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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Game #78
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ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Mar 29 @ 1:07 PM ET
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


7. Evan Bouchard, D, 6'2", 192 lbs.
The third defenseman in the top ten, Evan Bouchard is a departure from the Dahlin/Boqvist phenotype and the first Canadian covered. Bouchard's biggest attribute seems to be his all-around ability, as opposed to Dahlin and Boqvist's game-changing offensive capabilities.

Bouchard has spent the last three seasons on the London Knights, and the last one as the captain after the departure of Rob Thomas. This season has been an explosion of points for Bouchard, going from 44 points in 68 games the previous year to 87 in 67. Bouchard getting top billing on a potent London team has helped him rack up points on the power play and enjoy important minutes on the top penalty kill.

Bouchard is not the dangling, NHL18-skill stick type of player like Dahlin or Boqvist. But Bouchard does venture into the offensive zone and display more traditional offensive abilities like a potent wrister and very powerful slap shot. His shooting percentage hovers around 11%, so his high goal totals could actually translate to a decent amount of goals in the NHL. He leads the OHL in shots on goal by defenseman, as well as goals by a defenseman.

Although he wears #2, he's more comparable to Brent Seabrook than Duncan Keith. He's a righty and plays the right side, and at 6'2" can use his frame in the defensive zone and along the boards. He joins the rush and will sneak in to the dot for one timers when plays are just getting started.
One area where he does compare with Keith is his headiness, he has the ability to look off defenders and fake shots/passes to open up new lanes. His calmness with the puck on his stick gives him a leg up on many defensemen in this draft.

Bouchard's poise, solid offensive play, and hockeyIQ all point towards a solid NHL career, but his one drawback is his skating. The most important thing that scouts first look at is 'can the kid skate?'. Luckily Bouchard can skate, once he gets moving. His acceleration takes a few strides before he hits his top speed though. In the NHL, where time before contact is a fraction of junior leagues, this could bite Bouchard. Having a slow first step can lead to plenty of issues in your own zone.

Maybe Bouchard's poor acceleration can be fixed by a good skating coach and more time, and luckily for him it's not coupled with other issues like size, compete level, or hockeyIQ.

This shot reminds me of one defenseman who's celebrating his 1,000th game tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXcv2_IRRA#t=1m1s

Bouchard has some question marks around his game, and that will increase with each pick as we move further down the board. Each player will become less and less of a sure thing. There are tools to work with here though: solid IQ, good shot, size.

Best case scenario: Brent Seabrook, Seth Jones
Worst case scenario: Cody Franson, Cody Ceci
Plausible scenario: Matt Niskanen, Jacob Slavin

- ObeseOprah


I'm sold, I bet the Hawks draft this guy. Get him a skating coach, and maybe we have our answer on defense right here.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Mar 29 @ 1:09 PM ET
I hear nice things about Backes off the ice. But I can't shake the memories of him giving Toews headshots immediately after Toews returning from concussion a couple of times. I'm with you, when Seabrook lit up Backes in the corner it was beautiful because he had it coming. A real dish it out but can't take it kind of guy.
- 6628

I'd throw Getzlaf, Kesler, Perry, Bieksa, and Benn on that list.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:12 PM ET
I'm sold, I bet the Hawks draft this guy. Get him a skating coach, and maybe we have our answer on defense right here.
- ToewsdNKanefusd


If the Hawks draft at 7, I would have no problem with either Bouchard or Wahlstrom. Hawks NEED more skilled guys with size.
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Mar 29 @ 1:12 PM ET
I have the feeling that next year is going to be similar to 2008-09 for the Hawks. A very good young team that is just missing a piece here or there to make it all of the way. Then next offseason, tweak the roster a bit, and boom, back to cup contending.
MjulQvist
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.22.2012

Mar 29 @ 1:18 PM ET
I saw every game from Finland in U20´s. Overall I have to say Jokiharju was their best dman out there. He has really good wheels and that might be his best part of the game. Good skater who uses his edges well and makes skating look easy. He can also make smart decisions with the puck and gives good first passes. Not that great shooter though. I wouldn´t be too worried about his defensive side of game because that can be teached. If I had to compare his style to an NHL player I´d say Nick Leddy is pretty close.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:20 PM ET
I have the feeling that next year is going to be similar to 2008-09 for the Hawks. A very good young team that is just missing a piece here or there to make it all of the way. Then next offseason, tweak the roster a bit, and boom, back to cup contending.
- ToewsdNKanefusd


