How about giving Ottawa both first rounders for Brady Tkachuk?
- wiz1901

Meh

Since we've moved on from Tankathon spins to mock drafts....

I just did a mock draft for the first round. I drafted Levshunov at #2 and Eiserman and #20.
- DarthKane

Eiserman will be long gone before #20

Since San Jose is definitely tanking - could you see them taking the Russian first since they can wait the year for him to come over, get another top 2 (probably) pick next year and then be in a pretty good place talent wise in 3 or 4 years and probably not sucking in 5?

Obviously they can do the same thing with Celebrini and either send him back to the NCAA or just let him get his ass kicked for a year in the NHL. Even Fantilli didn't burn anything down and he had at least some NHL talent around him so without a lot of help I wonder how good of an idea it is to throw him to the wolves.

Or they don't have capital like the Hawks so they really have to maximize their picks. Maybe they'd be willing to move that Pittsburg one (14) for another second and 4th this year for Toronto's first next year.
- fattybeef

Cellebrini spent a lot of time in San Jose, his father works for the Warriors. Cellebrini played for the Jr. Sharks. No way Grier selects anyone else.

Eiserman will be long gone before #20
- LFS

I recall JJ saying the same about TT and last year when everyone had O. Moore going in the top ten...it could happen

I'm not sure Kane is in that camp. Why play for a team that likely won't make the playoffs?
- Dieselhead

You mean like this year?

Yzerman is just a fallible as any other GM in the league. He is not a god.
- wizardofi

You take that back! He is the bestest GM to ever live, regardless of sport.

Blasphemy I say


and PS; just imagine how even bestier he'd be if he actually won something

Oh ya, and i'll add (frank) the Wings

Edm finally beat Van in a game this year....
- wizardofi

The 1-4 that Vancouver is playing in the neutral zone (its a 1, 2, 2 but other than F1 the rest of the guys are in a line on the blue line for the most part) is really causing problems for the oilers.

It's a modified version of the neutral zone trap even though they have that F1 forechecking hard. And then they park the bus standing up all 5 guys between the dots trying to stop the cross ice passes that the Oilers typically use to shred teams. Makes for some really boring hockey.

Edmonton was able to pick some spots where they were able to draw them out or find a seam but for the most part Vancouver made things very difficult.

Kind of irritating that there isn't a lot of technical break down with what they're doing other than "try hard, jam in corners, rub guys off" hockey coverage is so lazy.

The one opportunity McDavid had to run through the neutral zone without getting held he buried a break away. Bouchard's goal happened in OT where a guy chased McDavid out and the high forward collapsed on Bouchard who walked past him and got a fortunate bounce but had a clear path to the goal instead of 2 or 3 guys in front of him.

I recall JJ saying the same about TT and last year when everyone had O. Moore going in the top ten...it could happen
- Beaver-Warrior

Brandon Saad was in the discussion for a top 5 pick (certainly first round) with Landeskog the year they both went. He fell to the second with that groin injury because the perception was "effort".

It will be interesting to see how the injuries impact someone like Lidstrom or even Parekh.

Brandon Saad was in the discussion for a top 5 pick (certainly first round) with Landeskog the year they both went. He fell to the second with that groin injury because the perception was "effort".

It will be interesting to see how the injuries impact someone like Lidstrom or even Parekh.
- fattybeef

Debrincat also had that debilitating condition called being short.

Bedard nets 2 in tourney action:
https://www.espn.com/olym...nada-starts-defense-rally

Since San Jose is definitely tanking - could you see them taking the Russian first since they can wait the year for him to come over, get another top 2 (probably) pick next year and then be in a pretty good place talent wise in 3 or 4 years and probably not sucking in 5?

Obviously they can do the same thing with Celebrini and either send him back to the NCAA or just let him get his ass kicked for a year in the NHL. Even Fantilli didn't burn anything down and he had at least some NHL talent around him so without a lot of help I wonder how good of an idea it is to throw him to the wolves.

