I'll be shocked if it's O'brien
- BetweenTheDots

I have to say i don't know what I'm talking about i watched some O'brien videos because i thought someone was being reckless in his ranking of 3, I got to say that kid can pass the biscuit, and plays a 200 foot game, it'll be really interesting to see who they choose.

I saw a video today of Hagens which made me cringe, where he gets knocked over and off the puck many many times and doesn't really compete to get it back.

Man it's crazy how Draisaitl can score so many goals from that angle.

This should be a fun exercise for you Dots. You have the players that you like, but you also have a lot of faith that the FO is diligent and will pick the right player.

If the pick is Desnoyers or Frondell, (or even O'Brien who I've seen mocked to them) you may have some internal struggles to work through.
- Chunk

O’Brien at #3 lol

O’Brien is very good and there’s the familiarity with Vanacker and Lardis but I can’t see KD selecting him. O’Brien is a strong two way player and a strong playmaker. Martone, Hagens and Frondell are all rated more highly. It won’t surprise me to see O’Brien picked in the top ten, maybe even top five or six, but not as high as three.
- paulr

How much did the brief postseason showings for Team Canada and Memorial Cup move the needle on a Martone vs Desnoyers comparison?

How much did the brief postseason showings for Team Canada and Memeorial Cup move the needle on a Martone vs Desnoyers comparison?
- Assman22

Hard to tell. Martone playing on the fourth line didn’t do anything wrong but didn’t really show much either. Desnoyers’ Moncton team was pretty weak, held in by a good goalie. Hard to get a read on Desnoyers plus apparently he was playing with some kind of injury. Man I’m glad I’m not KD.

Not seen what the love affair with Sorensen is based on?
- rpeters01

He said he has known Sorenson for a long time, and he (Sorenson) has a good rapport with the young kids. Blashill thinks he is an exceptional coach.

Marco Sturm: new coach of the Bruins.

I've not heard that Nelson even got an interview yet (anywhere). Maybe, just maybe, I don't know poop.

https://www.bleachernatio...lackhawks-coaching-staff/
Mike Velucci joins Blackhawks staff.

IIRC and reports were true that no one was offering more than a 3rd rounder, I’d keep him and try to sign him.

If he walks you lost a 3rd round lottery ticket. Move on.

I know, that’s horrible, the sky is falling, KFC’s an idiot for not managing assets properly, etc.

Sound about right?
- HawkintheD

Donato went from the verge of not making the roster coming out of training camp to having a career year playing with guys FAR exceeding his skill level, and scoring a lot of greasy goals. Good for him, but for a young team far from contending for a cup, you can likely replace him at a cheaper, younger version and that very well could be someone like Slaggert.

As much ribbing as Marner takes, just glad Wyatt Johnston is off the market. -17 which is on pace to the WORSE ALL TIME +/- rating since they started tracking it in 59-60. I mean that's something to behold right there, but i am sure his fan club president will spin it in a very positive manner.

I will defer to Wiz but i keep reading how slow Martone is and how below average his skating is.......Maybe it makes sense taking 3 and 25 plus a future 2nd or 3rd and seeing how in love the Islanders are sitting at 1st overall? I mean if the game is reliant on speed, which it seems to be, and some size, I don't see how Hagens fits that bill at 3rd? They seem to have enough D men, so why not give yourself the pick of the litter at F assuming the asking price to move up 2 slots isn't asinine?

Hell, KD was going to do it last year with Columbus to land Demidov. He obviously feels they need another young premier F to pair with Bedard.

Thats before we get to UFA to see where and on whom he chooses to spend, if he does at all, or does he roll the dice in hopes of landing 1 of the larger fish next summer (assuming they aren't extended).

Big summer looming for KD and the Hawks on how quickly they can get on the upward trajectory and exactly how THEY feel they are trending. Actions will speak louder than words.

He said he has known Sorenson for a long time, and he (Sorenson) has a good rapport with the young kids. Blashill thinks he is an exceptional coach.
- bjphawkfan

I thinking lose Dean is a major miss but time will tell. IF it came down to him vs Sorenson I would have kept Dean.

