Interesting tidbits:

Brady Martin. He grew up and still lives on a farm in North west Ontario. He had a gym built in part of the barn so he can get his workout in … after he’s done his chores on the farm.

Caleb Desnoyers. When asked why a team should draft him his answer was “I win”. Can’t any more succinct then that. His father apparently grew three inches after he was 18 so there’s a chance he can get taller than his current 6’ 2”. And he played through wrist pain during the last part of the season explaining why he wasn’t taking faceoffs during the memorial cup despite having a 62% success rate.

I expect Frondell or Desnoyers to be a Blackhawk on Friday evening.
- paulr

As does mostly everyone else, and quite frankly, I believe they can't go wrong with any of their picks as they're adding a top-six forward regardless of who it may be.

Frondell seems to have a slightly higher ceiling and a slightly lower floor than Desnoyers, and while Frondell screams "classic Hawks pick", Desnoyers to me seems to be more of a sure thing AT LEAST as a 2C. As we learn over and over in the playoffs, having depth down the middle is paramount. If that means one of Bedard/Nazar is pushed to the wing, then it's probably for the best so I'd support taking the true centerman who is a two-way menace over the slightly more offensively inclined talent like Frondell.

By the way, is there even enough room for two Caleb's in Chicago?

Some notable highlights of Scott Powers' latest updates as of this AM:

- They checked in on Zegas before he was dealt to Philly
- They checked in on JJ Peterka but the Sabres want similar quality player(s) which the Hawks don't have to offer
- They're not sure where Reichel currently fits into the equation as he's not a bottom-six player and they likely want to prioritize their other younger players first in the top-six (Dach, Moore, Lardis)
- They still have not made a definitive decision on who they are taking at 3, but they plan on making the pick regardless (instead of trading it). If Misa falls, the expectation is that it'll be him, but for now they are contemplating Frondell, Desnoyers, and maybe Martone
- No guarantee anything happens as far as how busy they are in free agency. It could very well be a quiet summer, but the team is open to adding a veteran D man if the right player arises but they're happy to roll with what they've got
- The Donato deal got over the finish line once the 'Hawks added the extra year. If they went into FA without the extention complete, they would have had to likely give a bigger term and $ to a similar player

As does mostly everyone else, and quite frankly, I believe they can't go wrong with any of their picks as they're adding a top-six forward regardless of who it may be.

Frondell seems to have a slightly higher ceiling and a slightly lower floor than Desnoyers, and while Frondell screams "classic Hawks pick", Desnoyers to me seems to be more of a sure thing AT LEAST as a 2C. As we learn over and over in the playoffs, having depth down the middle is paramount. If that means one of Bedard/Nazar is pushed to the wing, then it's probably for the best so I'd support taking the true centerman who is a two-way menace over the slightly more offensively inclined talent like Frondell.
- TommyHawk

I think they are much more open to Nazar being a wing after his performance at the Worlds.

On a related note, if the 'Hawks are able to extend Bedard and Nazar next year, might they be able to do so without actually adding any new salary on the books?

Assuming Bedard/Nazar combine for extensions in the ~$13-15m AAV range, that money can simply come from having Weber ($7.857m), Brodie ($3.23m), Brossoit ($3.3m) fall off the books next year alone. Guys who have made no impact on the team. Pretty convenient/interesting IMO.

I think they are much more open to Nazar being a wing after his performance at the Worlds.
- Chunk

Hopefully. I also believe Frank is a more natural winger than center anyhow.

Some notable highlights of Scott Powers' latest updates as of this AM:

- They checked in on Zegas before he was dealt to Philly
- They checked in on JJ Peterka but the Sabres want similar quality player(s) which the Hawks don't have to offer
- They're not sure where Reichel currently fits into the equation as he's not a bottom-six player and they likely want to prioritize their other younger players first in the top-six (Dach, Moore, Lardis)
- They still have not made a definitive decision on who they are taking at 3, but they plan on making the pick regardless (instead of trading it). If Misa falls, the expectation is that it'll be him, but for now they are contemplating Frondell, Desnoyers, and maybe Martone
- No guarantee anything happens as far as how busy they are in free agency. It could very well be a quiet summer, but the team is open to adding a veteran D man if the right player arises but they're happy to roll with what they've got
- The Donato deal got over the finish line once the 'Hawks added the extra year. If they went into FA without the extention complete, they would have had to likely give a bigger term and $ to a similar player
- TommyHawk

Dach just seems like the guy you really want to work out, but isn't quite good enough.

On a related note, if the 'Hawks are able to extend Bedard and Nazar next year, might they be able to do so without actually adding any new salary on the books?

Assuming Bedard/Nazar combine for extensions in the ~$13-15m AAV range, that money can simply come from having Weber ($7.857m), Brodie ($3.23m), Brossoit ($3.3m) fall off the books next year alone. Guys who have made no impact on the team. Pretty convenient/interesting IMO.
- TommyHawk

Not to mention Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, and Murphy, although I'd imagine that the Hawks move one or two of those guys at the TDL.

