Prediction
2 of Hawks top six forwards picked are under 6' (Bedard being one)
2 are 6'
2 are over 6'2

So 4 of the top 6 will have some size. Forward size will be important in this draft for the Hawks.
- -Doh-

KD should sign Connor McClennon. He’s a free agent after re-entering the draft last year and wasn’t selected. He scored 46 goals and had 92 points in 64 regular season games for the Winnipeg Ice. So far, in 16 playoff games he has 14 goals and 22 points.

He would easily fit into your under 6’ category as he’s 5’8” (and 164 lbs).

If murphy is so bad, why would someone give up even a first rounder for him? In my opinion you would be lucky to get a third round pick
- LFS

Most of those situations are where teams need to shed an even higher salary.

I wonder how bad Winnipeg wants to move Rick Wheeler? (see Athletic article today) He is an expensive rental that will be 37 when the next season starts. Rick and #18 for Hawks #44? Too much? Too Little?

Same idea for Toronto and Nylander? Nylander and their 2024 #1 for Hawks #51 this year. Too much? Too little?

Top 6 of Nylander, Wheeler, Bedard, Reichel, Domi and T. Johnson and or Raddysh. Picking #1, 18, 19, 35, 55 this year. Three firsts and two seconds next year. With a ton of cap room again next year. Maybe retain salary and flip Wheeler and Nylander at the deadline?

Probably would not have a top 5 pick in 2024. But 5 picks in the top 64 would not be bad. Definitely would still miss playoffs and be in the lottery.

Toronto and Edmonton. Top heavy teams beaten by more balanced teams.
- -Doh-

Top heavy teams beaten by far better goaltending. Edmonton reliance on the rookie goalie was their ultimate downfall.

Bobrowsky’s $10 mil. Contract got more worth than Tavares $11 mil. Contract. Anyone complaining about his contract now? The Panthers start paying Spencer Knight $4.5 mil. Next year. Which contract do they want to offload now, with no draft choice capital in their arsenal?

The issue is that Nylander is basically a rental, he’ll be a UFA next year.
- Angotti

The issues is Nyalnder has a ten team no trade clause...

I wonder how bad Winnipeg wants to move Rick Wheeler? (see Athletic article today) He is an expensive rental that will be 37 when the next season starts. Rick and #18 for Hawks #44? Too much? Too Little?

Same idea for Toronto and Nylander? Nylander and their 2024 #1 for Hawks #51 this year. Too much? Too little?

Top 6 of Nylander, Wheeler, Bedard, Reichel, Domi and T. Johnson and or Raddysh. Picking #1, 18, 19, 35, 55 this year. Three firsts and two seconds next year. With a ton of cap room again next year. Maybe retain salary and flip Wheeler and Nylander at the deadline?

Probably would not have a top 5 pick in 2024. But 5 picks in the top 64 would not be bad. Definitely would still miss playoffs and be in the lottery.
- -Doh-

Wheeler has a full no move, think he is going to pick the Hawks for his probable last year playing hockey?

I don’t think KD is looking at Nylander to be anywhere near Bedard. He had the other Nylander that he traded as soon as he was able.

Top heavy teams beaten by far better goaltending. Edmonton reliance on the rookie goalie was their ultimate downfall.

Bobrowsky’s $10 mil. Contract got more worth than Tavares $11 mil. Contract. Anyone complaining about his contract now? The Panthers start paying Spencer Knight $4.5 mil. Next year. Which contract do they want to offload now, with no draft choice capital in their arsenal?
- LAHawk

Vegas with the far better team defense,too, that collapsed around their net. There was no Edmonton skater within 10 feet of Marchessault on his first 2 goals.

And yes, a hot goalie, regardless of his contract, is a key to success in the playoffs.

Wheeler has a full no move, think he is going to pick the Hawks for his probable last year playing hockey?

I don’t think KD is looking at Nylander to be anywhere near Bedard. He had the other Nylander that he traded as soon as he was able.
- LAHawk

wheeler makes more sense since he would require a 2nd asset coming nylander has postive value to a team so my guess is he would make mroe sense for a team that is planning on making the playoffs next year.

Prediction
2 of Hawks top six forwards picked are under 6' (Bedard being one)
2 are 6'
2 are over 6'2

So 4 of the top 6 will have some size. Forward size will be important in this draft for the Hawks.
- -Doh-

I think just looking at the better top lines, there are some larger players on them.

The question does become what is the average size on top two lines on average, because your energy line and checking line usually is where the beef is.

Connor's legs are like tree trunks.
There are quite a few slightly under six footers at 17/18 who project as mighty good prospects.
After taking Nazar last year, I can see the reasoning and feel somewhat the same way, but in the top two rounds I worry about how good they look in a couple years and how large they are.

Fun trade proposal on capfriendly's arm chair GM page.

Toronto trades Mathews to Anaheim for their 2023 1st, Nylander + to CBJ for their 2023 1st, Marner to San Jose for their 2023 1st.

Then those three 1sts (numbers 2, 3, 4 overall) to CHI for the #1.

