It's interesting that a slower guy would struggle on smaller ice. I guess that's where the lack of quickness is exposed.

But I'm still open to him. I mean, the Hawks got a steal in that Hartman trade IMO. Somehow Hartman gets you a first round pick and Center prospect? Unreal
- Hank3Henshaw

They got a chance to draft a guy who hopefully is as useful as Hartman is at the moment in maybe 3 years. And a guy who finally had a decent season in what would have been his D+4 year. It was a steal alright.

Same here! That’s why I would love to see Stan Bowman trade back for Kevin Hayes, and then draft his cousin. I think those would be two solid big young strong forward for a lot of years. And some very good pedigree in the family bloodlines.
- wonthecup10

Except Kevin Hayes doesn't really play to his size. He is more of a finesse player.

Q is a possession neophyte and would frown on Soderland's style. Controlled entries or press box as the first step out of town. ......... If Q is gone and a new coach is in you'd see a lot of Soderland jerseys in the stands, I can promise you that.
- Mr Ricochet

He’s drawn comparisons to Arvidsson due to the energy and tenacity in a small package.

Here’s my 2020/21 Hawks lineup...

Tkachuk-Schmaltz-Kane
Debrincat-Toews-Saad
Hinostroza/Sikura-Ejdsell-Hayden
Goon-Kampf-Grinder

Keith-Doughty
Jokiharju-Murphy
Forsling-Seabrook

Grubauer
Delia

The comparison was just that age of elite defenders doesn't necessarily follow the typical age curve. And typically, larger defenders do not last as long + he was 3 years older this past season than Keith will be in two seasons.

The Hawks did have more players at / near 20 minutes last season btw. Keith still had the most at almost 24, but 4 other defenders were within a minute of 20 (Oesterle, Seabrook, Rutta, and Forsling). Gus was almost 19. They had decently similar TOI split to Boston tbh - Keith had a few minutes more than Chara but otherwise the rest of the defenders were not far off.

The time management will depend more on who can help out on special teams than anything else imo. Like for Boston, their overall TOI was tight through their top 5 but there was more spread for 5v5. Chara, for example, didn't play on the PP because Krug and McAvoy are so good there. If the Hawks have other on special teams (PP or PK, doesn't matter), they can take another couple of minutes off his overall TOI right there if they needed to do it.
- L_B_R

Point remains, Keith and Chara may both be considered elite, but they are very different players and neither one falls into the "typical" category very often.

You are right, the Hawks D has been trending to more balanced minutes, especially with Keith/Seabrook starting to give up more PP minutes. They aren't yet so balanced as Boston, but it has been changing for the last few seasons.

Well at least the draft is upon us.....so hopefully stan and hockey ops will make a trade to free some cap space heading into UFA. Should also start to hear exactly where the final cap number will land.

Saw the scuttlebutt about JVR...…...I'm sure lazerus is being toyed with as usual and doesn't even realize it. Such a mouth piece.

You can't jump a ship you were never on: just because he was drafted by Chicago
(through no effort of his own) doesn't mean he was ever on, or part of, the team.
- StLBravesFan

C'mon, man. You're splitting hairs. You know what I meant.

I think Ejdsell is acquitting himself decently so far in his limited time so far in North America so I can see him breaking into the NHL with at least a cup of coffee as early as latter part of this season but knocking on the door for a starting job as early as next season. Center may not be where he ultimately lands, but a big winger with scoring ability would be welcome.

Ejdsell also has a desire to improve and knows where he needs to get better, so it bodes well for him to develop under Colliton who has proven to not only be a good developmental coach but someone who has experience with Swedish players.
- AEL_Fox

Of course franchises gather Ejdsell types on their 50 man. Minute risk high reward if these types can stick. If not he costs very little if anything and you cut him loose. Good size, pro experience, plays the game the right way. Small chance he sticks but you look at 50 of these and hope a couple help.

If they can somehow land ROR...he be a very good pickup, IMO - but not worth the 8th

The 27th pick + Rutta or Gus + prospect ..sure.

