Bedard.
- HawkintheD

Obviously!!

I didn’t know every pick turns into an NHL player.
Take as many shots as you can. If a favorable trade presents itself to move up for a higher tier of player or acquire a young quality prospect/player then sure. Otherwise use the picks.
- TheDrumonMadison

They don't, but using picks to either move up or secure other already established players is easier than doing it with players that have been drafted. By definition, they are more flexible assets.

Just like the fact that you aren't going to build your entire team through trades or free agency, you also are not going to do so through the draft alone. If the team identifies a better prospect they can get by moving up in the draft for a reasonable cost, then by all means go for it. The same can be said for taking on a bad contract, or trading a pick for another team's prospect.

I'm OK with moving some picks, future ones as well.

Just saying that you have 6 picks in the first two rounds of probably the deepest draft of the last 10 years, make the picks, build the pipeline.

Also, I get everyone won't make it, but maybe that extra guy you take is the young guy required to get the next Hossa when the team is ready for it
- vabeachbear

I believe you follow the Bears, did you hear about some way of testing to see if a kid is done growing? Supposedly the Bears drafted a kid in the 2nd round and the test said he's not done growing already 6'6 315lbs, holy poop. This test basically tells them he's going to get bigger and not lose his speed or athleticism.

I wonder if we see some of these kind of players drafted by KD late in the 1st or in the 2nd round. Wonder if that test was performed on Rinzel?

I believe you follow the Bears, did you hear about some way of testing to see if a kid is done growing? Supposedly the Bears drafted a kid in the 2nd round and the test said he's not done growing already 6'6 315lbs, holy poop. This test basically tells them he's going to get bigger and not lose his speed or athleticism.

I wonder if we see some of these kind of players drafted by KD late in the 1st or in the 2nd round. Wonder if that test was performed on Rinzel?
- BetweenTheDots

Money and fame has a way of growing kids also.....sometimes in the wrong direction.

Sorry, I missed him.

Toews 8 years x $10.5 million.
- DarthKane

You have Toronto signing him.

I believe you follow the Bears, did you hear about some way of testing to see if a kid is done growing? Supposedly the Bears drafted a kid in the 2nd round and the test said he's not done growing already 6'6 315lbs, holy poop. This test basically tells them he's going to get bigger and not lose his speed or athleticism.

I wonder if we see some of these kind of players drafted by KD late in the 1st or in the 2nd round. Wonder if that test was performed on Rinzel?
- BetweenTheDots

That would be Gervon Dexter I assume

Its interesting, because you've heard that Poles and KD speak to each other (much to the chagrin of the sports talk guys in Chicago who were just insulted for Poles that he would talk to a tanking young GM for advice...........)

Be interested to hear if the Hawks are using this also.

Bears obviously focused on RAS (Relative Athletic Score) in their draft, haven't seen equivalent for hockey, but when you look at the criteria, no reason you couldn't have one that was hockey focused.

If you're interested https://ras.football/

Wiz.... do you think there are any prospects who drop significantly this year (like Lambert and Raty)? If so, who?
- DarthKane

Let's put it this way: my neurotic ass after finishing the blunt of the work on my top two rounds I started reading the "others" more intently.

I have heard about this Brayden Yager drop, based on nothing but he didn't raise his goal totals past 2021-22 totals and he slummed at times.
Much of the ta doo is directly revolving around his size, the closeness of this giant group of centres that teams have to choose from, many off who are bigger, or project at high playing size.
I really doubt he drops to Hawks.

Because Axel Sandin Pelikka is not big, his star rose through the revelation of just how smart and good he was and aware defensively that catapulted him, and then this other surprise defender and quality mailman David Reinbacher gets talked up and although he is NOT an offense man he has the growth potential to excel and maybe[/I] add a stronger attack end game eventually.
So that kinda dropped Sandin-Pelikka but then this last Under-18 junior tourney did very little to deter that he isn't close to the best high end attacker who will and can defend as he gets stronger.
Now mind you, I NEVER ranked either or the two very different Russian defenders highly, because we alll knew this was the year of the forward.
I keep hearing teams view defender Reinbacher as a closer to ready two way defender who MAY anchor a team's backline for a decade.

You hear no one calling Axel Sandin Pelikka their future star defenseman, , but if YOU were a GM, and thought it was a chance to get a Makar clone, are you advertising it?

So who knows were he falls. (That is the other question: why would KD tell the league he is going forward not dee in the first round, and not interested in goalies because of our great stable?)

Samuel Honzek. you tell me Do you see significant upside in his game, is he a top half pick or does his less dynamic style drop him? It very well might be a guy on the board, again I am puzzled.

