I don't think Bedard will be like anyone in the league. He's not the next McDavid, Crosby, Matthews or P Kane. He'll be the next Bedard. In a couple of years people will be comparing prospects to #98.
- DarthKane

Socrates has spoken....

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic
- HawkintheD

I listened to the Athletic Hockey podcast this morning. It sounds like the biggest reason the Hawks are #2 is Bedard. Teams like Anaheim (#1) and Buffalo (#3) have better depth throughout their prospect pool, but they don't have a game-breaker on Bedard's level. Those teams have been drafting higher longer than the Hawks, so it's not surprising. After another couple drafts and a couple of seasons for the current prospects to continue their development I think the Hawks will be in a even better place.

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic
- HawkintheD

Where is Marcel Marcel?

I listened to the Athletic Hockey podcast this morning. It sounds like the biggest reason the Hawks are #2 is Bedard. Teams like Anaheim (#1) and Buffalo (#3) have better depth throughout their prospect pool, but they don't have a game-breaker on Bedard's level. Those teams have been drafting higher longer than the Hawks, so it's not surprising. After another couple drafts and a couple of seasons for the current prospects to continue their development I think the Hawks will be in a even better place.
- DarthKane

Same. Was also a bit surprised by a few of the designations. I thought Nazar's would be similar to Reichel and Moore.

I'm also a bit shocked at Vlasic not having a higher designation as well with it looking extremely likely that he will be playing NHL games this year vs merely having a chance to play NFL games.

There's been more buzz on Safonov recently. If it's legit hoping he sees time here vs going the Max Shalunov route.

I listened to the Athletic Hockey podcast this morning. It sounds like the biggest reason the Hawks are #2 is Bedard. Teams like Anaheim (#1) and Buffalo (#3) have better depth throughout their prospect pool, but they don't have a game-breaker on Bedard's level. Those teams have been drafting higher longer than the Hawks, so it's not surprising. After another couple drafts and a couple of seasons for the current prospects to continue their development I think the Hawks will be in a even better place.
- DarthKane

I also think when these things come out they are a year behind. They want to see the draft picks, now that they know who they are, produce at their respected levels. You didn't hear a peep about Korchinski then he made the Canadian team, then played really well vs his peers....

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic
- HawkintheD

He didn't make this list, likely due to his age being a year or two older than the other draft choices last year, but I am curious about Aidan Thompson. He seems to be progressing or at least trending in the right direction. I remember reading that he was good last year in the development camp and seems to play the style that KD/LR seek.

Where is Marcel Marcel?
- bjphawkfan

Rockford 😁

Same. Was also a bit surprised by a few of the designations. I thought Nazar's would be similar to Reichel and Moore.

I'm also a bit shocked at Vlasic not having a higher designation as well with it looking extremely likely that he will be playing NHL games this year vs merely having a chance to play NFL games.

There's been more buzz on Safonov recently. If it's legit hoping he sees time here vs going the Max Shalunov route.
- HawkintheD

I had the same thought about Vlasic, considering he played 6 games last season. I do think that after the first like 6 or 7 players on the list the gap between the remaining players is a lot smaller and the list starts to become a bit more subjective.

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic
- HawkintheD

The kid i really think is a diamond in the rough is Oliver Moore. The more i read about him the more i like. Here's a kid that wants to be the best 200 foot forward in the league. It's scary to think he might be faster than McDavid

The kid i really think is a diamond in the rough is Oliver Moore. The more i read about him the more i like. Here's a kid that wants to be the best 200 foot forward in the league. It's scary to think he might be faster than McDavid
- BetweenTheDots

I don't think the hockey sense and skill is quite there for him to be a true top of the line guy, but I do think you can put him on a 2nd or 3rd line and have him shut down the other team's top line, which can be as valuable as scoring. He will be a fan favorite in the Bolland model, just hopefully more healthy.