2nd time in a row an interim coach becomes part of a new staff. Weird. First King, and now Sorenson. Sorenson loved him some offense, but good lord was their D zone structure a disaster.

Marco Sturm: new coach of the Bruins.

I've not heard that Nelson even got an interview yet (anywhere). Maybe, just maybe, I don't know poop.
- Chunk

Penguins supposedly interested in Nelson.
https://pittsburghhockeyn...d-nelson-coaching-search/

I thinking lose Dean is a major miss but time will tell. IF it came down to him vs Sorenson I would have kept Dean.

2nd time in a row an interim coach becomes part of a new staff. Weird. First King, and now Sorenson. Sorenson loved him some offense, but good lord was their D zone structure a disaster.
- SteveRain

They let Dean go because Blashill will run the defense. Liked Dean too but he had no place on this coaching staff with Blashill at the helm.

After watching the press conference yesterday, i firmly believe the BOD has a greater need for KD to improve the team to a much higher level than the Blackhawks do.

I do not think KD is even close to having major pressure on him.

Donato went from the verge of not making the roster coming out of training camp to having a career year playing with guys FAR exceeding his skill level, and scoring a lot of greasy goals. Good for him, but for a young team far from contending for a cup, you can likely replace him at a cheaper, younger version and that very well could be someone like Slaggert.

As much ribbing as Marner takes, just glad Wyatt Johnston is off the market. -17 which is on pace to the WORSE ALL TIME +/- rating since they started tracking it in 59-60. I mean that's something to behold right there, but i am sure his fan club president will spin it in a very positive manner.

I will defer to Wiz but i keep reading how slow Martone is and how below average his skating is.......Maybe it makes sense taking 3 and 25 plus a future 2nd or 3rd and seeing how in love the Islanders are sitting at 1st overall? I mean if the game is reliant on speed, which it seems to be, and some size, I don't see how Hagens fits that bill at 3rd? They seem to have enough D men, so why not give yourself the pick of the litter at F assuming the asking price to move up 2 slots isn't asinine?

Hell, KD was going to do it last year with Columbus to land Demidov. He obviously feels they need another young premier F to pair with Bedard.

Thats before we get to UFA to see where and on whom he chooses to spend, if he does at all, or does he roll the dice in hopes of landing 1 of the larger fish next summer (assuming they aren't extended).

Big summer looming for KD and the Hawks on how quickly they can get on the upward trajectory and exactly how THEY feel they are trending. Actions will speak louder than words.
- SteveRain

Good post Steve. Stop by more often.

I always enjoy the trade speculation. We'll see what KD has in mind. We know he's no shrinking violet when it comes to draft day trades.

#3, #25 plus something/somebody may be able to get #1. Other teams may want the #1 so the Islanders are in the driver's seat getting the best offer possible. If I was Darche, I'd ask for a young D as apart of the package to make up for the lost opportunity to select Schaefer. Then at #3, #4, or #5 they would still have the opportunity to pick their desired forward. If NYI really want Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, etc one thing favoring the Hawks is that they are almost guaranteed to be there at #3, AND they have a stableful of young D.

Would you or anybody do #3, #25 and Korchinski for the chance to get Misa?

Darche could be thinking of selecting Hagens at #1, but can still shop the pick to add to the cupboard and wind up with him or a different F anyway.

Good post Steve. Stop by more often.

I always enjoy the trade speculation. We'll see what KD has in mind. We know he's no shrinking violet when it comes to draft day trades.

#3, #25 plus something/somebody may be able to get #1. Other teams may want the #1 so the Islanders are in the driver's seat getting the best offer possible. If I was Darche, I'd ask for a young D as apart of the package to make up for the lost opportunity to select Schaefer. Then at #3, #4, or #5 they would still have the opportunity to pick their desired forward. If NYI really want Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, etc one thing favoring the Hawks is that they are almost guaranteed to be there at #3, AND they have a stableful of young D.

