Wiz, couple of other far-fetched ideas -

1) Could one of the second tier d-men, like Mrtka, get enough buzz to vault into the top 3 and push down a forward

2) If Roger McQueen is fully healthy (no idea how anyone could tell for sure), would he be a top 3 candidate? He is a huge guy and very skilled, if he could be power-forward physical he would be a monster.

---------------

Don't see Knies being traded by TOR, even if the #3 is in the package - they traded a few young guys already at the deadline. I do think KFC will be taking calls on the #3 pick though, right up until the card goes in. Could trade it for young vets, or even obtain a vet and a lower pick in a trade down.

----------------

And as everyone has said, no need to trade young guys at least until next summer. I would rather trade future picks to get players right now. Have to keep Kaiser and Crevier up in CHI. Korchinski should be worth more in May 2026 that he is right now.

Vlasic - Rinzel
Kaiser - Murphy
Del Mastro - *veteran*/Soderstrom
Crevier

Korchinski - Levshunov
Kuzmin - Allan
Harding - *AHL vet*
- totem

IDK, I see this starting to sort out sooner rather than later. I'm saying the pack will get thinned and the players traded on our side will be totally based on what comes back.

And i think that's why it's not the same, 2 extra 1st round picks and one of those was a goalie?, since Stevie took over, 7 extra 2nd rounders but now we are talking a 30% chance of them playing a 100 games in the bigs. So 3 out of 10? Hard to fill that roster out that way.
- BetweenTheDots

Oh I don’t think our rebuild and the Wings is the same even without them getting picks in the top 3. I get that’s a huge boon for the Hawks but I think KFC is also hitting on more of his late 1st rounders, some of his second rounders and bite my tongue, some of our last GM’s dmen picks actually panning out.

Plus KFC hasn’t really given out any term or big money yet to UFA’s and I think it’s questionable as far as some of the ones Stevie Y has.

Who in the system could stand up to Sam Bennett?
- stevefrmglencoe

Today, maybe no one. In a year or two possibly Artie, EDM, Dach and maybe a few others. You know they could possibly go out and sign Bennet too. Even if they don’t you’re giving kids absolutely no benefit of the doubt of maturing.

Idk about you but Nazar looked like a guy who figured out NHL speed and how to use his. Rinzel looked pretty good for a 20 year old and Arty for a 19 yo even though you see slow.

Today, maybe no one. In a year or two possibly Artie, EDM, Dach and maybe a few others. You know they could possibly go out and sign Bennet too. Even if they don’t you’re giving kids absolutely no benefit of the doubt of maturing.

Idk about you but Nazar looked like a guy who figured out NHL speed and how to use his. Rinzel looked lpretty good for a 20 year old and Arty for a 19 yo even though you see slow.
- HawkintheD

I saw Slaggert put a full nelson on a guy in his first or second NHL game. Boisvert is a boxer.

I saw Slaggert put a full nelson on a guy in his first or second NHL game. Boisvert is a boxer.
- rpeters01

That doesn’t fit the narrative pallie.

Who in the system could stand up to Sam Bennett?
- stevefrmglencoe

Probably Spellacy.

Probably Spellacy.
- Chunk

Spellacy, Boisvert, Vanacker, EDM, Pridham. I’m sure Rinzel, Vlasic,Ty Henry and Nolan Allan could hold their own.

Wiz, couple of other far-fetched ideas - (This was the best thinking on the 2025 class as related to thinking the process through, and I will add on to yours...)

1) Could one of the second tier d-men, like Mrtka, get enough buzz to vault into the top 3 and push down a forward
- totem

A team would have to have fallen in love with him, over those forwards.
Your asking the guy who who didn't have Beckett Sennecke off the board at #3....
That would mean the Blackhawks or San Jose?, basically would the Sharks see the giant Mrtka as there consolation prize strickly by the position of defense?

It would mean San Jose is passing on Misa Hagens Frondell, Martone all guys that the concensus believes are kid who make THEIR club better offensively.

I could see where both Seattle and Anaheim being interested in a move up for Mrtka, but why pay for a San Jose Shark slot when where philly's drafting gets you the same player.

