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.
- Scott1977

Hagens is no lightweight at 186# under 6 foot tall and only 18. I could see him banging for position.

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.
- BetweenTheDots

Yes, if they end up with position imbalances in the system once the development process has run its course, they can address this through trades and/or free agency. They shouldn't cheat themselves out of expected value just because they foresee gluts or deficiencies at a given position.

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.
- rpeters01

Will McDavid pull a Gretsky and come to a big market US team next offseason?

Just for fun . . . conspiracy theory time:

- Davidson vision for Hawks is highly skilled with pace, speed particularly in transition, size on the back end with mobility, high hockey IQ with vision, tenacity

- The rebuild timeline reaches critical mass in 2025-26 and could really compete as soon as 2026-27

- Hawks have have maximum possible salary cap flexibility after 2025-26

- League cap expected to increase significantly in each of next few seasons

- NHL wants to promote storylines around its biggest stars to create buzz

- The best way to maintain a competitive top-heavy team is a steady influx of drafted talent . . . which the Hawks are building and continue to have draft capital

Has KFC built the ideal landing spot for UFA McDavid after 2025-26?

Will McDavid pull a Gretsky and come to a big market US team next offseason?
- Assman22

I believe Gretzky was traded to LA.

Just for fun . . . conspiracy theory time:

- Davidson vision for Hawks is highly skilled with pace, speed particularly in transition, size on the back end with mobility, high hockey IQ with vision, tenacity

- The rebuild timeline reaches critical mass in 2025-26 and could really compete as soon as 2026-27

- Hawks have have maximum possible salary cap flexibility after 2025-26

- League cap expected to increase significantly in each of next few seasons

- NHL wants to promote storylines around its biggest stars to create buzz

- The best way to maintain a competitive top-heavy team is a steady influx of drafted talent . . . which the Hawks are building and continue to have draft capital

Has KFC built the ideal landing spot for UFA McDavid after 2025-26?
- LetsGoHawks

That's a wild and highly unlikely. I would love to see it happen but it's more of a pipe dream.

Will McDavid pull a Gretsky and come to a big market US team next offseason?
- Assman22

When Cooper is named our head coach in '26-'27.

Is anyone else able to access the Lines 2025 Draft projections?

I had it linked and the format looks entirely different than previously and it has the picking order pre-draft lottery.

Maybe I need to clear my cache?

Is anyone else able to access the Lines 2025 Draft projections?

I had it linked and the format looks entirely different than previously and it has the picking order pre-draft lottery.

Maybe I need to clear my cache?
- Snakebit12

Was just looking at it to see where Wiz had the guy Wheeler had mocked to the Hawks with the 25 pick and am seeing what you saw.

I believe Gretzky was traded to LA.
- bjphawkfan

True - Pocklington was in a desperate, personal, money situation - so the move was purely for that. Or from what I remember.

Combine - Top 10 by drill with drill details

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...prospects-in-every-drill/


Combine - Top 25 by drill

https://bleacherreport.co...hlights-and-top-prospects

True - Pocklington was in a desperate, personal, money situation - so the move was purely for that. Or from what I remember.
- SC116

That and the LA franchise was in the toilet people didn't care about sports in LA. They talked about coming to and leaving Dodgers games in the 5th inning because they were bored. Gretzky would hopefully jump start the Kings. Didn't Messier go to the Rangers about the same time?

I get the guy is kind of a jackass, and he's old, and not really beneficial to a team during the regular season, but Corey Perry is a really good guy to have in the playoffs. He knows so many different ways to get open and create chances for everyone.

You can say similar for Marchand, but he's actually useful during the regular season.

I get the guy is kind of a jackass, and he's old, and not really beneficial to a team during the regular season, but Corey Perry is a really good guy to have in the playoffs. He knows so many different ways to get open and create chances for everyone.

You can say similar for Marchand, but he's actually useful during the regular season.
- Chunk

He totally is a douchebag but man I didn't mind him during his time here albeit short. He thinks the game really well and can get underneath his opponents skin.

Was just looking at it to see where Wiz had the guy Wheeler had mocked to the Hawks with the 25 pick and am seeing what you saw.
- HawkintheD

Funny as I was looking for the same reason.

This site seems to be on life support, any ideas where to go if it does bite the dust.
So many good commentators on here, especially Chicago's
Would hate not to read what the Hawk fans are saying/thinking.

This site seems to be on life support, any ideas where to go if it does bite the dust.
So many good commentators on here, especially Chicago's
Would hate not to read what the Hawk fans are saying/thinking.
- HamiltonHawk

Check your PM

My god. EDM turned into a bunch of little female doges the last 8+ minutes of this game. Just take the loss and get out of the building. It's so pathetic.

Some more profiles.....

Draft Prospect Profile:
KALE DACH - C
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
DOB: 2-15-07 Age: 18

2024-25 SHERWOOD PARK BCHL 54-22-65-87 (PO: 8-3-10-13) PPG: 1.61 PIM: 22
2025-26 CALGARY WHL --
2026-07 PENN STATE NCAA --

Dach (no relation to Kirby or Colton Dach) had an impressive BCHL season scoring 1.61 points per game and will move on to Calgary in the WHL next year. Passing seems to be an emphasis as he had 3 times more assists than goals. Already has NCAA plans and will go to Penn State after his WHL year. Scouting report below mentions sound defense and some needed skating improvements.

