I think the long term plan is for Colliton to step in at some point. Although I think the preference is for him to get at least one more year in with the IceHogs. I could see Granato (or Dineen, not my preference) stepping in as a place holder, if things go south quickly at the beginning of the season next year. With Colliton being promoted for fresh start of the 2019/20 season.
- walleyeb1

The one reason I don't think this will happen is because Colliton is 33. If he becomes head coach he becomes the youngest NHL coach by 10 years (John Hynes is 43).

Maybe they're trying the Penguins model of promoting the AHL coach and embracing the young talent. Although Pitt's young depth puts our's to shame.

Hate to agree, but do feel Ulfy is waiting in the wings to take over. Bowman isn't going anywhere given his namesake but he's as much to blame as anyone but never seems to own up to it.

Nontheless, if they empty the bank for one Tom Wilson and all will be forgotten.
- Assman22

No doubt!

Tom Wilson

TSN is reporting that Tkachuk is returning to BU this fall. Will that decision impact where he is selected in the draft? Are some lower tier teams going to be more hesitant now because they want immediate impact and also fear the UFA option that college players sometimes choose to take advantage of?
- 67hawks

Definitely something to be wary of. Wahlstrom is committed to Harvard, I think. Saw an article recently where he originally committed to Maine but backed out, then committed to Harvard.

Definitely something to be wary of. Wahlstrom is committed to Harvard, I think. Saw an article recently where he originally committed to Maine but backed out, then committed to Harvard.
- AEL_Fox

I have to believe this will be closed in the next CBA.

I have to believe this will be closed in the next CBA.
- riozzo

Sure hope so. While you want to honor the concept of a free market, being drafted should come with a formal commitment to the team that drafted you. I know there are draft pick compensation packages if a draftee jumps ship to test the market, but there could be harsher penalties for the draftee for violating terms of contract.

Sure hope so. While you want to honor the concept of a free market, being drafted should come with a formal commitment to the team that drafted you. I know there are draft pick compensation packages if a draftee jumps ship to test the market, but there could be harsher penalties for the draftee for violating terms of contract.
- AEL_Fox

If you draft a college player in the top 5 and lose him to free agency, you will get compensated with a pick at the back end of the first round. This is hardly being compensated for losing such a high pick.

If you draft a college player in the top 5 and lose him to free agency, you will get compensated with a pick at the back end of the first round. This is hardly being compensated for losing such a high pick.
- 67hawks

Totally agree. I think the team that signs the defecting player should surrender a pick from the same round in the next draft. It's nearly impossible to litigate something against he player, so you have to hit the GM's where it hurts, THEIR draft.

Sure hope so. While you want to honor the concept of a free market, being drafted should come with a formal commitment to the team that drafted you. I know there are draft pick compensation packages if a draftee jumps ship to test the market, but there could be harsher penalties for the draftee for violating terms of contract.
- AEL_Fox

Respectfully disagree. While I agree with the concept of the draft to keep the game somewhat fairly even in terms of talent distribution, I think any kid finishing school should be free to choose where he wants to play. To me it’s no different than any non-athlete being free to choose where they want to work and live.

If you draft a college player in the top 5 and lose him to free agency, you will get compensated with a pick at the back end of the first round. This is hardly being compensated for losing such a high pick.
- 67hawks

I agree. The compensation system is insufficient. There's also no deterrent to the actual draftee. Any reward and penalty is team based.

Respectfully disagree. While I agree with the concept of the draft to keep the game somewhat fairly even in terms of talent distribution, I think any kid finishing school should be free to choose where he wants to play. To me it’s no different than any non-athlete being free to choose where they want to work and live.
- Spec41971

If a draftee wants to test the market and find a new team, then I think there needs to be a way to give that player the opportunity to do so but also fairly compensate the team that is losing said player. If there is no contract in place between a draft pick and the team that drafted him, then there's no issue of breach of contract. But I do find it odd that only the team that signs the player gets penalized but not the player himself. Don't have a solution, though, and I'm sure the PA is able to protect the rights of this and all players.

The one reason I don't think this will happen is because Colliton is 33. If he becomes head coach he becomes the youngest NHL coach by 10 years (John Hynes is 43).

Maybe they're trying the Penguins model of promoting the AHL coach and embracing the young talent. Although Pitt's young depth puts our's to shame.
- ObeseOprah

I wouldn’t rule it out simply based on age. Yeah he’d be the youngest current head coach. But there have been younger head coaches in the past.

You have to look at his experience and success, and I’m looking towards the 2019/20 season.

Here’s a good place to start:

Colliton ended his playing career with Mora IK early in the 2013-14 season, and that same season was offered to be its head coach. At 28, Colliton found himself in the strange spot of being behind the players he had been teammates with. The position fit him well, though, and he and Mora IK found success together during his four seasons. He accumulated a 98-18-15 record in his four seasons.

I wouldn’t rule it out simply based on age. Yeah he’d be the youngest current head coach. But there have been younger head coaches in the past.

You have to look at his experience and success, and I’m looking towards the 2019/20 season.

Here’s a good place to start:

Colliton ended his playing career with Mora IK early in the 2013-14 season, and that same season was offered to be its head coach. At 28, Colliton found himself in the strange spot of being behind the players he had been teammates with. The position fit him well, though, and he and Mora IK found success together during his four seasons. He accumulated a 98-18-15 record in his four seasons.
- walleyeb1

Nice find, that's pretty cool.

