Does the #7 pick and Forsling Allie the Hawks to move up to #3/4 to get one of the stud forwards? Preferably Tzchuck to infuse some size nasty into the Hawks top 6. Imagine a 2nd line of Cat-Schmaltz-Tzchuk for the next few years with the Vets Saad-Toews-Kane as line 1???
- EnzoD

Honestly, I'd rather have a stud D man....I think we're pretty close at forward. I'd like another legit center, but otherwise I think they are good enough. The blueline (and goalie behind Crow) is where the dumpster is usually on fire.

One point about Hughes that kind of makes me wonder if a team should pass on him, and take the next best prospect , is his size. But probably thinking a bit differently than you who are reading this.

To be sure, any prospect any size can suffer a concussion or may one day feel less daring, almost afraid if they endure one too many big, debilitating checks. With Hughes he will be a target. It is not like players have careers sidetracked all the time from this
fear. Both Scmaultz and TT, for example, are enjoying a productuve season. DeBrincat is yet another example

I just pause to consider, how good will Hughes be after the first concussion. Moreover, how valuable is he after one serious knee injury. Because when a player is so good that teams cannot prevent his success.....sooner or later some jerk will try to injure him. Or those playoff checks could really derail Hughes' effort. Might be too sore for remainder of game. Even tentative just a tad in the next match up.

I suppose it comes down to, how much does a GM become totally enmored with a player's attributes.

With so many good players rated in front of him, maybe you have a deal in place to move up or down even one slot because you do not want to face the reality he could fall to your pick.

Same, think I'm gonna go to the game tonight for cheap. 200 level for $60? check please
- ObeseOprah

If beers weren't $9 a piece, I'd be down for a cheap ticket too.

What about Quinn Hughes? Too small? Kid was super impressive this weekend in both Michigan games. Amazing skater and puck handler, great defensive plays. Reminds me of Johnny Gaudreau the way he skates. I guess he's probably a ways away from NHL though and the size thing. That seems the way the NHL is going maybe? Small guys can prevail now?
- thepld

I don't think you can lose by drafting this guy. Worst case scenario he plays on the wing and acts as a 7th D for your PP. With skills like that there is a place for him in the lineup on any team.

If beers weren't $9 a piece, I'd be down for a cheap ticket too.
- BlazinMike

That's $18 a period for this guy and $27/period if I have a date LOL.

Honestly, I'd rather have a stud D man....I think we're pretty close at forward. I'd like another legit center, but otherwise I think they are good enough. The blueline (and goalie behind Crow) is where the dumpster is usually on fire.
- kwolf68

If they can get Tzchuck he's the type of guy to change the charmin soft attitude of an entire team with his fire, physicality, and skill. If they can't get Tzchuck, I agree go defense over the skilled Euro forwards. They need to address defense via UFA/trade this summer as Jokiharju will probably be a part time NHL/AHL guy this upcoming season and the jury is still out on Forsling.

NHL Lottery odds by position 5-9 for the first overall pick:

5. 8.5%
6. 7.5%
7. 6.5%
8. 5.5%
9. 4.5%

I believe this is based on last year’s formula.

Does the #7 pick and Forsling allow the Hawks to move up to #3/4 to get one of the stud forwards? Preferably Tzchuck to infuse some size & nasty into the Hawks top 6. Imagine a 2nd line of Cat-Schmaltz-Tzchuk for the next few years with the Vets Saad-Toews-Kane as line 1??? I like the sound of that.
- EnzoD

Yeah, we can do that and then trade the #3 pick to Vegas along with Seabrook.

If they can get Tzchuck he's the type of guy to change the charmin soft attitude of an entire team with his fire, physicality, and skill. If they can't get Tzchuck, I agree go defense over the skilled Euro forwards. They need to address defense via UFA/trade this summer as Jokiharju will probably be a part time NHL/AHL guy this upcoming season and the jury is still out on Forsling.
- EnzoD

I don't believe I'd cry if we landed Tzchuck and if we did then we could probably trade one of our many forward options for some help at D.

Draft Tzchuck
Sign F/A D-man
Trade forward+ for top 4 D-man
Get 50 healthy

= Back in business

Edjsell playing 1C with Saad and Kane....promising for him to be given 1C his first ever game. Regardless of the Hawks' situation, that tells me this guy is talented.

I just got excited for Blackhawks games again...Gonna watch Eds tonight and Dylan Thursday. A glimpse into the future.
- kwolf68

Yes, other than the tank watch, there has not been too much to get excited about until these 2 guys were slated to get into the lineup.

Does the #7 pick and Forsling allow the Hawks to move up to #3/4 to get one of the stud forwards? Preferably Tzchuck to infuse some size & nasty into the Hawks top 6. Imagine a 2nd line of Cat-Schmaltz-Tzchuk for the next few years with the Vets Saad-Toews-Kane as line 1??? I like the sound of that.
- EnzoD

Probably not, but I would make that trade if it was available.

Forsling and the Nuumber 7 pick should fetch a top 3 or 4, but I am not sure that anyone above the Hawks makes that deal.

Edjsell playing 1C with Saad and Kane....promising for him to be given 1C his first ever game. Regardless of the Hawks' situation, that tells me this guy is talented.
- EnzoD

Think its more pairing with Kane for some leadership?

