Oh, I think they will, but moving through the we have no f***ing clue area, I am already started looking for more prospect help in the 2024 draft. And as my Nazar opinion, I will state why I like these players too.

It is early to start pigeon-holing prospects with the Blackhawk 2025 picks since we don’t know where they will draft, but it is safe to say, without another lucky lotto win to get a top two star-studded draft openers in Macklin Celebrini and Cole Eiserman, I can set my sights on who they might select with that Chicago First and then again who they take with the final Tampa first rounder for Hagel. I can also predict that both the Blackhawk second rounder and the Canucks will both set around 40-ish overall.
After finishing my multiple watches of the Ivan Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament, which so far is the best platform by which to begun to judge 2025 talent, I am gonna suggest these easy favorites of mine for the Hawks.
Hawk first round pick: Trevor Connelly LW-LC Try-City Storm USHL
He was the fastest player at the tournament , a natural sniper with a deadly release, who anticipates his windows for shooting the puck, and is dangerous in his carries as he easily separates or drives through defenders. His edge work and skating is excellent as he seems to can speed out of his cuts and changes in direction.
At the time of the Lightning first rounder is where I gamble…on Zayne Parekh, currently playing with Memorial Cup host Saginaw Gears. When his coach was asked Parekh’s position, he jokingly answered, “Rover.” He is an impressive puck handler in all three zones. He is deliberate in his passes, and his movements in any direction while carrying are instantaneous, and he is so deceptive and eludes defenders with spin moves and then jumps back to full speed. He has the highest upside of any of this defender-rich class of defenseman.

The two above draft selections by me are ones I am making with forwards Ivan Demidov, Berkly Catton, Ryder Ritchie off the board on the first selection, and the second with defenders Sam Richardenson, Artem Levshunov, Adam Jiricek, Tomas Lavoie and Carter Yakemchuk also gone.

The two second rounders which will be around the 40’s and surely big Finn horse Emil Hemming with be off the board late in the first.
So I am selecting USA-NDT RW Waterloo Blackhawk Eero Butella, a Chicagoan in the second, because he has good feet, is physical in the hard areas and wins more 50/50 battles than he loses, and big Calgary RC Carson Wetsch, like Bedard, a North Vancouver native, who was asked to centre the Canadien third line who was given hard minutes to tenderize the opposition for three periods.
- wiz1901

For 2024 I think KD takes a defenseman in the first round. After Korchinski there isn’t much in the prospect pool by way of offensive defensemen. Levshunov (as per you) and D!ckinson would be great choices at the top of the draft. With Tampa’s pick I like the guy you mentioned, Parekh.

I love me some speed as well, but you also need a couple of guys with average speed that can put the puck in the net. Not saying that LaFreniere is that guy, just that it takes all kinds of kinds to ice a contending team.
- Angotti

I agree there are lots of important players without blazing speed. Ryan O’Reilly, John Tavares hell Toews wasn’t a burner. Lafrenière Came out of junior as a kid who battled, was hard on the puck and could score. He hasn’t proven himself in the NHL but those types of players are nice to have. All that said he’s been re-signed by the Rangers.

Can’t be. Dots told me Edmonton would have to gut their team to resign him and be under the cap. And for 2 years too?
- LAHawk

Good signing for them, but if he keeps producing like he did the last half of the season, he's really going to cash in on his next contract

They should play each other in the regular season they're both Big "10" schools.
- rpeters01

I checked the schedule i didn't see any

Just look at Sutter and Larmer. A gentle breeze moved faster than them and they both had nice careers. I would argue that Larmer should be in the HOF.

Just look at Sutter and Larmer. A gentle breeze moved faster than them and they both had nice careers. I would argue that Larmer should be in the HOF.
- bjphawkfan

The new look Blackhawks is supposedly focusing on speed and persistently on the puck/compete until the generational Bedard was added. Now there still will be a focus on the aforementioned with many forwards who may come from the two KK drafts and perhaps f some from Bowman's last draft

But I do not envision any players who move about the pace of a gentle breeze. More like the stronger breeze caused by some speedy forwards.