I would've liked Jim Montgomery from Denver, but I also don't mind giving Joel an extra year with hopefully a couple NHL ready defensemen. I haven't been this excited in an offseason in a long time. Almost every year before this has had a decent amount of pain: 2017 Panarin Hossa Hammer Campbell Oduya Kruger TVR, 2016 Ladd Shaw TT, 2015 Saad Sharp Oduya Richards Versteeg, 2014 Leddy, 2013 Bolland Frolik Stalberg...

This will be the first time in years that we're ADDING to the roster, and I wouldn't be surprised if Stan moves one of Anisimov or Murphy to get faster, cheaper, and deeper.

Jim Montgomery was just on Hockey Central at Noon, and they went over some of his 'key numbers for winning hockey' that he lives by.

One of them is '3 or less odd man rushes against in a game'.

Think of the Hawks this last year... whoops. I'd bet $1,000 that the Hawks averaged 5+ odd man rushes against a game this last year. And not even a slow-paced 3 on 2 that technically fits the bill. I mean a fully hung out to dry 1 defenseman sprawling on the ice while 2 or 3 forwards just victimize the team.

Ulf's system gives me nightmares.

https://blackhawkup.com/2...ition-modern-day-dynasty/

Article about the Blackhawks still being the standard for a modern day dynasty in the NHL on the heels of the Penguins being eliminated from contention to 3-peat.

I have to believe this will be closed in the next CBA.
- riozzo

this is in most cases 4 years after they draft them. there is a benefit to the team as well. if they take a CA JR don't they lose there rights in 2 years? you hold there rights twice as long. that is why the hawks loaded up on college players they had no room to sign CA jr's. I think the system is Ok really how often does it happen 2-3 players per year? What if we draft a player in the 3rd round and does not improve and he wants to sign after year 3 and the team does not? should another team give up a pick to sign him, they won't so the kid is stuck.

https://fansided.com/2018...ft-lottery-sabres-dahlin/

Mock draft article predicting the Hawks will take Evan Bouchard at #8 and Jared McIsaac at #31. We all know the 8th spot is confirmed but picking at 31 is not confirmed yet. Could still be #27, IIRC.

https://fansided.com/2018/05/07/2018-nhl-mock-draft-post-nhl-draft-lottery-sabres-dahlin/

Mock draft article predicting the Hawks will take Evan Bouchard at #8 and Jared McIsaac at #31. We all know the 8th spot is confirmed but picking at 31 is not confirmed yet. Could still be #27, IIRC.
- AEL_Fox

I wouldn't be mad with McIsaac with the preds pick as long as its 27 and not 31.

The discussion about college free agents will be or hope to be a major topic in the next cba. If you drafted by a team then you play for that team when the team decides you are ready jusyt because as a player you don't like the team that drafted you oh well live with it make it work its privilege to play in the nhl not every hockey player can so don't be a premadonna. So if a college player does decide not sign then the team that does sign said free agents should give up picks or assets for compensation. Like if top 5 pick compensation would be a 1st and two 2nd. Rounders if top 10 pick a 1st 2nd and 3rd. Pick between 11 and 20 1st and 2nd 21 to 31 1st and 3rd. Now the picks would come from upcoming draft and the following draft something along those lines 2 nd rounder same guidelines. Almost like an offer sheet for a rfa and how the team signs said player to a contract.

Another Bowman fail....

Confirmed: Ville Pokka (D) | Belleville Senators -> Avangard Omsk | https://t.co/KlLeL3OiwZ #KHL

— EP Transfers (@ep_transfers) May 8, 2018

- DarthKane

Imagine Pokka on the large sheet. He's goint to get walked more than he did here.

Imagine Pokka on the large sheet. He's goint to get walked more than he did here.
- 6628

C'mon 66, that can't be possible.
He was the pearl Stan found in the NYI Oyster he opened.
That turned out to be one of his best.
But he DID make the national squad, he must be good.
Right?

C'mon 66, that can't be possible.
He was the pearl Stan found in the NYI Oyster he opened.
That turned out to be one of his best.
But he DID make the national squad, he must be good.
Right?
- savvyone-1

I forget - who did he give up to get Pokka?

Some great stuff from the IceHogs take a listen:

https://www.the-rink.com/...game-three-against-moose/

I forget - who did he give up to get Pokka?


- StLBravesFan

Sarcasm and past StanBo blunders aside, the fact that lead footed & never-NHL quality Ville Pokka beat out Henri Jokiharju for Team Finland means that expectations for Henri need to be significantly downgraded for 2018/19. Has anyone been watching the Worlds, specifically Team USA vs Germany game? I saw Kaner had 3 points in the 3-0 win over Deutschland....how did Dominik Kahun look?

Sarcasm and past StanBo blunders aside, the fact that lead footed & never-NHL quality Ville Pokka beat out Henri Jokiharju for Team Finland means that expectations for Henri need to be significantly downgraded for 2018/19. Has anyone been watching the Worlds, specifically Team USA vs Germany game? I saw Kaner had 3 points in the 3-0 win over Deutschland....how did Dominik Kahun look?
- EnzoD

Can’t put sarcasm aside on an internet board - but I, for one, never looked for Jokiharju to be on UC ice this season anyways.

He’s going to be 19 in June - old enough for the A, I think - best place for his first jump into pro pucks.

Can’t put sarcasm aside on an internet board - but I, for one, never looked for Jokiharju to be on UC ice this season anyways.

He’s going to be 19 in June - old enough for the A, I think - best place for his first jump into pro pucks.
- StLBravesFan

That kid could be the real deal. Let him develop. This team aint goin anywhere for a while. With him and hopefully Noah Dobson coming our way at the draft, you have two good D in the pipeline coming up.