There's this crazy thing i witness and am always amazed by some players, they call it hockey IQ but damn man they always just seem to know where the puck is going to be, does Hagens have this? If scouting him and this is one of his intangibles game after game and with that skill set the Blackhawks have to draft him 3rd OA. Size only matters if your slow.
- BetweenTheDots

He's what my current evaluation says:

This prospect is one of those high end visionaries who seems to be a few plays ahead of the rest and the game with his anticipatory reactions with his creativity and high end skills/IQ. Let's begin with declaring him as much of a lethal shooter as well as a high end generator. His skating and anticipation is high end and he is able to freeze defenders that extra bit of time to give his linemates time to find open ice and soft spots. He can be a shoot first pivot but his control the ice with his possessions give him the luxury to send delicate touch passes in through traffic or hit the longer teammate targets with super quick hard passes through the layers of defense. Has some of the characteristics that former first over all selection Jack Hughes displyed as a slashing and darting penetrator who is able to beautifully read and dissect the opposing defenses, sending pucks to his wingers in great scoring areas. His dynamic skill, speed, and vision are on display in each international tourney he competes in. He makes every one better and controls the pace. Set a World Junior Under-18 Tournament record of 22 points. His high end stick skills continue to be on display, leaving goaltenders with no idea as to whetehr he is shooting, going to the back door, or take a precise shot at the tiny openings the goalie has open. Needs more strength as one of his few weaknesses is being outmuscles on the half wall and corners. It would be very easy to relegate Hagens to a fall from top forward in the class to one that might last into pick 4, if you are using his college season point totals, and the fact that he stands undersized. Judging talent like his should not ignore past performances. This kid wasn’t just part of the USA National Development team, he led it. He plays a dominant game no matter the linemates, and was heads above the next best talent there after the golden line of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabriel Perreault departed for college two seasons ago. Where centre Will Smith was complimented with two solid wingers, Hagens was never afforded that type of compliment, and although he plays with teammates Leonard and Perreault, his wingers included Teddy Stiga a USA team product with less distinction, and until his injury, Oskar Jelvik. College play against older players has most certainly helped Hagens grow his game, and build his body. Presently I agree that when he has back pressure applied, he'll think better about enagement because he knows his present stature and strength cannot make him successful right now, and you are aware when a prospect gets boxed out, and who may look towards a forward who it doesn't happen to. (Misa) I don’t think you will see him in free fall, because he projects as a playmaker and shooter who can play both wing and centre, and I think it was Craig Button who compared him to former first pick, Nico Hischier. Hagens thrives on possessions, smarts and sees the passing lanes open and hits linemates quickly with pucks. There is game breaking talent in his decisions, play speed, and his reads in both defensive and offensive zones wins pucks and game.

                                   --Bill Płaczek-

Around American Thanksgiving, Elite prospects Can Robinosn wrote this:

No one in this draft will be able to match James Hagens if he reaches his peak. The mechanics are just too great and the hockey sense/reads just need a little push. He will function best as the main guy, the main carrier and playmaker on a line, but he's learning to work just fine inside the imposed structure of Perreault/Leonard. Hagens can fake and cut away from defenders in one swift move, rotating his upper body away from his lower one more fully than most players can achieve. Crossover mechanics are perfect and he knows how to manipulate with them. He has a bit of physical abilities, but he's a not a very strong player on the boards right now, mostly an open ice playmaker and off-puck threat, but he's still trying and getting to loose pucks and forechecking and getting to the net. He tries hard defensively, too, although he's not making a large impact as a shutdown player right now. He should be moving the puck quicker to open players, instead of holding it for better plays in transition. All details he will figure out in due time. Still a front-runner for first overall.

Please be sure to add that I believe he handled the Vlasic contract bad as well. No need to relitigate it, but when Vlasic is a UFA at 29 in his prime and this board goes nuts over him leaving, there was no reason to give him that exit. Hope KD has learned to get Bedard on a 2 year bridge then an 8 year contact so the Hawks keep him for what will likely be the most productive years of his career.


