The Blackhawks haven't given any word on them taking Bedard. Although he is most likely the best in the draft, I dont think they are allowed to share who they are taking. And on top of that we can't just speculate even if being first allows us to draft him. Who knows what Davidson is going to do.
- Hawk4life

If he doesn't want to be fired he will do right by the money took in for seats in the last 24 hours, or he will be gone....

The kid has everything in his shot speaking as an old goalie. It get's off so quickly without much load up that most goalies are caught flat footed. He gets it off from different angles from his body from between his skates all the way to the end of his reach. It travels at a crazy speed. It is crazy accurate. And maybe his best attribute is he has an elite goal scorers mentality/mind/feel/reads.

Add up all those elite qualities and his shot just may be the best ever at 17 and that is not hyperbole.
- Mr Ricochet

Hey Rick, I've just started reading articles about Bedard. One dated March 30th from The Athletic has a paragraph about his shot to add to my description of it. A copy and paste:

'Bedard’s shot has become his defining attribute, a relentless weapon against goaltenders. It has a freakish combination of elite elements. There’s the Auston Matthews-like way he’s able to conceal and manipulate his release point, which makes it nearly impossible for goaltenders to read. There’s the way he’s able to give his shots heavy power despite his lightning-quick release, a combination that means he can launch from anywhere, with the smallest daylight of space a defender affords him. Then, there’s the pinpoint accuracy and how he can find twine from the sharpest angles."

So many comparison between Bedard and Kane....Let me say this....Bedard is a better skater, faster, better with stick, and far better shooter. And one more thing....Bedard is a high quality character guy....For Kane, he had lot of growing up to do and by no means he was a leader.....Not even comparable.
- shidler

I agree with all but the stick work, kane was always a class of his own elite with his handlings.

You guys are going to realize this isn't pat kane, it is a even better more dynamic goal scorer....

Not for me. I'd rather they backtrack and see if #19 would be interested in a short term 'load management' type contract where he could play 50-60 games and work with the kid on playing C at the NHL level.
- RickJ

KD flat out said at a press conference that the Hawks are not offering Toews a contract for next year, and Toews himself said it was time to move on. Kane agreed to waive in part because KD was not going to offer him a contract. He's not going to change his tune now that the overall plan is now going as well as could possibly be imagined. Move on from Toews and Kane. Thank them greatly for what they achieved and contributed to the team and city, but they are not coming back.

Time to start new. For those that are starting to bash Kane, you are obviously entitled to your opinion, but you cannot deny that he was one of the most dynamic players on the ice for the majority of games that he played. I would highly doubt that you get even one cup without him.

One “weakness” is his size. He’s the same size as Crosby was as a 17 year old.
- paulr

Weekes said it last night. He is not tall but he is not slight, either. He has a bit of an edge to him

10 minute NHL Network interview with KD.

What's with Jackie Redmond's shiny legs?

https://www.nhl.com/black...ew/t-277437096/c-17108967

I agree with all but the stick work, kane was always a class of his own elite with his handlings.

You guys are going to realize this isn't pat kane, it is a even better more dynamic goal scorer....
- wiz1901

Yep. Maybe a tad hyperbolic but Bedard has the shot, brain, IQ, ability to create his own shot that he has the chance to beat Gretzky's/OV's all time goals scored record. Of course 100 things need to go right but the kid has all the skills needed to be the all time goal scorer.

What is size? Height, weight, both?....... I have always contended that being shortish can be an advantage in hockey but you gotta have the balls to use it to your advantage.

You get "under" checks, scrums, battles that gives you an advantage. You have the advantage of the center of gravity when you're shorter. You are a smaller target and generally quicker to evade checks. You can slip thru smaller holes. It's easier to get "lost" in finding soft spots or holes in the defensive zone. And if you are stout all those advantages are multiplied.

Depending on a player's traits being shorter is better.
- Mr Ricochet

Marcel "Little Beaver" Dionne. 5'9" 190 lbs. One of the greatest players of his time, unfortunately played for a terrible team in Detroit and a mediocre squad in LA.