2) If Roger McQueen is fully healthy (no idea how anyone could tell for sure), would he be a top 3 candidate? He is a huge guy and very skilled, if he could be power-forward physical he would be a monster.
- totem

I think that after he continues to develop and play healthy from major sit-outs, he could be the best player in the class when all is said and done.when he gets the details down, and fights for a place on a club that needs a winger centre who needs his strengths and will wait for them to come together as a NHL centre-forward who helsp his team everywhere they need him to.

It seems like every draft has a forward who is LARGE Samuel Helenius, Dean Letourneau who gets slected in the top 3 rounds. Theses two examples cannot hold a candle up to McQueen.
I think if he had a superior year executing and performing and not out due to injury that would leave cause to answer the question whick kinda answers itself. When the Ducks surprised at #3 with the selection of Sennecke, he had a 2024 season of 37 goals and 90 points, and enough video of how he agile he was, and called an "ankle-breaker" by way of the fake outs and escapes he manged that were premium scoring shots.

The Hawk pick will come with the same raw enthusiasm the Ducks had for Sennecke.

and if their brain trust decides McQueen is the pick, i will give them a cheer for their non-media mocked guy!

I just think that there are teams with a strategy concerning when they would take Roger McQueen based on last year and less than twenty games this 2024-25 season with many at the season's start and now in March 2025 a season ending.
(he had twenty 2024-25 points slip equally between goals and assists.)

You should see tomorrow's IceHog home game in the playoffs to get nice honest views of the guys on that squad are bringing strong play.
You won't need the prospect lists until the Fall.

He got Raymond with a #4 pick in round 1 .
- HawkintheD

A. Raymond isn't a play driver, so no interest in him by for the Blackhawks.

Steve, why try and match your Bennett-hero, when the Blackhawks have chance to sign him in the UFA period?

... why try and match your Bennett-hero, when the Blackhawks have chance to sign him in the UFA period?
- wiz1901

So Bennet can take on Bennet (that might be worth the price of admission --- 2 5 minute majors for fighting ... to the same dude...) - and I think I just got melded into the matrix or something.

-Ok taking a different tack - and it is predicated on if the Hawks were intended to make a move with Columbus, specifically, for Demidov last season.

Did they end up with anyone like that last year that obviates what they felt then?

If the answer is no, or not sure... then is there anyone available in their top slot likely to be more comparable to that type of a player?

A. Raymond isn't a play driver, so no interest in him by for the Blackhawks.

Steve, why try and match your Bennett-hero, when the Blackhawks have chance to sign him in the UFA period?
- wiz1901

The comment was that the Wings hadn’t had a top 5 pick. Raymond was picked at 4 in his draft (2020).

I think the better question for Steve would be why he’s already predetermined that all of KFC’s draft picks suck and are a pack of Eurosmurf waifs, though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.

Martone is a big (6’4” 200 lb) beast, he's mean, he’s out every shift chirping, hitting and he’s involved in every scrum. The kid isn’t without skill he can play as evidenced by his production this season. The only knock is his skating is good not great.

And we can still hold out hope for Misa. There is some talk about the Islanders possibly going with hometown boy Hagens. There’s also talk that with Celebrini and Smith already in the organization Greir may look at Martone, assuming Schaefer is gone, to start building lines.
- paulr

Well, they definately could use some of that in the system

Well, they definately could use some of that in the system
- vabeachbear

Would love to trade back with Preds. Flip 3 and 34 for 5 and TB 1st so they can take Hagens then pick whoever falls to 5 between Martone and Desnoyers.

Would love to trade back with Preds. Flip 3 and 34 for 5 and TB 1st so they can take Hagens then pick whoever falls to 5 between Martone and Desnoyers.
- Assman22

Wait until New York and San Jose have made their picks. If one or the other doesn’t choose Misa we don’t want Chicago to miss out.

Spellacy, Boisvert, Vanacker, EDM, Pridham. I’m sure Rinzel, Vlasic,Ty Henry and Nolan Allan could hold their own.
- paulr

Lev.

I have to say the Caps looked really really slow last night as the game went on, same with Vegas.

I know Pietro was out but still.