[quote=boilermaker100]Vegas with the far better team defense,too, that collapsed around their net. There was no Edmonton skater within 10 feet of Marchessault on his first 2 goals./quote]

Cody Ceci and Darnell Nurse were on teh ice on the first embarrassing Marchessault on the first one, and were on for the second.

The. months leading ups to the playoffs I was convinced Edmonton really were humming on all the pistons, the bottom six chipping in, the defense engaged with the rookie goalie Skinner not greta but stopping them.

Fun trade proposal on capfriendly's arm chair GM page.

Toronto trades Mathews to Anaheim for their 2023 1st, Nylander + to CBJ for their 2023 1st, Marner to San Jose for their 2023 1st.

Then those three 1sts (numbers 2, 3, 4 overall) to CHI for the #1.
- boilermaker100

Wow, done.

but can it be after the kid plays a game for the hawks?

The issues is Nyalnder has a ten team no trade clause...
- wiz1901

Well yeah, that too. 6/28 Wiz, can’t wait to see what KD has up his sleeve.
Edit- then again, does he want to pad his stats playing with Bedard as he heads into FA? You never know.

it looks like Scott Powers, with the help of Wheeler, is doing what we have for the last couple blogs, sorting through possible selections at #19.

Defenseman Tom Willander's climb up the board has occurred based on the recent World Junior Under-18.

He skates really well, understands his position, but honestly to think the Hawks "fill" their RD with a guy who doesn't ooze with dynamic offensive skill over forwards is just too questionable.

Axel Sandin Pelikka is higher risk, but higher reward, but unless there is something cooking to add yesterday another first rounder I cannot see them going defender in the first.

I suspect there will be two parts of the second and third rounds where we fans will see continuous runs of dee-men, as I will illustrate when I finish my update later today.

Wow, done.

but can it be after the kid plays a game for the hawks?
- wiz1901

I would assume the three selections would be Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov?

it looks like Scott Powers, with the help of Wheeler, is doing what we have for the last couple blogs, sorting through possible selections at #19.
- wiz1901

Any thoughts on the five guys they identified?

More specifically, say KD is not able to move up from 19. If all 5 of those guys are available, who would you take? Or is there another guy you think will be there and you like better?

I would assume the three selections would be Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov?
- Chunk

He said Smith though...I take Michkov.

Just explain to how we pay the in 6 years.

Top heavy teams beaten by far better goaltending. Edmonton reliance on the rookie goalie was their ultimate downfall.

Bobrowsky’s $10 mil. Contract got more worth than Tavares $11 mil. Contract. Anyone complaining about his contract now? The Panthers start paying Spencer Knight $4.5 mil. Next year. Which contract do they want to offload now, with no draft choice capital in their arsenal?
- LAHawk

Better back-end play as well. Edmonton and Toronto continue to outscore and use a merry-go-round of below average goalies, and washed up D men and then are shocked when they got eliminated. Both are wasting the window to win now and McDavid/Leon/Matthews/Marner/Nylander prime years.

Very curious to see how bad these ratings start to come in.....carolina vs Florida and Vegas vs Dallas/Seattle is arguably the worst 4 ESPN could have ever dreamed of when the bracket was locked in last month. Again, proving their is no conspiracy to accommodate TV because if so.....those 4/5 teams sure as hell wouldn't be left standing.

Any thoughts on the five guys they identified?

More specifically, say KD is not able to move up from 19. If all 5 of those guys are available, who would you take? Or is there another guy you think will be there and you like better?
- HawkintheD

They were:

Eduard Sale, RW
Colby Barlow, LW
Samuel Honzek, C
Daniil But, LW
Tom Willander, D

They were:

Eduard Sale, RW
Colby Barlow, LW
Samuel Honzek, C
Daniil But, LW
Tom Willander, D
- TommyHawk

These would be my 2 preferences amongst these 5 (Barlow then Honzek).

Assuming KD stays with #19, I'll cross my fingers that Halttunen is available, he'd probably be my top choice, assuming somebody expected to go in the top 10 doesn't slip to #19.

I've seen other predictions for #19, including Yager but I would be truly shocked if he was available at #19. The same goes for Nate Danielson, he would be a great add but likely won't be there at #19.

I have to agree save Seth half retained.


- wiz1901

Fixed.

The issues is Nyalnder has a ten team no trade clause...
- wiz1901

I wonder if he would want to play with Bedard with the promise that the Hawks would try to move him to a “real” contender at the TDL?

They were:

Eduard Sale, RW
Colby Barlow, LW
Samuel Honzek, C
Daniil But, LW
Tom Willander, D
- TommyHawk

What, no Kasper?

That writer is a Hack!

I wonder if he would want to play with Bedard with the promise that the Hawks would try to move him to a “real” contender at the TDL?
- Ztra

I think KD will sign younger players unless there's a sweetener.

Wheeler has a full no move, think he is going to pick the Hawks for his probable last year playing hockey?

I don’t think KD is looking at Nylander to be anywhere near Bedard. He had the other Nylander that he traded as soon as he was able.
- LAHawk

I'm seeing Wheeler with a five team trade list on CapFriendly. Can't imagine the Hawks make that list.

As for the Leafs, assuming Muzzin is never returning to the lineup, they have about $13 mill in cap space for 8 spots next season.