As for the AHL not having anything to offer, did Vlasic benefit? Did Nazar? Will Lev? Is Korchinski benefiting? These are kids playing against men in the NHL. In most cases they are playing against their idols. Not being on a poorly coached, horrible NHL team, and losing night after night is valuable. Not sure if any of these guys will accomplish what Keith did in his career and he even played 2 years in the AHL.
- stevefrmglencoe

Do I detect moving goal posts? You originally complained that KD over paid Vlasic, you said compared to Bouchard it was a bad deal. Now you’re ok with the money but are upset about term? I’m getting dizzy.

Do I detect moving goal posts? You originally complained that KD over paid Vlasic, you said compared to Bouchard it was a bad deal. Now you’re ok with the money but are upset about term? I’m getting dizzy.
- paulr

There is nothing to get dizzy about. What I said was sign him to a 2 year bridge and then if he pans out, break the bank on an 8 year deal for a guy who deserves it. That way you wait to see what you have and most importantly control the good players you draft for the vast majority of their prime years. What I added was the irony of it is that he is making more than Bouchard, who is better, now and Vlasic is going to get another bite at the apple in his prime.

Wondering if you still don't want players like Marner and Matthews on your team?

There is nothing to get dizzy about. What I said was sign him to a 2 year bridge and then if he pans out, break the bank on an 8 year deal for a guy who deserves it. That way you wait to see what you have and most importantly control the good players you draft for the vast majority of their prime years. What I added was the irony of it is that he is making more than Bouchard, who is better, now and Vlasic is going to get another bite at the apple in his prime.

Wondering if you still don't want players like Marner and Matthews on your team?
- stevefrmglencoe

Not a fan of either player, both are very talented, both are good two way players but neither has separated themselves as guys who put a team on their backs in the toughest games. They have never been Toronto’s best players in the playoffs and aren’t again this season. They are regular season superstars. If or when they are Toronto’s best players in the playoffs my opinion will change.

Not blaming him. Didn't like how it dragged out in public all season and did not like the return.

KD is infallible on HB.
- stevefrmglencoe

No, not really, but probably somewhere between what you seem feel and some of us feel

Myself, I just think its too early to tell, and history, at least as far as i've seen, says a half rebuilds never work.

I would much rather do the total rebuild, for that reason, i think he's done a pretty good job to this point.

Again, too early to declare his picks good or bad, and at the end of the day, that will be the biggest decider in his success or failure.

He will need to trade away some of his picks to build the right team. Still think the Jones trade is one of his better, assuming Knight turns out to be as good as it seems he might.

There is nothing to get dizzy about. What I said was sign him to a 2 year bridge and then if he pans out, break the bank on an 8 year deal for a guy who deserves it. That way you wait to see what you have and most importantly control the good players you draft for the vast majority of their prime years. What I added was the irony of it is that he is making more than Bouchard, who is better, now and Vlasic is going to get another bite at the apple in his prime.

Wondering if you still don't want players like Marner and Matthews on your team?
- stevefrmglencoe

Vlasic’s contract is a non-issue. They have plenty of prospects and will continue to have lots of draft picks to spend on more d-men. KD has Vlasic locked in at a lower rate than he would have if he signed him to a bridge deal. That will make it easier to trade him if needed toward the end of the deal (or before).

Kane was having a down year, had a NMC (and everyone knew he only wanted to go to one team), a $10.5M contract and everyone knew he had a bum hip, and he waited until late to agree to a trade, KD wasn’t going to get anything more for Kane.

There is nothing to get dizzy about. What I said was sign him to a 2 year bridge and then if he pans out, break the bank on an 8 year deal for a guy who deserves it. That way you wait to see what you have and most importantly control the good players you draft for the vast majority of their prime years. What I added was the irony of it is that he is making more than Bouchard, who is better, now and Vlasic is going to get another bite at the apple in his prime.