Wait until New York and San Jose have made their picks. If one or the other doesn’t choose Misa we don’t want Chicago to miss out.
- paulr

I agree, i heard someone say the Islanders may draft Hagens since he's from there and they wouldn't have to worry about a Tavares situation

I agree, i heard someone say the Islanders may draft Hagens since he's from there and they wouldn't have to worry about a Tavares situation
- BetweenTheDots

Although Schaefer and Misa are the consensus #1 and #2 across most mocks, you just never know what other teams are thinking. Also, if they indeed go 1 and 2, who’s to say the player the Hawks choose won’t be the best of the bunch. These are 18 year old kids, they won’t approach their ceiling until they are 22/23, and some won't get there until they’re 25. By the way, I would not move their first pick in a trade(unless KD gets blown away), now, Toronto’s pick is a different story.

Although Schaefer and Misa are the consensus #1 and #2 across most mocks, you just never know what other teams are thinking.
- Angotti

Corey Pronman wrote a ridiculus article about teams might be have a loftier draft evaluations of his than he deserves, since IF he hadn't gone to the net full tilt and broke his collarbone, he might have faltered in a full season of videos.

I have never liked the idea of teams going defenseman first because most times the results seem out of skew with the forwards taken after.
I was going to start with Roman Hamrlik Bryan Berard, Jovanovski, or Chris Phillips, but the 2000's will do fine and start with Erik Johnson.
Then there was Aaron Ekblad, and no one can discount how valauble they were after their selections.
As the position morphed, I thought selecting Rasmus Dahlin adds to you tam at both ends.
Owen Power is a huge bust since he is a finesse defenseman in a league were you can't get by with more scoring and jam to justify resigning you, besides the forward class was as glowing in 2021. Berniers McTavish, Kent Johnson, and Wm. Eklund didn't necessarilly look like better by alot alternatives to Power, although I had Dylan Guenther as my best forward for most of the year.

The difference in the Pronman logic is that what everyone say, a defnseman who was faster, more offensive, defensive, and had more pace than anybody every on the ice when he was.
as much as I am against taking defenseman first overall, there was NOTHING in his play that gave me any pause, and I am sure that few true talent evalautions of the teams set to select early in 2025 are worrying or dropping what they see.
Was it a mirage?
This is the first kid that compares similar to a Cole Makar (more than that Miro Heiskanen comparable) based on the short area speed and stick he plays with.


I just cannot imagine he doesn't go before three.

Also, if they indeed go 1 and 2, who’s to say the player the Hawks choose won’t be the best of the bunch. These are 18 year old kids, they won’t approach their ceiling until they are 22/23, and some won't get there until they’re 25. By the way, I would not move their first pick in a trade (unless KD gets blown away), now, Toronto’s pick is a different story.
- Angotti

I had some anxiety that Kyle might find a team willing to send a developed young forward their way, but I cannot think it is to the level of a LW Matthew Knies as the return. Could they talk to him and gauge whether he would sign as a free agent, then take to Leafs about the intention to o so, and offer THIRD overall?

I bet Toronto isn't interested in pick even though it might be in their long term interest.

I like you would love Misa coming to the Balckhawks becasue he simply seesm like such a nice fit.

But I am sticking to the facts I believe from watching and putting my draft together, that this is a good top of the class, and it is not the end of the world picking at #3, becasue, yes, teams may fill their team need with the smaller but skillful Hagens, other forwards in that top tier. They all are in a top tier, after Schaefer, including Misa, and Desnoyers, and Frondell, and Martone.
Remember when Kyle said we went out in 2024 and drafted different types of players where they excelled in DIFFERENT ways?
That is how Isles and Sharks will have to break their boards down too.

Corey Pronman wrote a ridiculus article about teams might be have a loftier draft evaluations of his than he deserves, since IF he hadn't gone to the net full tilt and broke his collarbone, he might have faltered in a full season of videos.

I have never liked the idea of teams going defenseman first because most times the results seem out of skew with the forwards taken after.
I was going to start with Roman Hamrlik Bryan Berard, Jovanovski, or Chris Phillips, but the 2000's will do fine and start with Erik Johnson.
Then there was Aaron Ekblad, and no one can discount how valauble they were after their selections.
As the position morphed, I thought selecting Rasmus Dahlin adds to you tam at both ends.
Owen Power is a huge bust since he is a finesse defenseman in a league were you can't get by with more scoring and jam to justify resigning you, besides the forward class was as glowing in 2021. Berniers McTavish, Kent Johnson, and Wm. Eklund didn't necessarilly look like better by alot alternatives to Power, although I had Dylan Guenther as my best forward for most of the year.

