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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: The Great Eight
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jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 30 @ 11:37 PM ET
in the FWIW dept....i suspect the hawks will not draft a dman with the 8th pick...they don't have the time to develop another young dman...

they need a guy who can step in right away; therefore expect a trade or a UFA signing or both to fill damn position

- bogiedoc


Possibly draft a dman depending how much they like whomever is left. I kind of like the idea of moving up even one or two spots just to get the last of the top guys they like. Move up, however, would mean accepting a price tag which is probably just too expensive an attachment for that coveted player. I understand a player or prospect plus our late first just to switch spots......
But that may be the same offer other teams lay out. So we have to offer more/is it then become a bidding war?

I am not feeling guilty, either, if we trade up and took B Tzachuck. We really need his type..
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 30 @ 11:44 PM ET
Possibly draft a dman depending how much they like whomever is left. I kind of like the idea of moving up even one or two spots just to get the last of the top guys they like. But to movevup is probably just too expensiveca price tag attached to. I could understand a player or prospect plus our late first just to switch spots
But that may be the same offer other teams give. I am not feeling guilty, either, if we trade up and took B Tzachuck. We really need his type..

- jhawk59


If you can save the 1st round pick to get a developmental upside player with the NSH pick and then take Oliver Wahlstrom at #8....I'd be very happy. The more I read about this guy the more I wonder if he isnt the better player to Tzchuk. Wahlstrom is younger and outproduced Brady Tzchuck by a wide margin. That being said based on culture/attitude change needed for the Hawks to get meaner...I would love to see Tzchuck somehow slide with a run on Defenseman. His addition of much needed nastiness to the Top 6 would be fun.


WAHLSTROM Scouting Report

“He’s strong, doesn’t get tossed around, sticks his nose in there and when he skates he looks like [Buffalo Sabres center] Jack Eichel,” - U.S. national junior team coach Bob Motzko

"Wahlstrom is a flashy puck wizard who creates offensive chances almost casually…can dance around the ice with the puck on a string, making filthy dekes…he moves around the ice with an effortless, yet powerful, stride that generates plenty of speed…starts and stops on the puck…impressive lateral quickness for his size make him elusive…possesses strong instincts and vision on the ice…makes some skilled passes that put his teammates in prime scoring opportunities, sometimes to their surprise…patient with the puck…loves to shoot the puck and has a rifle of a shot with a surprisingly tricky release…strong on his feet and willing to play in greasy areas of the ice…can be a load to handle when he gets moving…can be relentless in his offensive efforts…protects the puck well using his reach and body position…physical game is there in flashes…when he is engaged he is tenacious and viscous on the forecheck and relentless in his puck pursuit…has some impressive offensive upside at the next level but needs to show he wants it before he’ll reach it - Future Considerations"

https://www.milehighhockey.com/2018/3/13/17105790/2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-oliver-wahlstrom-scuting-report[url]
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 30 @ 11:44 PM ET
If Wahlstrom is on the board you take him because he is the best players JL listed.

I think the Hawks can and need to trade for and acquire a D man.

My Free agent target would be Calvin DeHaan.

I'd also try to package AA(plus his NMC) and maybe the Hawks late 1st rounder to upgrade a little at center(that wins faceoffs).

- Bjm84


You're making too much sense.

Heard Cody Eakin/Scott Laughton type players would be centres Hawks would love to add.

Don't take that as they are trading for those pivots... I just heard those names as "types" they would like to add - speed, character, grit to go along with skill.

Eakin might be available as well depending on who VGK are deciding to pay this year.

Laughton is young, fiesty and cheap at this point.