This Marcel Marcel though is an interesting player to watch if he can progress to the NHL

There is no small amount of genuine prospects although most of the forwards look like L2-4 ceiling

An attack dman would be ideal round one '24 as long as he is not forecast as weak defensively

The new look Blackhawks is supposedly focusing on speed and persistently on the puck/compete until the generational Bedard was added. Now there still will be a focus on the aforementioned with many forwards who may come from the two KK drafts and perhaps f some from Bowman's last draft

But I do not envision any players who move about the pace of a gentle breeze. More like the stronger breeze caused by some speedy forwards.

This Marcel Marcel though is an interesting player to watch if he can progress to the NHL

There is no small amount of genuine prospects although most of the forwards look like L2-4 ceiling

An attack dman would be ideal round one '24 as long as he is not forecast as weak defensively
- jhawk59

New big guy fav, or are you still keeping Crevier in that spot?

Ideally? Yes. But the odds of getting five stars from 2-3 drafts is highly unlikely. I don't mean Middle Six, and 2nd and 3rd pairing defensemen. I mean real high end players. Right now it is likely they have 1 (Bedard). The Star Search is still far from over.
- mohel

What about four straight drafts with multiple 1st and 2nd round picks?

New big guy fav, or are you still keeping Crevier in that spot?

- Chunk

Crevier will have opportunity to be effective and a deterrent with his reach in defending should he develop into a third pair guy. Watch and see if he improves this season, and then who knows....

We sure could appreciate Marcel but he has a ways to go in his development

ADD: I have no information on the developer of Taige Harding, a 3rd round selection, who plays at Providence in Hockey East. He is 6-7, 230. Recall he was a huge scorer younger age in Canada..

Crevier will have opportunity to be effective and a deterrent with his reach in defending should he develop into a third pair guy. Watch and see if he improves this season, and then who knows....

We sure could appreciate Marcel but he has a ways to go in his development

ADD: I have no information on the developer of Taige Harding, a 3rd round selection, who plays at Providence in Hockey East. He is 6-7, 230. Recall he was a huge scorer younger age in Canada..
- jhawk59

Hawks can always bring back Svedberg from Siberia.and Dahlstrom played 8 games in the A last year..

Hawks can always bring back Svedberg from Siberia.and Dahlstrom played 8 games in the A last year..
- LAHawk

David Rundblad is still playing and could come back. He’s only 32, KD could easily lock him up to a 7 year deal.

David Rundblad is still playing and could come back. He’s only 32, KD could easily lock him up to a 7 year deal.
- DarthKane

I don't recall coughing up the puck and going bug eyed in the face of contact traits that KD was looking for.

No reason to piss off another team you have to do business with at this time in the rebuild.
- rpeters01

You may be right. But as a fan more RFA's getting offer sheets the more interesting the summer would be.
Also I would think the Players Association would like it because it would raise salaries. They also might be able to make a case for collusion with the lack of offers.
I don't think anyone including Montreal would stop dealing with Carolina after their offer.

David Rundblad is still playing and could come back. He’s only 32, KD could easily lock him up to a 7 year deal.
- DarthKane

The first signing when Stan Bowman gets another job.

The first signing when Stan Bowman gets another job.
- -Doh-

It's either that or he's going back to the Magic Gus well for a third time.

What about four straight drafts with multiple 1st and 2nd round picks?
- Chunk

Still long odds to get several top of the league players (cornerstones for real contender). Those players first have to be available in the draft, and then the Hawks have to be in position to take them, and then they have to do so.

Take 2009 as an example. Pro Hockey Rumors is doing a re-draft, and Ryan O'Reilly is the 3rd best player. There's Hedman and Tavares; and then.....blah.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but the odds are long and we might cool our jets a wee bit.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...verall-pick.html#ref=home

What about four straight drafts with multiple 1st and 2nd round picks?
- Chunk

Well we dont know if KD has the eye for it. I also don't buy into this notion that you have to play hockey to be able to see hockey talent. I believe these people are blessed with it. We will know in a few years if he does or doesn't.

So by committing to the rebuild he's accumulated a ton of quality draft picks past, present, and future.

