I have to say day 4 I'm still on cloud 9. Not worried about Bedard at all, not worried who his linemates are, its all good, unbelievable.

It sounds like KD and Poles bounce things off each other, so i think we will see a similar situation with drafting, not trying to reach or be desperate for one player at 19 or 20, let the draft unfold however it does. If he sees a couple of guys he likes on the board he may even trade back.

With free agency he'll spend but also be responsible with the future cap implications.

Even though i said if they draft Michcov then they wouldn't have to worry about paying Bedard in 3 years, I'm thrilled to pay him in 3 years as a Blackhawk fan.

Cal Ritchie has everything, size, skating ability, good shot, good stickhandler, physical and he has one incredible trait, he’s able to disappear in plain sight. I’ve seen him live for two years, dozens of games and there are many nights I leave and can’t remember if he was playing that night … when he was. Risky pick.
- paulr

I cannot dispute that.
I also have seen him on the national teams where eh thrives with impact wingers.
Sciouts have to decree what is his true upside b/c if he wakes up. He did have 59 points in 59 games with the Osh. Generals.
No reason to cross him off our list b/c we have lots of places we can roll the dice in this draft affair.

I cannot dispute that.
I also have seen him on the national teams where eh thrives with impact wingers.
Sciouts have to decree what is his true upside b/c if he wakes up. He did have 59 points in 59 games with the Osh. Generals.
No reason to cross him off our list b/c we have lots of places we can roll the dice in this draft affair.
- wiz1901

Isn't that so nice Wiz, its refreshing to see the opposite very aggressive rebuild. They have so much flexibility be it draft and or cap capitol.

I would definitely like to see the Hawks choose another centerman, preferably with size and a hard nose.

Lets assume Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Benson and Smith are the top 5 kids taken and somebody takes Dman Pellikka not too far past that. That leaves just 12 picks before it gets to Chicago's turn again at #19.

Do you think there is a chance any of Yager, Divorsky, Danielson, Moore, Leonard, Perreault (or even Michkov) are still out there for the picking? Or would you pick somebody else ahead of them?
- RickJ

I am not sure that the current hype train sees Perreault as the next Seth Jarvis, but where he falls is a mystery, and even though Divorsky supposedly regained traction and was back closer to the top dozen, I wonder where he slots.
If Oliver Moore is available, you don't hesitate b/c he is not huge (5'11" 178) as he is
the successful poster boy for the USA programs top centre. He is so fast and his over all skating is superior, that you simply take him with TB pick if he there.

And I doubt Leonard has lost his shine. He has size, plays off hand left wing Rw and centre, and he is at Boston U next year, and if he ends up available in the second half of the first round, if his named doesn't get called before #19 you pounce also.

Isn't that so nice Wiz, its refreshing to see the opposite very aggressive rebuild. They have so much flexibility be it draft and or cap capitol.
- BetweenTheDots

I think that the owner LET Kyle do this by way of a giant discard may have created a template for many teams as they fall out of true playoff contention...

As you said, Dots, it is still like a dream that we got the best player is the best draft and have so many chances to hit on solid rebuild contributors is dream-like after the crashing demise of our last era.

So Vancouver really wants to infuse new young players, say the more coming from the ‘23 draft the better

There has been asked the question if it is worthwhile to move up in the draft? And at what cost? The draft is deep with good players even at the end of round two and in round three too

But the opportunity to draft top six forward - moreover top line rated - stares is in the face/would Vancouver consent? Looking at the teams with two or more round one in ‘23 the Canucks appear the weakest on paper. Well maybe weakest when Demko is out injured

Perhaps an opportunity to give them a second round pick this year and next just to swap first rounders? Need we insert one of our prospects? Sorry Regula doesn’t compute who does? I cannot say but I will tell you that adding a Bentsen or Danielson is worthwhile,eh

Ya well big mouth Tkachuk better start showing up tonight because he has been MIA the last 3 games. At the very least he could have punched the lights out of his London buddy Mitch Marner when he had the perfect chance to do it last game.

