Yo Fatty, took a stroll over to Dobber for a quick look see to see if anything is there to support what I believe, Kurashev is a line driver and better away from Bedard.

Bedard got injured Jan 5th and came back Feb 15th. He was out for 14 games and in those 14 games Kurashev was above 50% corsi in 9 of them. 9 of 14 games without Bedard he was above 50 in corsi 9 times.

He had a helluva run without Bedard where his corsi was 66, 63, 56, 59, 57 and 63 in consecutive games!!! On a rotten squad. ...That's good. https://frozenpool.dobber.../players/philipp-kurashev (click advanced stats)
- Mr Ricochet

And Natural Stat Trick shows by most measurables Kurashev is better with Bedard than without. https://www.naturalstattr...te=n&v=t&playerid=8480798

But the last 7 years the hit is only $1.5. Any trade will probably be $4.5 mil. Retained anyway. If he is that much of a cancer, which is worse, Jonrs on the team or dead cap hit?
- LAHawk

Hopefully only two more seasons he wears the Indian Head crest

Who would be your choice for Norris Trophy this season? Morrisey means a lot to Winnipeg but do you vote Q Hughes?

Jeff Skinner?
- LAHawk

Yeah, that's another. Good one.

But the last 7 years the hit is only $1.5. Any trade will probably be $4.5 mil. Retained anyway. If he is that much of a cancer, which is worse, Jones on the team or dead cap hit?
- LAHawk

Put me down for -I'll take the dead cap hit. Especially since the team is at a formative stage. I don't care what his buddy Nick might say in public, it isn't walking the talk from what I can see. And like someone else mentioned or inferred, if that was the justification for moving on Toews/Kane... then that's what needs to be done.

Wheeler released his top 75
Michkov in at #1

At #27 - Oliver Moore

Height:
5' 11"
Weight:
195 Ibs
DOB:
Jan. 22, 2005

A favorite of mine, Moore has consistently impressed me across levels and competitions over the last three years. On trips down to Plymouth during his time at the program (as well as after at the world junior summer showcase), where he was the focal point of the 2005 age group’s second line and a real driver of play and offense behind their record-breaking first line. In Switzerland for last year’s U18 worlds and Sweden for this year’s world juniors (where he began as the team’s 13th forward but also had a good run on the first line). With the Golden Gophers since returning from the world juniors.
His consistent game-to-game impact even when the points aren’t going in has always struck me as well (he rarely has a bad game, works and finds ways to involve himself and make things happen). Moore’s game is defined by his world-class skating ability (both in straight lines, where he turns defenders with ease out wide, and in quick bursts from explosive stops and starts) and consistency of presence on the ice. He’s got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. I’ve seen him create breakaways with ease, win races he shouldn’t and send defenders sliding when he stops up on them with a head of steam. He also hunts pucks and applies pressure with the best of them, and his motor doesn’t stop, bouncing from one won battle to the next.
He wants to hang onto the puck and make plays but he’ll also hurry it up and dominate in and out of give-and-gos. He’s got quick hands. He’s got an impressive one-timer from the right flank and can really lean into and rip his catch-and-release or in-stride wrister to score from the high slot. He is an impressive athlete who is strong for a 5-foot-11 player, which should help him stick at center up levels. He has learned to use some clever movement patterns to make defensemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. He’s strong in the faceoff circle. Increasingly, his game isn’t all just about the speed/hound element and I’ve been impressed by his puck protection in and out of stops and starts in the offensive zone, changing directions to beat defenders off the wall into valuable ice.
I don’t see much to nitpick in either his tools or his approach, although he does need to think the game a little better with the puck at times. More and more, his game has shown dimension inside the offensive zone so that he can make things happen shift after shift out of all of his effort plays up and under sticks. He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. And while his game is tenacious, he also has surprising soft skill. I’m not sure he has star power but he’s got some unique attributes and he’s going to make a heck of an NHL player.

And by the by
3-1-2-1-3

Put me down for -I'll take the dead cap hit. Especially since the team is at a formative stage. I don't care what his buddy Nick might say in public, it isn't walking the talk from what I can see. And like someone else mentioned or inferred, if that was the justification for moving on Toews/Kane... then that's what needs to be done.
- SC116

88+19 contracts were up. Whole lot easier.

