Grabner flies, I think he would be great for outlet passes from the d to transition up ice. He is one player I would like to see Stan sign.

I am not saying I agree with the number, but with 20 points in only 57 games, Rutta would be 4th or 5th best UFA-to-be dman. If you see where he ranks against this years group, it is hard to argue with him looking for this amount of money. The price range at the top, even after Carlson and De Haan, will be higher than 2.3M. Not a bad haul for 27 yr old rookie, though, good for him and hope he can justify the salary. If he does not, he's off the books next year anyway.
- stonefire

Or, they can trade Ruuta by the trade deadline to a cup contending team - then everyone here can jump on the revisionist history train again - and claim that Q did not play him right, and Stan gave away a clear cut top 4 d-man for peanuts.....

HOW much do you believe that a player who can play in the nhl this season will be taken into consideration as opposed to players committed to a college even though they can simply go pro?...

HOW much do you believe that a player who can play in the nhl this season will be taken into consideration as opposed to players committed to a college even though they can simply go pro?...
- Abadseed

A LOT.

If ARI drafts you, you finish school instead.

If TBL, WAS, etc draft you, you sign and play now.

I hear you Z but outside of usually 1-2 guys in every draft class, there are risks with any draft pick, even those rated in the Top 15. I view a worst case scenario for Tkachuk as Tom Wilson and best case....he's like his father. With small defenseman like Hughes/Boquist, or big bodies but slow mind/feet dmen like Bouchard/Dobson.....I think there is as much risk if not more that they bust. Tkachuk has NHL size and I do not see any skating issues with him. He's at worst a 3rd line crash and banger that can score 15 goals. At best hes a consistent 30/30 big, mean and nasty power forward on your top line.
- EnzoD


Valid points Enzo. We actually agree on lots, just different approaches. I do not want Bouchard or Dobson for the same reasons I’d shy away from Tkachuk. Watched Dobson recently at the Memorial Cup. His team won but he didn’t separate himself from anyone. He certainly did not jump out at you as you might think such a highly rated player should.

With high draft choices I would always only draft players with high-end skill and high-end skating as these players will be the ones most likely to really excell, to become NHL stars. This #8 pick is very important to the Hawks. It cannot be wasted. I think you need to draft someone that has a true ability to become an elite player. I just don’t think you can draft someone who could track high up the line-up or could track way down the line-up. We’re just looking at it differently. If Tkachuk has the chance of being a 3rd liner with 15 goals for me that just isn’t good enough for this pick. Also if Tkachuk falls to 8, 7 other teams have said no for a reason.

If you draft a player with high-end skill and high-end skating and it proves to be a mistake it is harder to question the choice. Now if you draft a player without high-end skill and high-end skating and it proves a mistake it is easier to question the choice as one of the possible results going in is that the skillset was not going to transfer to the NHL. If that is the case the player could be a conplete disappointment.

I don’t think the Hawks go for Bouchard or Dobson as they now emphasize skill and skating - if they are thinking about D-Men. I would think that Quinn and Boquist would interest them. I also think the Hawks should do whatever it takes to get Merkley, trading to get in position if necessary. I have seen Merkley in the top 10 on some rating boards. Some team is going to be smart with him. The thinking from many is it would be nice to have Merkley as a 2nd choice - maybe it should be that it would be nice to have Merkley as a 1st choice. He has incredible skills and skating ability and I for one don’t put much stock in a 16 year-old having attitude. Who didn’t?

Valid points Enzo. We actually agree on lots, just different approaches. I do not want Bouchard or Dobson for the same reasons I’d shy away from Tkachuk. Watched Dobson recently at the Memorial Cup. His team won but he didn’t separate himself from anyone. He certainly did not jump out at you as you might think such a highly rated player should.


- Z3Hawk


I watched the Memorial Cup too and agree Dobson didn't jump out per say but certainly showed flashes of being elite as he put up 7 points in 4 games..... I remember watching Seth Jones in the in the WJC U-20 and saying the same thing, he's not jumping out, as he put up a point per game.

To Fattybeef from last post:

Current cap is at $75MM.
Capfriendly showing $6.225MM in space as of today.
Hossa’s cap hit is $5.25MM.
That is roughly $11.5MM in space as of today.

In order to have $15-17MM in space, the upper limit must be raised by $3.5-5.5MM. Given the NHLPA’s paltry escalator contribution of about 1.5% last year due to mounting escrow concerns, the range you are projecting requires the NHL to raise their share by $2.75-4.25MM next season if the NHLPA repeats last year’s contribution.

Honestly, I think the higher the NHL goes, the lower the NHLPA goes.

We will all know soon enough, as the league usually announces new limits before the draft.

If you extend Hinostroza out to 82 games he had pretty good numbers.