(I think Rutta or Gus get moved this off season in a trade)

But the Hawks need that #8 skill and salary control

If they got ROR, and moved Hossa's money somewhere..I think they'd be set at forward in the top 9

20-19-xx (Walstom..if he can play right away)
8-90-88
××-15-12 - whoever wins LW battle in camp

Before people get mad about ABD on 3rd line...its about scoring depth
- PatShart

ROR is a huge pass. Guys is problems all over the place. He puts up the most meaningless points in the league.

ROR is a huge pass. Guys is problems all over the place. He puts up the most meaningless points in the league.
- Elbows15

What's a "meaningless" point?

What's a "meaningless" point?
- PatShart

You seem to be smart enough to figure it out. For example, he was nowhere to be seen in the first 20-25 games for the Sabres last season. He just isn't that good of a player. He admitted he quit on his team last season. He has caused locker room problems in both places because he wants to be the man but he isn't good enough.

What's a "meaningless" point?
- PatShart

Was wondering the same thing. Haha.

Elbows15 coming in hot to the board today.

ROR is a huge pass. Guys is problems all over the place. He puts up the most meaningless points in the league.
- Elbows15

I'd take ROR.

He’s drawn comparisons to Arvidsson due to the energy and tenacity in a small package.


Tkachuk-Schmaltz-Kane


Grubauer



- EnzoD

Soderland is a 98 and has played pro in SWE for two yrs so he might develop but what I saw in the 2 days was his hands were of forechecking worthy. But again as a 98 he could still develop and if he was 75% of Arvidsson the Hawks have a player.

Still hoping for Tkachuk? I'm still neutral but having a beast in the top 6 is fun to think about.

Don't remember the yr exactly, 5-6 yrs ago, but there was an ECHL club called the Express that played out of Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Went to a few of their games and was with a group of 7-8 guys that insisted on sitting behind the net, they were playing the confederate SC Stingrays and had a Kraut in goal.

Before warmups were over told the guys I was with this kid is a ++ skater with exquisite balance. It was Grubaur. At that perch behind the net and even then his skating, quickness, balance, athleticism, no slop and getting to square was exceptional. ...... A lot of Raanta in his game.

Saw this posted on a Mock draft.


8. Montreal Canadiens (via Chicago Blackhawks): Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C
*Mock Trade: Blackhawks receive No. 3 pick. Canadiens receive No. 8, No. 27, No. 87.


3. Chicago Blackhawks (via Montreal Canadiens): Filip Zadina, RW


Saad Toews Zadina

JVR AA Kane

Cat Schmaltz Sikura

Wingles Johnson Hayden
- SoftServe

I like it, but that's a steep price to pay.

Point remains, Keith and Chara may both be considered elite, but they are very different players and neither one falls into the "typical" category very often.

You are right, the Hawks D has been trending to more balanced minutes, especially with Keith/Seabrook starting to give up more PP minutes. They aren't yet so balanced as Boston, but it has been changing for the last few seasons.
- breadbag

They aren't so balanced yet because Keith is still better than Chara.

You seem to be smart enough to figure it out. For example, he was nowhere to be seen in the first 20-25 games for the Sabres last season. He just isn't that good of a player. He admitted he quit on his team last season. He has caused locker room problems in both places because he wants to be the man but he isn't good enough.
- Elbows15

55-60pts a year and 60% on faceoffs? Decent PP production...neither seem "meaningless", IMO

Fun blog topic. I like that it is two years out because what happens next season will have a big impact on what the team does next summer. And, we don't even know what the team is going to do this summer yet.

If the team plays well next season, wins a playoff series or two, I could see a similar scenario of keeping the core and building the next core around the old one.

But if the team has a repeat of 2017-18 next season, I could see Toews, Keith, Seabrook, and Crawford all gone in two years; maybe even Kane, in addition to AA.