731 goals, 1700+ points NHL career. Bit of a choppy skater probably because his legs were like oak tree stumps. Could pass the puck on his forehand or backhand beautifully.

He scored 153 goals in 148 games playing junior hockey for the St.Catharines Blackhawks.

If Bedard turns out like little Beaver he will go down as the greatest Chicago Blackhawk ever.

So many comparison between Bedard and Kane....Let me say this....Bedard is a better skater, faster, better with stick, and far better shooter. And one more thing....Bedard is a high quality character guy....For Kane, he had lot of growing up to do and by no means he was a leader.....Not even comparable.
- shidler

Kane is a winner. Won 3 cups.

Let's see if Bedard can match that pace

We do order from one place down here where the pizza is edible, I always ask them to cut it in squares for me. There’s nothing like a thin sausage pizza from Chicago with a cold beer(s). There’s a decent beef place in Venice, FL(Tony’s Beef), the owners are obviously from Chicago.
- Angotti

My dad now resides in Venice and I will visit in July (ugh wrong month), will look up Tony’s beef when I’m there. Thanks for the tip.

Can't believe how many jersey fans left already

Kane is a winner. Won 3 cups.

Let's see if Bedard can match that pace
- PatShart

And Kane had Keith, Seabrook and Toews. With the exception of Jones there is nobody here worthy of being on the ice with him. Nobody shoots the puck like Bedard and he has moves on the ice like no other player in the past 50 years. I went to Rockford twice during the playoffs and it was pathetic. Reichel is a permiter player and never went to the net. Vlasic might be a 2nd pair guy but is not a top pair guys. Phillips was not anything like the under control player he looked like in the NHL and was all over the ice except the front of his net. Ther rest will be coaching at Glacier.

Nazar, Allen and Del Mastro are all years away.

Lot to ask Korchinski to play a big role as a rookie.

When you look at the rosters of the WHL there are only a couple of guys per team that end up doing much in the NHL where Korchinski was dominating.

My bigger fear is the coaching Bedard is going to get here. I keep hearing about the great job Richardson did but that is BS and the numbers speak for themselves in a results oriented business. The Hawks were a mess all over the ice. Big chunk was talent but a big chunk was the structure, lack of preparation and in game benchwork. Just watch the speed players jump on and off the ice in the playoffs and think of how the Hakws changed lines. No comparison. What is he going to be able to teach Bedard? How to rifle one off the glass out of the zone or how to be one of the least productive first round picks?

Don't retread a washed up Kane for another fairwell tour. No out of shape Toews. They need a Wood, Reaves or Lemieux to make sure Bedard feels safe Bedard has never had to experience getting destroyed by Winnipeg 6-2 on a Tuesday night like the Hawks pull off 3 times a year. MIN, STL, NAS and COL are going to do everything they can to play him physical and watch Richardson do nothing.

Lets hope Bedard survives the first few seasons and the franchise brings in some legit NHL coaches to turn this around. Edmonton, Toronto, New Jersey and Buffalo all tanked and loaded up with no Cups and little team success to show for it.

KD flat out said at a press conference that the Hawks are not offering Toews a contract for next year, and Toews himself said it was time to move on. Kane agreed to waive in part because KD was not going to offer him a contract. He's not going to change his tune now that the overall plan is now going as well as could possibly be imagined. Move on from Toews and Kane. Thank them greatly for what they achieved and contributed to the team and city, but they are not coming back.

Time to start new. For those that are starting to bash Kane, you are obviously entitled to your opinion, but you cannot deny that he was one of the most dynamic players on the ice for the majority of games that he played. I would highly doubt that you get even one cup without him.
- Chunk

Don't disagree with anything you are saying. Would just like to see the kid have a solid veteran player around to help out during the introduction phase of his NHL career. I'm sure the Hawks will sign somebody for that.

Marcel "Little Beaver" Dionne. 5'9" 190 lbs. One of the greatest players of his time, unfortunately played for a terrible team in Detroit and a mediocre squad in LA.