To Fattybeef from last post:

Current cap is at $75MM.
Capfriendly showing $6.225MM in space as of today.
Hossa’s cap hit is $5.25MM.
That is roughly $11.5MM in space as of today.

In order to have $15-17MM in space, the upper limit must be raised by $3.5-5.5MM. Given the NHLPA’s paltry escalator contribution of about 1.5% last year due to mounting escrow concerns, the range you are projecting requires the NHL to raise their share by $2.75-4.25MM next season if the NHLPA repeats last year’s contribution.

Honestly, I think the higher the NHL goes, the lower the NHLPA goes.

We will all know soon enough, as the league usually announces new limits befire the draft.
- Return of the Roar

Every dollar that the PA agrees to escalate comes out of the pockets of players already under contract - I’m always amazed that they don’t just refuse any escalator.

MrR - Dobson did get some points but so did many of his teammates as there was a certain level of scoring. My point was you didn’t see him making plays all over the ice and you certainly didn’t notice speed or pressure. Dobson is rated high. Sam Steel, admittedly older, did control the play, was always noticeable and was constantly pushing the play.

Every dollar that the PA agrees to escalate comes out of the pockets of players already under contract - I’m always amazed that they don’t just refuse any escalator.
- StLBravesFan

Exactly.

And, before Stan can go shopping, he has to re-sign RFAs Hino, Jurco, Duclair, Hayden and Clendening. Offering only minimum qualifying offers to all of them costs $4.39MM in cap. Now you are back down to $11MM or so.

Looking ahead, Kampf, Forsling, Edjsell, Schmaltz, Dylan Sikura are all RFAs a year later.

I think the NHL comes in at an even $78MM, players maaaaaaybe go 1.5%. Still under $80MM.

To Fattybeef from last post:

Current cap is at $75MM.
Capfriendly showing $6.225MM in space as of today.
Hossa’s cap hit is $5.25MM.
That is roughly $11.5MM in space as of today.

In order to have $15-17MM in space, the upper limit must be raised by $3.5-5.5MM. Given the NHLPA’s paltry escalator contribution of about 1.5% last year due to mounting escrow concerns, the range you are projecting requires the NHL to raise their share by $2.75-4.25MM next season if the NHLPA repeats last year’s contribution.

Honestly, I think the higher the NHL goes, the lower the NHLPA goes.

We will all know soon enough, as the league usually announces new limits before the draft.
- Return of the Roar

Stan needs to find a way to move Hossa’s contract, they just can’t use that cap space effectively.

If you extend Hinostroza out to 82 games he had pretty good numbers.
- Savoy

0.50 points per game, not bad for a guy who played mostly in the botto, 6. Vinnie averaged less than 14 minutes per game.

I’d expect a 1 or 2 year deal for Hinostroza, but I’d prefer 3 years. I recall being upset that Motte was included in the Panarin/Saad deal instead of Vinnie....man was I ever wrong.

While I was looking up Hinostroza’s ice time I noticed that DeBrincat averaged just under 15 minutes. Hopefully Q plays ADB 18ish minutes this season.

If the Hawks end up going the forward route (which they probably will) then they should draft Kotkaniemi. Oliver Wahlstrom is a very skilled goal scorer no doubt. But we're pretty stacked and young at the wing. Kane and Debrincat aren't going anywhere and Schmaltz is terrible at faceoffs and is much better suited at the wing. So we have as follows when Kotkaniemi develops:

Saad-Toews-Debrincat
Schmaltz-Kotkaniemi-Kane

Plugging Wahlstrom in means we have to keep Schmaltz at center and that just isn't working right now. With Kotkaniemi, are top-six is looking pretty stacked.

If the Hawks end up going the forward route (which they probably will) then they should draft Kotkaniemi. Oliver Wahlstrom is a very skilled goal scorer no doubt. But we're pretty stacked and young at the wing. Kane and Debrincat aren't going anywhere and Schmaltz is terrible at faceoffs and is much better suited at the wing. So we have as follows when Kotkaniemi develops:

Saad-Toews-Debrincat
Schmaltz-Kotkaniemi-Kane

Plugging Wahlstrom in means we have to keep Schmaltz at center and that just isn't working right now. With Kotkaniemi, are top-six is looking pretty stacked.
- Panarin27

I’d be fine with either Kotkaniemi or Wahlstrom at #8. I’d still take Dellandrea at #27 if he’s available.

Valid points Enzo. We actually agree on lots, just different approaches. I do not want Bouchard or Dobson for the same reasons I’d shy away from Tkachuk. Watched Dobson recently at the Memorial Cup. His team won but he didn’t separate himself from anyone. He certainly did not jump out at you as you might think such a highly rated player should.


