As I said before great picks at 8 and 27.

I was following the Draft 2 ways - who was gone or undraftable was as important to me as as who was still available. Happy when Tkachuk was taken. I don’t think the Hawks would have taken Tkachuk, even if he had been there at 8, as Hawks only seem to want to draft high-end skill, high-end skating but not an issue as Ottawa grabs Tkachuk at 4. Hope it works out for both sides. Zadina also taken. Bouchard and Dobson fall as I expected them to but I do not want them. Hughes falls but taken at 7. I liked him but in the light of day the truth is he’s very slight. So wow somehow Boqvist available at 8. Once rated so very high. Wahlstrom available too. Know Hawks won’t want Bouchard or Dobson so don’t care that they are available. Not enough skill or skating.

Boqvist clearly over Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom has always been towards the end of the top 10 and benefitted from playing with the other Hughes. It’s BOQVIST! Great pick. Only a short time ago it would have seemed IMPOSSIBLE for him to be there at 8. Thinking clearly what a pick - prefer Boqvist over Wahlstrom and also over Hughes. Hawks very lucky. Was it the concussions? Hawks must feel Boqvist is fine. Boqvist was a victim of over-analysis - thankfully fell when no hockey was even being played. There are very few in the Draft that can be ELECTRIFYING - Boqvist is one. So far a good day. At the time I was thinking - now if we can get Merkley.....

Not one pick that will impact the roster next year... definitely a stretch at 8... but I don’t see how we’re any better before the draft started...
- bigfly46

Did you REALLY think regardless of who they took in the draft this team would be better next year? Perhaps a little but nothing significant if at all in year 1. The only was this team would have been better short term is if they traded one of the picks for a roster player which I’m glad they did not do.

One thing that intrigued me about Merkley which I drilled down on in part because he had a perceived attitudinal problem was his youth. His birthday is August 14, 2000. He was 17 when drafted and has performed well internationally while still very young. His body of work was created while he was still very young. High ceiling.

Well Hawks’ fans Boqvist’s birthday is August 15, 2000 one day younger than Merkley. Again Boqvist’s body of work was created while he was still very young - he is still only 17. Internationally he has already won the best D-Man at BOTH the Ivan Hkinka tourney (while only 16) and the World U-18s. It is actually INCREDIBLE that the Hawks could draft him at 8. Boqvist is going to be a huge star.

Stan is Stan. Nothing is going to change now. Harder to play against? With Stan and Q running the show? Only one more year of this then they both will be gone.
- z1990z

We can only hope

Really happy with the potential that has been drafted. Here's hoping they quickly develop. And they find a diamond in the rough in the next rounds coming up.

Where does everyone rank Bowman and Mark Kelley for their 2 picks in the 1st round out of 10?

Is everyone happy? Sad? Confused?
- Justin Lowe

A big fat F. It takes a mix of different skill sets including size and grit to round out a team capable of making a run at the cup. Just look at the rosters of 2010, 2013 and 2015.

When do we get to stop hearing about Merkely? I don't know who the (frank) the guy is and I'm sick of hearing about him. Maybe hit up the Sharks site now that he's been drafted there.

When do we get to stop hearing about Merkely? I don't know who the (frank) the guy is and I'm sick of hearing about him. Maybe hit up the Sharks site now that he's been drafted there.
- 6628

Laz says Hawks looking to get into the 2nd round . Possible for t to be super early in the round ? This where they move AA ? Hopefully its really early in the round and grab Bode Wilde

Laz says Hawks looking to get into the 2nd round . Possible for t to be super early in the round ? This where they move AA ? Hopefully its really early in the round and grab Bode Wilde
- mrpaulish

If going forward today hawks add size speed and physical players and goaltending depth then that a good balance draft. Need size up front at the forward position especially at center.

Could the hawks move AA to montreal for 1 or 2 of their 2nd rounders?

Wiz what centers that would be drafted today that have size speed and play wit an edge could the hawks possibly look at to draft?

Hopefully its really early in the round and grab Bode Wilde
- mrpaulish

Another D and one with questionable hockey sense? Ugh.

Really happy with the potential that has been drafted. Here's hoping they quickly develop. And they find a diamond in the rough in the next rounds coming up.
- 35Tony0

I’m hoping it’s all forwards from here.

