it was Bode Wilde that de-committed and wants to play in the OHl and be more desirable to NHL teams, not Oliver Wahlstrom.
- wiz1901

Wahlstrom decomitted from Harvard to Boston College.

Trades...... does anyone think the other gm's don't know about the position Stan put himself in with the owner?
- Savoy

Poor StanBow. This guy always finds a way to deal from a position of weakness whether it be the cap or now Rocky spouting off publicly.

Are you looking at his outdated wiki numbers? That's what he was when drafted. Pageau is shorter, but pretty much the same weight Bolland was when with the Hawks.
- L_B_R

I'll take your word. But going forward everyone knows the team needs more grit and a few with some size. More nastiness, too.

Not a fan of trading #27, this is a good draft. Not a great draft, but a good one. The #27 pick has been pretty good recently: Morgan Frost, Brett Howden, Jacob Larsson, Nikolai Goldobin

We need to keep restocking the cupboard. I'm worried that Stan's survival mode will lead to bad decisions.
- ObeseOprah

Agree completely. If a trade involving the #27 pick and/or the #8 pick occurs it should be for the Hawks to move up to take players who will not fall to them otherwise. However, no matter what is done with these picks the result must be the retention of two picks.

"If Oliver Wahlstrom and Brady Tkachuk are sitting there at No. 8 for the Blackhawks,, one scout said, "I’d take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk. ... I think Tkachuk can be in the league faster, but I think Wahlstrom will be the more productive player."

-Powers

Hawks are getting Zadina though, so this doesn't really matter

Wahlstrom decomitted from Harvard to Boston College.
- Mr Ricochet

Is Wahlstrom a year one starter if he wasnt going to college?

At 6’1 220 he is unquestionably an upgrade over the undersized crop of chumps we have now, he plays 20 mins a night, and he can come pretty cheap.

I would say he is #3 on the depth chart if on the roster today.
- Return of the Roar

His fancy stats suck, IIRC every Dman he played with was better without him, but man this guy can flat out skate. I'm a fan of his for a 3rd pairing.

At 6’1 220 he is unquestionably an upgrade over the undersized crop of chumps we have now, he plays 20 mins a night, and he can come pretty cheap.

I would say he is #3 on the depth chart if on the roster today.
- Return of the Roar

I might come to loathe the certain parts if Gus's game, and wish Moore was here instead. Can I say this: "Moore is better"

"If Oliver Wahlstrom and Brady Tkachuk are sitting there at No. 8 for the Blackhawks,, one scout said, "I’d take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk. ... I think Tkachuk can be in the league faster, but I think Wahlstrom will be the more productive player."

-Powers

Hawks are getting Zadina though, so this doesn't really matter
- SoftServe

Same article:

“I’d take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk,” a scout said. “That’s not a slight on Tkachuk. I think Wahlstrom’s ceiling is higher. I think Tkachuk can be in the league faster, but I think Wahlstrom will be the more productive player. I think he’s going to be a superstar. He does everything well offensively. His defense needs work, but there’s nothing there that you should be concerned about.”

Agree completely. If a trade involving the #27 pick and/or the #8 pick occurs it should be for the Hawks to move up to take players who will not fall to them otherwise. However, no matter what is done with these picks the result must be the retention of two picks.
- Z3Hawk

That's right.

But as for Bowman, maybe one way he feels he saves his job is to sacrifice one if those picks. Moving on down is really moving in down in the long run if Bowman feels pressure to get an NHL player by trading down or just trading.

Is Wahlstrom a year one starter if he wasnt going to college?
- z1990z

He has the size at 6ft 1in 200lbs. IMO they bring him to camp and take a look. In a perfect world I'd like to see him in school for a yr and not take a chance on stunting him and bring him up after the NCAA season is over in May....... But the kid could show he's ready enough in camp.

FYI since he's not drafted out of Major Junior he could go straight to the AHL as an 18yr old.

It you can assure me after the surgery, he is able to still be a power player...
- wiz1901

I find Simmonds an interesting case. On a constant basis year after year you read people saying we really need to go after this guy, he’s so aggressive, so impactful. Howrever, if he is such a high level valuable player why is he not an untouchable for the Flyers?

I believe the Hawks will go with either Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brady Tkachuk or Oliver Wahlstrom with the 8th pick and can't go wrong with either. One of them will fall to the Hawks imo.

"If Oliver Wahlstrom and Brady Tkachuk are sitting there at No. 8 for the Blackhawks,, one scout said, "I’d take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk. ... I think Tkachuk can be in the league faster, but I think Wahlstrom will be the more productive player."

-Powers

Hawks are getting Zadina though, so this doesn't really matter
- SoftServe

Verifies what we already know. If there is a team that benefits from going with Tkachuk, it is the punchless Blackhawks. I have decided that I trust wiz scouting. He says Tkachuk, then that is my choice. But I am respectful if Z3; maybe Tkachuk is more capable and dangerous than scouting reports say. It is all about what you can do for me (and creating two different type lines if Chicago). Not about only the eight goals scored last season. Look at his production WJC. Alas time will tell.

First MAkita, why is your name not MIKITA?

second, do you, as official referee for the steam clock on the street 2 miles from the arena, gets to weigh in...you think your team is amicable to move down one slot, and if so, what do you think it will take?

