I hear you....I just don't know if they are there YET. Really depends on the IMO as why give up a pick where you can get a 18-22 yr old vs trading for an older player when you are still at least a few years from winning.

I get the need to develop a new core, new leadership group and building around Bedard.

Going to be fun to see how Davidson builds this thing. Multiple ways.....would love to have a wave of prospects just coming up nonstop.
- SteveRain

Versteeg, Sharp and Ladd were all young when we got them. Kind of like Lafferty, Katchouk and Rydash. So far, KD has been much better than Stan at picking other teams highly drafted castoffs. Of course, anything is better than 0-everyone.

I guess you're in charge of his life, eh? Maybe he should select what he wants out of the rest of his career and life.
- mohel

Fair critique but he's a world class winner. Sure Hall of Fame. Can pick any team on the verge he wants.

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

I know, no one will want to sign with the Blackhawks. I mean winning is more important than getting payed.

We can hope the 2nd round is like 2015 but would be a dissapointment if it is anything like 2014, 2013 or 2012 10 years from now.
- stevefrmglencoe

Well in 2013 had 11 guys drafted after the 2nd play over 300 games

2014 had 9

2015 had 3

So i think teams drafted better in 2015

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

Yeah with Dallas' trip to the WCF and his play, I think Domi's graduated out of the playing for the Hawks next year. He'll find a suitor on a contender (if cap contrains allow) or up and coming team.

Face punchers are a dying breed but I do think there's a need for tougher players in the line-up that'll stick up for teammates and give pushback as long as they aren't a liability on the ice. I assume we'll leave the enforcing to R. Johnson, Robinson and Tinordi next year? Or since Khaira is gone, give Looch, Perry, Reaves, or Watson a one year?

That said, the play was so uncompetitive/low stakes last year given teams expected to beat us, there was little physical play save those Ranger games with Trouba hits.

Edit- Robinson is a UFA, doubt he'll be back.

Well in 2013 had 11 guys drafted after the 2nd play over 300 games

2014 had 9

2015 had 3

So i think teams drafted better in 2015
- BetweenTheDots

Good point. I was talking about the 2nd round itself in regards to the 4 2nd rounders in the Hawks possession. 2015 was awesome: Faksa, Aho, Carlo, Cernak, Hintz, Greenway, Anderson, and Dunn.

14, 13 and 12 2nd rounds produced:
Barbashev, Petterson, Montour, Donato, Erne, Compher, Hagg, Lehkonnen, Bertuzzi, McCabe, McGinnn, Sessions, Tierny, Martinook, Severson and Shore.

My point remains that it is statistically tough to find Needle Movers in the 2nd round. 120 2nd round picks. Aho and Hintz no doubt. Faksa, Carlo, Montour and Bertuzzi borderline. Lehkonnen has been clutch in playoffs.

Yeah with Dallas' trip to the WCF and his play, I think Domi's graduated out of the playing for the Hawks next year. He'll find a suitor on a contender (if cap contrains allow) or up and coming team.

Face punchers are a dying breed but I do think there's a need for tougher players in the line-up that'll stick up for teammates and give pushback as long as they aren't a liability on the ice. I assume we'll leave the enforcing to R. Johnson, Robinson and Tinordi next year? Or since Khaira is gone, give Looch, Perry, Reaves, or Watson a one year?

That said, the play was so uncompetitive/low stakes last year given teams expected to beat us, there was little physical play save those Ranger games with Trouba hits.

Edit- Robinson is a UFA, doubt he'll be back.
- Popsghostly

If Reaves would come here considering his St Louis past and no real chance to win the Hawks should consider having a legit tough guy. Not saying he can play on his line but it could make Bedard a bit more comfortable knowing he's there and might make some of the games more interesting to old school fans.

Lucic is unsigned. Not likely he can play with Bedard but for the next Ranger's game it would be nice to have someone similar to Reaves or Lucic.

Lucic is 34. Getting long in the tooth. That being said, if he wants to play another year, he will likely get a contract. But I'm not sure if that would mean the 'Hawks sign him.

So this starts for me almost three years ago with a "what if we get Connor" thoughts and as I start spending time watching last season's players,

- wiz1901

Not sure if you've seen Pronman's look back at the 2018 draft and how the thinking went into drafting some players and how it may relate to certain draft eligibles this yr.