731 goals, 1700+ points NHL career. Bit of a choppy skater probably because his legs were like oak tree stumps. Could pass the puck on his forehand or backhand beautifully.

He scored 153 goals in 148 games playing junior hockey for the St.Catharines Blackhawks.

If Bedard turns out like little Beaver he will go down as the greatest Chicago Blackhawk ever.
- RickJ

For sure Dionne was a stout ultra skilled dude but I guess I didn't realize how short he was in an era where anything went on a puck carrier.

I hope you keep posting up to and thru the draft, Rick. Speaking for myself your insight and grasp of the sport going back 50 yrs is very helpful.

As I mentioned I haven't read any Bedard articles but am now basically trying to pick the guy apart a bit. Same article as I posted earlier from The Athletic "Why Bedard could be generational" I'll post the conclusion. Interesting and solid take IMO. If you have a subscription here's the link. https://theathletic.com/4...or-bedard-nhl-draft-film/

"Conclusion

Bedard is extremely gifted beyond his otherworldly shot. The biggest threat of a player like McDavid or MacKinnon is that they’ll blow by you and get behind your defense. With Bedard, the threat is he has an endless array of weapons — a tremendous shot, puck skills, hockey sense, creativity and deception — that leaves defensemen with almost no idea what he’s going to do next. He possesses such a versatile and unpredictable offensive toolkit.

I don’t think he’ll be a McDavid-caliber player but he has the potential to be a totally unique archetype of a franchise superstar. The best way to describe it would be if you fused Matthews’ shooting ability with elements of Patrick Kane’s slippery dynamism, playmaking and creativity. If he hits that type of ceiling, he’d earn the “generational” label among at least some in the hockey world."

And Kane had Keith, Seabrook and Toews. With the exception of Jones there is nobody here worthy of being on the ice with him. Nobody shoots the puck like Bedard and he has moves on the ice like no other player in the past 50 years. I went to Rockford twice during the playoffs and it was pathetic. Reichel is a permiter player and never went to the net. Vlasic might be a 2nd pair guy but is not a top pair guys. Phillips was not anything like the under control player he looked like in the NHL and was all over the ice except the front of his net. Ther rest will be coaching at Glacier.

Nazar, Allen and Del Mastro are all years away.

Lot to ask Korchinski to play a big role as a rookie.

When you look at the rosters of the WHL there are only a couple of guys per team that end up doing much in the NHL where Korchinski was dominating.

My bigger fear is the coaching Bedard is going to get here. I keep hearing about the great job Richardson did but that is BS and the numbers speak for themselves in a results oriented business. The Hawks were a mess all over the ice. Big chunk was talent but a big chunk was the structure, lack of preparation and in game benchwork. Just watch the speed players jump on and off the ice in the playoffs and think of how the Hakws changed lines. No comparison. What is he going to be able to teach Bedard? How to rifle one off the glass out of the zone or how to be one of the least productive first round picks?

Don't retread a washed up Kane for another fairwell tour. No out of shape Toews. They need a Wood, Reaves or Lemieux to make sure Bedard feels safe Bedard has never had to experience getting destroyed by Winnipeg 6-2 on a Tuesday night like the Hawks pull off 3 times a year. MIN, STL, NAS and COL are going to do everything they can to play him physical and watch Richardson do nothing.

Lets hope Bedard survives the first few seasons and the franchise brings in some legit NHL coaches to turn this around. Edmonton, Toronto, New Jersey and Buffalo all tanked and loaded up with no Cups and little team success to show for it.
- stevefrmglencoe

I think they lost 13 one goal games, gave up another 21 empty net goals. This rag tag bunch were in many many games. I don't understand this fear you speak of. I'm thrilled.

Reichel was hurt

AHL is for development just saying

How does Bedard factor in these 1 goal games?

How about Keoth, Seabrook and Toews got to play with Kane?

Best American player of all time
Best passer of this generation
And delivered the 3 cups as the #1 pick

Some say his point totals could have been higher had he chased points.

