I’m sure KFC has done all his homework along with his staff. So far things are falling in place. Goaltending, defense, Nazar and Bedard (soon to be traded) and a whole pile of prospects. I’d really like to see one or two good young established forwards this coming season. As I posted earlier if Mason McTavish isn’t signed on July 1 give him an offer sheet.
- paulr

The Ducks will match the offer sheet, however if for some reason they are having difficulties signing him, then maybe KD can make a hockey trade for him. That kid would look real good on the Hawks.

Please no, he looked done the last couple of times i watched him play
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, not a fan of him either, especially with the term on his contract, soft as well. I would consider Kreider as a cap dump, only two years left on his deal, so he fits the place holder timeline.

I love you guys, but you so make me laugh.

I am glad to see Seth Jones become yet another defender who was better than how he was reviewed.

Now too many here have a clear idea of just who they do not want to see in the Entry Draft's outcomes.

Why not take Roger McQueen, if:

a) Desnoyer's too average in his pins?

b),or, Hagens is too similar despite his highly advanced toolbox? (How many skilled small bodies can you win with in you scoring units?)

c ,or Martone isn't as good a skater you want your scoring power winger to be.

d)and Frondell scares you, despite he almost a 200 lb.er play in heavy traffic, is a generator and shooter, and handles both ends when in the pivot position?

Would / Can / Might could happen that you are not even a fan of taking Matthew Schaefer with the third selection in the first round?

Before you start screaming about the slew of unfinished Blackhawk rearguards, and how Kevin Korchinski (let's don't exclude Arty), as many of the others of our defensive depth and even local signed talent like Vlasic would start looking like trade commodities as the team starts targeting more young experienced forwards, because the additions of Sam Rinzel and Matt Schaefer look like your new top pair, and are the smoke settles, a deep backline corp behind them.

So buckle up, there are many ways thing go, not all close to solidified.

Omigosh, a daylate and a dollar short.

The Moncton Eagels played YESTERDAT (but agin on Monday)

Iwatched highlights from yesterday, and they showed Desnoyers skating and willingness to defend, but alas he was scored upon Saturday.

If any of you are looking at my draft site, you willsee the first ropund is done, and I am going down the my list adding the evaluations.

I am trying to g to balance adding an area of flowers ina semi sun area before the warmth here ramps up.
I been out in the yard and the temperatures here in the 80's are hot no clouds (and great for my GAF rubber solar, but every task takes more tine than than this idealist thinks they will, which leads to my taking a seat out of the job(s) drink fluids for fear i will led myseldf to the same death as 340 lb lineman in need of an icebath while in spring training on the praries of Indiana.

Maybe there is something in your life that literally means nothing to those around you, and a lot to you. It is a very interesting draftt class.

I am going to not be able to do much commenting here or even doing my final draft until maybe 14 days after the draft as a I have been presnted the gift of all my four grandkids and their mom's with my wife and i, and the four cousin's of her sisters grandkids are going be around to see us too!

It is most exciting as tmy grandkids have only seen their cousind ONCE in their life!
This will be so much fun, and getting the other 4 (plus our four) only makes the family closer.

As teachers, my wife and I used the unpaid summer to travel and see the family who are all over the Usa, so our kids have been taught to continue the connections.
They have a bit more distant cousins in Californa, Colorado, Hot Springs Arkansas, Indiania, and off the grid New Mexico land bought from the apache near the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary.

These kids need to connect and I will be in the midsts of this event, and not here spouting praise of disdain, becasue I am gonna be busy. I actaully wish they fire me
but no one needs this website accuate right away b/c the NHL will be...



)
- wiz1901

Geez Wiz or is that gee wiz? Even my delux super secret decoder ring can’t decipher this!

Very interested in your cardiological examination of Carolina. The heartless ones took Florida to 7 what body part is Carolina missing at this point?
- stevefrmglencoe

I am not Paul but I have been following the Hurricanes pretty closely this year. Been to a few games in Raleigh where the Canes rarely lose...until Florida came along.

