Why would the Hawks draft a player at 8 who has had 25 concussions?
- Z3Hawk

I'm surprised he didn't get a concussion or two on stage at the draft.

Is it me or do the number of concussions he's had goes up every few hours?

That's not a knock on you, I just read originally it was one concussion, then some were saying two, and now there's about a handful that have said three.
- L_B_R

Exactly what I was thinking. It's like asking someone after a high school party how many beers they had. The number just keeps creeping up.

How would you deal with and trade the aging core? What's your plan?
- Colbyboy

I mentioned full re-build 2 blog entries ago, and unfortunately it would require PR suicide and losing part of your base. It also means a few losing seasons, and given some recent questionable decisions by current management may be better handled by new leadership, but that is another discussion.

look at your assets-Kane, Toews, Keith, etc figure out who has sufficient value to bring back a prop return. Given performance, contract and skill set that would be Kane and Keith. For Keith, look at who “loses out” on Karlsson and focus on them. For Kane whom do you think is 1 player away of the Cup, and approach them. In both cases look at acquiring younger players with upside and prospects/picks. If the Islanders lose Tavares, approach them and see if they would trade their recent draft picks and 1-2 players off their roster. Are there other teams who think they are 1 superstar away (Florida? Boston? Flyers?).

Again, the fan base would riot, but Kane, and to a much lesser extent Keith, pretty much are your only assets which would bring back true value. But once Kane is traded, it signals a fire sale and all other assets diminish in value.

So Wiz, if I read your summaries of the picks correctly, not ONE of these guys has any indication of being able to win board bsttles or go to dirty areas. In fact one of the reviews even says the kid specifically AVOIDS dirty areas, and the #8 pick is regularly a loser of possession because he gets easily roughed up.



How is this a successful draft if all they pick are contact avoidant weaklings?

This folks is what we can expect as the type of players that will be picked during FA as well. The leadership seems to be wedded to skill and speed trumping all other factors.

I am sorry, but I am pretty confident that I could rebuild this roster free of charge with UFAs that would outperform whatever hot garbage they sign for the megabucks they get paid sitting in their offices bent over computers reading fancy stats all day.
- Return of the Roar

Sure you could. FFS, pick a new team already.

You should not be taken aback by this pick - Boqvist was a very easy choice over Wahlstrom. Much higher ceiling. Potential very elite player versus a player who might not excell at the NHL level. Was concerned that Wahlstrom was too tied to the other Hughes.
- Z3Hawk

For sure Wahlstrom's production went up when J.hughes join his team. He was producing pretty well when Wise was playing center with him.

Boqvist remains undeterred by dyslexia, although the son of a painter dad and teacher mom admits to daily struggles. While his play on the ice is unaffected, Boqvist finds little enjoyment in the classroom. Fortunately, he has never endured severe bullying over an inability to read and write as well as his peers, and on the bright side he’s on track to graduate high school by summer 2019.
- walleyeb1

Great story about the adversity Boqvist faces off the ice and how he has not been the victim of bullying or simply the victim an invisible disability setting him back. It's also a great reminder that the kid is still a kid: not even a high school senior yet.

I would call then entirely different- where Tim Soderlund is pk and energy guy, Nordgren is a pure generator with little to think what/ where he is going with the puck and is pp guy. Just saying...
- wiz1901

Thanks for the insights on Soderlund vs. Nordgren. I haven't seen any videos of Nordgren so I defer to you on a more accurate assessment. My comparison of the two was based on them not being shy to go to the rough areas to create offense and don't let their size deter them from being effective in whatever role they play.

Sure you could. FFS, pick a new team already.
- Elbows15

So maybe the person you respond to is not rational or completely diverges from what YOU believe the proper fan is, but telling a fellow Hawk fan to pick a new team sucks dude.

There is NOT ONE single Hawks fan in here I want to lose. I get so freaking annoyed with a few and I'm sure some get annoyed with me, but welcome to planet earth where people think differently. Sucks, but we're trapped in that fate.