I've heard an Anisimov trade could be explored again in the offseason. They were opening to move him at the deadline.
Dieselhead
Location: CA
Joined: 11.01.2011

Apr 30 @ 11:54 PM ET
After the first period of tonight's game, I thought that the Knights were mortal. I was wrong, they are immortal. Sharks are starting to look slow, maybe they burned all of their gas in the first. Should be an interesting 3rd period.
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Apr 30 @ 11:57 PM ET
After the first period of tonight's game, I thought that the Knights were mortal. I was wrong, they are immortal. Sharks are starting to look slow, maybe they burned all of their gas in the first. Should be an interesting 3rd period.
- Dieselhead

Sharks haven't scored a 5 on 5 goal yet vs Vegas this series. That's part of the reason they look slow.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

May 1 @ 12:06 AM ET
Sharks haven't scored a 5 on 5 goal yet vs Vegas this series. That's part of the reason they look slow.
- RickJ



That touch pass by Karlsson to Smith....wow! That is an electric top line and, like they've done all season, out skate and out work their opponents on all 4 lines. Fleury is playing great, too.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

May 1 @ 12:21 AM ET
Evander Kane is a playoff-hockey kind of player....big, fast, strong, skilled and he is only turning 27 in August. Where do you think he will end up? Vancouver? Chicago

James Neal is also a warrior.
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

May 1 @ 12:31 AM ET
What idiot GM let Reilly Smith AND Machessault go to vegas?
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

May 1 @ 12:33 AM ET
I said from day 1 - Vegas wins it all.
- powerenforcer


Yeah the Sharks are older than the Blackhawks no way they can hang with Vegas!
Dieselhead
Location: CA
Joined: 11.01.2011

May 1 @ 12:34 AM ET
What idiot GM let Reilly Smith AND Machessault go to vegas?
- PatShart


The same one who overpaid for Khabibullin, drafted Kyle Beach and wanted to keep Havlat rather than sign Hossa.
Dieselhead
Location: CA
Joined: 11.01.2011

May 1 @ 12:47 AM ET
Hertl looking like Toews back in the day.
dahawks8819
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 10.29.2014

May 1 @ 1:09 AM ET
I don't know....I thought they were pretty smooth!
- Spec41971


Smooth??
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

May 1 @ 4:09 AM ET
What idiot GM let Reilly Smith AND Machessault go to vegas?
- PatShart


Oh it's not SB
Really. Believe it!

Next time someone wants to claim he was so great a GM
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

May 1 @ 7:25 AM ET
Maybe a few years ago. Kane's best days are most likely behind him. Can't be moving a potential star on a entry level deal and ryan o'reilly for kane at 30 and older and 10.5 mil a year plus forsling.
- Sabresfan-365


As long as he doesn't get his bell rung, his career arc should be similar to Martin St Louis or Daniel Alfredsson and produce through his lower 30s and maybe close to 40.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

May 1 @ 7:25 AM ET
Osterle would be ragged dolled in that series....
- glennjpawlak22


He is a bad player and would be victimized in any number of ways which would probably all be blamed on Keith.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

May 1 @ 7:30 AM ET
If you can save the 1st round pick to get a developmental upside player with the NSH pick and then take Oliver Wahlstrom at #8....I'd be very happy. The more I read about this guy the more I wonder if he isnt the better player to Tzchuk. Wahlstrom is younger and outproduced Brady Tzchuck by a wide margin. That being said based on culture/attitude change needed for the Hawks to get meaner...I would love to see Tzchuck somehow slide with a run on Defenseman. His addition of much needed nastiness to the Top 6 would be fun.


WAHLSTROM Scouting Report

“He’s strong, doesn’t get tossed around, sticks his nose in there and when he skates he looks like

- EnzoD[Buffalo Sabres center] Jack Eichel,” - U.S. national junior team coach Bob Motzko

"Wahlstrom is a flashy puck wizard who creates offensive chances almost casually…can dance around the ice with the puck on a string, making filthy dekes…he moves around the ice with an effortless, yet powerful, stride that generates plenty of speed…starts and stops on the puck…impressive lateral quickness for his size make him elusive…possesses strong instincts and vision on the ice…makes some skilled passes that put his teammates in prime scoring opportunities, sometimes to their surprise…patient with the puck…loves to shoot the puck and has a rifle of a shot with a surprisingly tricky release…strong on his feet and willing to play in greasy areas of the ice…can be a load to handle when he gets moving…can be relentless in his offensive efforts…protects the puck well using his reach and body position…physical game is there in flashes…when he is engaged he is tenacious and viscous on the forecheck and relentless in his puck pursuit…has some impressive offensive upside at the next level but needs to show he wants it before he’ll reach it - Future Considerations"

https://www.milehighhockey.com/2018/3/13/17105790/2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-oliver-wahlstrom-scuting-report[url]