Carolina came out of a weak division and has historically run into trouble in the ECF...15 successive losses maybe? Their offense just dries up.

They have a great coach and play a system similar to Florida. Their issue IMO is one of talent...Florida has better players and is simply more effective in the forechecking game.

Their two best offensive players have contributed about as much as the Big 4 in Toronto...one goal that might have been kicked in. Just maybe this is a credit to Florida rather than a criticism of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Taveras and now Aho and Svechnikov. They simply won't allow the stars to beat them?

And lastly...Freddie Anderson. Is this the same Freddie Anderson that I used to relish playing against the Hawks while at Anaheim? He is not a SC goalie.

I also think that the Canes poked the bear in a few instances:

* Svechnikov's elbowing of Bob in the head in Game 1
* Gostisbehere shooting the puck at Marchand and
* Aho's check on Reinhart in Game 2

All hockey plays but not something that you generally see in the playoffs.

Florida is putting the pedal down and giving no quarter.

I am not Paul but I have been following the Hurricanes pretty closely this year. Been to a few games in Raleigh where the Canes rarely lose...until Florida came along.

Carolina came out of a weak division and has historically run into trouble in the ECF...15 successive losses maybe? Their offense just dries up.

They have a great coach and play a system similar to Florida. Their issue IMO is one of talent...Florida has better players and is simply more effective in the forechecking game.

Their two best offensive players have contributed about as much as the Big 4 in Toronto...one goal that might have been kicked in. Just maybe this is a credit to Florida rather than a criticism of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Taveras and now Aho and Svechnikov. They simply won't allow the stars to beat them?

And lastly...Freddie Anderson. Is this the same Freddie Anderson that I used to relish playing against the Hawks while at Anaheim? He is not a SC goalie.
- Snakebit12

Old Steve seems to think nine years of the top paid Leaf players isn’t enough time to judge Matthews and Marner and how they perform in the playoffs. In 70 playoff games for Marner and 68 for Matthews neither has been the best leaf player in a single playoff series.

Really hope KD drafts skill at #3. The top of the draft isn't about targeting grit or size. If the best player available has grit and size, sure, but don't pass up the better player hoping to fill a need a few years down the road.

imagine if in 2007 Chicago would have passed on the 5 foot 9 Patrick Kane to take Jakub Voracek or JVR or even Turris because they were bigger and not undersized. Trying to draft for need/size at #3 might mean missing out on one of the very best players in the draft.

While Dallas and Carolina aren't out of it, chances of a SCF rematch are looking more and more likely. No surprise either with Florida and Edmonton who both seemed to be just kind of on autopilot in the regular season but turn it up in the playoffs. Been some good hockey since no iffy teams made it very far in the post-season.

Really hope KD drafts skill at #3. The top of the draft isn't about targeting grit or size. If the best player available has grit and size, sure, but don't pass up the better player hoping to fill a need a few years down the road.

imagine if in 2007 Chicago would have passed on the 5 foot 9 Patrick Kane to take Jakub Voracek or JVR or even Turris because they were bigger and not undersized. Trying to draft for need/size at #3 might mean missing out on one of the very best players in the draft.
- breadbag

Good point.

Paul the Vlasic contract is not an albatross, it gave Vlasic UFA at 29 instead of locking him up long term. GM 101. This mirrors Dubas's mistakes in Toronto. Toronto could not ice a balanced team because the stars were all given too much contractual leverage too early in their careers.

Very interested in your cardiological examination of Carolina. The heartless ones took Florida to 7 what body part is Carolina missing at this point?
- stevefrmglencoe

How long should they have locked him up for? They got him at what was considered a hometown discount by pretty much all and they even got him for 6 yrs.

With the Cap having gone up and going up more what do you think his bridge deal might have looked like and then that next deal.

They have him til he’s 29. I’m at a loss for what you’re complaining about. Have never seen anyone anywhere view this as nothing but a nice piece of business. Yet in your opinion, KFC screwed the pooch.