Musty probably isn't the type of skater the Hawks are looking for. But I don't hear anybody saying anything in regards to him, so IS THAT SOMETHING?

And the Eduard Šalé gerbil wheel is simply not an issue to me either.
(To think he drops like Wheeler - Pronman have him, wow.)

All I have seen from him in each and every international competition is a guy who is extremely poised and smart while anywhere in the attack zone. Don't try and categorize him as a perimeter player, or a lackluster performance at the recent World Jrs U-18.

This is the same kid who Craig Button was elevated to a top 3-6 guy due to his hockey brain and lightning set up ability.

We just got Bedard with pure luck, why not roll the dice on Šalé's hands?

I don't think Musty fits the Hawks skating declaration but he has skills, but I have heard nothing in regards of interest or non-interest. Is he sliding to us at#35?


You want a nice player for the face off dot, then take Gracyn Sawchyn with one of these hot potato picks JD thinks he has.

Also two years ago, there were a few defenseman prospects that basically flat-lined in their draft year and I see no disgrace in picking one and watch if he ages well.

Maybe the Blackhawks juts want to lock in on a player for #19 that they are fairly certain will be there at #19

If the love some David Edstrom, just plant the tent pole (and don't defer to the Pronman Barrett Hayton or Jesperi Kotkaniemi relevance as lessers...Lessons (Corey learned)for the 2023 NHL Draft from the 2018 NHL Draft article.)


If it is Ethan Gauthier go for it! He brings a lot more than just smarts

Charlie Stramel showed much before he went to Wisconsin, and honestly I am sure he wasn't pleased with his minus ten, 5 goal 12 point performance, but HE STILL finds his name in the late first as a possible.

Like him, hawks? Take him!


Kasper Halttunen? Just do it. I believe he blooms.



Here we are getting the best prospect in years and we are going regret missing on a guy doesn't drop down? It is greedy.

I am not saying a name, but I think the type of player they think will be gone is a guy that would help them at forward in other ways besides a possible sidekick for Connor.
Not a guy we are thinking about.I guess it doesn't matter if we don't have any chance in reality to move, as I totally understand why no one wants out up top...I said it all year didn't I...that the mother lode of help is here to choose from.

You have Toronto signing him.
- rpeters01

I believe he is being facetious. I think if Toews is healthy Colorado is the best place for him. 1 year at three mil.

I believe he is being facetious. I think if Toews is healthy Colorado is the best place for him. 1 year at three mil.
- bjphawkfan

Darth, facetious??? NAHHHHH!

It's tough watching what's happening to Carolina. I wonder how this may affect them mentally next season. Has Necas turned into a pumpkin?

It's tough watching what's happening to Carolina. I wonder how this may affect them mentally next season. Has Necas turned into a pumpkin?
- BetweenTheDots

Seems to happen every year in the playoffs............

Really tough to figure out who are regular season players and who can keep it up in playoffs with younger guys.

Until you see it, they can't do it.

Seems to me, Carolina never got their Hossa......

Darth, facetious??? NAHHHHH!
- paulr

Darth Facetious would be about right

Seems to happen every year in the playoffs............

Really tough to figure out who are regular season players and who can keep it up in playoffs with younger guys.

Until you see it, they can't do it.

Seems to me, Carolina never got their Hossa......
- vabeachbear

Doesn't help that Svechnikov and Patches are out.

Doesn't help that Svechnikov and Patches are out.
- Dieselhead

Doesn't every team have injuries in the playoffs?

Guess I could say if Bolland wasn't injured Hawks would of beat Canucks, then Bruins for another cup

Patches very overrated

Darth Facetious would be about right

- wizardofi

I resemble that remark!

Doesn't every team have injuries in the playoffs?

Guess I could say if Bolland wasn't injured Hawks would of beat Canucks, then Bruins for another cup

Patches very overrated
- vabeachbear

I believe he reinjured himself prior to the trade deadline as well?

Thanks for the link interesting how the Bears have been not so good on the athletic rating for years.

New blog up!

I believe he reinjured himself prior to the trade deadline as well?

Thanks for the link interesting how the Bears have been not so good on the athletic rating for years.
- BetweenTheDots

I would say two more drafts, and you won't see many under 7.0 on the roster.

Still would like to see a hockey equivalent. I think they are somewhat. Doneghey saying if you can't skate you are off their board, is moving in that direction.

You can't draft only on those factors alone, players have to show up on tape. I would think in Hockey a little tougher, as its 3 to 4 years on average til guys come in league. Lots changes physically in those years.