I watched Mich. Vs Minn. again, last night. IMO Oliver Moore is miles ahead of Frank Nazar. Moore is always a presence on the ice where Nazar goes barely noticed. Fun fact; Moore and Rinzel are roommates.
- bjphawkfan

And sure enough Wheeler puts out his top 75 drafted prospects today. Has Moore at 27 and Nazar 35. Captainserious posted his write up of Moore, I'll post what Wheeler said about Nazar. ...... IMO he hits the nail on the head with both evaluations as this is what I posted yesterday (as you did too, bjp) and pretty much most of the yr.. He's especially right on Nazar about having little impact in too many games and will do best to stay another yr in college. IMO that could be seen all yr in his game, that he needs more time.

But, and Wheeler's right here too, Nazar can fly and has top 6 skill. very nice prospect, very nice.



Nazar lost most of his freshman season to a hip injury and then had to find his way back into a Michigan lineup with national championship aspirations that was already clicking last year. Early on this year as a sophomore, he was fairly productive but his game often left me wanting to see him battle a little more and show some more competitiveness when it’s 50/50 (he was getting to a lot of pucks when they were his to get to but there was too much reaching in/not a ton of fight when that was required). That’s always been a part of his game — this feeling that if he won more possessions his game could go to another level, that he’s not quite noticeable enough given his talent level, and that there’s too much vanilla between the good moments. Some of that, early on, though, was him getting huge ice time out of the gate and still working his way back. Because he really hit his stride leading into the world juniors and after a standout tournament (especially at the front of it), that play has spilled into a more impactful second half with the Wolverines.

Few prospects dash around the ice and make plays like Nazar does when healthy and feeling it. He’s a threatening player from the hashmarks because of his wrister, which he pops off of his stick with sneaky power and precision thanks in large part to the balance he displays through his weight shift (he’s not a super strong kid, though he is a tremendous athlete).

He’s got quick hands, which help him deftly adjust in traffic to get shots off under pressure. He flashes creativity throughout his game. He plays pucks into space extremely well, regularly executing through tight gaps in coverage. And he’s capable of being a hungry, driven player who consistently targets the middle lane and can get to wherever he needs to get to with his greatest asset — his skating.

Nazar’s one of the faster prospects in the sport, not only in straight lines and winding up through his crossovers, but also in adjusting tempos (a learned skill he really developed at the NTDP). That allows him to impact play both with the puck, attacking in transition to turn defenders or creating breakaways, as well as without it, speeding into lanes to get open for his linemates.

He also consistently supports the play high in the offensive zone without possession when that’s his role (another learned habit that has come a long way). He can be careless with the puck and try to do too much at times but he’s also capable of going right into coverage to make something happen or breezing to the perimeter to pull eyes to him and facilitate. His ability to get out in transition and make plays off the rush is particularly impressive, especially as a passer where he routinely executes beautiful cross-ice passes from out wide while in motion. He’s got impressive touch. And while there’s still the odd time he gets too far in front of the play trying to get open down ice, he can also open a game up.

He moves and does things on the ice that few can and has upside as a top-six playmaker. The question is whether he has the jam/fire to stick as a center at 5-foot-9/10, or if he’ll have to transition to the wing in the pros. If I were him, I’d go back for one more year at Michigan as a junior next season, too. I think it could really benefit him.