In addition to the expected signings of Henrik Borgstrom (FLA), Troy Terry (ANA) and Dylan Gambrell (SJS), Denver will likely lose junior Blake Hillman to Chicago. Blackhawks are looking to sign the D-man from Elk River.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 26, 2018

In addition to the expected signings of Henrik Borgstrom (FLA), Troy Terry (ANA) and Dylan Gambrell (SJS), Denver will likely lose junior Blake Hillman to Chicago. Blackhawks are looking to sign the D-man from Elk River.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 26, 2018

- DarthKane

It will never happen, he will sign with Pittsburgh.

Think its more pairing with Kane for some leadership?
- riozzo

I think it's bc Q thinks he's the best offensive center in the lineup tonight.

Edjsell playing 1C with Saad and Kane....promising for him to be given 1C his first ever game. Regardless of the Hawks' situation, that tells me this guy is talented.
- EnzoD

My guess it's more about seeing what Ejdsell can do. I wouldn't have any expectations for the kid this season, hopefully he just gets acclimated to the team and city so he sets himself up for a solid season next year.

One point about Hughes that kind of makes me wonder if a team should pass on him, and take the next best prospect , is his size. But probably thinking a bit differently than you who are reading this.

To be sure, any prospect any size can suffer a concussion or may one day feel less daring, almost afraid if they endure one too many big, debilitating checks. With Hughes he will be a target. It is not like players have careers sidetracked all the time from this
fear. Both Scmaultz and TT, for example, are enjoying a productuve season. DeBrincat is yet another example

I just pause to consider, how good will Hughes be after the first concussion. Moreover, how valuable is he after one serious knee injury. Because when a player is so good that teams cannot prevent his success.....sooner or later some jerk will try to injure him. Or those playoff checks could really derail Hughes' effort. Might be too sore for remainder of game. Even tentative just a tad in the next match up.

I suppose it comes down to, how much does a GM become totally enmored with a player's attributes.

With so many good players rated in front of him, maybe you have a deal in place to move up or down even one slot because you do not want to face the reality he could fall to your pick.
- jhawk59

I wonder how teams today feel about passing on Johnny Gaudreau for 4 rounds because he was too small? And I wonder how many of those bigger guys they drafted have yet to see NHL action or ever will?

BTW Hawks drafted Mark McNeill who has nice size in the first round that year.

It will never happen, he will sign with Pittsburgh.
- TheTrob

I heard he likes Mike Sullivan.

I wonder how teams today feel about passing on Johnny Gaudreau for 4 rounds because he was too small? And I wonder how many of those bigger guys they drafted have yet to see NHL action or ever will?

BTW Hawks drafted Mark McNeill who has nice size in the first round that year.
- 67hawks

I posed my thoughts as that it just makes me pause and consider what pick i really want to make. Sometimes you just go with talent despite size. There have been far many more who due to size never made NHL or had varying level of success than the examples you present. But final call........on the clock i probably would cross my fingers for good luck and pick Hughes. The only other thing i can add is, if Bowman takes him then he better have both Samuelson and Martinsen around.

Edjsell playing 1C with Saad and Kane....promising for him to be given 1C his first ever game. Regardless of the Hawks' situation, that tells me this guy is talented.
- EnzoD

Or we're looking for any excuse to #tankforTzchuck

I wonder how teams today feel about passing on Johnny Gaudreau for 4 rounds because he was too small? And I wonder how many of those bigger guys they drafted have yet to see NHL action or ever will?

BTW Hawks drafted Mark McNeill who has nice size in the first round that year.
- 67hawks

I agree with your premise regarding size being less important than hockey talent. However, Evan Bouchard has VERY impressive scoring numbers in the OHL and is 6'2" 190+lbs

I wonder how teams today feel about passing on Johnny Gaudreau for 4 rounds because he was too small? And I wonder how many of those bigger guys they drafted have yet to see NHL action or ever will?

BTW Hawks drafted Mark McNeill who has nice size in the first round that year.
- 67hawks

Who drafted McNeil - was it Tallon? McNeil does ot play tough often enough. He is strong as a bull but never has been able to score enough with his good shot or check as i n physical checks often enough to warrant NHL look.

https://world.hockeyfeed....o-land-on-the-trade-block

Boylen goes further. He ponders the unthinkable: what if the Blackhawks and general manager Stan Bowman decided to trade star forward and captain Jonathan Toews?

"Up front, 29-year-old Patrick Kane is still a star talent worth $10.5 million to a contender, but captain Jonathan Toews (also making $10.5 million) is being looped in with the other aging players no longer worth their hefty hits … on the ice anyway.

Marc Savard was on Hockey Central at Noon Wednesday, and after criticizing defense veterans Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, he too wondered what will happen to Toews in Chicago.

“You hate to say it because he’s done so much for the Chicago Blackhawks, but is he a guy you put out on the market?” Savard asked. “Does someone give you a couple nice pieces to move forward? I don’t think you move Patrick Kane at all, he’s still got all it takes. But you definitely need to do something going forward and it starts with those two key cogs. Are they going to get you to where you want to be in the future?”