Also has to mean they don't view both Bedard and Nazar as Centers. You aren't drafting your 3rd line Center with the #3 overall pick.
- vabeachbear

It's either hagens or martone at 3 if Hawks don't get Misa. I just have a feeling that the three top of the draft teams are negotiating with each other to get the player they want. Hawks get Misa san Jose gets Shaffer islanders get hagens in a three team ttrade.

I could be wrong, but i never remember folks thinking they got their #3 Center of the future when they drafted Toews.
- vabeachbear

Not when they drafted him, but years later some did.
Edit - And that part should have been red font.

For those clamoring for Martone, what does he bring that Boisvert doesn’t? Serious question. If I’m a GM, I’m picking very high skill with a top three pick. As ire you need some bangers in the playoffs, but you ain’t winning without skill.
- Angotti

Watched exactly 1 game of both this season,so I am nowhere near being qualified to answer this...so here goes everything I've read? Martone is more of a distributor,heard one guy on youtube compare him to Spezza.
Everything I've gathered,Boisvert is more of a shooter

All of those issues are what KD and his team has to factor in. Our job as arm chair QBs is much easier.
- paulr

Obviously, whatever they do will be instantly wrong and get more wrong as it goes along.

For those clamoring for Martone, what does he bring that Boisvert doesn’t? Serious question. If I’m a GM, I’m picking very high skill with a top three pick. Sure you need some bangers in the playoffs, but you ain’t winning without skill.
- Angotti

We can get a banger with our other 1st or our 2nds. Those guys are expected to make it to the NHL.

A little worried that Ek hasn't listed the Hawks in any of his headliner UFA posts - so must mean we're going to end up with all of them.

Maybe they're all retiring instead ... that hadn't been a rumour either.... -ok now I feel better.

Also has to mean they don't view both Bedard and Nazar as Centers. You aren't drafting your 3rd line Center with the #3 overall pick.
- vabeachbear

Not really. It would basically come down to which players perform best, and what is the best fit. Sharp played both. Kane had played center. Nazar just came off of an amazing performance at the World Championship playing wing mostly.

One thing we all should have learned from previous off seasons is that you shouldn't trust much of what is stated publicly this time of year, especially if it might have some effect on who a team might be choosing in the draft.

Wheeler’s second crack at mocking the ’25 Draft came out today in The Athletic and he has the Hawks taking Frondell (again) and then Prokhorov with pick 25.

Commentary
Misa would be an obvious choice for the Blackhawks if he were to get to No. 3, but if he doesn't, I've felt it's going to be Frondell or Desnoyers for them here since the lottery. Their abundance of 5-10/11 forward prospects probably takes Hagens out of their mix, and Porter Martone doesn't have the skating/pace they prioritize. I've taken Frondell in both of my mocks, but Desnoyers is a real possibility here. Both are very well-liked and crushed their combine interviews. Frondell is a little thicker and has the bigger shot. Desnoyers is smarter as a player and more versatile. Both could complement Connor Bedard or slot in behind him as the team's 2C of the future.

Interesting article from Pope:

https://chicago.suntimes....ncy-combine-kyle-davidson

This part especially:
One could argue the cap surge is happening at an unfortunate time for the Hawks, neutralizing what could’ve been a key advantage for them this summer — cap space — by giving it out to almost every team. Davidson pushed back against that, however, asserting they still have their key advantage: their prospect pool.

He said it would’ve worried him more if this was the landscape last season, when the Hawks needed to fill a lot of roster holes via trades and free agency. This summer, they’re targeting quality over quantity, since most of next season’s roster will be comprised of prospects.

“I don’t think we have a number of holes that we need to fill this year,” he said. “Because there’s some young players that have graduated into pro...that are ready to show what they can do, and ready to earn that spot and play at the NHL level.

“What we ended [last season] with — and what we’ll probably start with [next season] — is a totally different team than we played 85% of last season. There is a lot of new that’s going to be there.”

I wonder how many of the prospects they truly expect to be playing next year.

Interesting article from Pope:

https://chicago.suntimes....ncy-combine-kyle-davidson

This part especially:
One could argue the cap surge is happening at an unfortunate time for the Hawks, neutralizing what could’ve been a key advantage for them this summer — cap space — by giving it out to almost every team. Davidson pushed back against that, however, asserting they still have their key advantage: their prospect pool.

He said it would’ve worried him more if this was the landscape last season, when the Hawks needed to fill a lot of roster holes via trades and free agency. This summer, they’re targeting quality over quantity, since most of next season’s roster will be comprised of prospects.

“I don’t think we have a number of holes that we need to fill this year,” he said. “Because there’s some young players that have graduated into pro...that are ready to show what they can do, and ready to earn that spot and play at the NHL level.

“What we ended
- Chunk[last season] with — and what we’ll probably start with [next season] — is a totally different team than we played 85% of last season. There is a lot of new that’s going to be there.”