Wheeler released his top 75
Michkov in at #1

At #27 - Oliver Moore

Height:
5' 11"
Weight:
195 Ibs
DOB:
Jan. 22, 2005

A favorite of mine, Moore has consistently impressed me across levels and competitions over the last three years. On trips down to Plymouth during his time at the program (as well as after at the world junior summer showcase), where he was the focal point of the 2005 age group’s second line and a real driver of play and offense behind their record-breaking first line. In Switzerland for last year’s U18 worlds and Sweden for this year’s world juniors (where he began as the team’s 13th forward but also had a good run on the first line). With the Golden Gophers since returning from the world juniors.
His consistent game-to-game impact even when the points aren’t going in has always struck me as well (he rarely has a bad game, works and finds ways to involve himself and make things happen). Moore’s game is defined by his world-class skating ability (both in straight lines, where he turns defenders with ease out wide, and in quick bursts from explosive stops and starts) and consistency of presence on the ice. He’s got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. I’ve seen him create breakaways with ease, win races he shouldn’t and send defenders sliding when he stops up on them with a head of steam. He also hunts pucks and applies pressure with the best of them, and his motor doesn’t stop, bouncing from one won battle to the next.
He wants to hang onto the puck and make plays but he’ll also hurry it up and dominate in and out of give-and-gos. He’s got quick hands. He’s got an impressive one-timer from the right flank and can really lean into and rip his catch-and-release or in-stride wrister to score from the high slot. He is an impressive athlete who is strong for a 5-foot-11 player, which should help him stick at center up levels. He has learned to use some clever movement patterns to make defensemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. He’s strong in the faceoff circle. Increasingly, his game isn’t all just about the speed/hound element and I’ve been impressed by his puck protection in and out of stops and starts in the offensive zone, changing directions to beat defenders off the wall into valuable ice.
I don’t see much to nitpick in either his tools or his approach, although he does need to think the game a little better with the puck at times. More and more, his game has shown dimension inside the offensive zone so that he can make things happen shift after shift out of all of his effort plays up and under sticks. He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. And while his game is tenacious, he also has surprising soft skill. I’m not sure he has star power but he’s got some unique attributes and he’s going to make a heck of an NHL player.

And by the by
3-1-2-1-3
- captainserious

The odds we get a top three slot is good, top four very good and top five even better

I know we debate who to take at #4 or #5 overall. After Celebrini the next choices include Lindstrom a couple dmen and maybe Eiserman. Others have moved in or near the top five What I wish to know is how KD wants to shape the team around Bedard

It is an interesting debate who does he really like or want a certain type of player. To be more precise, what style. I know that the consensus is to take the best player. The best player after Celebrini could be different on each GM’s list, that is, rank list

Let’s take one sample of what could be going through KD mind

Do I want to draft someone who has a great shot and will complement Bedard- his overall game will come around if only due to the fact that he is going to looked to as a difference maker and he will have plenty of instruction and opportunity to improve

Or do I want the big Lindstrom kid? Hmmm….if Lindstrom becomes # 2 center I really like his size and style behind Bedard. So where does that mean Moore and Greene wind up - on wing or third line center

I personally hope that Ludwinski and Misiak wind up as third line guys here in Chicago. Wish I could say Dach a third line member too but he has to remain healthy then he definitely has a role in Chicago.

Slaggert and Nazar, Savoie, oh yes Reichel too?


Going to be real interesting seeing players develop
I am guessing that Hayes would be a L1 or L2 guy

IIRC Tony O Nazar only had that one injury, his hip, which took most of his freshman season last yr. Don't remember him having injury trouble with the NTDP. .... I'm a Nazar guy but think he'll play NCAA one more yr.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't know. Nazar was very good in the World Jrs. Admittedly, I haven't watched a MI game this year, but who are his wings?

I get that he was playing with great players at the world jrs, and he wouldn't be in Chicago, but depending on who he would be playing with next year at MI, he may be better off in Rockford.

I don't know. Nazar was very good in the World Jrs. Admittedly, I haven't watched a MI game this year, but who are his wings?

I get that he was playing with great players at the world jrs, and he wouldn't be in Chicago, but depending on who he would be playing with next year at MI, he may be better off in Rockford.
- vabeachbear

I should know this off the top of my head. I thought he was skating with Brindley but their line chart on Twitter has Shifsky and Errnissee as his wingers on L2. Game before Nazar centered McGroarty and Shifsky on L1 with Brindley at wing on L2.

They're juggling but be sure Nazar has tons of talent around him at powerhouse U of MI. .......... V, one of the best thing about the NCAA is smallish guys like Nazar play less games, 35ish, and get plenty of practice, weight and film room time. And with U of MI he'll play in big games.

At RKF a smallish guy like Nazar growing into his game he'd be getting pounded in a rough AHL. ........ IMO he's better off as a 20 yr old 180 pounder in the NCAA next yr.

Yo LA, take a gander at The Athletic this morning. Laz wrote an article titled, "Is the Hawks' historically bad season doing long term harm"? https://theathletic.com/5...wks-connor-bedard-season/

Are the Flyers selling or keepin the gang together to make a run?