- Z3Hawk


I watched the Memorial Cup too and agree Dobson didn't jump out per say but certainly showed flashes of being elite as he put up 7 points in 4 games..... I remember watching Seth Jones in the in the WJC U-20 and saying the same thing, he's not jumping out, as he put up a point per game.
- Z3Hawk

The way I see it is there’s a higher floor for Tkachuk but maybe a lower ceiling. Lower floor (like never being a consistent NHLer) but higher ceiling for the smaller but skilled/speedy guys. I don’t see any way Brady Tkachuk with his physical attributes and nasty does not crack an NHL lineup next spring when his NCAA season is over. Tkachuk could fill a void in the Hawks top 6 that hasn’t been there since Big Buff in 2010....a guy who can play with skill guys, but is big, mean, and establishes residence in the opponent’s blue paint. I will be very happy with any one of Wahlstrom, Tkachuk or the Finnish Center.

The way I see it is there’s a higher floor for Tkachuk but maybe a lower ceiling. Lower floor (like never being a consistent NHLer) but higher ceiling for the smaller but skilled/speedy guys. I don’t see any way Brady Tkachuk with his physical attributes and nasty does not crack an NHL lineup next spring when his NCAA season is over. Tkachuk could fill a void in the Hawks top 6 that hasn’t been there since Big Buff in 2010....a guy who can play with skill guys, but is big, mean, and establishes residence in the opponent’s blue paint. I will be very happy with any one of Wahlstrom, Tkachuk or the Finnish Center.
- EnzoD

I’d rather pass on Dobson and Bouchard. I’d be happy with Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi, Hughes, Boqvist, Tkachuk or Veleno at #8.

I’d be fine with either Kotkaniemi or Wahlstrom at #8. I’d still take Dellandrea at #27 if he’s available.
- DarthKane

At 27 I like BO-Groulx or K'andre Miller. I doubt we'll even have that pick though.

The way I see it is there’s a higher floor for Tkachuk but maybe a lower ceiling. Lower floor (like never being a consistent NHLer) but higher ceiling for the smaller but skilled/speedy guys. I don’t see any way Brady Tkachuk with his physical attributes and nasty does not crack an NHL lineup next spring when his NCAA season is over. Tkachuk could fill a void in the Hawks top 6 that hasn’t been there since Big Buff in 2010....a guy who can play with skill guys, but is big, mean, and establishes residence in the opponent’s blue paint. I will be very happy with any one of Wahlstrom, Tkachuk or the Finnish Center.
- EnzoD

I'm guessing this was covered somewhere before, but any idea how he compares to his brother? If 80% of that I'd take it in a minute.

I've been leaning Wahlstrom for a long time (I believe he would have the biggest long term impact), but I always like the idea of drafting Centers and D-Men early.

I'm guessing this was covered somewhere before, but any idea how he compares to his brother? If 80% of that I'd take it in a minute.

I've been leaning Wahlstrom for a long time (I believe he would have the biggest long term impact), but I always like the idea of drafting Centers and D-Men early.
- Chunk

Exactly right. Matthew Tkachuk has been a force for Calgary and plays with an edge...97 points in 144 games played and physical. Everything I’ve read suggested Brady should be better than his brother (which leads me to think he doesn’t last to 8 as Matt was drafted 6th overall). Brady an inch taller and losyed 195lb at 18. He could easily end up at 210lbs when he matures a bit and trains year round as a Pro. Matthew is 6’2” 202lbs per NHL.com.

They need is to tighten up defensively.
Secure a back-up.
Get more scoring soon by way of this pick and Wahlstrom or by sending #27 for real player that makes them better in three zones

I have run every scenario from Habs reaching for a centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, taking a defender, and not the best player available, Detroit taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a run of four defenseman (after Dahlin), and each and every permutation has the most likely scenarios of either three defenders or two defenders and one forward remain available...with the Finn the most likely forward available...

the need is to tighten up defensively.
- wiz1901

agree.

thanks for your insight the last few days on a lot of this years draft prospects. following through these threads has me feeling good that the Hawks are going to be drafting a strong player when they pick at #8.

random..has anybody else seen anything on twitter about erik karlsson requesting a trade today out of Ottawa?

MrR - Dobson did get some points but so did many of his teammates as there was a certain level of scoring. My point was you didn’t see him making plays all over the ice and you certainly didn’t notice speed or pressure. Dobson is rated high. Sam Steel, admittedly older, did control the play, was always noticeable and was constantly pushing the play.
- Z3Hawk

That whole Titan team was fun, full out full throttle go go hockey......... Tough call no doubt. I think we all agree the Hawks can't miss on the #8 and a Kelley run scouting staff has been ok to pretty good for their draft position except for Dmen until now. Saad and Dcat, two top 6 guys in Rd 2, says much.

Good time to post a link to some Hawk drafts: http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005218.html

What does this team really need?

Better collars for their jerseys.

improved face-offs too