You'll enjoy this, Wiz. https://theathletic.com/4.../05/16/nhl-draft-lessons/

Sure I agree, maybe a wise trade or two a couple of years down the road. Wouldn't mind trading one of the 2nds this draft to improve position.

Within the next year, I can also see KD accumulate more future picks via cap dumps or, signed UFAs who are flipped at the TDL.
- boilermaker100

I would agree as well. Not sure he is going to want to get saddled LT cap dumps but 2-3 years makes sense. Helps him hit the floor and still keeping LT flexibility with the cap.

HE IS NOT COMING BACK
- wiz1901

Agreed - move on with that stuff, please.

No and he shouldn't be- because what exactly would he bring? A mentorship on how not to handle being a #1 pick - I'm not going to go through his off ice resume, particularly at the time - but it was pretty embarrassing (for him).

Would rather (presumably) Bedard find himself in his own way - from all that I have seen and read, he seems like he is perfectly capable of doing that. I do imagine that they got guys around that are fully capable of that too, if it is desired.

Reaves? St Louis past? I doubt that even matters, it didn't with Jamal Mayers.

Given the statements from KD about not keeping all of this years picks and the possibility he may feel like he's creating a logjam with 8 picks in the first 3 rounds this year coupled with the haul from last year and the bevy of picks next year, and with all those kids needing contracts at some point I could see him moving one of the last two 2nd round picks for a 1st in 2025 or 2026. He's only got 50 contracts max.
- GreenJeans

I have tried to rationalize the thinking about the picks and trading them to go lower is ok, but I simply don't see how a team with a garbage forward group in Rockford can have that luxury.
Common now,I don't care how may past late bloomers or Denver grads are there, they're all NOT big, and they all have not should anything close to NHL scoring ability.
I have heard enough about Kurashev, and the hypes in regards to each and every pick, and I simply don't see how this draft isn't the one that fills the farm with lots of choices who are not midsize, or stickhandlers and ballerinas.

Go get some hockey players. Get rid of the under achieving flotsam that has has polluted our airwaves as our futures, from Michael Teply to Ilya Safonov and every other IceHog name Brett Seney, Jalen Luypen, Rocco Grimaldi, and every other lightweight in their system who hasn't "evolved."

I just don't see where this draft doesn't set them up long term.

I guess I am moving to Missouri the show me state.

Because show how trading THIS years picks for others HELPS build a team.

and I think it is mighty naive to think "JD could move one of the last two 2nd round picks for a 1st in 2025 or 2026....no way is anyone giving you a 1 for twos...
and if he is close to 50 contracts, well, I bet the majority of this bird could name 20-25 players who contracts you send packing with picks to make room for a real change away from the coach's style of p[layer and playing style.

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

agreed on Kane being best born and arguably best Blackhawk. Disagree on him chasing a cup. If he does it's likely in the eastern conference and on a team on the rise....New Jersey? islanders? Lots of dynamics there....his live in girlfriend who is from here, his son, his dad.....see where it fits in early July.

I am in the small minority but I truly believe if Kane and his camp wanted to come back, and wanted a 2-3 year deal to retire as a Hawk.....i don't see the Hawks saying "no". Just my opinion and others disagree with me which is fine. Doubtful we ever find out.

I thought Richardson did a great job. Zero qualms about his style and this team was dog $hit on paper, worse on the ice, they never quit on him, and were competitive a lot more so than anyone could have guessed back in October. Is he a guy who can be with them when they are ready to take the next step? no idea....but if you want to talk about an AHL coach, look at Jeremy Colliton. Even then, I don't think he's even an AHL coach or even a college or highschool coach. He's absolutely horrific and the fact Stan Bowman thought that clown could coach in the show is a huge blemish on whatever legacy he has.

My main concern with Bedard is not Bedard himself or the coaches. It's who is this kid going to skate with and is this kid going to be OK learning to be a pro with a turd like Connor Murphy spewing cliche after cliche at him while running into people and harming himself? OR even Seth Jones who has quit on 1 organization already and was quickly moved out of Nashville? I mean who the hell is going to be there who can help mold Bedard as a voice from a player who demands respect? That to me is a hole Davidson is going to quickly need to fill.