I'd take ROR.
- Hank3Henshaw

He scored 9 goals at EV last season playing over 20 minutes a night. DinkyCat had 9 less points playing 6 minutes less a game. ROR wouldn't be on PP1 with the Hawks and he for sure isn't going play 20 minutes a night. He production will drop. Not to mention he is not a good skater in a league that is getting faster and faster. I wouldn't give up a top ten pick for him. For a guy who is suppose to be a defensive guy, he has been on the ice once in the last 5 years where his team had more SAT than SAT against.

Two months into a season and Hawk fans will hate him.

The guy I'm warming more and more to the Hawks picking is Hughes. A month ago I would have been against it, but the more I learn about the guy the more I think he could be solid. That being said, I don't see him lasting to #8.
- DarthKane

You can You Tube Quinn Hughes and get a ton of video but no matter how much speed and separation the kid shows on film he's faster live. It really is freakish and he shows the hands and vision with that speed to be a real difference maker.

For 10 yrs I rarely miss when the NTDP U-17's and 18's play the Steel (by the way the schedule is there for any fan to see the NTDP come thru town). Eichel, Trouba, Matthews, Seth Jones, Werenski and on and on and on but 2 yrs ago the Steel won the cup with an awesome LA Kings styled team. Anyway the U-18's came in and dismantled them with Tkachuk, Wahlstrom (as a 16 yr old), Dhooge, Barratt, Norris, Farabee, future 1st and 2nd rounders all over the joint.

The speed Hughes showed was unforgettable. A true rocket ship that was so much faster than even his teammates, except for 5ft 3in Dhoogie, it was amazing. Just as much was his hands and speed of thought. If he were 6ft tall IMO he'd be in the conversation with Dahlin, maybe not ahead of him but in that conversation.

IMO the only players the Hawks would take ahead of him are Dahlin and Svech, maybe not even Svech, if he were available to them. Kid is that amazing.

He scored 9 goals at EV last season playing over 20 minutes a night. DinkyCat had 9 less points playing 6 minutes less a game. ROR wouldn't be on PP1 with the Hawks and he for sure isn't going play 20 minutes a night. He production will drop. Not to mention he is not a good skater in a league that is getting faster and faster. I wouldn't give up a top ten pick for him. For a guy who is suppose to be a defensive guy, he has been on the ice once in the last 5 years where his team had more SAT than SAT against.

Two months into a season and Hawk fans will hate him.
- Elbows15

Two months, are you kidding me??? One bad period and this board erupts...

He wasn't even playing center in Rockford. He was playing LW. He is too slow. Lacks quickness. He already went back to Sweden once because he struggled on the smaller ice surface while part of the Predators' organization.

At 23 he is no longer a prospect.
- Elbows15

I do not think that history on Ejdsel is correct. He was not a Preds draft pick (or anyone else's) but a late bloomer signed as a free agent only a year ago.

Two months, are you kidding me??? One bad period and this board erupts...
- riozzo

Or if someone isnt lighting it up at 20-21yrs old...its time to ship them out. And when they succeed at 25-26...its a female dogfest that they were ever moved

Saw this posted on a Mock draft.


8. Montreal Canadiens (via Chicago Blackhawks): Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C
*Mock Trade: Blackhawks receive No. 3 pick. Canadiens receive No. 8, No. 27, No. 87.


3. Chicago Blackhawks (via Montreal Canadiens): Filip Zadina, RW


Saad Toews Zadina

JVR AA Kane

Cat Schmaltz Sikura

Wingles Johnson Hayden
- SoftServe

Thing about this is I don't see a huge enough difference between Wahlstrom and Zadina where the Hawks would give up the 27th and a 3rd rounder for the Czech in a deep draft.

Unless they are focused on Wahlstrom and think he'd go before they pick 8th and have Zadina rated that much higher.

EK once again saying Toews on the move and JVR to the Hawks!

EK once again saying Toews on the move and JVR to the Hawks!
- EnzoD

Toews for Malkin? (Weren't the Hawks to get him last year..or was that the year before?)