Looks like he has a few golden nuggets from the Bowman drafts, you have to wonder how much influence KD had in those drafts? Maybe why Danny was comfortable in hiring KD?

Other than Nazar and didn't hear much about Rinzel, sounds like many of last years draft picks did very well in their respected leagues, so that is at least a positive sign.

If KD does have the eye for it we may actually end up with exceptional talent throughout the system.

Teams that can see talent always seem to find golden nuggets, like Dallas, Minny, Carolina and others

Still long odds to get several top of the league players (cornerstones for real contender). Those players first have to be available in the draft, and then the Hawks have to be in position to take them, and then they have to do so.

Take 2009 as an example. Pro Hockey Rumors is doing a re-draft, and Ryan O'Reilly is the 3rd best player. There's Hedman and Tavares; and then.....blah.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but the odds are long and we might cool our jets a wee bit.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...verall-pick.html#ref=home
- mohel

No jet cooling here Bucko, I’ve penciled in every draft pick from June’s draft to be in the line up, by next year.

The first signing when Stan Bowman gets another job.
- -Doh-[/quote
Runs-b(l)ad oh Bowman upgrade to Lucas Carlsson
Never mind he didn't get into playoffs with Florida..Resurrection time!

You can’t tip toe around worrying about who you piss off. If there’s an RFA the Hawks feel they need and can go the offer sheet route, they do it. Remember too KD pissed off Dubas when details of the Fleury trade leaked and they made trades afterwards. All that said hopefully LaFreniere isn’t an RFA Chicago are thinking of.
- paulr

Yes but pick and choose your spots and this wasn't the right spot.

I agree there are lots of important players without blazing speed. Ryan O’Reilly, John Tavares hell Toews wasn’t a burner. Lafrenière Came out of junior as a kid who battled, was hard on the puck and could score. He hasn’t proven himself in the NHL but those types of players are nice to have. All that said he’s been re-signed by the Rangers.
- paulr

Toews in his prime had another gear come playoff time.

Hawks can always bring back Svedberg from Siberia.and Dahlstrom played 8 games in the A last year..
- LAHawk

I'd pair Svedberg with the former all-star John Scott.

For 2024 I think KD takes a defenseman in the first round. After Korchinski there isn’t much in the prospect pool by way of offensive defensemen. Levshunov (as per you) and D!ckinson would be great choices at the top of the draft. With Tampa’s pick I like the guy you mentioned, Parekh.
- DarthKane

Good chance we could draft the first defense man next year.

For 2024 I think KD takes a defenseman in the first round. After Korchinski there isn’t much in the prospect pool by way of offensive defensemen. Levshunov (as per you) and D!ckinson would be great choices at the top of the draft. With Tampa’s pick I like the guy you mentioned, Parekh.
- DarthKane

Yeah, my premise was that they do not win a second lottery drop down, and in my humble opinion, Artyom Levshunov is got in the top half dozen before the hawks pick.

I find the entire idea of defense being the "strength of this 2024 draft as being defenseman" is sort of a misnomer: The class divides between smaller offensive man and larger ones like Sam Richardenson / Arytom Levshunov, and then a grab bag of defender prospects who need much developmental time to reach possible pro level. Some smaller, defensively suspect, others big with little upside as stronger offensive defenders.

That is why I saw the possibility of an F-1 forward in Trevor Connelly, and taking a flyer on Zayne Parekh later with the TB Lightning first rounder.

I want more forwards who can cut through and show fearless to going to the front and actually getting shots off.

Not sure what the hawks management things about their present farmhand forward group or if they think that's still an area you want to find high end players.

Big LD Sam Richardenson may have some offensive chops, but he has a duty to continuing to improve his defensive side before he can relax and think about how to be a better attacker.
RD Levshunov has lots of work to do to be a defender, but shows relative success offensively or defensively.

You can not only not count on inning any more lotteries (after the Hkws won the biggest one in decades) so you cannot count on say in 2025 their record to put them in a position to select a LW Malcolm Spence in the first, because there HAS to be more improvement in the standings by then, right?

So get the best attackers so we have a wave of youngsters who can complement Bedi.

I think Hall and Bedard will see Reichel ending up as their lines' F-1 as a rw next season.