So I just learned that this Buium dman for Denver and highly regarded for round one in The Entry Draft, has a brother who played in the same team. The brother was drafted previously by Detroit in round two

Well P Kane leaves Motown but Edvisson will become a fixture on their blue line. Yzerman just signed Gibson, a 2nd round choice and assigned the dman to Grand Rapids

Buium, Gibson, Berggren, M Kasper, Danielson plus Edvinsson.....Yzerman done some good drafting
- jhawk59

Bit premature on your part. Three of them have not played in yhe nhl.

How can they possibly get into dangerous areas when they have zero transition game OR anyone who can rip a bomb from the point to keep the defenders honest?

Boston can collapse 5 guys in front of the paint and park the bus while double teaming Matthews and Marner every time because it's not like anyone is going to make them pay.

Nichushkin was able to tap in sitters today because Winnipeg can't just let Makar rip shots from the point or leave MacKinnon or Mikko by themselves. And Tampa looked like a different team with Sergachev. McDavid has a lot more space since Bouchard can't be left alone and Hyman is the king of the sitters.

With Matthews being the only threat on his line and Marner being the only one on his (gosh does Tavares look slow) Boston can double team them - not dissimilar to what teams did to Bedard - except its the playoffs and these guys are going at 100% instead of 75 and there is no outlet or any support to keep them honest and get these guys space.

There is plenty of effort but it's ineffective because of the roster reasons listed several times and certainly the coach that hasn't made any meaningful adjustments in game plan or approach to try to free these guys up or at a minimum lock down things in front of their own goal.

It took several iterations and coaches to get Ovi his cup. For as great as he is MacKinnon only has one. Eichel and O'Reilly were basket cases before they got theirs. Plenty of great hockey players have had issues getting over the hump until just the right circumstances presented themselves.
- fattybeef

So you like the effort the regular season superstars are bringing? You sound like all the other Leaf apologists. I personally don’t want a player on the Hawks who is unable, or unwilling, to raise their effort level in the playoffs.

He kind of looks like a 38 year old playing hockey in the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

The only reason he’s still playing is to get Gretzky’s goal scoring record.

The first round of the playoffs is winding down and the discussion in the last page of this thread includes the failure of the Maple Leafs on ice as well as the management and coaching

I am bringing attention to one of their failure, which is the defense is unable to get the puck to the forwards. Not that the Leafs need a stud puck mover (Q Hughes, Maker, Fox) but the fact is they are weak as a group and each member of that blue line is not really above average in advancing the puck to the forwards from defense to offensive transition.

So now as a segue I address the Blackhawks blue line

I am not convinced that Kaiser is going to grade out as more than a third pair dman. Will he become a reliable defender - not too sure - but he had skill and attributes I like. Yet as a third pair. Now S Jones may be jettisoned after a couple years or when his salary and length is ni longer so cumbersome. So who is going to be our puck movers - Kk and Kaiser?

Well I like DelMastro and Allen BUT can one of them become a second pair and the other a third pair.

I am not fond of the criticism whereas DelMastro is said to have slow feet. His future is...well AHL All Sar as a rookie pro but when Bedard and company are ripe and in a playoff who is our puck movers on defense?

If we draft third or fourth and Eiserman is gone - I think I go after a good two way dman like D I c k I n s o n or Parehk

Our team may need one of those dmen in the playoffs
- jhawk59

Who knows what the D- prospects we currently have will turn into? No one can proclaim anything about what they will or won't become yet. Not to mention, you have FA, trades, and additional draft picks coming in. Maybe Taige Harding comes in and becomes the next Lidstrom. Just going to have to enjoy the ride for a couple years before figuring out what is actually missing from the team.

1-4-4-1-3
What will May 7 actually bring?
- 35Tony0

2. And take the big centerman Lindstrom or eiserman or the Russia. With second pick in the 1st move up and take a d man maje trade for young blocked or cannot be resigned promising young player.

So you like the effort the regular season superstars are bringing? You sound like all the other Leaf apologists. I personally don’t want a player on the Hawks who is unable, or unwilling, to raise their effort level in the playoffs.
- paulr

I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, but Matthews was removed from the last game by doctors, and from what I've heard, he's been dealing with this for most of the series.

I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, but Matthews was removed from the last game by doctors, and from what I've heard, he's been dealing with this for most of the series.
- Chunk

Leafs haven't figured out that their star players have to get hurt in the regular season than return to the playoffs healthy and well rested. See the Vegas and Tampa Bay model.