Not to mention Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, and Murphy, although I'd imagine that the Hawks move one or two of those guys at the TDL.
- Chunk

True. I just didn't include them because they for the most part are actually useful veterans that will have to be replaced either way, whether that's internally or externally. So some money will have to be spent to replace them, even if it likely turns out to be cheaper replacements.

Wouldn't mind a small Mikheyev or Murphy extension either. I think they can still be veteran contributors for us for a couple more years. Foligno will probably hang them up, and D!cky will surely be moved at the deadline. He's been a sourpuss with all the losing the last couple years and has publicly expressed his discontent with it. But guys like him are a dime a dozen anyway.

I think they are much more open to Nazar being a wing after his performance at the Worlds.
- Chunk

Agreed. Also, really hoping we have a draft day deal with TB for Nazar's former teammate Isaac Howard

Dach just seems like the guy you really want to work out, but isn't quite good enough.
- Chunk

Dach should be bottom 6. I'd like to see Moore center Nazar's line and hope both Bedard and Nazar eventually end up at wing.

Agreed. Also, really hoping we have a draft day deal with TB for Nazar's former teammate Isaac Howard
- Assman22

Another target is Washington draft pick and Nick Lardis’ linemate Patrick Thomas. A smart two way center and extremely good playmaker who can put up points, play on the powerplay and kill penalties.

And in non-Hawk related news, Mogilny finally got in. I never really cared about Buffalo, but I always like watching him play. He was perpetually effective.
- Chunk

Hard to believe it took this long. His story about his having to defect is amazing.

Evander Kane to the Canucks - 4th round pick the other way.

Evander Kane to the Canucks - 4th round pick the other way.
- breadbag

KD missed the boat.

KD missed the boat.
- paulr

Thank God!

Hopefully. I also believe Frank is a more natural winger than center anyhow.
- TommyHawk

Maybe. I think all bets are off on where Nazar and Bedard play with a new coach coming in. I think Blashill, based on comments from interview, might put more of a premium on winning draws and the importance of getting that possession. I know guys can play wing after taking a draw, but I think a definite factor could be who is playing well at the dot.

I'm just glad we aren't going into another season with all the talking heads penciling in Andreas Athanasiou as our 2C. That was the dumbest thing I called out multiple times last summer.

Dach just seems like the guy you really want to work out, but isn't quite good enough.
- Chunk

Maybe. It was his first career 25 games from Jan 3rd on to the end of the year.

In those 25 games he put up more 5v5 point per 60 than Tyler Berttuzi and his 5v5 production based on TOI wasn't far behind Nazar or Bedard. With a bit more experience, some time on the PP around the net, he could still end up being okay as a complimentary piece. I think he needs some more opportunity to sink or swim IMO.

He was by far the most physical forward Chicago had in those games he played and actually generated turnovers as a result of his play.

Dach should be bottom 6. I'd like to see Moore center Nazar's line and hope both Bedard and Nazar eventually end up at wing.
- Assman22

I like both Bedard and Nazar carrying the puck. Overall l think they're more dangerous that way.

Evander Kane to the Canucks - 4th round pick the other way.
- breadbag

Whomever said the Canucks are stupid right now was correct.

Maybe. I think all bets are off on where Nazar and Bedard play with a new coach coming in. I think Blashill, based on comments from interview, might put more of a premium on winning draws and the importance of getting that possession. I know guys can play wing after taking a draw, but I think a definite factor could be who is playing well at the dot.

I'm just glad we aren't going into another season with all the talking heads penciling in Andreas Athanasiou as our 2C. That was the dumbest thing I called out multiple times last summer.
- breadbag

Unfortunately, that player isn’t on the roster which is why Desnoyers makes even more sense for the ‘Hawks.

Bedard hasn’t gotten to even 40% at the dot yet, and frankly I don’t see him getting better there, even working with the legendary Yanic Perrault. Nazar might improve a little there but who knows.

D!ckey is their best center man at the dot, and he’s likely to be traded next Feb/Mar.

Maybe. It was his first career 25 games from Jan 3rd on to the end of the year.

In those 25 games he put up more 5v5 point per 60 than Tyler Berttuzi and his 5v5 production based on TOI wasn't far behind Nazar or Bedard. With a bit more experience, some time on the PP around the net, he could still end up being okay as a complimentary piece. I think he needs some more opportunity to sink or swim IMO.

He was by far the most physical forward Chicago had in those games he played and actually generated turnovers as a result of his play.
- breadbag

Not a high barre.

Whomever said the Canucks are stupid right now was correct.
- rpeters01

One year, if they can flip him at the deadline, maybe it's worth it, maybe it's not.

Anybody know why Wiz has us picking goalies high in the draft?

Not a high barre.
- rpeters01

No but he was ~25th in the NHL for throwing hits in that span of games. I know hits aren't a perfect stat, but he was active on the forecheck and was way above the rest of the team in that regard. He has a big body, something that is often called out as a weakness.

Don't get me wrong, he isn't a superstar but he is only 22 and only just got his first taste of NHL hockey. He might still take another step and be effective around the net. From a speed perspective he was better than Maroon/Foligno/Bertuzzi. I think we need to see him play more hockey and get some more chances to provide size in the lineup.