Wondering if you still don't want players like Marner and Matthews on your team?
- stevefrmglencoe

Wondering why you’re always so unhappy with whatever KFC does. Drafted Nazar at 13 OA…seems to be pretty good. Rinzel at the back of that round…seems to be pretty good…etc...

Yet you seem stuck on being unhappy. Like Dots said (essentially)…they arent good til they’re good. Try and enjoy the ride. It’s not guaranteed but neither was 3 Cup wins in a 6-8 year span to start the 21st century.

Lou, I don't think Donato's yr was a fluke. His underlying fancies were close to best on the team, and that was with playing on every line from 1st to 4th. .....

I see Donato as checking damn near every box. I'd imagine 30 goals will end up a career high but we know that's in him. ... But this guy busts tail on every shift, goes to any greasy area, plays the right 2 way game, by all accounts practices hard, is willing, not slow, demands nothing from coaches as far as slotting like a true team first guy and deals well with the kids.

Foligno has nothing on Donato as a very good vet presence for the kids and he can produce much more. ... As good an example for 10 U-23's in a lineup as you'll find.

A 20 goal, 45-50 pt Donato that gives a coach a security blanket as far as flexibility checks most every box. ..... Of course the devil is in the details as far as terms but I really like what he brings to this squad.
- Mr Ricochet

It's too bad this was a contract year. Another year in the books would provide much clarity. I think KD is trying to find a middle ground that works no matter what kind of year Donato has? So far, he's not biting. Time will tell but any GM is going to have the same concerns.

Does KD strike you as ruthless? I remember Kane's last season as a lot of Kane induced drama where he would not make up his mind if he would accept to be traded or not. Hard to believe he would only play for the Rangers as he quickly left them to sign a deal with Detroit and unless you have heard something I think he is going to play there next year. Wish they would have gotten more for him. It is about the return Boston got for Trent Frederic.

I was very impressed with Rinzel. Looks confident with the puck. Much faster than I thought he would be. I thought he was overpowered a couple of times but that happens to everybody in the NHL at some point. Had a big debate with my son about him. He says that Rinzel will never play a game in Rockford. I hope they start him in Rockford next year and let play a lot in all situations without the spotlight on him. My fear is that they are going to rush him, anoint him a top pair guy, on what could easily be one of the worst teams in the league again, and him get crushed and end up -39. He's having a nice progression. He looks like he may be a keeper. Don't Korchinski him.
- stevefrmglencoe

The Rangers didn't want Kane back. End of story.

Teams can make trades, but playoff teams cannot add any traded players to their playoff rosters
- wizardofi

Guess we'll have to wait for Edmonton to get eliminated for Stan to trade us McDavid and Draisaitl and start his rebuild.

Wondering why you’re always so unhappy with whatever KFC does. Drafted Nazar at 13 OA…seems to be pretty good. Rinzel at the back of that round…seems to be pretty good…etc...

Yet you seem stuck on being unhappy. Like Dots said (essentially)…they arent good til they’re good. Try and enjoy the ride. It’s not guaranteed but neither was 3 Cup wins in a 6-8 year span to start the 21st century.
- HawkintheD

There is a reason for the moniker BOD.

Guess we'll have to wait for Edmonton to get eliminated for Stan to trade us McDavid and Draisaitl and start his rebuild.
- rpeters01

Before that late goal next year last night, i was thinking man, if Edmonton wins the SC, that will be Stan's 4th, and 3rd where he was the man.

Figured this boards head would explode

Wondering why you’re always so unhappy with whatever KFC does. Drafted Nazar at 13 OA…seems to be pretty good. Rinzel at the back of that round…seems to be pretty good…etc...

Yet you seem stuck on being unhappy. Like Dots said (essentially)…they arent good til they’re good. Try and enjoy the ride. It’s not guaranteed but neither was 3 Cup wins in a 6-8 year span to start the 21st century.
- HawkintheD

I have no idea why they picked him to be the GM of such an iconic franchise. I am underwhelmed.