Kane did everything a number 1 pick should do. Many other number 1's are still chasing - and have had plenty o' talent around them as well.

Kane winning Cups made it easier for Bedard to not have the pressure of the Hawks not winning in 50yrs

Bedard had a blueprint of what to do and what not. Kane showed what the City has to offer.

Definitely Bedard has the talent. But many players have had that. Rooting for the kid, but don't sell what Kane did short and hand Bedard a crown without skating a shift in the Indian head.

Don't disagree with anything you are saying. Would just like to see the kid have a solid veteran player around to help out during the introduction phase of his NHL career. I'm sure the Hawks will sign somebody for that.
- RickJ

IMO the construction of the roster in Bedard's first yr is crucial. As great as the kid's skills are he's going to be playing in the best league in the world vs men, for his first time, there is a chance he won't develop as well as he could without a proper roster.

I feel LR will pull all the right strings on the ice and will have an influence on how KD proceeds building the roster. For sure he needs a least a few competent NHL vets to develop properly. Not worried at all about his skills translating but the chance his brain does not without solid NHLers to skate with is a possibility.

I wonder if you feel signing a couple heavier players like Hathaway, Reeves or Lucic would be a good idea to keep an eye on things on the ice?

The rebuild will still be in process next yr but IMO it's crucial to build a roster to insure proper development of Bedard understanding it's still a rebuild.

IMO the construction of the roster in Bedard's first yr is crucial. As great as the kid's skills are he's going to be playing in the best league in the world vs men, for his first time, there is a chance he won't develop as well as he could without a proper roster.

I feel LR will pull all the right strings on the ice and will have an influence on how KD proceeds building the roster. For sure he needs a least a few competent NHL vets to develop properly. Not worried at all about his skills translating but the chance his brain does not without solid NHLers to skate with is a possibility.

I wonder if you feel signing a couple heavier players like Hathaway, Reeves or Lucic would be a good idea to keep an eye on things on the ice?

The rebuild will still be in process next yr but IMO it's crucial to build a roster to insure proper development of Bedard understanding it's still a rebuild.
- Mr Ricochet

I think you are over thinking it. Don't we already have a somewhat heavy roster. I see him doing just fine with the likes of Reichel, Raddysh, Kurashev, AA, Domi, Di ckinson, Kstchouk. LR will keep mixing and matching players throughout the season

I think they lost 13 one goal games, gave up another 21 empty net goals. This rag tag bunch were in many many games. I don't understand this fear you speak of. I'm thrilled.

Reichel was hurt

AHL is for development just saying

How does Bedard factor in these 1 goal games?
- BetweenTheDots

I respect your opinion.
The Hawks let in 97 goals more than they scored and most of the playoff teams were plus 50. I love Bedard but don't think he brings a 150 goal turnaround.
Plus I watched most of last season and did not feel they were in that many games at all.

I respect your opinion.
The Hawks let in 97 goals more than they scored and most of the playoff teams were plus 50. I love Bedard but don't think he brings a 150 goal turnaround.
Plus I watched most of last season and did not feel they were in that many games at all.
- stevefrmglencoe

To me this is a process I'm not expecting playoffs maybe we start sniffing them when Bedard is 21-22? That's why i personally just want KD to draft as much talent as he can and all these kids can develop together with some smart veteran player signings with 2-4 year terms for now. Would not be surprised we draft closer to 10 next year rather than 1.

How about Keoth, Seabrook and Toews got to play with Kane?

Best American player of all time
Best passer of this generation
And delivered the 3 cups as the #1 pick

Some say his point totals could have been higher had he chased points.

Kane did everything a number 1 pick should do. Many other number 1's are still chasing - and have had plenty o' talent around them as well.

Kane winning Cups made it easier for Bedard to not have the pressure of the Hawks not winning in 50yrs

Bedard had a blueprint of what to do and what not. Kane showed what the City has to offer.

Definitely Bedard has the talent. But many players have had that. Rooting for the kid, but don't sell what Kane did short and hand Bedard a crown without skating a shift in the Indian head.
- PatShart

Kane was magic for sure. I think the best Hawk of my 60 years. He was getting prime breakout passes from superstar which Bedard won't be getting. Bowman figured out they needed Q. LR is no Q.