While not quite as slow, I think Boisvert can/will end up being like Handzus. Just a big smart player who knows how to get into the right position. I doubt he'll ever drive his own line, but he can be a very effective forward. Just watching what he did this year, was pretty impressive as a freshman.

Also, don't sleep on Vanacker as a guy who could end up like a power forward "lite". He's a hound on the puck and already plays a strong pro-like game. He was coming back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of approximately half the year and still came close to 1PPG.

Spellacy will be the wild card. He could end up anywhere from Wilson to Rempe to John Scott.
- Chunk

Good post. Respectfully disagree on Boisvert as I think he's moved to wing once he gets to the A. Handzus played in a different era. This league nowadays won't allow a slow footed center to succeed.
I do agree on Vanacker and he'll unseat Slaggert once it's all said and done. Can only have so many intangibles guys and he's much better than Slaggert.
Spellacy regressed and now should just be viewed as just another prospect. If he takes two steps forward this coming season then great, but for now we'll just have to play it by ear.

How long should they have locked him up for? They got him at what was considered a hometown discount by pretty much all and they even got him for 6 yrs.

With the Cap having gone up and going up more what do you think his bridge deal might have looked like and then that next deal.

They have him til he’s 29. I’m at a loss for what you’re complaining about. Have never seen anyone anywhere view this as nothing but a nice piece of business. Yet in your opinion, KFC screwed the pooch.
- HawkintheD

They could have bridged him at $4 million and the 8 year deal would have been around $5.6. More money but more prime years.

I like when GMs use their contractual advantages to the maximum. In this case they could have given him a 2 year bridge contract and then an 8 year deal to get him for the entire prime of his career. If you believe that the pipeline is stocked with future stars, it is a mistake to set the precedent that the organization is going to give away even a year of control. It is my belief that the way Dubas gave short contracts to the young stars contributed more to the Leafs' failure to build a contender than any "lack of heart." Their D and Goaltending suffered because of lack of Cap space.

You might say that the players won't sign Bridge deals. I don't see it. Maybe a Russian who can go home and get a big deal. Rarely happens. If Evan Bouchard gets a Bridge, I think there is some way in the universe that Alex Vlasic can be bridged. Would Vlasic have threatened to go to Avangard Omsk or worked even harder to have 2 great years?

"But you have to pay more for the 8 years" is another complaint. I would rather pay a guy a big ticket after watching him perform for 5 years (3 years of entry level + 2 years of Bridge) than jump the gun with big money long term projection contracts that reward for potential as opposed to doing it. Paying more later after the cap goes up) Look at the Sabres. All the young guys who looked amazing got locked up early and the fans are indignant.

As for his worth? Jake Sanderson is close in age and has played a bit more. Ottawa signed him for $8 million for 8 years. Sanderson has produced more points, (yes on a better team), made the 4 nations, #5 overall. 60% of that is $4,800,000. Even 70% of $5,600,000. Defensemen who don't put up points, don't play overly physical, don't fight, and were not first round picks have a hard time cashing in. Mattias Samuelsson makes $4.2. Pretty similar player. Where is the "hometown discount?"

Regardless, if you love what Vlasic might become, don't you want to watch the entirety of his prime in Hawks jersey like we did with Keith?

If Vlasic continues to develop the 8 year deal would be more expensive, but he earned it, they keep him longer, they set a cap management precedent, and they show they have learned from the mistakes of others.

Am I being too negative or nitpicking to say that burning the first year of Lev's contract was also questionable? Were those 9 additional NHL games he played so valuable for his development that they had to burn a year of control? This wasn't a Bedard who got a whole year of experience. This was 9 games. With all the young guys coming up cap management is going to be critical regardless of whether they even win. The goal has to be keeping from having to expose players to waivers as long as possible to fully evaluate and maximize trade value. It wouldn't hurt Lev to start in Rockford next year and play another 80 games.

Final snarky comment of the weekend: which of the players left in the playoffs KD's Hawks are paying do you want to see win the Cup. The $2.5 million for 5 yeas on Jones, the $4.6 for Rantanen (another story but an F- trade), or the undisclosed buyout of $4 million for Perry?

