I am currently watching all the U-18 World Junior games, as I wait for the Draft Lottery on Monday.

I am pretty confident on my first couple of rounds in terms of who.

Now to figure out where LJ Mooney goes, DeBrinkett's fellow teenie.

For that matter most of the USA team. There are lots of nice players, but where do they slot?
- wiz1901

God bless you, Wiz. Still getting to places that matter for the umpteenth yr. Keep on keepin on, old boy!!

Just popped in to post that today, Friday the 2nd, is the U-18 Semi Finals, the Final 4. CAN v SVK at 3:00 and USA v Sveden at 7:00. It's on NHL Network and SN. These clubs are loaded with kids that will be drafted this yr and a handful of 16 yr olds gonna get drafted next yr......

This tournament at the end of the yr where kids are so much more developed from the beginning of the yr is a perfect setting for evaluating these draft eligibles.

The guy who was "too awful" for our basement team sure looked good in the series vs Tampa bay playing 26 minutes a night.
- breadbag

I watched the 2nd game Jones was a Panther. ... Night and day to the way he played at anytime as a Hawk. Yrs and yrs he didn't show how truly special his physical skills really are.

A big big dude who can really skate in all 4 directions with crazy range. An interested Jones is as good an athlete is there is on the ice in any game he plays. If he had even an average IQ he'd be a top 3 or 5 Dman yr after yr.

And, that the Hawks started playing their best hockey in 2-3 yrs the very game after he left, and thru the rest of the yr, says much. .. A kinda rare situation where both teams win a trade.

I am currently watching all the U-18 World Junior games, as I wait for the Draft Lottery on Monday.

I am pretty confident on my first couple of rounds in terms of who.

Now to figure out where LJ Mooney goes, DeBrinkett's fellow teenie.

For that matter most of the USA team. There are lots of nice players, but where do they slot?
- wiz1901

Wiz, I just boiled it down to Mooney is a Lane Hutson who plays forward. Crazy darting abilities (you can't even get a glove on this waterbug) and his IQ/playmaking is even crazier than his darting ability.

Let the guys who pay their mortgage on things like this but you gotta figure out a way to add this kid. Real interesting to see where this blast to watch maniac goes.

Mooney, Novotny, the 16 yr old SEPTEMBER birthday, 2026 draft eligible forward outa CZE and 16 yr old CZE goalie Poletin are my biggest takeaways from this tournament so far... I missed the USA v SWE game but every highlight I see of them they have waves of skill barreling into the Ozone. The 2nd US v SWE game should be great for the fan. Lotta up and down with best in the land skill.

Even though Mrtka was on my radar and having seen him maybe 5 games this dude has taken a step since the last time I saw him. More skill, size and skating than he had earlier in the yr but maybe most importantly he's showing he can run the show in ways like Shea Weber did. Kid is showing real polish to his game and he's a coveted right shot.

I think Schaefer will be the 1st pick but Mrtka has to be seen as the #2 draft eligible Dman and might have pushed his way into the top 5 of the draft.

Dach wins game 1 for the Hogs over Milwaukee in OT.

They were down 2-0 and scored three straight. Ludwinski, Mayhew, and Dach. Don’t get to see much if the game unfortunately.
- Chunk

Dammit I've had a very busy week and fell asleep mid 3rd period.

Milwaukee came out trying to intimidate from the start, checking anything that moved, Ice Hogs didn't back down and were finishing their checks even before i fell asleep which is really nice to see.

Allan fought a guy who seemed twice his size, kids tough.

Prized dmen all looked good except for the pizza Arty gave up. Commesso bailed him out. One thing I've got to admit about KK the kid can handle being checked. What i saw last night he just takes the hit and continues to just go.

Another thing i liked about the hogs game was the post whistle stuff, any time a player went out of their way after the whistle to come near a Hogs player, instead of taking a hit they initiated it. After the 1st period it seemed to me Milwaukee got the message since no penalties were called

Dammit I've had a very busy week and fell asleep mid 3rd period.

Milwaukee came out trying to intimidate from the start, checking anything that moved, Ice Hogs didn't back down and were finishing their checks even before i fell asleep which is really nice to see.

Allan fought a guy who seemed twice his size, kids tough.