So you like the effort the regular season superstars are bringing? You sound like all the other Leaf apologists. I personally don’t want a player on the Hawks who is unable, or unwilling, to raise their effort level in the playoffs.
- paulr

You know i don't care about the Leafs, if they win or lose, i recall a Marian Hossa who wasn't great in the playoffs, he was great defensively, but that 5 minute major almost cost us the series. Isn't that what the playoffs are one teams best players vs the other teams best and its usually the depth players that win you the series. Look at how the Kings were so worried about the Oilers and playing defense they couldn't score last night. Big growth step for the Oilers. Caps shouldn't of been in the playoffs.

I hope the Blackhawks continue to go the speed route and later on they can pick up a Nichushkin or Hyman, i just see all that space that the Avs have on the ice and 50 50 pucks turn in to 2 on 1 battles more times than not and when it should be a 50 50 puck the Peg player is just slower to it. Like i said can't wait to see the LVGK vs Avs series.

And
What is the odds that KD is able to trade up from the Tampa Pick to somewhere 9-12 overall? I would like to get a dman or forward with a higher second first round choice
- jhawk59

KD tried that last draft and teams we're willing to make a deal. This draft isn't as strong as last years (or so it seems), so maybe a teams is willing to make a move. The best chance might be with the Devils (currently at #10) as they don't have a 2nd round pick.

And
What is the odds that KD is able to trade up from the Tampa Pick to somewhere 9-12 overall? I would like to get a dman or forward with a higher second first round choice
- jhawk59

Possible, but unlikely w/o an overpay.

Remember last year his 2nd and 3rd rounders were burning a hole in his pocket and was attempting a trade up to secure Ollie Moore and was offering more than one of this 2nd/3rds to do so, and the player he wanted didn't need a trade to select.

Not saying it isn't p[ossible but I am more than curious exactly how those top 14 picks go.

I know I have Igninla much higher on my board than most and there are prospects with better upside to select early, but what Tig Iginla is on the ice seems a solid addition in terms of juice, not necessarily great dominant skills, just lots of all around game that adds a safe forward who can help you win.

I don't think 19/20 is a bad spot to select in this ne, but you will wait for results a bit.

It just seems like any tams selecting in the top 14 are assured with a safe selection of a kid who has a future, whereas at 19, the teams scouting staff is going to have to project long term future for that player and hit...

Possible, but unlikely w/o an overpay.

Remember last year his 2nd and 3rd rounders were burning a hole in his pocket and was attempting a trade up to secure Ollie Moore and was offering more than one of this 2nd/3rds to do so, and the player he wanted didn't need a trade to select.

Not saying it isn't p
- wiz1901[ossible but I am more than curious exactly how those top 14 picks go.

I know I have Igninla much higher on my board than most and there are prospects with better upside to select early, but what Tig Iginla is on the ice seems a solid addition in terms of juice, not necessarily great dominant skills, just lots of all around game that adds a safe forward who can help you win.

I don't think 19/20 is a bad spot to select in this ne, but you will wait for results a bit.

It just seems like any tams selecting in the top 14 are assured with a safe selection of a kid who has a future, whereas at 19, the teams scouting staff is going to have to project long term future for that player and hit...

There are always players that fall through the cracks every draft year, hopefully KD can identify who those kids are.

KD tried that last draft and teams we're willing to make a deal. This draft isn't as strong as last years (or so it seems), so maybe a teams is willing to make a move. The best chance might be with the Devils (currently at #10) as they don't have a 2nd round pick.
- DarthKane

Except, DO they need a second enough to drop down?

They already have a treasure trove of young defenseman and will be adding another in Seamus Casey, so four solid young backlines that all can get more than a #19 overall selection...

Except, DO they need a second enough to drop down?

They already have a treasure trove of young defenseman and will be adding another in Seamus Casey, so four solid young backlines that all can get more than a #19 overall selection...
- wiz1901

I would think Calgary at #9 currently would be a better shot as Conroy said he has no interest in the tear it down model of rebuilding, but do the Hawks have an NHL player that Conroy would be interested in as part of the package?

I would think Calgary at #9 currently would be a better shot as Conroy said he has no interest in the tear it down model of rebuilding, but do the Hawks have an NHL player that Conroy would be interested in as part of the package?
- LAHawk

I read where Conroy is asking for a 1st in return for Markstrom. If he circles back to NJ he'll have the 9th and 10th picks - assuming neither teams wins the lottery. If that happens he could package both to move up in the draft, or trade one of them to move down and get another asset.

If Hawks drop to 4th - does KD trade #4 for 9 and 10? Eiserman still may be there and a defenseman like Yakemchuk. And Chicago will still have TB's 19th or 20th.