The on-ice product under Davidson has been horrid. His coaching decisions have been franchise altering bad. He’s traded away several proven NHLers for picks. His trade record is underwhelming. The contracts have been head scratchers.

The next 15 years of Chicago hockey revolves around his ability to identify talent in the draft. That is alot of pressure on a young guy who was not a scout or GM of any other team.

On-ice record speaks for itself. They are 51 games under .500 in the last 3 seasons.
He fired Colliton, who was 5 games under NHL .500 in over 200 games, and replaced him with Richardson, who was over his head from Day 1. Sorensen is still interim. Next hire is crucial.
Most of the trades are TBD because the best players in the deal went out and draft picks came back.
Made an impactful NHL trade early in Lafferty for Nylander. Wish there were more.
Got a haul for Hagel but the NHL players, Katchouk and Raddysh were not good. Will Oliver Moore ever be anything like Hagel? Boisvert is the other piece that will be linked. Lots riding on him. Hagel is top 10 scorer who does a lot more.
Fluery for the pick that turned into Greene is still TBD.
Traded Debrincat whose totals would have led the Hawks in scoring each of the past 3 years. Korchinski is still learning his position. Ludwinski TBD.
Traded Dach for the picks that begat Nazar and Hayes will be determined how Nazar pans out.
Paying Mrazak salary and getting the pick that landed RInzel looks great. Toronto drafted Minten with the Hawks pick who is also a solid prospect.
Eating Richardinson’s salary let to a 2nd rounder that helped get Boisvert.
Eating Zaitsev’s salary begat Kantserov but watching Ziatsev caused stomach aches.
Traded McCabe(retaining 50%) and Lafferty for Toronto’s 1st this year and 2nd next year. Lots riding on a late first and 2nd here. McCabe can play.
Traded Domi for a 2nd rounder this June. TBD. Domi can play.
Traded Mitchell and Regula for Hall and Foligno. Has overpaid Foligno by 4X. Wish he was off the ice and an assistant coach.
Traded a 7th for Perry. Did not help the franchise.
Traded a 5th for Beauvillier got a 5th back From Nashville.. He’s playing in the playoffs.
Traded away a 2nd round pick to move up for Boisvert.
Traded 2 2nd round picks to move up 7 spots to pick Vanacker.
Traded Hall for a 3rd. Hurricanes signed him for 3 years.
Traded Jones and 4th for Knight and a 1st rounder at Florida’s discretion. TBD.
Traded Mrazek and Smith for Valeno.

Everything revolves around prospects panning out. My friends in Buffalo are getting their "May Day" tattoos removed because waiting for a rebuild while other teams retool is too painful.

Man, Helleybuck doing his best Colin Delia impersanation being wildly all over the place except in between the goal posts..................................

Wondering why you’re always so unhappy with whatever KFC does. Drafted Nazar at 13 OA…seems to be pretty good. Rinzel at the back of that round…seems to be pretty good…etc...

Yet you seem stuck on being unhappy. Like Dots said (essentially)…they arent good til they’re good. Try and enjoy the ride. It’s not guaranteed but neither was 3 Cup wins in a 6-8 year span to start the 21st century.
- HawkintheD

KFC hasn't done anything egregious, like Bowman's trading of Danault, poor drafting, trading for Jones or the Jones contract. Any issues right now are pretty nit picky and at worst are minor. He has been decent drafting with his first draft setting a high bar. His trades have been fine. Nothing that makes me think "why the f'k did he do that?". Long term signings have been ok. Vlassic, TT and Bertuzzi, no real complaints in term or time.

His next issue will be how attached to his picks he is. Would he trade a KK if he had to to get a piece the team needs? We will find out in the next couple of years on that one. He's shown no issue with trading players he inherited or got from other teams.