Me too. As long as he's not Daigle, I'll be OK.
- Popsghostly

Daigle didn't even want to play hockey professionally. He wanted to be an actor or something. Bedard seems like a driven kid when it comes to hockey

Was also a bit surprised by a few of the designations. I thought Nazar's would be similar to Reichel and Moore.
- HawkintheD

I thought Pronman wrote an article about that Junior Challenge series, and Nazar's showing there would have easily boosted his prospect stock.
For me, Nazar is a lot more savvy all around the sheet and especially as a high end IQ attacker. Pronman thinks different.

I think most of these lists where you place a guy based on his potential upside as a glue offensive guy are simply guesses to their pro possibilities.
They are not looking at say Reichel and, imo, Nazar to do all sorts of good things no matter where they play, not casted as "top six, or bust."

I'm also a bit shocked at Vlasic not having a higher designation as well with it looking extremely likely that he will be playing NHL games this year vs merely having a chance to play NFL games.
- HawkintheD

It was very clear that Pronman saw all these other defense prospects as better, even though he sees Nolan Allen as 3rd pair guy.

Pronman is not omniscient; he probably watches some NHl games, but I doubt he has viewed Vlasic in an awhile.


And my last snide Pronman comment:

Isn't it funny how after predicting the big goalie Michael Hrabal was the top prospect in net, and praising him, he writes the Columbus prospect report and basically "thinks less of him now."

I don't think the hockey sense and skill is quite there for him to be a true top of the line guy, but I do think you can put him on a 2nd or 3rd line and have him shut down the other team's top line, which can be as valuable as scoring. He will be a fan favorite in the Bolland model, just hopefully more healthy.
- Black Raven

I'm hoping in 3 years when they look at that draft all you keep hearing is i can't believe the Blackhawks got Moore at 19 what a steal. If Moore hits that would be amazing. If he does, big if, 2 Top 6 centers in one draft.

Hawks claim the #2 spot in Pronman's Prospect Pool rankings in The Athletic this am.

Here's the breakdown...

1) Connor Bedard - Bubble Generational Player and Elite NHL Player
2) Kevin Korchinski - Top of the Lineup Player
3) Lukas Reichel - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
4) Oliver Moore - Bubble Top and Middle of the Lineup Player
5) Frank Nazar - Middle of the Lineup Player
6) Wyatt Kaiser - Middle of the Lineup Player
7) Ilya Safonov - Middle of the Lineup Player
8) Colton Dach - Projected to play NHL games
9) Nolan Allan - Projected to play NHL games
10) Gavin Hayes - Projected to play NHL games
11) Ryan Greene - Projected to play NHL games
12) Ethan Del Mastro - Projected to play NHL games
13) Sam Rinzel - Projected to play NHL games
14) Issak Phillips - Projected to play NHL games
15) Martin Misiak - Projected to play NHL games
16) Adam Gajan - Projected to play NHL games
17) Roman Kantserov - Projected to play NHL games

Listed under "Has a chance to play"

Drew Commesso
Taige Harding
Nick Lardis
Paul Ludwinski
Milton Oscarson
Alex Pharand
Ryder Rolsoton
Samuel Savoie
Alex Vlasic
- HawkintheD

This is wrong. From reading here, it is clear the farm currently possesses many (at least) can't miss elite performers.

This is wrong. From reading here, it is clear the farm currently possesses many (at least) can't miss elite performers.
- mohel

They'll need another top pick at some point and then add via UFA to plug holes. Again....just starts to show how big of a miss that Dach pick was at 3 vs some of the kids who were taken after him are doing. Just can't afford any blatant misses like that.

Other issue will be if the cap continues to go up, Hawks may have a tougher time finding this core's version of hossa via UFA without having to overpay.

Really going to need hockey ops to be on their game the next few years.....not only finding those diamonds that fall, but making sure the pieces are in place internally to maximize their potential.

I'm hoping in 3 years when they look at that draft all you keep hearing is i can't believe the Blackhawks got Moore at 19 what a steal. If Moore hits that would be amazing. If he does, big if, 2 Top 6 centers in one draft.
- BetweenTheDots

agreed on Moore. I am bullish on him. Speed kills.