I might become suicicdal if the Leafs come back to win this series.
- RickJ

Yea he never does STFU does he?
Hahaha

I cannot dispute that.
I also have seen him on the national teams where eh thrives with impact wingers.
Sciouts have to decree what is his true upside b/c if he wakes up. He did have 59 points in 59 games with the Osh. Generals.
No reason to cross him off our list b/c we have lots of places we can roll the dice in this draft affair.
- wiz1901

I agree, he has too much natural ability to dismiss him. But the fact he just doesn’t show up is a huge red flag to me.

We are getting close to post 980 here.

It is amazing how many articles have been written about Bedard hawks that simply say nothing about any of it. We have become click bait.

I just pulled up an early ordered draft list I did in August, and I wish this was the outcome this June is many ways:
Here is who I had ranking in our draft spots;
1 Bedard
19 Ethan Gauthier C-RW
20 Leo Carlsson C
35 Nate Danielson C
44 Dominik Petr C-w-I still like him later than this...
52/53 R Def Dylan McKinnon / LW Daniil But
58 Goalie Scott Razlaff
67 Luca Pinelli LW
88 Nick Landis

(Matthew Wood, Callum Ritchie, Charlie Stramel, Colby Barlow and Alex ceirnak were in my top 10 and Will Smith was #13, and Kasper Halttunen #11, Sale #17


If only Carlsson and Danielson were there now!

It's not a game, it's a concern.
- Dieselhead

Well yeah. My point was that height isn’t necessarily a determinant of likelihood to get a concussion. There have been both taller and shorter players who have dealt with concussion issues. Same for those who have avoided them.

We are getting close to post 980 here.

It is amazing how many articles have been written about Bedard hawks that simply say nothing about any of it. We have become click bait.

I just pulled up an early ordered draft list I did in August, and I wish this was the outcome this June is many ways:
Here is who I had ranking in our draft spots;
1 Bedard
19 Ethan Gauthier C-RW
20 Leo Carlsson C
35 Nate Danielson C
44 Dominik Petr C-w-I still like him later than this...
52/53 R Def Dylan McKinnon / LW Daniil But
58 Goalie Scott Razlaff
67 Luca Pinelli LW
88 Nick Landis


If only Carlsson and Danielson were there now!
- wiz1901

Funny how much movement there is in the year prior to the draft. Late bloomers, guys growing, getting stronger while others slip. Then in five years we see who really should have been drafted. You’d really see it doing your websites and blogs and stuff.

We are getting close to post 980 here.

It is amazing how many articles have been written about Bedard hawks that simply say nothing about any of it. We have become click bait.

I just pulled up an early ordered draft list I did in August, and I wish this was the outcome this June is many ways:
Here is who I had ranking in our draft spots;
1 Bedard
19 Ethan Gauthier C-RW
20 Leo Carlsson C
35 Nate Danielson C
44 Dominik Petr C-w-I still like him later than this...
52/53 R Def Dylan McKinnon / LW Daniil But
58 Goalie Scott Razlaff
67 Luca Pinelli LW
88 Nick Landis

(Matthew Wood, Callum Ritchie, Charlie Stramel, Colby Barlow and Alex ceirnak were in my top 10 and Will Smith was #13, and Kasper Halttunen #11, Sale #17


If only Carlsson and Danielson were there now!
- wiz1901

Saw an old mock draft from some guy,can't remember who,but it was from last Oct/Nov.
Had Yanic's kid in the late teens
Had Leonard in the early 20s

I see you've got both in the top 10 now.
Would the Hawks make an extra effort to try and get Gabe Perreault because of Yanic being in the organization for a while now?
I think you said he is a bit on the smaller side,not sure if that will be a factor in drafting at 19/20?

LA's 21 yr old 6ft 2in 190 lb winger Kaliyev really caught my eye in the playoffs. Kid had a jump and purpose to his game I didn't see in the regular season and he has 140 NHL games under his belt. I think he'd slot top 6 for sure with CHI next yr and maybe the next 10.

I'm still intrigued by Turcotte. No, he won't hit projections he had when taken 5th overall but still think his ceiling might be a 2C and floor of a solid 3C. His NHL numbers are nonexistent, but he has solid AHL stats.