Would you or anybody do #3, #25 and Korchinski for the chance to get Misa?

Darche could be thinking of selecting Hagens at #1, but can still shop the pick to add to the cupboard and wind up with him or a different F anyway.
- boilermaker100

I like the idea of trading to get Misa but I think a fair trade is the #3 and the #25 or Korchinski for the number one or two, not both. A big dilemma is if the Isles made the trade because I think KD would need to take a long hard look at Schaefer instead of Misa.

Good post Steve. Stop by more often.

I always enjoy the trade speculation. We'll see what KD has in mind. We know he's no shrinking violet when it comes to draft day trades.

#3, #25 plus something/somebody may be able to get #1. Other teams may want the #1 so the Islanders are in the driver's seat getting the best offer possible. If I was Darche, I'd ask for a young D as apart of the package to make up for the lost opportunity to select Schaefer. Then at #3, #4, or #5 they would still have the opportunity to pick their desired forward. If NYI really want Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, etc one thing favoring the Hawks is that they are almost guaranteed to be there at #3, AND they have a stableful of young D.

Would you or anybody do #3, #25 and Korchinski for the chance to get Misa?

Darche could be thinking of selecting Hagens at #1, but can still shop the pick to add to the cupboard and wind up with him or a different F anyway.
- boilermaker100

Personally I think that's too much to give up. Misa is a solid high end prospect, but 3 firsts basically for a guy that "might" someday be a top 6. What is Misa ends up being like Pavel Brendl or any of the other guys who go top 5 but just don't really pan out. I mean, people generally thought Kaapo Kakko was going to be great and it's 6 years into his career and he is just about reaching the floor people thought he had and not near the ceiling.

I'm not saying don't trade up if you really like the guy, but both our firsts and a high end D prospect that is trending up is too much IMO.

After watching the press conference yesterday, i firmly believe the BOD has a greater need for KD to improve the team to a much higher level than the Blackhawks do.

I do not think KD is even close to having major pressure on him.
- vabeachbear

I think you are right. I think the ownership/leadership understand that it's a process, Rome wasn't built in a day, etc... I think there might be some pressure at times, like when the Hawks played an embarrassing game outdoor (I still don't know why the NHL thought Chicago/St Louis should play an outdoor game at this point) but I don't think he is fighting just to keep his job at this point. Maybe that changes if Blashill fails hard or things derail with some of the RFAs coming up in the next year or so.

Good post Steve. Stop by more often.

I always enjoy the trade speculation. We'll see what KD has in mind. We know he's no shrinking violet when it comes to draft day trades.

#3, #25 plus something/somebody may be able to get #1. Other teams may want the #1 so the Islanders are in the driver's seat getting the best offer possible. If I was Darche, I'd ask for a young D as apart of the package to make up for the lost opportunity to select Schaefer. Then at #3, #4, or #5 they would still have the opportunity to pick their desired forward. If NYI really want Hagens, Martone, Desnoyers, etc one thing favoring the Hawks is that they are almost guaranteed to be there at #3, AND they have a stableful of young D.

Would you or anybody do #3, #25 and Korchinski for the chance to get Misa?

Darche could be thinking of selecting Hagens at #1, but can still shop the pick to add to the cupboard and wind up with him or a different F anyway.
- boilermaker100

Just my personal feeling, if KD is trading either first round pick this year, he will be doing it for an established roster player, not a different pick.

Donato went from the verge of not making the roster coming out of training camp to having a career year playing with guys FAR exceeding his skill level, and scoring a lot of greasy goals. Good for him, but for a young team far from contending for a cup, you can likely replace him at a cheaper, younger version and that very well could be someone like Slaggert.

As much ribbing as Marner takes, just glad Wyatt Johnston is off the market. -17 which is on pace to the WORSE ALL TIME +/- rating since they started tracking it in 59-60. I mean that's something to behold right there, but i am sure his fan club president will spin it in a very positive manner.