Versteeg, Sharp and Ladd were all young when we got them. Kind of like Lafferty, Katchouk and Rydash. So far, KD has been much better than Stan at picking other teams highly drafted castoffs. Of course, anything is better than 0-everyone.
- rpeters01

That is true......Stan loved him some recycled 1st round picks from years past that he thought he could hit on and we saw how that went.

I have tried to rationalize the thinking about the picks and trading them to go lower is ok, but I simply don't see how a team with a garbage forward group in Rockford can have that luxury.
Common now,I don't care how may past late bloomers or Denver grads are there, they're all NOT big, and they all have not should anything close to NHL scoring ability.
I have heard enough about Kurashev, and the hypes in regards to each and every pick, and I simply don't see how this draft isn't the one that fills the farm with lots of choices who are not midsize, or stickhandlers and ballerinas.

Go get some hockey players. Get rid of the under achieving flotsam that has has polluted our airwaves as our futures, from Michael Teply to Ilya Safonov and every other IceHog name Brett Seney, Jalen Luypen, Rocco Grimaldi, and every other lightweight in their system who hasn't "evolved."

I just don't see where this draft doesn't set them up long term.

I guess I am moving to Missouri the show me state.

Because show how trading THIS years picks for others HELPS build a team.

and I think it is mighty naive to think "JD could move one of the last two 2nd round picks for a 1st in 2025 or 2026....no way is anyone giving you a 1 for twos...
and if he is close to 50 contracts, well, I bet the majority of this bird could name 20-25 players who contracts you send packing with picks to make room for a real change away from the coach's style of p
- wiz1901[layer and playing style.

The only way I could see them moving up and trading a pick is if they could get back in the 2nd-4th range. Acquire another potential game changer to pair up with Bedard because Bedard by himself wont' just do it. We know this. We saw it first hand here.

Good point. I was talking about the 2nd round itself in regards to the 4 2nd rounders in the Hawks possession. 2015 was awesome: Faksa, Aho, Carlo, Cernak, Hintz, Greenway, Anderson, and Dunn.

14, 13 and 12 2nd rounds produced:
Barbashev, Petterson, Montour, Donato, Erne, Compher, Hagg, Lehkonnen, Bertuzzi, McCabe, McGinnn, Sessions, Tierny, Martinook, Severson and Shore.

My point remains that it is statistically tough to find Needle Movers in the 2nd round. 120 2nd round picks. Aho and Hintz no doubt. Faksa, Carlo, Montour and Bertuzzi borderline. Lehkonnen has been clutch in playoffs.
- stevefrmglencoe

One day you'll show me a Cup finalist that didn't receive a major contribution from players drafted outside the 1st round. Hint, the list is less than one.

One day you'll show me a Cup finalist that didn't receive a major contribution from players drafted outside the 1st round. Hint, the list is less than one.
- mohel

You keep missing the point. The bottom six and bottom pair are guys that can be picked up as free agents or trades. Show me a Stanley Cup Champion that was not lead by multiple high first rounders. And first rounders from the orgainzation that wins.

Hey Wiz. 943. We are getting close!

You keep missing the point. The bottom six and bottom pair are guys that can be picked up as free agents or trades. Show me a Stanley Cup Champion that was not lead by multiple high first rounders. And first rounders from the orgainzation that wins.
- stevefrmglencoe

I don't miss your point, it is simply wrong.

Drafting after the 1st round is indeed a crapshoot; but in order to be a high end team, you need to find high end players later in the draft. Show me one that hasn't.

agreed on Kane being best born and arguably best Blackhawk. Disagree on him chasing a cup. If he does it's likely in the eastern conference and on a team on the rise....New Jersey? islanders? Lots of dynamics there....his live in girlfriend who is from here, his son, his dad.....see where it fits in early July.

I am in the small minority but I truly believe if Kane and his camp wanted to come back, and wanted a 2-3 year deal to retire as a Hawk.....i don't see the Hawks saying "no". Just my opinion and others disagree with me which is fine. Doubtful we ever find out.