It really depends on what the plan for this team is. Do they take the long approach and wait as prospects develop and the salary cap continues to rise? Or, do the Hawks try to free up as much Cap space as possible to sign a true top pair 200ft dman in John Carlson this summer? He has 64 points already this year, is 28, and 6'3" 218lbs. IF the Hawks can add a guy like John Carlson and John Moore for better NHL quality defense depth while adding a better backup goalie like Grubaeur or Khudobin, they would be right back in the playoff fight IMO.
Spec41971
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Rolling meadows, IL
Joined: 03.04.2017

Mar 29 @ 1:24 PM ET
You missed several other skills:
1. Our line blender is on 11 and any combination is better than what hits the ice
2. We are smarter than the 2nd all time winning coach
3. Our hindsight is truly 20/10
4. We have built in radar where we can measure skating speed form watching a broadcast

However, I would not give up reading this site makes good seasons great and bad seasons mind stimulating.

- riozzo


I think you forgot the most important: it takes reading 250 blog columns before you can really appreciate the madness.
Spec41971
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Rolling meadows, IL
Joined: 03.04.2017

Mar 29 @ 1:28 PM ET
His top 5 moments

https://blackhawkup.com/2...moments-first-1000-games/

- gazza53


I vote for the hit tha caused Keith to supposedly say “wakey wakey”..
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:32 PM ET
I vote for the hit tha caused Keith to supposedly say “wakey wakey”..
- Spec41971


That's what I was referring to a few posts ago. Here's the destruction by Brent, in all it's glory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebln9I-VpQk
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:37 PM ET
That's what I was referring to a few posts ago. Here's the destruction by Brent, in all it's glory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebln9I-VpQk

- EnzoD


I love what follows, top ten buff hits...
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:40 PM ET
Any word on Toews' status?
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Mar 29 @ 1:40 PM ET
It really depends on what the plan for this team is. Do they take the long approach and wait as prospects develop and the salary cap continues to rise? Or, do the Hawks try to free up as much Cap space as possible to sign a true top pair 200ft dman in John Carlson this summer? He has 64 points already this year, is 28, and 6'3" 218lbs. IF the Hawks can add a guy like John Carlson and John Moore for better NHL quality defense depth while adding a better backup goalie like Grubaeur or Khudobin, they would be right back in the playoff fight IMO.
- EnzoD


Is Carlson truly going to be available? The Capitals aren't going to resign him?

If he is, the Hawks probably have enough cap space for next year already to sign him. If they get rid of Hossa's contract, then it is even easier.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Mar 29 @ 1:53 PM ET
Any word on Toews' status?
- EnzoD



He's got a head...
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Mar 29 @ 2:06 PM ET
I vote for the hit tha caused Keith to supposedly say “wakey wakey”..
- Spec41971



That wakey wakey poop was cheap. I did laugh, though.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Mar 29 @ 2:10 PM ET
@BHTVeric
Defenseman Blake Hillman won’t play tonight. He’s likely to make his NHL debut tomorrow vs. Colorado. #Blackhawks
stonefire
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Prague
Joined: 10.22.2006

Mar 29 @ 2:37 PM ET
Quote from the blog:
I mean, I know we all hate the Nashville Predators, but you have to be so damn jealous of their D over the years.


Sure, Predators have been excellent at drafting/developing dmen for so long, but apart from last season, it didn't get them anywhere really, did it? I see your point and Jones eventually got them Johansen, so you can never have too many great D, but…

At forward, the Hawks don't really have anyone apart from D. Sikura and Kayumov, Söderlund, maybe Barratt and Altybarmakyan. The odds are not good, there is little depth, unlike D with Jokiharju, Mitchell, Krys, Carlsson, Tuulola, Galvas, maybe Gilbert and Hillman too. Maybe they all will be Top4 at best, but the strength is in the numbers and hopefully someone pans out.

I prefer BPA, but given the choice, I would rather improve the prospect pool at F now. Still, Wahlstrom vs. Bouchard is a tough one. It is bittersweet, but it is also exciting to draft near the top again. Hopefully it doesn't happen very often.