I wonder how many of the prospects they truly expect to be playing next year.

The highlighted part confuses me.

So 85% of the roster will be different?

Or does he mean 85% of the season last year?

Sounds like lots of kids will be playing next season.

The highlighted part confuses me.

So 85% of the roster will be different?

Or does he mean 85% of the season last year?
- BetweenTheDots

No, he's saying the team that ended the season last year, and the one that will start this year (you could read into that, that many of those young guys are starting in Chicago) will be 85% different than the team that started last season.

You could also read into it that he isn't signing many FAs, and is moving to the prospect pool for positions on the big club.

Will add FAs when they are ready to win.

No, he's saying the team that ended the season last year, and the one that will start this year (you could read into that, that many of those young guys are starting in Chicago) will be 85% different than the team that started last season.

You could also read into it that he isn't signing many FAs, and is moving to the prospect pool for positions on the big club.

Will add FAs when they are ready to win.
- vabeachbear

Yeah, most of the talking heads are pushing the idea that if an addition is made, it will be via trade. I'm perfectly fine with that. I will just maintain that the Hawks need to find some extra help for the top 6 for this season one way or another.

Also has to mean they don't view both Bedard and Nazar as Centers. You aren't drafting your 3rd line Center with the #3 overall pick.
- vabeachbear

Not necessarily. J Staal worked out pretty well for Pittsburgh at 2 overall after taking Malkin and Crosby the two prior years. Oilers took Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, McDavid as centers is a four year period.

I don’t see a lot of posts here in regards to Ryan Greene. Am I the only one that thinks that Ryan Greene will be a good NHL player in the near future. He brings size, speed and a defensive game, perfect for the 3rd line. Also BU pedigree.
Scouting Report
Ryan Greene is a speedy two-way forward who makes a significant impact on the defensive side of the game. He's a good skater who has solid top-end speed, allowing him to push the pace of play at both ends of the ice. His defensive game is one of his best assets.

For all the talk that KD might not do much in FA or trades, with Weber's hit and Donato at $4.5M, they are still $3-4M under the cap floor. Despite the projections, Kaiser is NOT getting a $5M AAV deal, so the Hawks are going to have to add at least some salary.

If I'm KD, I'd be asking teams like COL (Necas), DAL (Robertson), and others that either are tight against the cap, or are teams in transition. Try to pluck away a guy that is both good and young.

I don’t see a lot of posts here in regards to Ryan Greene. Am I the only one that thinks that Ryan Greene will be a good NHL player in the near future. He brings size, speed and a defensive game, perfect for the 3rd line. Also BU pedigree.
Scouting Report
Ryan Greene is a speedy two-way forward who makes a significant impact on the defensive side of the game. He's a good skater who has solid top-end speed, allowing him to push the pace of play at both ends of the ice. His defensive game is one of his best assets.
- Angotti

No.

I've liked him for a while now. I'm not sure if he makes the opening day roster (especially if Richardinson and Veleno are still on the team), but I think he could be a guy like Nazar who just shows out in the AHL for 20-30 games and then gets called up.

I'm really intrigued to see him, Moore, and Lardis in pre-season. I'm also very interested to see what Slaggert adds to his game. He was very bullish at the end of the season about pinpointing specific parts of his game to work on to make himself more dangerous. I'm not sure if he has the skill/talent to be a top 9 player, but he certainly has the work ethic to do so.

No.

I've liked him for a while now. I'm not sure if he makes the opening day roster (especially if Richardinson and Veleno are still on the team), but I think he could be a guy like Nazar who just shows out in the AHL for 20-30 games and then gets called up.

I'm really intrigued to see him, Moore, and Lardis in pre-season. I'm also very interested to see what Slaggert adds to his game. He was very bullish at the end of the season about pinpointing specific parts of his game to work on to make himself more dangerous. I'm not sure if he has the skill/talent to be a top 9 player, but he certainly has the work ethic to do so.
- Chunk

I'm intrigued of those players as well. It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds over the year.

I'll include Sam, Arty, EDM, Allan and KK as well.

The highlighted part confuses me.

So 85% of the roster will be different?

Or does he mean 85% of the season last year?

Sounds like lots of kids will be playing next season.
- BetweenTheDots

What he meant was that the roster was a lot different for the last 15% of the seasons compared to the first 85% of the year. Lots of kids playing bigger minutes towards the end.

What he meant was that the roster was a lot different for the last 15% of the seasons compared to the first 85% of the year. Lots of kids playing bigger minutes towards the end.
- breadbag

The latter is what i thought as well.

For all the talk that KD might not do much in FA or trades, with Weber's hit and Donato at $4.5M, they are still $3-4M under the cap floor. Despite the projections, Kaiser is NOT getting a $5M AAV deal, so the Hawks are going to have to add at least some salary.