Or they don't have capital like the Hawks so they really have to maximize their picks. Maybe they'd be willing to move that Pittsburg one (14) for another second and 4th this year for Toronto's first next year.
- fattybeef

San Jose has two center(pieces) next season in Celebrini and Will Smith
Chicago has Bedard and if used ar center - Nazar
There is no rumor or reason to.believe B Tkazchuk is coming to Chicago for both our first round picks. It seems intrigujng but I want to see KD draft two first round picks in '24. Maybe one of them could be packaged with a '1 in '25 for a possibly disgruntled Celebrini. What a nice one two punch that would give us and they are buddies

I surmise not just Nazar but in one year or soon Hayes could be here. Maybe P Kane too and next season for Kane?

We are just guessing if Celebrini or Kane could wind up here. I would emphasize drafting a dman second overall and trade up to try and grab Eiserman. If we drafted say Yaremchuk and Celebrini forget about trading either for Celebrini

Either draft the kid from.zMichigan or go for the home run by taking Yaremchuk. Yaremchuk and KK could become the type who you win with in playoffs due to their strengths. Yaremchuk is more exciting a prospect to me than D*ickerson due to his playing RD and really dynamic offensive threat

Eiserman will be long gone before #20
- LFS

Maybe before tenth overall. Some GM will bite
Any of us wonder who goes first in draft, Lindstrom.or Eiserman

Heck they could go back - to - back or a few dmen drafted between them.. I was going g back and forth with who goes first but I have now decided Eiserman will go. Before Lindstrom
Hope Toronto doesn't trade Marner and try to move up for Parekt. However, only zcelebrini and maybe the Michigan dman would play NHL right away

Kyle From Chicago subject of SunTimes article:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1789317121907794412

Maybe before tenth overall. Some GM will bite
Any of us wonder who goes first in draft, Lindstrom.or Eiserman

Heck they could go back - to - back or a few dmen drafted between them.. I was going g back and forth with who goes first but I have now decided Eiserman will go. Before Lindstrom
Hope Toronto doesn't trademarked and try to move up for Parekt. However, only zcelebrini and maybe the Michigan dman would play NHL right away
- jhawk59

My prediction is that Lindstrom will go before Eiserman, someone will bite on the big center that can skate, those are hard to find.

I recall JJ saying the same about TT and last year when everyone had O. Moore going in the top ten...it could happen
- Beaver-Warrior

Hes not getting past philly or pittsburgh or detroit

I recall JJ saying the same about TT and last year when everyone had O. Moore going in the top ten...it could happen
- Beaver-Warrior

I think Catton is more likely than Eiserman to fall like TT. He won't fall all the way to 20 though.

Rick, the NCAA is by far the very best amatuer league in the world. Much much better than any Major Junior league. Rick, the Powers, Fantillis, Celebrinis and many Canadians are following their path. Before it was Canadian kids who would be middle 6 or 3rd liners that went the NCAA route now the cream of the cream are leaving.... It is a huge threat to Major Junior.

Anyway, look at the age of the players and how many drafted ALREADY for Denver's championship squad. https://www.eliteprospect...team/2034/univ.-of-denver

U of Michigan. https://www.eliteprospect...eam/803/univ.-of-michigan

Boston U https://www.eliteprospect....com/team/633/boston-univ.

Now look at some Major Junior to compare and contrast to the NCAA.

Powerhouse London of course flush. But no 21-22-23-24 yr olds like an NCAA roster. https://www.eliteprospect...m/team/206/london-knights

They're playing Oshawa in the OHL Championship and whipped em in Game 1 8-1. https://www.eliteprospect.../team/873/oshawa-generals

Kitchner who made the final 4 in the OHL playoffs. https://www.eliteprospect...eam/870/kitchener-rangers


Portland v Moose Jaw in the WHL Finals. Game 1 was so good I never turned the sound up on the EDM @ VAN game tonight, both games started at 9:00.

Portland. https://www.eliteprospect.../749/portland-winterhawks

Moose Jaw. https://www.eliteprospect...am/672/moose-jaw-warriors


It ain't close anymore, brah. The NCAA has many more NHL draft picks on their rosters and have 21-22-23-24 yr olds mixed in...... Look at Slaggert, who's skill set probably has him top out as an NHL 3rd liner. Kid came straight into the NHL with tons of good habits, poise, maturity and strength from yrs of NCAA where he had more film time, practice time, strength training against better competition than any kid outa Major Junior. ...... A big attraction for NHL organIzations.