Prized dmen all looked good except for the pizza Arty gave up. Commesso bailed him out. One thing I've got to admit about KK the kid can handle being checked. What i saw last night he just takes the hit and continues to just go.
- BetweenTheDots

I have to add that Dach may be the closest thing the Hawks have to Bickell in every sense of the word. Good, but not great during the regular season (not always engaged, but still not a liability), but when the playoffs start he's a different guy. If you watch the highlights (yes, I know they are just highlights) he's all over the place. Several high danger chances, hits everything in sight, holds his ground, and doesn't shink in the moment. Pretty impressive display.

Mike Sullivan to the Rangers. On to the next option.

Mike Sullivan to the Rangers. On to the next option.
- Black Raven

Have the Hawks conducted any interviews for their next coach, kind of quiet on their end.

I have to add that Dach may be the closest thing the Hawks have to Bickell in every sense of the word. Good, but not great during the regular season (not always engaged, but still not a liability), but when the playoffs start he's a different guy. If you watch the highlights (yes, I know they are just highlights) he's all over the place. Several high danger chances, hits everything in sight, holds his ground, and doesn't shink in the moment. Pretty impressive display.
- Chunk

He's a player that is difficult to play against. I really appreciate players that play this brand of hockey. He was noticeable in a good way, my concern is the head injuries he continues to receive

He's a player that is difficult to play against. I really appreciate players that play this brand of hockey. He was noticeable in a good way, my concern is the head injuries he continues to receive
- BetweenTheDots

He's a Dach, they get injured.

Have the Hawks conducted any interviews for their next coach, kind of quiet on their end.
- Angotti

KD normally keeps thing pretty quiet. It wouldn't surprise me if they spoke to a few options already (aside from Carle). Sullivan was never coming here. If Cooper becomes available, I really don't expect that he'll have any interest in the Hawks job.

I'd expect a name like Todd Reirden, Jeff Halpern, or (my fav) Todd Nelson.

He's a player that is difficult to play against. I really appreciate players that play this brand of hockey. He was noticeable in a good way, my concern is the head injuries he continues to receive
- BetweenTheDots

I think his only injury this year was the elbow. Kirby had a few concussions too and that hasn't kept him out. It's been his knees.

In no way does a Euro go before Schaefer in this draft. Big fan of Mrtka but no way he supplants Schaefer for 1D sorry Bill, big fan though.
- Assman22

This way me forgeting Schaefer, and seeing Jackson Smith as the TOP defenseman, with Mrtka THIRD, not second.

My bad.

I was thinking first of that tier of defenders after the first pick.

Kashawn Aitcheson is showing up ahead of Mrtka & J Smith on a lot of boards but so far I cannot place him at #2 taken, but who really knows, right?

All I know is I cannot fret about where the Hawks pick b/c they WILL get a really good player in the top four, better that slot 8 on....I do not think the draft is full on players who play in the next two seasons after slot 7-8...

I think it would be an surprise, but since the Hawks scouting loves them the speed, that they select Victor Eklund, who is 7 on my board.

I can find reasons that would justify selecting any of that top 7, where Misa fits very well (since he can play can stay at centre or move that to wing), how Krugers big centre Anton Frondell is so strong two ways and can score, Caleb Desnoyers all aroung compete and tools, and lastly the much maligned Porter Martone who is an NHL player with nice future too.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025

James Hagens may not be an outlier with most teams selecting early on in the draft. He just seems have less characteristics the Blackhawks may want to have in this early pick, as they "think" they are not going to be a high % lottery team in 2026 draft

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2026

So the inexperienced teams have lost in the 1st round except for the Blues for now.

I recall how many were excited about NJ and their team, i got similar vibes from the Canucks last year. Where do they go now, i imagine they are going to stand pat and just try to make their weaknesses less.

Ottawa finally made it? Is that team sustainable to continue it?

Canadiens? Contender or pretender

The Wild, Kaprizov is a special player, Faber really good defenseman impressed they almost took it to a game 7 but then again that Vegas team looks really old.

And then we have the Kings? Doughty and Kopitar wheels are starting to look wobbly, and once again get sent home by the Oilers.

Be really interesting to see how things playout into the offseason and next season contenders, pretenders and should of would of but never got off to the right foot.

What's always evident to me is depth depth depth, really hoping we have that in spades with all these selections when the playoff party starts in Chicago

Mike Sullivan to the Rangers. On to the next option.
- Black Raven

Don't blame him there's only 32 of these jobs available and most of them are taken.

This talk about who would come here anyone who wants to be an nhl coach. I mean the Rangers are a sinking ship right now.

I'm bummed the Denver guy didn't take it but he's got to do what's right for him.

So the inexperienced teams have lost in the 1st round except for the Blues for now.