If I'm KD, I'd be asking teams like COL (Necas), DAL (Robertson), and others that either are tight against the cap, or are teams in transition. Try to pluck away a guy that is both good and young.
- Chunk

I think it's just to soften expectations because people think the Hawks are going to spend like crazy after all the top targets. They might land a big piece. I think the clear thing is they will be targeting less filler and more of what they see as a piece of the puzzle.

There was a lot of recent solid logic behind the rational that it might be a tough offseason to go shopping in UFA and Trades. Teams are going to be willing to spend more (not all but in general) with the rising cap and less teams are going to be making cuts due to the cap. That means less supply and more buyers. Not to say that every move will be risky or bad, but just there will probably be some stupid prices in some cases. With the cap expected to keep rising, the player salaries will follow suit, so locking up a piece sooner rather than later might be smart if they make the right move. KD has to be smart and avoid the landmines and try to position the team to be competitive.

I like the idea of pursuing Ehlers depending on the length of the deal or maybe Drouin. Boeser wouldn't be bad. Just that the prices might be stupid. The situation with the UFA market and trade market might end up adding a season to the Hawks plans just because they won't want to pay through the nose with Superstar AAV for a non-Superstar player.

I'm intrigued of those players as well. It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds over the year.

I'll include Sam, Arty, EDM, Allan and KK as well.
- BetweenTheDots

If the Hawks D continue to move towards their ceiling, the success of the team will start to take a turn for the better pretty quick IMO. Honestly, I'd much rather have a team that is stacked on the back end than up front and having a very solid blueline can make things much easier for the forward group.

I think it's just to soften expectations because people think the Hawks are going to spend like crazy after all the top targets. They might land a big piece. I think the clear thing is they will be targeting less filler and more of what they see as a piece of the puzzle.

There was a lot of recent solid logic behind the rational that it might be a tough offseason to go shopping in UFA and Trades. Teams are going to be willing to spend more (not all but in general) with the rising cap and less teams are going to be making cuts due to the cap. That means less supply and more buyers. Not to say that every move will be risky or bad, but just there will probably be some stupid prices in some cases. With the cap expected to keep rising, the player salaries will follow suit, so locking up a piece sooner rather than later might be smart if they make the right move. KD has to be smart and avoid the landmines and try to position the team to be competitive.

I like the idea of pursuing Ehlers depending on the length of the deal or maybe Drouin. Boeser wouldn't be bad. Just that the prices might be stupid. The situation with the UFA market and trade market might end up adding a season to the Hawks plans just because they won't want to pay through the nose with Superstar AAV for a non-Superstar player.
- breadbag

I agree with the bolded, don’t add just to add. I’m on the trade train to bring in a top six forward. If they go the UFA route, then it needs to be short term, and if short term then it’s ok to overpay. The challenge is that they have to reach the cap floor, not sure where they are and what they’ll have to spend. Fun times on the west side of Chicago.
Edit - my draft prediction is Desnoyers or Frondell.

If the Hawks D continue to move towards their ceiling, the success of the team will start to take a turn for the better pretty quick IMO. Honestly, I'd much rather have a team that is stacked on the back end than up front and having a very solid blueline can make things much easier for the forward group.
- breadbag

I agree, i think the trade for Seth Jones was a blessing in disguise, Bowman kicked the can down the road with the trade but at the same time they made a philosophical shift on what a pro dman looks like and made great draft picks like Vlasic, EDM, Allan and KD built on it, since they take longer to develop the timing is wonderful in our rebuild.

I just want to point out as well, just a general statement, another way of looking at how KD is building the team through the draft is

Theoretically, collectively he has drafted the best/most 18, 19 and 20 year olds, after this draft it'll be 21 year olds. Next season it'll be 22 year olds, players begin to show their true value at 23, 24, 25 years old. I do think we are in for nice treat, hopefully it doesn't take as long as what OKC Thunder built but it's paying off for them now, chance to win a championship with a ton of draft picks in their pocket to keep building. Multiple first round picks to 2031.

I don't think the Blackhawks have to worry about a center, wing, defenseman, all they need to do with the number 3 pick is draft who they believe will be the best pro hockey player in the NHL from this draft class.

The moment you draft for position is the moment you are chasing draft picks. And when i say all they need to do is draft the best future NHLer it is probably one of the hardest things to do, especially if you have tunnel vision.

From all that I've watched i think it's going to be Frondell, if Schaefer and Misa are off the board.

No, he's saying the team that ended the season last year, and the one that will start this year (you could read into that, that many of those young guys are starting in Chicago) will be 85% different than the team that started last season.

You could also read into it that he isn't signing many FAs, and is moving to the prospect pool for positions on the big club.

Will add FAs when they are ready to win.
- vabeachbear

Keeping his powder dry for that Hossa move when they’re ready to win. Hawks will make somebody the highest paid player of all time. But it won't be this year.