Make Brandon Saad expendable and move those monies. I dunno maybe to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton lol. Didn't they have him on the block at some point?
Spec41971
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Rolling meadows, IL
Joined: 03.04.2017

May 1 @ 7:33 AM ET
Smooth??
- dahawks8819



Smooth!
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

May 1 @ 8:04 AM ET
As long as he doesn't get his bell rung, his career arc should be similar to Martin St Louis or Daniel Alfredsson and produce through his lower 30s and maybe close to 40.
- fattybeef


Completely agree. Unless there is a severe injury Kane will do what Kane does, because Kane is who Kane is...

Or he joins Onnit
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

May 1 @ 8:06 AM ET
Oh it's not SB
Really. Believe it!

Next time someone wants to claim he was so great a GM

- jhawk59


And I'm sure that they know what pieces they need and an actual plan to compete for a SC once again
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

May 1 @ 9:57 AM ET
He is a bad player and would be victimized in any number of ways which would probably all be blamed on Keith.
- fattybeef


Yep
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

May 1 @ 10:58 AM ET
Completely agree. Unless there is a severe injury Kane will do what Kane does, because Kane is who Kane is...

Or he joins Onnit

- BetweenTheDots


That word “ONNIT” means “Throw Career Away”
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

May 1 @ 11:13 AM ET
If you can save the 1st round pick to get a developmental upside player with the NSH pick and then take Oliver Wahlstrom at #8....I'd be very happy. The more I read about this guy the more I wonder if he isnt the better player to Tzchuk. Wahlstrom is younger and outproduced Brady Tzchuck by a wide margin. That being said based on culture/attitude change needed for the Hawks to get meaner...I would love to see Tzchuck somehow slide with a run on Defenseman. His addition of much needed nastiness to the Top 6 would be fun.


WAHLSTROM Scouting Report

“He’s strong, doesn’t get tossed around, sticks his nose in there and when he skates he looks like

- EnzoD[Buffalo Sabres center] Jack Eichel,” - U.S. national junior team coach Bob Motzko

"Wahlstrom is a flashy puck wizard who creates offensive chances almost casually…can dance around the ice with the puck on a string, making filthy dekes…he moves around the ice with an effortless, yet powerful, stride that generates plenty of speed…starts and stops on the puck…impressive lateral quickness for his size make him elusive…possesses strong instincts and vision on the ice…makes some skilled passes that put his teammates in prime scoring opportunities, sometimes to their surprise…patient with the puck…loves to shoot the puck and has a rifle of a shot with a surprisingly tricky release…strong on his feet and willing to play in greasy areas of the ice…can be a load to handle when he gets moving…can be relentless in his offensive efforts…protects the puck well using his reach and body position…physical game is there in flashes…when he is engaged he is tenacious and viscous on the forecheck and relentless in his puck pursuit…has some impressive offensive upside at the next level but needs to show he wants it before he’ll reach it - Future Considerations"

https://www.milehighhockey.com/2018/3/13/17105790/2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-oliver-wahlstrom-scuting-report[url]


The Hawks should not draft Tkachuk. He might in fact fall because he has a major hole. NEVER waste a high-end pick on a player without high-end skill. Tkachuk hasn’t proven he has a great even good offensive skill-set. McKenzie has raised this as an issue. This is a very important Draft for the Hawks - they cannot draft players with holes in their resumes hoping the players will evolve. Must draft players who check off following boxes 1. World-Class High-End Skill and 2. World-Class High-End Skating.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

May 1 @ 11:14 AM ET
Here's a link to my write-ups on the top 12 guys available: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...post_id=18641257#18641257