Would go in the later rounds, or maybe drop through, in 2025 as he is not as far along the development path as others. CHI has a number of picks and could draft and wait on a player like this. Former Blackhawk Ian Mitchell followed a similar path but went straight to the NCAA.

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 136 (NA)
Wiz: 167

Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospect...m/player/577081/kale-dach

The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters....l-draft-prospect-profile/
"He is an offensive juggernaut who has confidence with the puck on his stick and has been dominating the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, but teams may wait to see how he competes against tougher competition when he heads to the Western Hockey League (WHL) next season as he is committed to the Calgary Hitmen for the 2025-26 season....
Dach is also committed to playing in the NCAA with Penn State for the 2026-27 season and has seemingly caught the eye of some scouts at the NHL level. His offensive confidence, combined with his sound defensive play, make him an enticing prospect and a potentially exciting project if a team is willing to take him in the later rounds. Watching him live, his skating ability stands out as strong, but it needs some fine-tuning if he wants to translate his game to the professional level."

BCHL - Mid-Season Profile Article - https://bchl.ca/alberta-raised-kale-dach

Big forward, a few good combine results.....

Draft Prospect Profile:
WILLIAM BELLE - RW
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
DOB: 1-14-07 Age: 18

2024-25 USNDTP U18 55-4-12-16-67
2024-25 USNDTP (other) 32-2-8-10-49
2025-26 NOTRE DAME

Belle is a huge player who is strong and plays a physical game. His strength showed at the NHL draft combine as he finished #2 in long jump, #4 and #2 in vertical jumps, and #5 in left-hand grip. Not a scorer, makes good passes and plays defense (including PK) well. Headed for Notre Dame in 2025. CHI could be interested as they may take a chance in the mid-rounds on bigger players, and he would be close by playing at Notre Dame. If he can eventually keep up at the NHL level, he could supply some of the needed defense and physicality to complement the skilled players CHI has already drafted.


Central Scouting Final Ranking: 117 (NA)
Wiz: 107

Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/577004/william-belle

The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters....l-draft-prospect-profile/
"William Belle is a hard-hitting forechecker who has no problem launching himself into opponents. He can also force steals and push the breakout back. He was a determined defensive player, working hard to push the opponent’s attack wide. He is not a prolific scorer, getting only 16 points in 55 games for Team USA. But that is not why NHL teams will be interested in him. He plays with an endless motor and has impressive physical strength for his age.
As a player who excels at engaging physically and applying pressure on opponents using his athleticism, Belle gets a lot of time on the penalty kill. He plays a very determined game in pursuit, which leads to numerous puck retrievals in tough areas. The areas that Belle will have to focus on to reach the next level are his foot speed, especially in accelerating at a quicker pace. While his mobility is not his best attribute, his determination and persistence on the ice make him a force to be reckoned with."

CHI news will be a little slow until draft time. Thought I would post some mini-profiles for players that will go a little later in the draft that I thought were interesting.

Draft Prospect Profile:
SAM LAURILA - LD
Height: 6'0.25"
Weight: 184
DOB: 09-02-06 Age: 18 (Undrafted 2024)

2024-25 FARGO USHL 57-8-33-41 PPG: 0.72 PIM: 46
2025-26 NORTH DAKOTA NCAA --

Laurila played for the NTDP U18 team in 2023-24 but had only 11 points in 61 games. In 2024-25 he was the MVP for the Fargo Force and scored 41 points in 57 games, making him a candidate to be drafted after being passed over last year. Still 18 and was only eligible by 13 days for the draft last year. Will play at North Dakota in the 2025-26 NCAA season. Currently ranked in the mid rounds for the 2025 draft, where CHI may be looking to re-fill the defenseman pipeline.

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 65 (NA)
Wiz: 116

Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospect...player/786910/sam-laurila
"Laurila is a defensive defenseman with activation ability. He jumps on opponents early to force them wide and then skates through their hands. His motor never stops in the defensive end."

See #5
https://www.nytimes.com/a...-draft-ranking-overagers/
"Laurila, a North Dakota commit, was passed over coming out of a depth role at the NTDP but generated a lot of attention from scouts this season as one of the top defensemen in the USHL, leading the Force in scoring with 41 points in 57 games and playing well at the Chipotle All-American Game."

Game Highlights 2024-25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds395SODyMc
- totem

Laurila combine: #19 right hand grip, #22 agility and balance - left, #1 Anaerobic fitness - mean power output, #5 Anaerobic fitness - fatigue index

Check your PM
- paulr

Thank you .

That and the LA franchise was in the toilet people didn't care about sports in LA. They talked about coming to and leaving Dodgers games in the 5th inning because they were bored. Gretzky would hopefully jump start the Kings. Didn't Messier go to the Rangers about the same time?
- rpeters01

It was a couple of seasons later, as Mess was the captain in the 89-90 when the Oilers last won the Stanley Cup.

Yes, if they end up with position imbalances in the system once the development process has run its course, they can address this through trades and/or free agency. They shouldn't cheat themselves out of expected value just because they foresee gluts or deficiencies at a given position.
- 333inthe3rd

Yep. We have a lot of prospects, but we don't have "that many" high end prospects that it should be a concern about position. We've seen players at C also play W, in some cases guys who play W end up at C. Heck, we won the 2010 cup with a very deep team while having a D (Dustin Byfuglien) play W. The position is not important, take the most talented and highest upside player you can when you pick near the top of the draft.

Check your PM
- paulr

That was a good question. It seems you might have an answer.