These guys would be sweeteners for taking some salary off their hands.

I really think Garland would fill some needs. His near 5 mil per would help get to the floor, is a legit middle 6 but would play L2 for 2 of the 3 yrs here, a legit 50 pt guy and with PP time could reach 60 pts and plays a chippy, high speed, high motor, high compete style KD covets.

Yes, he's small but doesn't play that way and you're on the hook for 3 yrs but he fills a 2nd line role/need that fits the Hawk's style and will add 50 to 60 pts making them competitive as the rookies acclimate/develop.

Not sure of the return but envision the same kinda deal StanBow had to make to offload Sharpy.
- Mr Ricochet

Would I take a chance on Turcotte as a sweetener for absorbing a bad salary, yeah, maybe. He's had a tough go of it health wise, the most games I think he has played in a season is like 36. His AHL numbers are pretty pedestrian really. Going into his 5th year post draft and still not much to show. He's only 22, but he's edging closer and closer to bust.

Funny how much movement there is in the year prior to the draft. Late bloomers, guys growing, getting stronger while others slip. Then in five years we see who really should have been drafted. You’d really see it doing your websites and blogs and stuff.
- paulr

Great point.

I usually take a look at the rosters of successful teams and where their players came from and what their draft position was. You not only need stars but also the glue pieces for the middle to bottom part of a good roster.

Take a look at the Carolina roster - Brett Pesce (#66 overall); Jacob Slavin #129; Jesper Fast #157; Martinook #58. Heck, Brent Burns and Brady Skje were picked in the 20's overall in their draft year.

Unearthing a gem or 2 or 3 somewhere bewteen #50 and #120 can make the difference between a long term winner and an also ran.

Great point.

I usually take a look at the rosters of successful teams and where their players came from and what their draft position was. You not only need stars but also the glue pieces for the middle to bottom part of a good roster.

Take a look at the Carolina roster - Brett Pesce (#66 overall); Jacob Slavin #129; Jesper Fast #157; Martinook #58. Heck, Brent Burns and Brady Skje were picked in the 20's overall in their draft year.

Unearthing a gem or 2 or 3 somewhere bewteen #50 and #120 can make the difference between a long term winner and an also ran.
- RickJ

I always figured this would even out the team's misses in rd 1 or 2. Not sure who Carolina drafter in the 1st round that year?
Let's be real,not all of the Hawks 1st and 2nd rounders last year,or this year are going to be 1st pair d-men or 1st or 2nd line players.
If with their #19/20 pick and 1 of the 2nd rounders they get a 2nd line player and a 3rd line player then it is a very successful draft.

Would I take a chance on Turcotte as a sweetener for absorbing a bad salary, yeah, maybe. He's had a tough go of it health wise, the most games I think he has played in a season is like 36. His AHL numbers are pretty pedestrian really. Going into his 5th year post draft and still not much to show. He's only 22, but he's edging closer and closer to bust.
- TheTrob

I wouldn’t. I would ask for a sweetner from LA from guys who have surpassed him on the depth chart like Kaliyev, Fergamo, shoot I would even take Chromiak over Turcotte. They have Lafferiere and Pinelli coming into the system this year to restock their forward pool.

Looks like the Kings are willing to part with Matt Roy to shed salary. They do have Jordan Spence buried in the A right now

Great point.

I usually take a look at the rosters of successful teams and where their players came from and what their draft position was. You not only need stars but also the glue pieces for the middle to bottom part of a good roster.

Take a look at the Carolina roster - Brett Pesce (#66 overall); Jacob Slavin #129; Jesper Fast #157; Martinook #58. Heck, Brent Burns and Brady Skje were picked in the 20's overall in their draft year.

Unearthing a gem or 2 or 3 somewhere bewteen #50 and #120 can make the difference between a long term winner and an also ran.
- RickJ

And Pesce and Slavin spent zero time “marinating” in the minors. I guess Carolina ruined them by rushing them.

