two key players. there isn't enough of a margin of error to account for that.

K2 seems like he'll be a pretty explosive player who will drive play and put up points. Check one. Reichel looks like he'll be a pretty decent contributor maybe at the level of a Patrick Sharp on the high end. Ok neat. They still need 3 guys who can score reliably at forward plus another 1 that out kicks his coverage.

The rest of the players are really filler.

It takes most - and I stress most - players until their 3rd season to figure out if they're a player or not. Jack Hughes is a good example of this. Dahlin is another one that took some time even with the two 40 point seasons out of the gate. Keith's first two years were not very good. Seabrook, Kane and Toews were outliers in that regard.

Soooo it's probably going to be at least 3 years. Possibly 4 but most likely 5. If Power's dream comes true and they sign Matthews then that kind of changes thing but its gonna take them a minute to get back to relevance cause its not like these kiddos are going to be good from day one - and there aren't players like Kane or Toews to take any of that pressure off or lighten the load.

What am I missing? I have the Jets at 18, Tampa at 19, and the Wild at 20. I thought it was based on points at the end of the season?
- bjphawkfan

I was basing based on what CapFriendly has on their site as they are usually spot on. I will look into it more and see if there is other sources that can confirm this.

Good post, Doh. But I think this is probably an outlier. Vasilevskiy has won 3 of the last 4 cups and Kuemper is no slouch winning it last yr...... But your point is taken and I'd add 2 of the final 8 goalies are rookies which I'm assuming is rare.
- Mr Ricochet

Vaselievski has won two cups

Clarification on the Tampa pick
The Tampa Bay first round pick will either be 19 or 20 based on the outcome of the Panthers/Leafs series. If Florida wins the pick will be 19, if the Leafs win the pick will be 20.

What am I missing? I have the Jets at 18 (95pts), Tampa at 19, and the Wild at 20. I thought it was based on points at the end of the season?
- bjphawkfan

Because Florida Panthers had 92 points, right now they are at #17 and the Isles at #18 (93pts),Winnipeg at #19 and at #20 Tampa (98pts).

The winners in the second round are teams that made it to the conference finals....and since Florida is the only one of those teams playing,

FLORIDA can become either
the conference final loser and have to pick 29/30, or go on and win and get a pick 31 or 32.

That would re-arrange the order

17 Isles (93pts)
18 Winnipeg (95pts)
19 Tampa (98pts)
20 Seattle & Minny in flux because Seattle still playing could be another conference losers or winner
21
22 LA
rangers

Colorado <---these are the division winners
Vegas. <---these are the division winners unsure
Carolina. <---these are the division winners unsure on conference finals
Boston. <---these are the division winners


Playoff teams that did not win their divisions and did not make the conference finals, sorted by points, are assigned the next picks[/I] <--this is how it raises FLA slot
Playoff teams that won their divisions and did not make the conference finals, sorted by points, are assigned the next picks

Tank today

Vancouver 1
Chicago 2

That's why they play the games. 1 huge mistake by Fox last night cost the team dearly, and now they are watching the playoffs
- BetweenTheDots

That play alone didn't make the difference. Devils were the better team overall and still win without that humiliating play by Fox.

I think we have to closely watch the development of this years draft picks in the top 56 selections.
the Blackhawks almost 11% of all the picks of the top 56 is a very strong 56.

There should be good idea how to get the players THEY truly want knowing where most players rank.

Last year, they had almost 9 % of the top 57, in a weaker prospect pool.

They better just know what player is the back up at each pick.