They could have bridged him at $4 million and the 8 year deal would have been around $5.6. More money but more prime years.

I like when GMs use their contractual advantages to the maximum. In this case they could have given him a 2 year bridge contract and then an 8 year deal to get him for the entire prime of his career. If you believe that the pipeline is stocked with future stars, it is a mistake to set the precedent that the organization is going to give away even a year of control. It is my belief that the way Dubas gave short contracts to the young stars contributed more to the Leafs' failure to build a contender than any "lack of heart." Their D and Goaltending suffered because of lack of Cap space.

You might say that the players won't sign Bridge deals. I don't see it. Maybe a Russian who can go home and get a big deal. Rarely happens. If Evan Bouchard gets a Bridge, I think there is some way in the universe that Alex Vlasic can be bridged. Would Vlasic have threatened to go to Avangard Omsk or worked even harder to have 2 great years?

"But you have to pay more for the 8 years" is another complaint. I would rather pay a guy a big ticket after watching him perform for 5 years (3 years of entry level + 2 years of Bridge) than jump the gun with big money long term projection contracts that reward for potential as opposed to doing it. Paying more later after the cap goes up) Look at the Sabres. All the young guys who looked amazing got locked up early and the fans are indignant.

As for his worth? Jake Sanderson is close in age and has played a bit more. Ottawa signed him for $8 million for 8 years. Sanderson has produced more points, (yes on a better team), made the 4 nations, #5 overall. 60% of that is $4,800,000. Even 70% of $5,600,000. Defensemen who don't put up points, don't play overly physical, don't fight, and were not first round picks have a hard time cashing in. Mattias Samuelsson makes $4.2. Pretty similar player. Where is the "hometown discount?"

Regardless, if you love what Vlasic might become, don't you want to watch the entirety of his prime in Hawks jersey like we did with Keith?

If Vlasic continues to develop the 8 year deal would be more expensive, but he earned it, they keep him longer, they set a cap management precedent, and they show they have learned from the mistakes of others.

Am I being too negative or nitpicking to say that burning the first year of Lev's contract was also questionable? Were those 9 additional NHL games he played so valuable for his development that they had to burn a year of control? This wasn't a Bedard who got a whole year of experience. This was 9 games. With all the young guys coming up cap management is going to be critical regardless of whether they even win. The goal has to be keeping from having to expose players to waivers as long as possible to fully evaluate and maximize trade value. It wouldn't hurt Lev to start in Rockford next year and play another 80 games.

Final snarky comment of the weekend: which of the players left in the playoffs KD's Hawks are paying do you want to see win the Cup. The $2.5 million for 5 yeas on Jones, the $4.6 for Rantanen (another story but an F- trade), or the undisclosed buyout of $4 million for Perry?
- stevefrmglencoe

The problem with your logic IMO is that the Hawks GM is dealing with human beings and what might sound good on paper won't always work out.

Vlasic is a fair bit better than Mattias Samuelsson, so that comparison is pretty good. We got a better dman for only slighly more money.

Can't really compare to Keith who we got to lock up to a CBA stretching contract which is no longer possible. It's unrealistic to compare any deal now to the Hossa/Keith type deals that enabled the Hawks to build that team. It is not apples to apples.

There is a 60 year old guy who was 94-59-11 over the past 2 years and took Florida to game 6 of the conference finals last year. Cup winner. 3 times in the Cup finals. In 23 season's he has been below .500 3 times. I don't know if they interviewed him and he turned it down. What is it about Blashill that makes you more confident in his abilities than Laviolette's?
- stevefrmglencoe

Laviolette was my first choice but perhaps management didn't like how Laferniere, Kaako and Miller developed under him.

Really hope KD drafts skill at #3. The top of the draft isn't about targeting grit or size. If the best player available has grit and size, sure, but don't pass up the better player hoping to fill a need a few years down the road.

imagine if in 2007 Chicago would have passed on the 5 foot 9 Patrick Kane to take Jakub Voracek or JVR or even Turris because they were bigger and not undersized. Trying to draft for need/size at #3 might mean missing out on one of the very best players in the draft.
- breadbag

In general I agree, but they also had just drafted Toews the year before. A big 200’ player. They already have a bunch of smaller, quick/fast scorers (headlined by Nazar and Bedard). Thus far they only have a few bigger skill guys.