I thought Richardson did a great job. Zero qualms about his style and this team was dog $hit on paper, worse on the ice, they never quit on him, and were competitive a lot more so than anyone could have guessed back in October. Is he a guy who can be with them when they are ready to take the next step? no idea....but if you want to talk about an AHL coach, look at Jeremy Colliton. Even then, I don't think he's even an AHL coach or even a college or highschool coach. He's absolutely horrific and the fact Stan Bowman thought that clown could coach in the show is a huge blemish on whatever legacy he has.

My main concern with Bedard is not Bedard himself or the coaches. It's who is this kid going to skate with and is this kid going to be OK learning to be a pro with a turd like Connor Murphy spewing cliche after cliche at him while running into people and harming himself? OR even Seth Jones who has quit on 1 organization already and was quickly moved out of Nashville? I mean who the hell is going to be there who can help mold Bedard as a voice from a player who demands respect? That to me is a hole Davidson is going to quickly need to fill.
- SteveRain

I hope Ricardson ends up only 5 games below .500 with an unusual playoff win over McDavid and the Oilers in the next 4 seasons.

The Hawks under Richardson were competitive enough to win the Bedard lottery. Lost me on November 23 when the Stars scored 5 in the 3rd and Richardson never called timeout. The media guys in Chicago rarely ask a tough question. They asked him why and he mumbled something about waiting for the TV timeout. Still waiting. A High School coach would have called timeout. There are several other examples. I hope I am wrong about him but winning the Lottery changes everything and the Hawks need to seriously think about who is going to coach this superstar. Roenick talks about how important it was to have Keenan holding him accountable. Not sure we need a superstar being coached by a guy learning his way around.

I hope Ricardson ends up only 5 games below .500 with an unusual playoff win over McDavid and the Oilers in the next 4 seasons.

The Hawks under Richardson were competitive enough to win the Bedard lottery. Lost me on November 23 when the Stars scored 5 in the 3rd and Richardson never called timeout. The media guys in Chicago rarely ask a tough question. They asked him why and he mumbled something about waiting for the TV timeout. Still waiting. A High School coach would have called timeout. There are several other examples. I hope I am wrong about him but winning the Lottery changes everything and the Hawks need to seriously think about who is going to coach this superstar. Roenick talks about how important it was to have Keenan holding him accountable. Not sure we need a superstar being coached by a guy learning his way around.
- stevefrmglencoe

The bolded is the type of statement made by a troll.

You're playin' us, Chief.

I don't miss your point, it is simply wrong.

Drafting after the 1st round is indeed a crapshoot; but in order to be a high end team, you need to find high end players later in the draft. Show me one that hasn't.
- mohel

You make a valid point that there is always a Chris Kontos type guy who scors 9 goals in the regular season and 14 in the playoffs.

These aren't all star teams so yes bottom guys play huge rolls. Bowman rolled over 12 guys twice and won 3 Cups. Go look at team Canada's roster when NHL guys go to the Olympics or played in the World Cup gimmick. First Rounders on all 4 lines.

Everybody in the NHL and AHL is in great shape, trys hard, eats right and is coachable but the difference between the Crosbys and Krugers is talent. Scouts see it from 14 years old and the talented guys get drafted in the top 15.

A guy or two slips through the crack but not a lot.

You make a valid point that there is always a Chris Kontos type guy who scors 9 goals in the regular season and 14 in the playoffs.

These aren't all star teams so yes bottom guys play huge rolls. Bowman rolled over 12 guys twice and won 3 Cups. Go look at team Canada's roster when NHL guys go to the Olympics or played in the World Cup gimmick. First Rounders on all 4 lines.

Everybody in the NHL and AHL is in great shape, trys hard, eats right and is coachable but the difference between the Crosbys and Krugers is talent. Scouts see it from 14 years old and the talented guys get drafted in the top 15.

A guy or two slips through the crack but not a lot.
- stevefrmglencoe

Kris Letang, 3rd round.

Duncan Keith. Nikita Kucherov. Keeping digging.

Kris Letang, 3rd round.

Duncan Keith. Nikita Kucherov. Keeping digging.
- mohel

Brayden Point.

Mark Giordano had a pretty good career, and he was Undrafted.