Would the Hawks make an extra effort to try and get Gabe Perreault because of Yanic being in the organization for a while now?
I think you said he is a bit on the smaller side,not sure if that will be a factor in drafting at 19/20?
- captainserious

As I believe Ricochet Rick said, with a few smaller guys as prospects already and a few lightweights with size, you always wonder about taking a Gabe Perreault, but if you are strictly following the best player (even if you have tilted the board towards forward, you wonder how they COULD pass on him at #19/20.)

I just not sure he is a trade up candidate, but I know as little as you do as their likes and dislikes.

All I know is that Carolina's playoff skill is spread over many slight guys, but a few bigger skilled guys. How many is too many?

Or when do you turn away the best forward prospect when you see a left defenseman who ranks ahead?

Great point.

I usually take a look at the rosters of successful teams and where their players came from and what their draft position was. You not only need stars but also the glue pieces for the middle to bottom part of a good roster.

Take a look at the Carolina roster - Brett Pesce (#66 overall); Jacob Slavin #129; Jesper Fast #157; Martinook #58. Heck, Brent Burns and Brady Skje were picked in the 20's overall in their draft year.

Unearthing a gem or 2 or 3 somewhere bewteen #50 and #120 can make the difference between a long term winner and an also ran.
- RickJ

Aho was a second rounder also. that's one reason i don't want to use 2nds to trade up unless you really really sold on someone you think you need to move up on. 4 lottery tickets improve your odds of hitting greatly.

Easily could come away with 6 solid prospects (well 5, we know #1 is already up and not a prospect)

Eric Daze was a fifth-round pick. I might be wrong but wasn't Larmer a third round pick?

And Pesce and Slavin spent zero time “marinating” in the minors. I guess Carolina ruined them by rushing them.
- LAHawk

It's almost as if it should be on a case by case basis considering all people are different. I don't hear many concerned about Bedard starting out in the NHL right now and he doesn't turn 18 until July if I'm not mistaken.

Eric Daze was a fifth-round pick. I might be wrong but wasn't Larmer a third round pick?
- bjphawkfan

Maybe not the best example.

My grandfather always used to call him Dizzy Daze. He couldn't stand him. I never really had a problem with him for what he brought to the team and where he was drafted.

Eric Daze was a fifth-round pick. I might be wrong but wasn't Larmer a third round pick?
- bjphawkfan

Pretty sure Larmer was a 6th
I looked it up a few weeks ago. A friend and I were discussing Amonte and he mentioned trading Larmer for him. I remember landing Amonte but it wasn't for Larmer.
We had to look it up to because it was bugging us.

In the old days we couldn't look it up,wondering how much incorrect info was shared with one another

Aho was a second rounder also. that's one reason i don't want to use 2nds to trade up unless you really really sold on someone you think you need to move up on. 4 lottery tickets improve your odds of hitting greatly.

Easily could come away with 6 solid prospects (well 5, we know #1 is already up and not a prospect)
- vabeachbear

Instead of utilizing a 2nd rounder (and losing a pick) to move higher up in the 1st round, I hope KD could possibly work some magic and take on a cap dump along with a 1st in exchange for a 2nd rounder. Sort of like he did last year with Mrazek. The total amount of 1st and 2nd round picks remains at 6, but one of them would be 15-20 slots higher.

Based on last year's draft, KD is definitely a trader. I'm sure he's discussing a lot of moves internally with his staff and hopefully has been reaching out to other GM's and laying the groundwork.

Aho was a second rounder also. that's one reason i don't want to use 2nds to trade up unless you really really sold on someone you think you need to move up on. 4 lottery tickets improve your odds of hitting greatly.

Easily could come away with 6 solid prospects (well 5, we know #1 is already up and not a prospect)
- vabeachbear

I'm on the fence on agreeing with you, maybe - if Vlasic, Katchouk, Raddysh and Ian Mitchell become meaningful players for the Hawks going forward. Think they might?

Whatever became of ex-Blackhawk #2's - Chad Krys, Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening and Carl Dahlstrom? Kudos to Justin Holl for still being in the league, some observers don't understand how he is still in an NHL lineup.

Alex Debrincat - pretty damn good at #38.

Great scouts find overlooked talent and do a great sales job on a skeptical GM -
i.e. Mark Stone.

I am all for best player vailable and trading up - if the player has real skill and talent.