End of the day, I’m all for drafting whoever they deem as BPA, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset if they went Martone/Desnoyes/Misa over (presumably) Hagens.

Good post. Respectfully disagree on Boisvert as I think he's moved to wing once he gets to the A. Handzus played in a different era. This league nowadays won't allow a slow footed center to succeed.
I do agree on Vanacker and he'll unseat Slaggert once it's all said and done. Can only have so many intangibles guys and he's much better than Slaggert.
Spellacy regressed and now should just be viewed as just another prospect. If he takes two steps forward this coming season then great, but for now we'll just have to play it by ear.
- Assman22

Tavares and Strome would like a word…

How did Spellacy regress? I only got to see him a few times, but he was everything he was in training camp. Big, fast, dug out pucks, and added some scoring.

The Ducks will match the offer sheet, however if for some reason they are having difficulties signing him, then maybe KD can make a hockey trade for him. That kid would look real good on the Hawks.
- Angotti

KFC won't do it. We drive up the price on McTavish and they'll drive up the price on Bedard. You've got to pick on somebody who doesn't have the cap space to screw you back.

Really hope KD drafts skill at #3. The top of the draft isn't about targeting grit or size. If the best player available has grit and size, sure, but don't pass up the better player hoping to fill a need a few years down the road.

imagine if in 2007 Chicago would have passed on the 5 foot 9 Patrick Kane to take Jakub Voracek or JVR or even Turris because they were bigger and not undersized. Trying to draft for need/size at #3 might mean missing out on one of the very best players in the draft.
- breadbag

This! Take the best hockey player. Not the best big player.

In general I agree, but they also had just drafted Toews the year before. A big 200’ player. They already have a bunch of smaller, quick/fast scorers (headlined by Nazar and Bedard). Thus far they only have a few bigger skill guys.

End of the day, I’m all for drafting whoever they deem as BPA, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset if they went Martone/Desnoyes/Misa over (presumably) Hagens.
- Chunk

Darth says Misa, then Desnoyers. That's good enough for me.

Tavares and Strome would like a word…

How did Spellacy regress? I only got to see him a few times, but he was everything he was in training camp. Big, fast, dug out pucks, and added some scoring.
- Chunk

I'm not sure how good Strome is without that big Russian next to him. But I think we always knew he was better than what other teams were offering in trade.

They could have bridged him at $4 million and the 8 year deal would have been around $5.6. More money but more prime years.

I like when GMs use their contractual advantages to the maximum. In this case they could have given him a 2 year bridge contract and then an 8 year deal to get him for the entire prime of his career. If you believe that the pipeline is stocked with future stars, it is a mistake to set the precedent that the organization is going to give away even a year of control. It is my belief that the way Dubas gave short contracts to the young stars contributed more to the Leafs' failure to build a contender than any "lack of heart." Their D and Goaltending suffered because of lack of Cap space.

You might say that the players won't sign Bridge deals. I don't see it. Maybe a Russian who can go home and get a big deal. Rarely happens. If Evan Bouchard gets a Bridge, I think there is some way in the universe that Alex Vlasic can be bridged. Would Vlasic have threatened to go to Avangard Omsk or worked even harder to have 2 great years?

"But you have to pay more for the 8 years" is another complaint. I would rather pay a guy a big ticket after watching him perform for 5 years (3 years of entry level + 2 years of Bridge) than jump the gun with big money long term projection contracts that reward for potential as opposed to doing it. Paying more later after the cap goes up) Look at the Sabres. All the young guys who looked amazing got locked up early and the fans are indignant.