Here's also the 'plausible comparison' that each player might turn into, not the best case scenario or worst case scenario, in between:
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Comparison: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Hedman
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Comparison: Thomas Vanek, Alexander Radulov
3. Filip Zadina, LW, Comparison: Filip Forsberg, Mike Hoffman
4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Comparison: Matthew Tkachuk, Wayne Simmonds
5. Adam Boqvist, D, Comparison: Hampus Lindholm, Tyson Barrie
6. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, Comparison: James van Riemsdyk, TJ Oshie
7. Evan Bouchard, D, Comparison: Matt Niskanen, Jacob Slavin
8. Quinton Hughes, D, Comparison: Ryan Ellis, Josh Morrissey
9. Noah Dobson, D, Comparison: Colin Miller, Jeff Petry
10. Joe Veleno, C, Comparison: Mikael Backlund, Tyler Bozak
11. Joel Farabee, LW, Comparison: Nik Ehlers, Jonathan Huberdeau
12. Barret Hayton, C, Comparison: Kyle Turris, Sam Reinhart
13. Ty Smith, D, Comparison: Morgan Reilly
14. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Comparison: William Nylander
15. Rasmus Kupari, C, Comparison: Sebastian Aho
16. Isac Lundestrom, C, Comparison: Travis Konecny
17. Martin Kaut, RW, Comparison: Michael Frolik
18. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Comparison: Sean Coutourier
19: Jared McIsaac, D, Comparison: Josh Manson
20: Ryan Merkley, D, Comparison: Justin Schultz
21. Bode Wilde, D, Comparison: Jake Gardiner
22: Serron Noel, RW, Comparison: Blake Wheeler
23. Alexander Alexyev, D, Comparison: Radko Gudas
24. Jacob Bernard-Docker, D, Comparison: Ron Hainsey
25. Ryan McLeod, C, Comparison: Ryan Kesler
26. Adam Ginning, D, Comparison: Brooks Orpik
27. Akil Thomas, C, Comparison: Mikael Backlund
28. Denoit-Olivier Groulx, C, Comparison: James Neal
29. Dominik Bokk, LW, Comparison: Alexander Semin
30. Jonathan Tychonick, D, Comparison: Tyson Barrie
31. K’Andre Miller, D, Comparison: Darnell Nurse
32. Jacob Olofsson, C, Comparison: Carl Soderberg
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

May 1 @ 11:28 AM ET
I suspect that if properly coached and motivated the last three could be effective. They have speed, smarts, though experience is short for Forsling and Gus too. Not saying they are a solution, just that they can be better than what we saw from them this past season. And this is what Bowman has in mind.....probably still does even if we get slaughtered next season.
.

- jhawk59


We don't often see things the same way... but we are on the same wavelength here.

I do not think Oesterle has the gonads to play D (much like Leddy). It is just not in them to stand in front of shots, clear out the crease, win battles in the corner.

Rutta, Forsling, Gus have some upside. Do they have enough up side to be regular 1st, 2nd or even 3rd pairing defenders on a good NHL team? I am not sure. Here is where Q, Ulfie need to coach them up. They also need a physical leader on D. Everyone says Seabs is a leader. Let him show it by getting more physical, mean, nasty. The others might pcik up on that. If Seabs is not the man trade or sign one. (Hillman is too young to be that guy right now, but if one guy starts throwing the body around and the stadium crowd starts going nuts, other will follow.)
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

May 1 @ 11:38 AM ET
The same one who overpaid for Khabibullin, drafted Kyle Beach and wanted to keep Havlat rather than sign Hossa.
- Dieselhead


Kyle Beach seemed doomed from the start. He dominated the WHL. That he made absolutely no impact for the Hawks was unfortunate as he was taken high in his Draft. Seemed to have arrived in Chicago already buried deep in Q’s doghouse. Also some major injuries/concussions.

Fans tend to believe it is almost a sin to say anything negative about Hossa but the reality is his contract was and continues to be problematic. Fans tend not to separate the player and the contract. His contract had/has a large Cap hit and was front-loaded. He received a lot of money. There was obviously some either/or decisions that were made over the years when shredding salary. He scored 40 for the Wings before joining the Hawks. Never came close to this again. He was an important part of the Hawks but giving him his contract meant players like Buff were moved. Seeing Buff manhandle 2 players at once like they are mannequins is something to see.
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