Man, Helleybuck doing his best Colin Delia impersanation being wildly all over the place except in between the goal posts..................................
- vabeachbear

How long is Marchment going to get suspended for the stick tap on the ref. Protesting a non call?

He's what my current evaluation says:

This prospect is one of those high end visionaries who seems to be a few plays ahead of the rest and the game with his anticipatory reactions with his creativity and high end skills/IQ. Let's begin with declaring him as much of a lethal shooter as well as a high end generator. His skating and anticipation is high end and he is able to freeze defenders that extra bit of time to give his linemates time to find open ice and soft spots. He can be a shoot first pivot but his control the ice with his possessions give him the luxury to send delicate touch passes in through traffic or hit the longer teammate targets with super quick hard passes through the layers of defense. Has some of the characteristics that former first over all selection Jack Hughes displyed as a slashing and darting penetrator who is able to beautifully read and dissect the opposing defenses, sending pucks to his wingers in great scoring areas. His dynamic skill, speed, and vision are on display in each international tourney he competes in. He makes every one better and controls the pace. Set a World Junior Under-18 Tournament record of 22 points. His high end stick skills continue to be on display, leaving goaltenders with no idea as to whetehr he is shooting, going to the back door, or take a precise shot at the tiny openings the goalie has open. Needs more strength as one of his few weaknesses is being outmuscles on the half wall and corners. It would be very easy to relegate Hagens to a fall from top forward in the class to one that might last into pick 4, if you are using his college season point totals, and the fact that he stands undersized. Judging talent like his should not ignore past performances. This kid wasn’t just part of the USA National Development team, he led it. He plays a dominant game no matter the linemates, and was heads above the next best talent there after the golden line of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabriel Perreault departed for college two seasons ago. Where centre Will Smith was complimented with two solid wingers, Hagens was never afforded that type of compliment, and although he plays with teammates Leonard and Perreault, his wingers included Teddy Stiga a USA team product with less distinction, and until his injury, Oskar Jelvik. College play against older players has most certainly helped Hagens grow his game, and build his body. Presently I agree that when he has back pressure applied, he'll think better about enagement because he knows his present stature and strength cannot make him successful right now, and you are aware when a prospect gets boxed out, and who may look towards a forward who it doesn't happen to. (Misa) I don’t think you will see him in free fall, because he projects as a playmaker and shooter who can play both wing and centre, and I think it was Craig Button who compared him to former first pick, Nico Hischier. Hagens thrives on possessions, smarts and sees the passing lanes open and hits linemates quickly with pucks. There is game breaking talent in his decisions, play speed, and his reads in both defensive and offensive zones wins pucks and game.

                                   --Bill Płaczek-

Around American Thanksgiving, Elite prospects Can Robinosn wrote this:

No one in this draft will be able to match James Hagens if he reaches his peak. The mechanics are just too great and the hockey sense/reads just need a little push. He will function best as the main guy, the main carrier and playmaker on a line, but he's learning to work just fine inside the imposed structure of Perreault/Leonard. Hagens can fake and cut away from defenders in one swift move, rotating his upper body away from his lower one more fully than most players can achieve. Crossover mechanics are perfect and he knows how to manipulate with them. He has a bit of physical abilities, but he's a not a very strong player on the boards right now, mostly an open ice playmaker and off-puck threat, but he's still trying and getting to loose pucks and forechecking and getting to the net. He tries hard defensively, too, although he's not making a large impact as a shutdown player right now. He should be moving the puck quicker to open players, instead of holding it for better plays in transition. All details he will figure out in due time. Still a front-runner for first overall.
- wiz1901

I'm in Bill if this is the player the Blackhawks are drafting i have no issue with another highly skilled, excellent skating forward on the Blackhawks. From the sounds of it none of these draft picks will be playing for an NHL team this season anyways. Let him stay at BC if that's what he wants and develop his game even more.

I was just wondering does Hagens play on the PK?

