Congrats to @Blake_Hillman8 on signing with the Hawks! Going to miss lining up next to you every weekend. I know you are going to kill it in the windy city! Miss you already brother! pic.twitter.com/qVIU3MvCHG

— Ian Mitchell (@IanMitch15) March 27, 2018

Super - another under sized D man
- Return of the Roar

6'1" 193lbs on DU website....

6'1" 193lbs on DU website....
- EnzoD

Under 6'2? Under 210? He's undersized and soft and will fail.

Under 6'2? Under 210? He's undersized and soft and will fail.
- BlazinMike

Duncan Keith meets neither of those thresholds.

Here are the draft rankings according to an aggregate of 6 sources (ISS Hockey, Marek, Hockeyprospect.com, Scott Wheeler, Dobber, McKenzie)
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW
3. Filip Zadina, LW
4. Brady Tkachuk, LW
5. Adam Boqvist, D
6. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW
7. Evan Bouchard, D
8. Quinton Hughes, D
9. Noah Dobson, D
10. Joe Veleno, C
11. Joel Farabee, LW
12. Barret Hayton, C

I'll be posting a few write-ups on each guy so we can have a sense of what each guy brings to the table, and who they might compare to. If anyone wants to take a crack at any of them, let me know.

- ObeseOprah

5. Adam Boqvist, D, 5'11", 170 lbs.
The second best defenseman in the draft, Adam Boqvist is a right handed D that seems to always be in short supply in the NHL.
Known primarily for his offensive abilities, it's surprising that Boqvist wasn't considered for forward with his toolset of wrist shot/skating. Boqvist would be a bigger name if it weren't for Dahlin, but the planet Jupiter of this draft's solar system tends to take up all of the press clippings for 2018. Boqvist shares many similarities with Dahlin, both are Swedish defensemen and have played in Sweden's junior and pro leagues. Both are offensive defensemen with slick moves and a pinpoint wrist shot.
Boqvist, though, is a righty and only 5'11". He's not afraid to carry the puck in alone, something that players in lesser leagues and in juniors are often able to do because of smaller/lesser competition: https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=6Awl9cY2fqA#t=2m37s

He will be dangerous inside the blueline, with the ability to cleverly deke and drag his way around forwards looking to pinch him against the blueline. His elusiveness with the puck makes him exhausting to track down: https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=7PBrJD5uzRk&t=2m37s

Boqvist is likely to earn top PP minutes in his career, his hands and playmaking ability are too much for most coaches to pass up. Boqvist has simply been a dominant offensive force when on the ice.

Defensive abilities: there's little footage of him actually taking rushes against. There are multiple examples of him skating the puck out of trouble or completing a long stretch pass. One video showed him making a blind backhand pass off the back boards to his partner, something that gives most Blackhawks fans nightmares at this point... but it worked.
He has the confidence, ability, and speed to be a solid defenseman in the NHL. But there just isn't enough evidence or commendations of his defensive abilities to accurately recommend this.
Boqvist's junior rights were drafted by the London Knights, so he could start next season there or remain in Sweden with his parent club. He's had difficulty holding a spot on Brynas, only cracking 15 games against the big boys. Not to draw hyperbolic comparisons... but Erik Karlsson had trouble putting up points in the Swedish league even in the year after he was drafted, 10 in 45.
Boqvist projects to be a dangerous and gifted offensive defenseman, although question marks remain about his ability to play a shutdown game.

Best case scenario: John Klingberg, Shayne Gostisbehere
Worst case scenario: John Moore, Marco Scandella
Plausible scenario: Hampus Lindholm, Tyson Barrie

Duncan Keith meets neither of those thresholds.
- pdx2ord

Wouldn't it be great if he is as good as Keith?

Duncan Keith meets neither of those thresholds.
- pdx2ord

And he's a failure...

Some reason for optimism here...Buffalo picked 8th last year and Casey Mittlestat is an absolute stud. Mikko Rantanen was 10th overall, Matt Barzal 16th overall, ect. Hawks, if the scouting dept and Stan Bowman do their job, should get a new true Stud Core player at 7/8 overall.

Some reason for optimism here...Buffalo picked 8th last year and Casey Mittlestat is an absolute stud. Mikko Rantanen was 10th overall, Matt Barzal 16th overall, ect. Hawks, if the scouting dept and Stan Bowman do their job, should get a new true Stud Core player at 7/8 overall.
- EnzoD

that would be hope and the plan-stan

He's in! Defenseman Blake Hillman has signed on to a 2-year contract that runs through the 2018-19 season.