If going forward today hawks add size speed and physical players and goaltending depth then that a good balance draft. Need size up front at the forward position especially at center.

Could the hawks move AA to montreal for 1 or 2 of their 2nd rounders?

Wiz what centers that would be drafted today that have size speed and play wit an edge could the hawks possibly look at to draft?
- Scott1977

Too funny given Hawks have up a second in the Wiesse and whats his name trade

Laz says Hawks looking to get into the 2nd round . Possible for t to be super early in the round ? This where they move AA ? Hopefully its really early in the round and grab Bode Wilde
- mrpaulish

Hey Mr.P, if I were the hawks I'd be looking to get a 2nd round pick as well. They have enough to deal so it's possible as long as there's value. I've never seen any of these kids except in the world junior tourney so I am not the guy to say who they should get. But a lot of depth and talent has been mined out of the lower rounds over the years. Think Steve Larmer, he was an 8th round iirc. And they busted Shaw's balls for being a 19th round pick. Today is more the day that the scouts show how good they do their job.
Have a great summer.

You know Mark Kelley is the guy that really drafts, right? Like Bowman is the type of GM that makes decisions by committee.

Laz also thought Ottawa was going to take Boqvist so that's why he didn't write about him.
- L_B_R

Hey LBR yes I know Kelley is in charge of the draft. I think a lot of folks are concerned about players who are possibly closer to helping the team as opposed to a kid like Boqvist who's three years out. And to take a similar smallish dman with the 2nd pick instead of a forward...we'll see what Stan does on day 2. I get it you're trying to hit a homerun long term.

Meanwhile you have to wonder what his plan is going into the summer a lot of holes to fill here.

Boqvist has great potential. He was considered as top 5 even top 2 pick of this draft while ago. That potential doesn't vanish in one day. Bowman thought they drafted bpa no matter wheter it was d or forward. I'm happy about this pick and going to watch closely his development.

Boudain was reach for me but guess Hawks sees something that we don't know. He did have great numbers in Q though.

Boqvist has great potential. He was considered as top 5 even top 2 pick of this draft while ago. That potential doesn't vanish in one day. Bowman thought they drafted bpa no matter wheter it was d or forward. I'm happy about this pick and going to watch closely his development.

Boudain was reach for me but guess Hawks sees something that we don't know. He did have great numbers in Q though.
- MjulQvist

His stock fell over injury concerns right? Concussion issues?

*NEW* blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=93554

His stock fell over injury concerns right? Concussion issues?
- z1990z

That might be the reason. Don't know for sure? He was still voted best dman in the U18's.

His stock fell over injury concerns right? Concussion issues?
- z1990z

And being ineffective against men. But that shouldn't mean much, too many factors in play.

Where does everyone rank Bowman and Mark Kelley for their 2 picks in the 1st round out of 10?

Is everyone happy? Sad? Confused?
- Justin Lowe

As with most of these, it doesn't look as bad this morning.

Drafts, I've learned over the years, to not get too elated, or aggravated the day of the draft, you really have to wait at least 3 years to judge them.

And if we're being honest, no one on this board (except maybe Wiz, has the time and assets to follow these guys like a Mark Kelley and his staff does, so you kind of have to trust them)

For those hoping for size and snarl, I remember being excited when the drafted Beach and when they got a steal being able to draft Aliu in the second round.

Wiz has the history of drafts on his website, pick a few years and go through those, lots of teams drafting lots of busts. Alot of those picks, their teams fan bases were excited about drafting the next Bobby, be it Orr or Hull

I’m hoping it’s all forwards from here.
- ObeseOprah

Me too but it wouldnt suprize me if Bowman's net two picks are small defenceman.

Boqvist has great potential. He was considered as top 5 even top 2 pick of this draft while ago. That potential doesn't vanish in one day. Bowman thought they drafted bpa no matter wheter it was d or forward. I'm happy about this pick and going to watch closely his development.

Boudain was reach for me but guess Hawks sees something that we don't know. He did have great numbers in Q though.
- MjulQvist

After thinking about it aND reading up on Boqvist I think it was a good pick though I wish they would have drafted someone with size with the 27.
Everyone saying the new NHL the d are alot smaller but I think the final four teams all had fairly big defenceman .