KFC hasn't done anything egregious, like Bowman's trading of Danault, poor drafting, trading for Jones or the Jones contract. Any issues right now are pretty nit picky and at worst are minor. He has been decent drafting with his first draft setting a high bar. His trades have been fine. Nothing that makes me think "why the f'k did he do that?". Long term signings have been ok. Vlassic, TT and Bertuzzi, no real complaints in term or time.

His next issue will be how attached to his picks he is. Would he trade a KK if he had to to get a piece the team needs? We will find out in the next couple of years on that one. He's shown no issue with trading players he inherited or got from other teams.
- wizardofi

KFC has made a ton of great moves. Stockpiling a ton of draft picks and prospects. The Knight trade.

He’s made some bad moves. That trade last year with the Islanders swapping first round picks to gain two places and then sending a second to New York, before the draft was not a veteran move. Hopefully he’s learned. His signing of UFAs hasn’t been great.

And until he’s able to start finding players to play on the Hawks soon to improve the play on the ice, he’s risking his job.

Overall I think he’s doing a very good job, but we won’t know how good until probably two to three years. Hopefully he’s learned can improve in the standings to start keeping most fans and the front office happy.

Rockford eliminated, lost 4-3 in OT

KFC has made a ton of great moves. Stockpiling a ton of draft picks and prospects. The Knight trade.

He’s made some bad moves. That trade last year with the Islanders swapping first round picks to gain two places and then sending a second to New York, before the draft was not a veteran move. Hopefully he’s learned. His signing of UFAs hasn’t been great.

And until he’s able to start finding players to play on the Hawks soon to improve the play on the ice, he’s risking his job.

Overall I think he’s doing a very good job, but we won’t know how good until probably two to three years. Hopefully he’s learned can improve in the standings to start keeping most fans and the front office happy.
- paulr

not every gm is perfect but do.likev the aggressive nature of Davidson and company. Time will tell how the rebuild shanks out. This offseason is the tipping point in which way thus rebuild goes and starts with the coach hire. Lastly I do believe there will be a blockbuster trade involving the hawks.

Rockford eliminated, lost 4-3 in OT
- LAHawk

I stopped watching after the first period second goal (but vdioed it) , when #55 attempted to rub check the Admiral puck carrier while his partner dealt with two other Admirals. (I also saw the late second period go ahead goal when Commesso was doing a dancing bear to attempt to see where the puck possession was.

The kid has all this skill, needs so many more reps so he figures all this out.

I have no idea why they picked him to be the GM of such an iconic franchise. I am underwhelmed.

The on-ice product under Davidson has been horrid. His coaching decisions have been franchise altering bad. He’s traded away several proven NHLers for picks. His trade record is underwhelming. The contracts have been head scratchers.

The next 15 years of Chicago hockey revolves around his ability to identify talent in the draft. That is alot of pressure on a young guy who was not a scout or GM of any other team.

On-ice record speaks for itself. They are 51 games under .500 in the last 3 seasons.
He fired Colliton, who was 5 games under NHL .500 in over 200 games, and replaced him with Richardson, who was over his head from Day 1. l.
- stevefrmglencoe

Nothing after this really has any relevance since he said the Blackhawks were going all in rebuild. Last i checked to win games you need talent so the coaches record is irrelevant.

If you really think JC was a better coach than honestly I'm not wasting my time debating you.

I stopped watching after the first period second goal (but vdioed it) , when #55 attempted to rub check the Admiral puck carrier while his partner dealt with two other Admirals. (I also saw the late second period go ahead goal when Commesso was doing a dancing bear to attempt to see where the puck possession was.

The kid has all this skill, needs so many more reps so he figures all this out.
- wiz1901

Also KK gave up the puck being pressured on the Admirals second goal.

Also KK gave up the puck being pressured on the Admirals second goal.
- LAHawk

Bust

Also KK gave up the puck being pressured on the Admirals second goal.
- LAHawk

Trade bait