I'm looking forward to everyone's off season moves. I think Utah will make some big moves to improve their team. They have the new owner, cap space and picks galore. Montreal's Hughes seems like a bigger wheeler-dealer than KD and has talked about improving his offense at the expense of one of his younger D. Something probably will happen in Toronto. And back to KD - we all know he's not afraid to make trades so something is likely to happen here.

You know i don't care about the Leafs, if they win or lose, i recall a Marian Hossa who wasn't great in the playoffs, he was great defensively, but that 5 minute major almost cost us the series. Isn't that what the playoffs are one teams best players vs the other teams best and its usually the depth players that win you the series. Look at how the Kings were so worried about the Oilers and playing defense they couldn't score last night. Big growth step for the Oilers. Caps shouldn't of been in the playoffs.

I hope the Blackhawks continue to go the speed route and later on they can pick up a Nichushkin or Hyman, i just see all that space that the Avs have on the ice and 50 50 pucks turn in to 2 on 1 battles more times than not and when it should be a 50 50 puck the Peg player is just slower to it. Like i said can't wait to see the LVGK vs Avs series.
- BetweenTheDots

So was Hossa great in the playoffs or wasn’t he? I’d argue Hossa was excellent in the playoffs.

So was Hossa great in the playoffs or wasn’t he? I’d argue Hossa was excellent in the playoffs.
- paulr

He was just a solid all around and so consistent. There were many nights he was the best forward on the team. He was so much more than his point totals

I read where Conroy is asking for a 1st in return for Markstrom. If he circles back to NJ he'll have the 9th and 10th picks - assuming neither teams wins the lottery. If that happens he could package both to move up in the draft, or trade one of them to move down and get another asset.

If Hawks drop to 4th - does KD trade #4 for 9 and 10? Eiserman still may be there and a defenseman like Yakemchuk. And Chicago will still have TB's 19th or 20th.

I'm looking forward to everyone's off season moves. I think Utah will make some big moves to improve their team. They have the new owner, cap space and picks galore. Montreal's Hughes seems like a bigger wheeler-dealer than KD and has talked about improving his offense at the expense of one of his younger D. Something probably will happen in Toronto. And back to KD - we all know he's not afraid to make trades so something is likely to happen here.
- boilermaker100

Unless there is a 'must-have' prospect available at #4 I would maker that trade, the Hawks would have to thrown in a 2nd. Or maybe even 4 and 19 for 9 and 10.

All he has to do is hang out with me, he’ll put on some weight. A beef sandwich here, a couple of tacos there…
- Angotti

I'm at Portillos now.

And as my last divert to the Bears and their rebuild here;

We got our Punter!

And i love the pick
- vabeachbear

Put 20 pounds on him and he can play Edge as well.

I'm at Portillos now.
- rpeters01

Headed there a bit later.

Unless there is a 'must-have' prospect available at #4 I would maker that trade, the Hawks would have to thrown in a 2nd. Or maybe even 4 and 19 for 9 and 10.
- DarthKane

Don't know the pick values but if a 2nd rounder needs to be added, so be it.

Interesting scenario. Let's say Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov go 1,2,3. Calgary's GM Conroy thinks Parekh is the 2nd coming of Cale Makar. KFC thinks everyone from 4-10 are rated similarly and goes for the 2 for 1 deal. Parekh goes 4th to Calgary. 5-8 are some combination of Lindstrom, Dlckinson, Buium, Catton. There is lots to choose from at 9 and 10 including Eiserman, Iginla, Yakemchuk, maybe one of the 5-8 guys if a GM selects Silayev or someone else.

Then the Hawks can still get another useful player with the TB pick. Git er done Kyle!

The guys on HNIC weren’t very complimentary either. I’ll have to chase down the Biznssty comment
- paulr

Stan tried hard to get Marner. A few years later he did get Jones at a lower salary but at the cost of draft picks plus a busted defense man.

Boston flu?
- paulr

Detroit Pistons migraine.

The only reason he’s still playing is to get Gretzky’s goal scoring record.
- paulr

Making $9.5 mill per year doesn't hurt, either.

So was Hossa great in the playoffs or wasn’t he? I’d argue Hossa was excellent in the playoffs.
- paulr

Hossa is a fantastic hockey player, but so is Matthews. What I'm saying is this, if you took Hossa from 2010 and put him on the Leafs today you would get the same result, if you put Matthews on the 2010 Blackhawks you would get the same result, 2010 team may have been one of the most talented teams in history, Maple Leafs not even close. Depth depth depth