I am trolling your mind, now, so, don't back away.
- wiz1901

First, I would have loved to get Mikita as a username, he was my favourite player. But unfortunately spell check back in 07 liked Makita better, and I didn’t notice when pressing submit.

Second, there is a lot that can happen between now and the draft. If the player that Benning covets is taken by his turn, I would like to see him package the pick and assets to NYI to get their two first round picks.

I’m not so sure it’s beneficial to move down one slot unless there is a guarantee the player Benning wants will be at 8, and he could also get a later round pick from Bowman.

THANK YOU! Signing 29 yr old JVR is like putting a band-aid on a severed artery......
- EnzoD

Enzo - agreed. JVR had a good but quiet season. Lots of goals but didn’t seem dominant. My big problem is he is 29, very soon 30. A long term contract is hugely dangerous. It is the potential term that scares me the most.

Trade Kane and I won’t watch the Hawks anymore. I’d like a Darth “Trade Them All” image with an *Except Kane*....Patrick Kane is the Franchise, GOAT American player and he’s got 5+ years of all star hockey left in him. over/under odds on Toews being an All Star again?
- EnzoD

Weren't you on the "he is bad for the brand" bandwagon with Drew Carey a few years ago?

Rhinne wins Vezina. Redemption for playoff failure? Or was that a debacle Nashville moves on from ....and Rhinne moves on too?

A Watson in trouble in Nashville. Pred's have some situations to address.

This is why I still think we need to just go full re-build. Trade Kane to a team who believes he puts them over the top, Same with Keith for young prospects and picks. If we cannot unload Toews and Seabs because of their contracts, keep them to help mentor the younger players.

I previously mentioned Buffalo as a destination and realize they are not near and are mid-rebuild. Would San Jose be interested? Florida? Colorado? Where would Kane agree to go? For Keith, focus on the teams missing out on Karlsson.

I know this is not popular (and would be a PR nightmare), and once Kane or Keith is traded the value of any other assets drop significantly, but as many have pointed out we are not 1-2 players away from seriously contending, we are multiple players, and Kane and Keith are our best chips, and would result in a quick re-build with young players, but also picks to help build the system.

Sorry, but overpaying to JVR or trading away minors depth (which is not that deep to begin with) will get us to the Cup? We have not fallen short by a few feet, we are miles away.
- Revco38

Kane is NEVER getting traded. Kane is simply too important to the Hawks on so many levels. He is the face of the franchise. He is the leading scorer by light years. I like what Enzo said - he wouldn't watch anymore. Kane is as likely to be traded by the Hawks as Crosby is likely to be traded by the Penguins.

Verifies what we already know. If there is a team that benefits from going with Tkachuk, it is the punchless Blackhawks. I have decided that I trust wiz scouting. He says Tkachuk, then that is my choice. But I am respectful if Z3; maybe Tkachuk is more capable and dangerous than scouting reports say. It is all about what you can do for me (and creating two different type lines if Chicago). Not about only the eight goals scored last season. Look at his production WJC. Alas time will tell.
- jhawk59

Tkachuck brings something the hawks have been missing for years size grit edge and skill all in one in top six he is my choice also.

Tkachuck brings something the hawks have been missing for years size grit edge and skill all in one in top six he is my choice also.
- Scott1977

I have been holding this concern for a while. What worries me about a Tkachuk is, do you remember seeing his dad play in the alumni game? I don't want that size on the Blackhawks.

Theodore will be that franchise blueliner for them.
- Hank3Henshaw

If Theodore wants to be that "man", he must improve in his value of puck possession. Because right now he is a turnover machine which is why Vegas had him paired with Engelland. Yes, he can skate like the wind on rushes but his D zone play leaves a lot to be desired. Now can he improve, absolutely but his offensive-style tendencies makes it a bit tougher.

I will take Nate Schmidt over him anyday!

If Theodore wants to be that "man", he must improve in his value of puck possession. Because right now he is a turnover machine which is why Vegas had him paired with Engelland. Yes, he can skate like the wind on rushes but his D zone play leaves a lot to be desired. Now can he improve, absolutely but his offensive-style tendencies makes it a bit tougher.

I will take Nate Schmidt over him anyday!
- D2D

The way you described Theodore sounds eerily similar to Gustafsson and Oesterle.

"If Oliver Wahlstrom and Brady Tkachuk are sitting there at No. 8 for the Blackhawks,, one scout said, "I’d take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk. ... I think Tkachuk can be in the league faster, but I think Wahlstrom will be the more productive player."

-Powers

Hawks are getting Zadina though, so this doesn't really matter
- SoftServe

I disagree.

Productive = points

Intangibles = on ice performance and heart.

Or Brodziak
- Return of the Roar

John Moore would be a nice UFA pickup on D as well. As long as Q plays him on his natural side...
- Return of the Roar

I 'd consider Brodziak and Moore as well. Brodziak is tough to play against and can bring decent offense in the bottom 6. Moore may have his flaws but he's still better than what could be with Gustafsson, Oesterle, and Rutta as options. Skates very well and does some things well on defense but could improve in other areas.