Major Junior is still a big player anmd of course has a big seat at the table for prospects but the USHL has had more kids drafted 7-8 yrs in a row than the Q and goes toe to toe with the OHL for kids drafted outa their league. The USHL has a minimum 50 kids from a 15 team league drafted every yr.
- Mr Ricochet

Mr. R you are spinning a compelling tale supporting your defence of the NCAA and the USHL. Congrats. I will admit I do not care much for U.S. college hockey - a 34 game weekend league with a big disparity in the quality of talent and teams. Thats on me. Won't say I am right, times clearly change.

This continuing migration away from junior hockey to NCAA would have occurred many many years earlier had the NCAA not declared that any kid who took one red cent in pay as a junior - ineligible. For years, junior hockey owners and operators got away with paying players $60/week and then took absolutely no responsibility for their academic achievements. It was hockey, hockey, hockey and so many junior players ending up with no professional hockey opportunities and a Grade 9 or 10 education. Currently however it seems to me, the really good player who chooses the NCAA route leaves after one year anyway - so, so much for the school stuff which is supposedly the main reason they are there.

The 18 year old pro draft changed a lot of things, now a kid has choices and the NCAA route looks more attractive, provided the scholarship offer is maintained over 4 years. (Don't kid yourself, that scholarship deal can be amended or even pulled completely depending on the performance of the player and the financial situation of that institution).

But as it relates to hockey, I will ask you a question - please list for me the names of superstar HHOF players who have ever come out of the NCAA. Frankly, my list doesn't go much past Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios. I know there are players like Kariya, Belfour, St.Louis, Blake and some others. But realistically those guys are living in a basement apartment in the Hall of Fame compared with the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr, Potvin, Lindros, Messier, Bossy, Trottier, Lafleur, Perrault and many others who came from the competitive junior hockey leagues.

But as I said, times do change.

my time in the car running errands for Mothers Day gave me Hockey prospects review of;

Liam Greentree - (who Wiz has at #17 could possibly be there at #20) Tthey thought he has tremendous upside, relies on his back hand too much, but it is very good, said he's on a terrible team and has to do a lot of holding the puck too long because of it. Will need coaching and some time in the AHL to break bad habits, but could be a PPG player when all is said and done.

Cole Beaudoin - (who Wiz has at #78 so if true, would be there for both 3rd round picks). Very strong, said he was strongest player in the draft. Avg to slightly above avg skater. Both guys thought a great comp was Boone Jenner. Called him a Tasmanian devil out on the ice. Hawks need some of that, so I'd be down with him, might even spend one of the 2's on him.

Though i thought the last Beaudoin might be good so take that with a grain of salt.

Mr. R you are spinning a compelling tale supporting your defence of the NCAA and the USHL. Congrats. I will admit I do not care much for U.S. college hockey - a 34 game weekend league with a big disparity in the quality of talent and teams. Thats on me. Won't say I am right, times clearly change.

This continuing migration away from junior hockey to NCAA would have occurred many many years earlier had the NCAA not declared that any kid who took one red cent in pay as a junior - ineligible. For years, junior hockey owners and operators got away with paying players $60/week and then took absolutely no responsibility for their academic achievements. It was hockey, hockey, hockey and so many junior players ending up with no professional hockey opportunities and a Grade 9 or 10 education. Currently however it seems to me, the really good player who chooses the NCAA route leaves after one year anyway - so, so much for the school stuff which is supposedly the main reason they are there.

The 18 year old pro draft changed a lot of things, now a kid has choices and the NCAA route looks more attractive, provided the scholarship offer is maintained over 4 years. (Don't kid yourself, that scholarship deal can be amended or even pulled completely depending on the performance of the player and the financial situation of that institution).