As for his worth? Jake Sanderson is close in age and has played a bit more. Ottawa signed him for $8 million for 8 years. Sanderson has produced more points, (yes on a better team), made the 4 nations, #5 overall. 60% of that is $4,800,000. Even 70% of $5,600,000. Defensemen who don't put up points, don't play overly physical, don't fight, and were not first round picks have a hard time cashing in. Mattias Samuelsson makes $4.2. Pretty similar player. Where is the "hometown discount?"

Regardless, if you love what Vlasic might become, don't you want to watch the entirety of his prime in Hawks jersey like we did with Keith?

If Vlasic continues to develop the 8 year deal would be more expensive, but he earned it, they keep him longer, they set a cap management precedent, and they show they have learned from the mistakes of others.

Am I being too negative or nitpicking to say that burning the first year of Lev's contract was also questionable? Were those 9 additional NHL games he played so valuable for his development that they had to burn a year of control? This wasn't a Bedard who got a whole year of experience. This was 9 games. With all the young guys coming up cap management is going to be critical regardless of whether they even win. The goal has to be keeping from having to expose players to waivers as long as possible to fully evaluate and maximize trade value. It wouldn't hurt Lev to start in Rockford next year and play another 80 games.

Final snarky comment of the weekend: which of the players left in the playoffs KD's Hawks are paying do you want to see win the Cup. The $2.5 million for 5 yeas on Jones, the $4.6 for Rantanen (another story but an F- trade), or the undisclosed buyout of $4 million for Perry?
- stevefrmglencoe

Like Breadbag mentioned, you don’t take into account the person on the other side of the table is a human with an agent. He’s not taking whatever just because it is good for the team.

I seem to recall reading in some circles prognosticating on Vlasic's deal would be north of $5M. So yes he took a hometown discount.

You also didn’t answer my question. With the Cap going up players are going to get more money. What’s $4.6M today could be $6.6M in a couple years. If Vlasic keeps playing like he has and even progresses a little, that contract will have aged really well.

Yes you are negative and nitpicking and like I said, the only person anywhere who had an issue with the deal.

Your last “snarky” comment is more pure idiocy than snark. What should the Hawks have gotten for Hall? Did you really think Jones would get traded without any salary retention? The fact that they only had to reatin $2.5M, got a 1st and Knight for a guy that didn’t want to be there.

Another good piece of biz by KFC but somehow you’re unhappy.

I'm not sure how good Strome is without that big Russian next to him. But I think we always knew he was better than what other teams were offering in trade.
- rpeters01

He was never going to drive his own line, but He sure as hell can keep up and produce. Every team needs the guys that aren't the stars but can keep up with them.

How many times have we all said, "Bedard need someone to play on his line"? His last year in CHI he put up 48 in 69 games and has been a 65+ pt player in the last three years.

In general I agree, but they also had just drafted Toews the year before. A big 200’ player. They already have a bunch of smaller, quick/fast scorers (headlined by Nazar and Bedard). Thus far they only have a few bigger skill guys.

End of the day, I’m all for drafting whoever they deem as BPA, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset if they went Martone/Desnoyes/Misa over (presumably) Hagens.
- Chunk

I'm fine with it too, if the player they draft is better. They just need to try to figure out who that is and not base it on a perceived need or what they drafted before. Taking Kane has nothing to do with Toews and who they pick this year should have nothing to do with Bedard or Nazar or anyone else. At the end of the day, we don't know if who they draft will be actually top line material or 2nd of some kind of middle six tweener or what. Prospects can always be traded too, if we have "too many" smaller guys, if they are good players they will get a great return. KD just has to focus on landing the best player possible.

I'm fine with it too, if the player they draft is better. They just need to try to figure out who that is and not base it on a perceived need or what they drafted before. Taking Kane has nothing to do with Toews and who they pick this year should have nothing to do with Bedard or Nazar or anyone else. At the end of the day, we don't know if who they draft will be actually top line material or 2nd of some kind of middle six tweener or what. Prospects can always be traded too, if we have "too many" smaller guys, if they are good players they will get a great return. KD just has to focus on landing the best player possible.
- breadbag

Assuming Misa and Schaefer are already selected who do you like?