The difference in the Pronman logic is that what everyone say, a defnseman who was faster, more offensive, defensive, and had more pace than anybody every on the ice when he was.
as much as I am against taking defenseman first overall, there was NOTHING in his play that gave me any pause, and I am sure that few true talent evalautions of the teams set to select early in 2025 are worrying or dropping what they see.
Was it a mirage?
This is the first kid that compares similar to a Cole Makar (more than that Miro Heiskanen comparable) based on the short area speed and stick he plays with.


I just cannot image he doesn't go before three.




I had some anxiety that Kyle might find a team willing to send a developed young forward their way, but I cannot think it is to the level of a LW Matthew Knies as the return. Could they talk to him and gauge whether he would sign as a free agent, then take to Leafs about the intention to o so, and offer THIRD overall?

I bet Toronto isn't interested in pick even though it might be in their long term interest.

I like you would love Misa coming to the Balckhawks becasue he simply seesm like such a nice fit.

But I am sticking to the facts I believe from watching and putting my draft together, that this is a good top of the class, and it is not the end of the world picking at #3, becasue, yes, teams may fill their team need with the smaller but skillful Hagens, other forwards in that top tier. They all are in a top tier, after Schaefer, including Misa, and Desnoyers, and Frondell, and Martone.
Remember when Kyle said we went out in 2024 and drafted different types of players where they excelled in DIFFERENT ways?
That is how Isles and Sharks will have to break their boards down too.
- wiz1901

The way Knies is playing right now, no way they trade him and no way they do not sign him. I see him as their top priority to sign this off season, then Tavares then Marner. Toronto probably will let Robertson go, but not Kneis.

I agree, i heard someone say the Islanders may draft Hagens since he's from there and they wouldn't have to worry about a Tavares situation
- BetweenTheDots

I’ve heard the same plus Hagens apparently has good chemistry with Eiserman and as a local kid it may help ticket sales.

I’ve also heard that if the Ises did select Schaefer that San Jose may choose Martone because they already have two top six centers in Smith and Celebrini. Martone would give them a chance to begin building lines.

I think every team would pick best available so who knows! But it seems there is still a chance to draft Misa, however slight.

Today, maybe no one. In a year or two possibly Artie, EDM, Dach and maybe a few others. You know they could possibly go out and sign Bennet too. Even if they don’t you’re giving kids absolutely no benefit of the doubt of maturing.

Idk about you but Nazar looked like a guy who figured out NHL speed and how to use his. Rinzel looked pretty good for a 20 year old and Arty for a 19 yo even though you see slow.
- HawkintheD

Nazar had a strong finish for sure. Hoping his speed keeps him dangerous. Half of NHL players regress after their first year as the league figures out how to handle them. We will see.

A. Raymond isn't a play driver, so no interest in him by for the Blackhawks.

Steve, why try and match your Bennett-hero, when the Blackhawks have chance to sign him in the UFA period?
- wiz1901

We can dream that the Hawks sign him or anyone of his caliber in the offseason. The only signing like that from KD screwed something and ended up on Edmonton's first line last night.

The comment was that the Wings hadn’t had a top 5 pick. Raymond was picked at 4 in his draft (2020).

I think the better question for Steve would be why he’s already predetermined that all of KFC’s draft picks suck and are a pack of Eurosmurf waifs, though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
- HawkintheD

I remember when the Hawks drafted a 6'4" bruiser from Hull that everyone was convinced was going to be a Secord-like star. Could not miss. Eric Lecompte missed. The prospects are always shinny and new until they start playing. It is pretty early to tell on your side or my dark cloud side. Love watching it. Love the back and forth on HB.

Spellacy, Boisvert, Vanacker, EDM, Pridham. I’m sure Rinzel, Vlasic,Ty Henry and Nolan Allan could hold their own.
- paulr

Spellacy warmed on Saturday in Milwaukee but did not play. He is big. Marino handled Allan pretty well when Allan went in after a big hit. Not sure how he would do against Bennett. Have not seen Boisvert, Pridham, Vanacker, or Henry play or fight yet. Rinzel and Vlasic don't strike me as guys who have a lot of fighting experience or anger. I think EDM is going to have to start fighting if he is going to carve out a spot on the Hawks.