But as it relates to hockey, I will ask you a question - please list for me the names of superstar HHOF players who have ever come out of the NCAA. Frankly, my list doesn't go much past Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios. I know there are players like Kariya, Belfour, St.Louis, Blake and some others. But realistically those guys are living in a basement apartment in the Hall of Fame compared with the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr, Potvin, Lindros, Messier, Bossy, Trottier, Lafleur, Perrault and many others who came from the competitive junior hockey leagues.

But as I said, times do change.
- RickJ

Don't forget when it comes to NCAA, NIL is now in place. Basketball players this offseason are getting 2 mil a year in NIL money to play NCAA bball. Caleb Williams got 6 mil in deals at USC. Caitlin Clark millions also in Women's bball.

It will only be a matter of time before your better teams in NCAA are paying decent coin to entice players. With the added benefit of choosing or developing at your pace and freedom to go where you want when you want.

As far as your name players, while I get that 20 years ago it wasn't popular, but ask that question 20 years from now, and i think you'll see that list change a lot. Just look at the players drafted the last 5 years or so.

Don't forget when it comes to NCAA, NIL is now in place. Basketball players this offseason are getting 2 mil a year in NIL money to play NCAA bball. Caleb Williams got 6 mil in deals at USC. Caitlin Clark millions also in Women's bball.

It will only be a matter of time before your better teams in NCAA are paying decent coin to entice players. With the added benefit of choosing or developing at your pace and freedom to go where you want when you want.

As far as your name players, while I get that 20 years ago it wasn't popular, but ask that question 20 years from now, and i think you'll see that list change a lot. Just look at the players drafted the last 5 years or so.
- vabeachbear

As I said 2X, times change and that will continue.

Where I will disagree with you a little bit is about developing at your own pace. The NHL is a young man's league and not many college hockey players are going to get a shot at playing in the best league in the world if they aren't playing hard nuts competitive professional hockey by the time they are 20.

As I said 2X, times change and that will continue.

Where I will disagree with you a little bit is about developing at your own pace. The NHL is a young man's league and not many college hockey players are going to get a shot at playing in the best league in the world if they aren't playing hard nuts competitive professional hockey by the time they are 20.
- RickJ

Agree. I admit its a better scenario for the guy who is too good for CHL and not good enough, or strong enough yet for the NHL. They can play in college and go to AHL.

Problem for the CHL is that its the best player who will take this route.

My suggestion in all of this would be to let guys go to the AHL. Its only 2 or 3% of the players.

They change that 1 rule, and I would be behind guys playing in CHL

Agree. I admit its a better scenario for the guy who is too good for CHL and not good enough, or strong enough yet for the NHL. They can play in college and go to AHL.

Problem for the CHL is that its the best player who will take this route.

My suggestion in all of this would be to let guys go to the AHL. Its only 2 or 3% of the players.

They change that 1 rule, and I would be behind guys playing in CHL
- vabeachbear

There are 60 CHL teams in total, many located in very small towns across Canada. Some barely squeak year to year financially. So going forward, economics will rule.

Scott Powers asked nine draft experts who should Hawks draft Levshunov or Demidov. 8 out of them said Demidov. Only Pronman leaned to Levshunov and he had a good argument for that.

Reason: I know the Blackhawks have a lot of good young defensemen coming, but until they’re there and producing, you have to take the best player. Levshunov projects as a No. 1 defenseman. I don’t know too many teams who would say you can have too many No. 1 defensemen. He’s 6 feet 2 inches, mobile, plays all situations and had a better year in the Big Ten than Owen Power or Quinn Hughes did in their draft season. That’s a guy you can build a winner around if he hits.

Scott Powers asked nine draft experts who should Hawks draft Levshunov or Demidov. 8 out of them said Demidov. Only Pronman leaned to Levshunov and he had a good argument for that.
- MjulQvist

Look at their core going forward with levshunov in the mix.
Vlasic -Jones
Korchinski-levshunov
Kasier/Phillips/ demastro/Allan- Murphy that's pretty dam solid. Imo I think that is what Davidson will do. But also think he will try and trade back into the top ten for a forward. Unless some team comes with a Hugh offer for number 2 I don't think Davidson and trade out of that spot. Last what young player could have realistic chance of traded for? Just using him as an example Necas, so what other young players could be possible and for what in terms of trade assets?