The odds we get a top three slot is good, top four very good and top five even better

I know we debate who to take at #4 or #5 overall. After Celebrini the next choices include Lindstrom a couple dmen and maybe Eiserman. Others have moved in or near the top five What I wish to know is how KD wants to shape the team around Bedard

It is an interesting debate who does he really like or want a certain type of player. To be more precise, what style. I know that the consensus is to take the best player. The best player after Celebrini could be different on each GM’s list, that is, rank list

Let’s take one sample of what could be going through KD mind

Do I want to draft someone who has a great shot and will complement Bedard- his overall game will come around if only due to the fact that he is going to looked to as a difference maker and he will have plenty of instruction and opportunity to improve

Or do I want the big Lindstrom kid? Hmmm….if Lindstrom becomes # 2 center I really like his size and style behind Bedard. So where does that mean Moore and Greene wind up - on wing or third line center

I personally hope that Ludwinski and Misiak wind up as third line guys here in Chicago. Wish I could say Dach a third line member too but he has to remain healthy then he definitely has a role in Chicago.

Slaggert and Nazar, Savoie, oh yes Reichel too?


Going to be real interesting seeing players develop
I am guessing that Hayes would be a L1 or L2 guy
- jhawk59

I highly doubt that any of this comes up in discussions about draft picks (maybe in the later rounds, but not at the top of the draft). These are more questions during free agency. The draft is where you select the best player available.

Yo LA, take a gander at The Athletic this morning. Laz wrote an article titled, "Is the Hawks' historically bad season doing long term harm"? https://theathletic.com/5...wks-connor-bedard-season/

Are the Flyers selling or keepin the gang together to make a run?
- Mr Ricochet

I didn't read, I do not have a subscription to the Athletic. Well, isn't this the reason the Hawks signed Foligno and Richardinson for 2 more seasons (i agree with Foligno, Richardinson I would of tried to sell high) isn't it. to keep the team positive.

Interesting Foligno was not interviewed after the last game, they interviewed Kurashev that talked about how losing sucks, and we have seen Bedard's frustrations during games (slamming his stick, punching the boards on the bench), and of course the comments from S. Jones.

Will it do long term harm? IDK,. I think KD needs to do something that shows that he cares about how the team does in the near term as well as what he envisions 3-5 years hence. Nothing is going to happen this deadline, he has noting to sell. I will reserve any judgement or thoughts until I see what the roster shapes up to be next year. My guess is what I would prefer KD does is not in any shape or form what he will do. Let's see.

In any case, i do not think KD can run out another clown show of a team again next year, but then again, I do not know what a real rebuild by the book entails.

I think the Flyers stand pat myself.

Hey Rico, what about the Kerfuffle in Calgary ? Markstrom was supposedly traded to NJ, but apparently fell through. and what are they going to do with Hannifan?

I didn't read, I do not have a subscription to the Athletic. Well, isn't this the reason the Hawks signed Foligno and Richardinson for 2 more seasons (i agree with Foligno, Richardinson I would of tried to sell high) isn't it. to keep the team positive.

Interesting Foligno was not interviewed after the last game, they interviewed Kurashev that talked about how losing sucks, and we have seen Bedard's frustrations during games (slamming his stick, punching the boards on the bench), and of course the comments from S. Jones.

Will it do long term harm? IDK,. I think KD needs to do something that shows that he cares about how the team does in the near term as well as what he envisions 3-5 years hence. Nothing is going to happen this deadline, he has noting to sell. I will reserve any judgement or thoughts until I see what the roster shapes up to be next year. My guess is what I would prefer KD does is not in any shape or form what he will do. Let's see.

In any case, i do not think KD can run out another clown show of a team again next year, but then again, I do not know what a real rebuild by the book entails.

I think the Flyers stand pat myself.

Hey Rico, what about the Kerfuffle in Calgary ? Markstrom was supposedly traded to NJ, but apparently fell through. and what are they going to do with Hannifan?
- LAHawk

I'm hoping that KD hears all of the negativity coming out of the locker room after games and realizes that you can't just slow drip rookies into the lineup over a few years and hope that things work out in your favor. While these players certainly get paid well to play a game, there is still emotion involved. You can't just be dead inside (especially when talking about the thing to which you spend most of your day dedicated).