The D-man will wear No. 55 for the #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/pAuPYJqHwm

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 27, 2018

- DarthKane

Stepping into the shoes (skates) of Hawk legend Christian Ehrhoff

Some reason for optimism here...Buffalo picked 8th last year and Casey Mittlestat is an absolute stud. Mikko Rantanen was 10th overall, Matt Barzal 16th overall, ect. Hawks, if the scouting dept and Stan Bowman do their job, should get a new true Stud Core player at 7/8 overall.
- EnzoD

There are some solid prospects in the top 10. The Hawks are winning the draft lottery so it's a moot point.

Some reason for optimism here...Buffalo picked 8th last year and Casey Mittlestat is an absolute stud. Mikko Rantanen was 10th overall, Matt Barzal 16th overall, ect. Hawks, if the scouting dept and Stan Bowman do their job, should get a new true Stud Core player at 7/8 overall.
- EnzoD

It's not like the Hawks are picking in a vacuum. Other teams who are just as good as Chicago (ie, not good) are picking in the same spot. It's who among these guys is legit. Watch Edmonton end up with Dahlin. The only strength the Hawks have is at wing. They will need a lot more than a draft pick to get back to elite status again.

-Is Seabrook washed up? He looks it to me, but I guess he could come back strong
-Is Toews a glorified 3rd line center? Playing better lately, who knows
-Crows health. Huge factor here.
-Centers. Potentially good if Schmaltz can work on his faceoff game and Ejdsell can be a player
-Defensive core group w/ Keith and Seabrook looking to be fading is pretty bad. There is potential and hope in Gus, Rutta and Murphy but every team has those kinds of hopes and dreams. If 2 and 7 return to top 4 status and a couple other D-men (via F/A or inhouse) step up that gives the team hope.

Hawks need two legit D-men added to the group, and must have 20 and 19 playing at very high levels, combined with a healthy 50...then and only then do I see playoffs in their future.

There are some solid prospects in the top 10. The Hawks are winning the draft lottery so it's a moot point.
- DarthKane

I concur, the Hawks are winning the lottery!! Dahlin, come on down.

I concur, the Hawks are winning the lottery!! Dahlin, come on down.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

That would certainly "change things" to say the least.

That would certainly "change things" to say the least.
- kwolf68

Even if they win the 2nd or 3rd pick, it would "change things". Hell, with how deep this draft supposedly is, even if they pick 8th, they could draft a game changer, maybe not for next year, but 2 or 3 years...

However, if they draft a defenseman, don't expect them to come in right away. The top rated defenseman in this draft seem to be more offensive, and will need work on the defensive side...

Are they bringing Glass up?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Signing this guy (once they can)?

https://www.sbncollegehoc...on-the-future-cale-morris

There are some solid prospects in the top 10. The Hawks are winning the draft lottery so it's a moot point.
- DarthKane

Well, there are 3 players in the ranked top 31 with the 1st name Rasmus. I hope StanBo doesn't get confused.

Super - another under sized D man
- Return of the Roar

Just so everyone knows

Hillman. Plays mean, makes checks, has a good shot.

The Athletic story: given questionable rating to make nhl

If he plays an nhl game this season, this tells me he is no way being questionable for nhl. He does probably have
areas of his game to work on.

Signing this guy (once they can)?

https://www.sbncollegehoc...on-the-future-cale-morris
- DarthKane

He's 6'1". THE SMURF TRAIN CONTINUES INTO GOALIES

Are they bringing Glass up?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

While the audition continues... maybe it's Colin Delia who gets the call-up to see what he's made of in the NHL.

He's played really in the AHL and they are embracing the tank... so very possible.

While the audition continues... maybe it's Colin Delia who gets the call-up to see what he's made of in the NHL.

He's played really in the AHL and they are embracing the tank... so very possible.
- Justin Lowe

Speaking of embracing the tank, do you think Toews is done for the year?

Just so everyone knows

Hillman. Plays mean, makes checks, has a good shot.

The Athletic story: given questionable rating to make nhl

If he plays an nhl game this season, this tells me he is no way being questionable for nhl. He does probably have
areas of his game to work on.
- jhawk59

Stan drafted Hillman, he will be a failure.

While the audition continues... maybe it's Colin Delia who gets the call-up to see what he's made of in the NHL.

He's played really in the AHL and they are embracing the tank... so very possible.
- Justin Lowe

Matt Tompkins recalled by Rockford.

The Rockford #IceHogs have recalled G Matt Tomkins#AHL

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) March 27, 2018

Stan drafted Hillman, he will be a failure.
- DarthKane

I heard the coaching staff wants to bring Hillman up to see if he can tie his own skates. Q is tired of having to tie them for Rutta, Oesterle and Gus at the moment.