I will defer to Wiz but i keep reading how slow Martone is and how below average his skating is.......Maybe it makes sense taking 3 and 25 plus a future 2nd or 3rd and seeing how in love the Islanders are sitting at 1st overall? I mean if the game is reliant on speed, which it seems to be, and some size, I don't see how Hagens fits that bill at 3rd? They seem to have enough D men, so why not give yourself the pick of the litter at F assuming the asking price to move up 2 slots isn't asinine?

Hell, KD was going to do it last year with Columbus to land Demidov. He obviously feels they need another young premier F to pair with Bedard.

Thats before we get to UFA to see where and on whom he chooses to spend, if he does at all, or does he roll the dice in hopes of landing 1 of the larger fish next summer (assuming they aren't extended).

Big summer looming for KD and the Hawks on how quickly they can get on the upward trajectory and exactly how THEY feel they are trending. Actions will speak louder than words.
- SteveRain

I think the operative point is KD tried to move up last year and it was too expensive. If there are truly only a "top two" this year the same is likely to happen again trying to move up.

I think you are right. I think the ownership/leadership understand that it's a process, Rome wasn't built in a day, etc... I think there might be some pressure at times, like when the Hawks played an embarrassing game outdoor (I still don't know why the NHL thought Chicago/St Louis should play an outdoor game at this point) but I don't think he is fighting just to keep his job at this point. Maybe that changes if Blashill fails hard or things derail with some of the RFAs coming up in the next year or so.
- breadbag

Danny is smart enough to see Buffalo and Detroit. Especially who's running Detroit. How about Ottawa? A lot of front offices and coaches burned through in Philly, Pitt, Toronto and the Rangers. Throw out Montreal's one lucky year.

I think the operative point is KD tried to move up last year and it was too expensive. If there are truly only a "top two" this year the same is likely to happen again trying to move up.
- rpeters01

If memory serves, the problem wasn't that the price was too high it was that Anaheim took Senneke, and CBUS was dead set on Lindstrom. MTL was as hot for Demidov as the Hawks were, so they weren't going to trade the pick.

Just my personal feeling, if KD is trading either first round pick this year, he will be doing it for an established roster player, not a different pick.
- Chunk

Yes. The team is missing its heart and soul. Forget Foligno. I think Vlasic is one guy. They're looking for the Toews Hossa Seabrook will not quit guys. Hopefully, a few are on the roster but not there yet. Bedard and Nazar. Rinzel and Arty. The rest of the young D are just trying to make the team

If memory serves, the problem wasn't that the price was too high it was that Anaheim took Senneke, and CBUS was dead set on Lindstrom. MTL was as hot for Demidov as the Hawks were, so they weren't going to trade the pick.
- Chunk

Probably the same with 1&2 this year.

Personally I think that's too much to give up. Misa is a solid high end prospect, but 3 firsts basically for a guy that "might" someday be a top 6. What is Misa ends up being like Pavel Brendl or any of the other guys who go top 5 but just don't really pan out. I mean, people generally thought Kaapo Kakko was going to be great and it's 6 years into his career and he is just about reaching the floor people thought he had and not near the ceiling.

I'm not saying don't trade up if you really like the guy, but both our firsts and a high end D prospect that is trending up is too much IMO.
- breadbag

Soup Campbell took 5 years to become an NHL defenseman. It's going to take KK about the same he's being asked to do more than a stay at home guy.

Yes. The team is missing its heart and soul. Forget Foligno. I think Vlasic is one guy. They're looking for the Toews Hossa Seabrook will not quit guys. Hopefully, a few are on the roster but not there yet. Bedard and Nazar. Rinzel and Arty. The rest of the young D are just trying to make the team
- rpeters01

I think it will become more and more clear this year. Yesterday at the press conference Foligno and Murphy were there as C and A, but probably those guys are playing their last season in Chicago. Vlasic, Bedard, Nazar, Knight, and the like will start to be the voice/face of the team more and more. The torch is passing and it's becoming their team.