I'm hoping that KD hears all of the negativity coming out of the locker room after games and realizes that you can't just slow drip rookies into the lineup over a few years and hope that things work out in your favor. While these players certainly get paid well to play a game, there is still emotion involved. You can't just be dead inside (especially when talking about the thing to which you spend most of your day dedicated).
- Chunk

We’ll see, but I envision them signing a couple more middle 6 type players. No idea if they think Nazar is ready, but hopefully Hall and AA are healthy.

You can’t count on either which is why I think KFC signs some FA’s on short deals or trades for a few players who maybe only have a couple years on their deal left.

I can see more actual NHL players in the lineup vs some of the AHL placeholders this season, but time will tell.

I'm hoping that KD hears all of the negativity coming out of the locker room after games and realizes that you can't just slow drip rookies into the lineup over a few years and hope that things work out in your favor. While these players certainly get paid well to play a game, there is still emotion involved. You can't just be dead inside (especially when talking about the thing to which you spend most of your day dedicated).
- Chunk

Hmmm that's interesting because when i brought up the team lost focus vs CBJs because of the Perry incident, it was a ridiculous concept

Or when Korchinski dad passed away, they had a bad game again? I thought these players were machines and had no emotions.

It's a crazy concept

I really don't think it's that big a deal. By the time this team is good again probably have 16 to 17 new players on the team that aren't here this year

Hmmm that's interesting because when i brought up the team lost focus vs CBJs because of the Perry incident, it was a ridiculous concept

Or when Korchinski dad passed away, they had a bad game again? I thought these players were machines and had no emotions.

It's a crazy concept
- BetweenTheDots

I was talking more about long term losing and how that can turn into apathy, bad habits, or anger with everything that happens. I think what you are talking about is largely individual, especially if you are talking about a guy who is very new to the team and/or doesn't really relate to whatever the situation/incident is. It's also kind of hard to tell this year since the team is so bad that you can't really tell if it is due to them being bad or some outside influence.

I was talking more about long term losing and how that can turn into apathy, bad habits, or anger with everything that happens. I think what you are talking about is largely individual, especially if you are talking about a guy who is very new to the team and/or doesn't really relate to whatever the situation/incident is. It's also kind of hard to tell this year since the team is so bad that you can't really tell if it is due to them being bad or some outside influence.
- Chunk

If Lazarus was going to actually do his homework he should of analyzed how the Boston Red Sox and Cubs rebuilds went when Theo gutted them. Didn't stop them from winning a world series.

If Lazarus was going to actually do his homework he should of analyzed how the Boston Red Sox and Cubs rebuilds went when Theo gutted them. Didn't stop them from winning a world series.
- BetweenTheDots

I don't think you can compare how teams are built between baseball and hockey. And the Cubs were one and done,

I don't think you can compare how teams are built between baseball and hockey. And the Cubs were one and done,
- LAHawk

One and done is better than never have

Honestly why not? I think it takes about the same window, the same amount of players to win a championship, it takes the similar amount of time for the players to develop....

I am pleased to see a near consensus building here about how grotesquely awful Seth Jones has been playing. Last week I drafted, but will spare you all, an entire diatribe regarding his suckiness since returning from injury.

Although not likely a solution to the problem, as soon as either Zaitsev or Murphy returns to the lineup Jones should be a healthy scratch for a string of games. The humiliation of his on-ice performance hasn't been enough to motivate him, so let's see if some time in the press box and an interview or two about the state of his game can wake him up.

I am pleased to see a near consensus building here about how grotesquely awful Seth Jones has been playing. Last week I drafted, but will spare you all, an entire diatribe regarding his suckiness since returning from injury.

Although not likely a solution to the problem, as soon as either Zaitsev or Murphy returns to the lineup Jones should be a healthy scratch for a string of games. The humiliation of his on-ice performance hasn't been enough to motivate him, so let's see if some time in the press box and an interview or two about the state of his game can wake him up.
- GreenJeans

And they can remove the "A" on his sweater.

One and done is better than never have

Honestly why not? I think it takes about the same window, the same amount of players to win a championship, it takes the similar amount of time for the players to develop....
- BetweenTheDots

Salary cap, and they are two different sports in terms of what is required of the players.

Edit: not to mention, KD's main focus in doing it this way was to provide "sustained success". I'm all for letting the kids develop at their own pace, but there is no reason that he can't be much more strategic in putting better, reasonable cost pieces around the kids so that they can develop better, and not just learn how to take losses.