I recall how many were excited about NJ and their team, i got similar vibes from the Canucks last year. Where do they go now, i imagine they are going to stand pat and just try to make their weaknesses less.

Ottawa finally made it? Is that team sustainable to continue it?

Canadiens? Contender or pretender

The Wild, Kaprizov is a special player, Faber really good defenseman impressed they almost took it to a game 7 but then again that Vegas team looks really old.

And then we have the Kings? Doughty and Kopitar wheels are starting to look wobbly, and once again get sent home by the Oilers.

Be really interesting to see how things playout into the offseason and next season contenders, pretenders and should of would of but never got off to the right foot.

What's always evident to me is depth depth depth, really hoping we have that in spades with all these selections when the playoff party starts in Chicago
- BetweenTheDots

NJ also played without Hughes and had some other notable injuries that crushed their depth. They are still kinda young and it was Keefe's first year at the helm. They'll need to find a way to shut games down when they get the lead late in games.

Your "depth, depth, depth" comment is spot on. I think the Hawks having guys like Moore, Greene, Savoie, Dach, Ludwinski (I'm still holding out hope ) that can fill out lower lines will be a boon if they all hit their ceilings.

Mike Sullivan to the Rangers. On to the next option.
- Black Raven

Cooper to Utah, when he is redy to move on, next.

I would hire jay Woodcroft with Andres and regular bench guys, so expand the bench size.

Don't blame him there's only 32 of these jobs available and most of them are taken.

This talk about who would come here anyone who wants to be an nhl coach. I mean the Rangers are a sinking ship right now.

I'm bummed the Denver guy didn't take it but he's got to do what's right for him.
- BetweenTheDots

There were seven openings (almost a quarter of the league) at one point. The Hawks have a lot of competition for coaching talent.

So the inexperienced teams have lost in the 1st round except for the Blues for now.

I recall how many were excited about NJ and their team, i got similar vibes from the Canucks last year. Where do they go now, i imagine they are going to stand pat and just try to make their weaknesses less.

Ottawa finally made it? Is that team sustainable to continue it?

Canadiens? Contender or pretender

The Wild, Kaprizov is a special player, Faber really good defenseman impressed they almost took it to a game 7 but then again that Vegas team looks really old.

And then we have the Kings? Doughty and Kopitar wheels are starting to look wobbly, and once again get sent home by the Oilers.

Be really interesting to see how things playout into the offseason and next season contenders, pretenders and should of would of but never got off to the right foot.

What's always evident to me is depth depth depth, really hoping we have that in spades with all these selections when the playoff party starts in Chicago
- BetweenTheDots

Montreal will be a team to be reckoned with in a season or two. The Habs have allot of prospects to add to an already strong lineup. Reinbacher, Mailloux, Hage, Roy, Fowler, Arber’s brother Florian Xhekaj, Protz, Sawyer. And the core currently on the Habs are young and good.

Montreal will be a team to be reckoned with in a season or two. The Habs have allot of prospects to add to an already strong lineup. Reinbacher, Mailloux, Hage, Roy, Fowler, Arber’s brother Florian Xhekaj, Protz, Sawyer. And the core currently on the Habs are young and good.
- paulr

The only thing that I wonder about Montreal is, do they have one or two players that can just impose their will on the game. Maybe Demidov is the guy. Maybe someone else steps up (Slavkovsky?).

It was interesting to hear that Bedard chose not to play for Canada and the speculation I've seen is that he is wanting to get right to focusing on off season work and improving his game going into next year. I think the belief is he want to ensure he is taking that next step and maximizing that first contract coming out of his ELC.

I think his only injury this year was the elbow. Kirby had a few concussions too and that hasn't kept him out. It's been his knees.
- Chunk

Kirby was starting to look good before his last injury, he was throwing his weight around. I believe that he put on about 20 pounds in the last few years, too bad he’s injury prone, I’d like to see him succeed.

The only thing that I wonder about Montreal is, do they have one or two players that can just impose their will on the game. Maybe Demidov is the guy. Maybe someone else steps up (Slavkovsky?).
- Chunk

It will be interesting to see. Demidov is intriguing, but jumping right into the NHL and then NHL playoffs was not easy, he got a couple powerplay assists in the series vs Washington but only managed to get two shots on goal in the 5 games. I'm not saying he won't take strides to become a really good players but he was in a tough position to start.

There were seven openings (almost a quarter of the league) at one point. The Hawks have a lot of competition for coaching talent.
- Chunk

Why hasn't Anders gotten other officers?