I have no idea why, but I still love that Eichel got a cup before McDavid. I know there were rumored of an attitude problem, but he got crapped on pretty because he wasn’t McDavid and he was trapped on a dysfunctional Buffalo team.

Maybe it’s just schadenfreude…
- Chunk

You obviously haven't been paying attention this summer here, Buffalo is the ideal franchise to emulate, they a about to win a cup (right after they make a playoff...........)

Buffalo, the Stevie Y of franchises

My comment about Korchinski on the last thread was that we don't have to start worrying about his next contract at this point. We are about 2-3 years away from the Hawks GM really starting worry about that kind of thing. A lot of hockey and unknowns between now and then.

I'm just saying KK has offensive talent, but today in the NHL Dmen have to be more well rounded than ever before. Let him get a season under his belt (if he makes the team) and see how he does at both ends.

I think for him, the offense will come, but the physical part, physical maturity and playing in his own end will be the thing the coaches will keep a keen eye on. Not saying he needs to be a shutdown player, but he has to hold his own and be able to make plays to get the puck up the ice.
- breadbag

You mean like Eric Karlsson

Same. Was also a bit surprised by a few of the designations. I thought Nazar's would be similar to Reichel and Moore.

I'm also a bit shocked at Vlasic not having a higher designation as well with it looking extremely likely that he will be playing NHL games this year vs merely having a chance to play NFL games.

There's been more buzz on Safonov recently. If it's legit hoping he sees time here vs going the Max Shalunov route.
- HawkintheD

Nazar > Moore

He didn't make this list, likely due to his age being a year or two older than the other draft choices last year, but I am curious about Aidan Thompson. He seems to be progressing or at least trending in the right direction. I remember reading that he was good last year in the development camp and seems to play the style that KD/LR seek.
- breadbag

Was trying to figure out who was missing from the list. Aidan Thompson is the most obvious omission. Landon Slaggert looked pretty good at world juniors last year, though I guess his Notre Dame numbers are pretty mediocre for an NHL prospect

agreed on Moore. I am bullish on him. Speed kills.
- SteveRain

So does speed and hands

Nazar

You obviously haven't been paying attention this summer here, Buffalo is the ideal franchise to emulate, they a about to win a cup (right after they make a playoff...........)

Buffalo, the Stevie Y of franchises



- vabeachbear

That blue line is beginning to look really really really good. They got some nice forwards, instead of giving up their 1st to make a playoff run, Benson fell to them. This team looks like it might be in for a long run. You are right though to make the playoffs is one thing to win the entire thing is another.

They'll need another top pick at some point and then add via UFA to plug holes. Again....just starts to show how big of a miss that Dach pick was at 3 vs some of the kids who were taken after him are doing. Just can't afford any blatant misses like that.

Other issue will be if the cap continues to go up, Hawks may have a tougher time finding this core's version of hossa via UFA without having to overpay.

Really going to need hockey ops to be on their game the next few years.....not only finding those diamonds that fall, but making sure the pieces are in place internally to maximize their potential.
- SteveRain

Well, ideally they won’t have to sign one as a UFA, they’ll just draft him. With the volume of high picks they have had the last couple years and next two at least, they should be able to find most-to-all of the important pieces.

I'm hoping in 3 years when they look at that draft all you keep hearing is i can't believe the Blackhawks got Moore at 19 what a steal. If Moore hits that would be amazing. If he does, big if, 2 Top 6 centers in one draft.
- BetweenTheDots

Actually I am hoping that in 3 years when they look at that draft all you keep hearing is "i can't believe the Blackhawks got Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak in the 40's and 50's..." ,that Roman is a Kucherov like sniper and generator and the mysteriously not great at any thing except skating up & down, Martin adjusts and excels in his last three developmental seasons to take hold of a more dominant role in some of the those areas which have not yet blossomed.


Side note: So Rocky encourages and backs Hossa endeavors....does/ did Hossa play any part in the two Slovakian picks for character or observations? Just curious...