(If Hawks slip in the lottery, I wouldn't mind getting out of the 1st round with Veleno and either Thomas/Groulx/Kaut.)
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

Mar 29 @ 2:37 PM ET
Seabrook = best Captain the Hawks have had
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 2:49 PM ET
Quote from the blog:


Sure, Predators have been excellent at drafting/developing dmen for so long, but apart from last season, it didn't get them anywhere really, did it? I see your point and Jones eventually got them Johansen, so you can never have too many great D, but…

At forward, the Hawks don't really have anyone apart from D. Sikura and Kayumov, Söderlund, maybe Barratt and Altybarmakyan. The odds are not good, there is little depth, unlike D with Jokiharju, Mitchell, Krys, Carlsson, Tuulola, Galvas, maybe Gilbert and Hillman too. Maybe they all will be Top4 at best, but the strength is in the numbers and hopefully someone pans out.

I prefer BPA, but given the choice, I would rather improve the prospect pool at F now. Still, Wahlstrom vs. Bouchard is a tough one. It is bittersweet, but it is also exciting to draft near the top again. Hopefully it doesn't happen very often.

(If Hawks slip in the lottery, I wouldn't mind getting out of the 1st round with Veleno and either Thomas/Groulx/Kaut.)

- stonefire


The reality is that all those D-prospects you list are probably not NHL ready until 2019/20 season. Even then, they will have growing pains like we saw with Forsling this year. It is going to be very interesting to see the approach the Hawks take this summer. Will they try to add pieces to contend again next season? Or will they take the long approach and stick with the youth?
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 2:49 PM ET
Seabrook = best Captain the Hawks have had
- PatShart


He and Hossa.
CTblackhawkfan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hamden, CT
Joined: 06.14.2013

Mar 29 @ 2:55 PM ET
It really depends on what the plan for this team is. Do they take the long approach and wait as prospects develop and the salary cap continues to rise? Or, do the Hawks try to free up as much Cap space as possible to sign a true top pair 200ft dman in John Carlson this summer? He has 64 points already this year, is 28, and 6'3" 218lbs. IF the Hawks can add a guy like John Carlson and John Moore for better NHL quality defense depth while adding a better backup goalie like Grubaeur or Khudobin, they would be right back in the playoff fight IMO.
- EnzoD


I agree with you, but question, do you give him a 5 year contract or what if he wants 6/7 years ? Most of these D prospects are 3 to 4 years away from being ready.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 3:00 PM ET
I agree with you, but question, do you give him a 5 year contract or what if he wants 6/7 years ? Most of these D prospects are 3 to 4 years away from being ready.
- CTblackhawkfan


$7mil x 7 years....possibly. I highly doubt he leaves Washington, but he will probably get $8mil given his performance this year. I'm not sure the Hawks want another huge cap hit/term contract for a guy who is close to 30. But you are exactly correct. Who knows how good these D prospects will be,and who knows when they are going to be ready...not us. If the Hawks don't add to the defense group I predict another lottery selection next year....
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Mar 29 @ 3:02 PM ET
I agree with you, but question, do you give him a 5 year contract or what if he wants 6/7 years ? Most of these D prospects are 3 to 4 years away from being ready.
- CTblackhawkfan


He is 28, so he definitely is going to want max term...
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Mar 29 @ 3:04 PM ET
The reality is that all those D-prospects you list are probably not NHL ready until 2019/20 season. Even then, they will have growing pains like we saw with Forsling this year. It is going to be very interesting to see the approach the Hawks take this summer. Will they try to add pieces to contend again next season? Or will they take the long approach and stick with the youth?
- EnzoD


I'm starting to think they take the longer approach and build off the youth. I don't think they add big pieces through free agency, until they know what they have with the youth (not this summer).
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Mar 29 @ 3:18 PM ET
He and Hossa.
- EnzoD

And Toews.

Operating at a disadvantage: he actually WAS (is) the captain - and led the team to three Cups.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 29 @ 3:20 PM ET
And Toews.

Operating at a disadvantage: he actually WAS (is) the captain - and led the team to three Cups.

- StLBravesFan


Speaking of the Captain...is there any word on what ails him, his status moving forward, and why he was mysteriously shut down the day they were eliminated from the playoffs? Strange....
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