Moving forward I don't want them bringing Kane back here. I hope Bedard runs the PP. Bedard gets all the Ozone starts. I don't want Bedard watching Kane slowly return to the bench shaking his head when things don't go his way.

And Kane had Keith, Seabrook and Toews. With the exception of Jones there is nobody here worthy of being on the ice with him. Nobody shoots the puck like Bedard and he has moves on the ice like no other player in the past 50 years. I went to Rockford twice during the playoffs and it was pathetic. Reichel is a permiter player and never went to the net. Vlasic might be a 2nd pair guy but is not a top pair guys. Phillips was not anything like the under control player he looked like in the NHL and was all over the ice except the front of his net. Ther rest will be coaching at Glacier.


- stevefrmglencoe

While I very much disagree with your thoughts on LR's coaching the Hawks I wonder why, and if, you think Vlasic Phillips and Reichel looked good in their stints up with the Hawks this yr?

Also wonder if you think a coaching change in RKF is a good idea?

I do agree with you the roster is really important for Bedard next yr but until it's completed I'm not going to get upset about it. I do think Reichel, Vlasic and Kaiser will be solid NHL rookies next yr. And also think T Johnson, Katchouk, Dic#kinson, Guttman, Blackwell, Raddysh, Kurashev are NHL level forwards.

IMO the construction of the roster in Bedard's first yr is crucial. As great as the kid's skills are he's going to be playing in the best league in the world vs men, for his first time, there is a chance he won't develop as well as he could without a proper roster.

I feel LR will pull all the right strings on the ice and will have an influence on how KD proceeds building the roster. For sure he needs a least a few competent NHL vets to develop properly. Not worried at all about his skills translating but the chance his brain does not without solid NHLers to skate with is a possibility.

I wonder if you feel signing a couple heavier players like Hathaway, Reeves or Lucic would be a good idea to keep an eye on things on the ice?

The rebuild will still be in process next yr but IMO it's crucial to build a roster to insure proper development of Bedard understanding it's still a rebuild.
- Mr Ricochet

Would like to see any highly-rated rookie forward join Bedard so there's less pressure. Think that was beneficial to Toews and Kane, starting the same year. That said, the cupboard is pretty bare so we would need to trade to get a blue chip and other than draft capital, nothing much here.

While I very much disagree with your thoughts on LR's coaching the Hawks I wonder why, and if, you think Vlasic Phillips and Reichel looked good in their stints up with the Hawks this yr?

Also wonder if you think a coaching change in RKF is a good idea?

I do agree with you the roster is really important for Bedard next yr but until it's completed I'm not going to get upset about it. I do think Reichel, Vlasic and Kaiser will be solid NHL rookies next yr. And also think T Johnson, Katchouk, Dic#kinson, Guttman, Blackwell, Raddysh, Kurashev are NHL level forwards.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for asking me this.

I think Vlasic moves great for a guy his size and is going to be a solid #4 guy who kills penalties, plays tough minutes and gets the puck out of the zone via pass or skating.

I think Phillips played a simple game in the NHL and did not look out of place. Great skater in great shape. Solid 5 or 6 in the future.

Always want more from Reichel. Seems like he is dancing on the ice while everyone else has to work hard to move. Too much on the perimeter and too much no look stuff. If he wins the lottery and plays with Bedard I hope he plays a simple game of give and go to the net not button hook at the blueline and blind backhand pass to nobody.

I think you are over thinking it. Don't we already have a somewhat heavy roster. I see him doing just fine with the likes of Reichel, Raddysh, Kurashev, AA, Domi, Di ckinson, Kstchouk. LR will keep mixing and matching players throughout the season
- BetweenTheDots

Over thinking getting competent NHLers to skate with Bedard and a couple guys that can police the ice and skate an NHL shift?

Who right now is their top 6 and who besides Tinordi does a goof on the other team respect?