As a hawks fan I’m disappointed in the draft did nothing for next season. If Stan just blew it up and moved everyone he could and went fulol rebuild I could deal with it.
The seem to be trying the wings way of holding on to long. As of now next year looks worst then last.we will be good enough to screw up next year so pick. As a fan I may look back at this draft as amazing for there future years I hope that isn’t the case but the other central teams and western conference over all didn’t just get worst. Hope there’s a plan out there

As a hawks fan I’m disappointed in the draft did nothing for next season. If Stan just blew it up and moved everyone he could and went fulol rebuild I could deal with it.
The seem to be trying the wings way of holding on to long. As of now next year looks worst then last.we will be good enough to screw up next year so pick. As a fan I may look back at this draft as amazing for there future years I hope that isn’t the case but the other central teams and western conference over all didn’t just get worst. Hope there’s a plan out there
- Abadseed

I cant complain about the draft, because no one really knows. I am upset no moves were made, but then again no one really made any moves...there was ONE single legit trade made....it had to be among the worst drafts ever for movement.

Hey DK. Most people in the biz, whether it be hockey, football, whatever sport, say it takes a couple years (3 usually) to eveluate a draft...but apparently 24 hours is all it took to label this one a trainwreck...got it.

Bowman may end up doing nothing but I didn't realize his deadline was draft day to complete everything. Agonize on...
- HawkintheD

D hope you're well sir - as well as the family. You misunderstood I wasn't thrilled with the draft but the reality is we won't know where these kids are at for a couple of years at least...but you have to wonder how those concussions for Stan's prized pick come in to play down the line.

In regard to the trainwreck - I was referring to Bowman's stellar draft day moves last year. Where he traded his second leading scorer and his one defensive defensemen left out of town...(Saad came back (he should have never left in the first place) but Stan's mishandling of the summer of 15 continues to shine through...) And I do love a good accountant especially one that can make a save. But one hopes Bowman actually gets a bonafide NHL backup this season. Of course he still may need a starter - we really don't know.

Meantime the Hawks are pimping this story through the local nbcsports outlet:

https://www.nbcsports.com...g-free-agent-john-tavares

But all serious kidding aside - Tavares isn't coming here...let's be realistic. The Hawks have multiple holes to fill with what cap space they have - and they still need suitor for Hossa's cap hit....good luck. Is Bowman going to be able to hit it out of the park in free agency multiple times? I'm certainly hoping so...but don't see it happening hoping for the best...we'll see how it plays out.

So maybe the person you respond to is not rational or completely diverges from what YOU believe the proper fan is, but telling a fellow Hawk fan to pick a new team sucks dude.

There is NOT ONE single Hawks fan in here I want to lose. I get so freaking annoyed with a few and I'm sure some get annoyed with me, but welcome to planet earth where people think differently. Sucks, but we're trapped in that fate.
- kwolf68

Meh.

As a hawks fan I’m disappointed in the draft did nothing for next season. If Stan just blew it up and moved everyone he could and went fulol rebuild I could deal with it.
The seem to be trying the wings way of holding on to long. As of now next year looks worst then last.we will be good enough to screw up next year so pick. As a fan I may look back at this draft as amazing for there future years I hope that isn’t the case but the other central teams and western conference over all didn’t just get worst. Hope there’s a plan out there
- Abadseed

No one in the draft when the Hawks selected was ever going to help the Hawks next year, so unless they traded up (which by reports they did want to do), it wasn't ever going to happen that way. There are only 3-4 players at most every draft that make the transition immediately and then only 1-2 of those have a real impact. Some of the ones that do play only do so because their team is desperate. Honestly, if you went in thinking they'd get an immediate impact player, then your expectations were skewed.

Realistically, any immediate for next season was always going to only come via trade or FA.

And no offense, but I don't think 90% of the posters here could handle the angst that happens with a full rebuild. Idk even know if I could - I have no idea. Go ask a Oilers or Leafs or Canes or Sabres or Yotes fan if they've enjoyed their rebuilds - cause most of them have gone through iterations of several as rebuilds are extremely painstaking.

As a hawks fan I’m disappointed in the draft did nothing for next season. If Stan just blew it up and moved everyone he could and went fulol rebuild I could deal with it.
The seem to be trying the wings way of holding on to long. As of now next year looks worst then last.we will be good enough to screw up next year so pick. As a fan I may look back at this draft as amazing for there future years I hope that isn’t the case but the other central teams and western conference over all didn’t just get worst. Hope there’s a plan out there
- Abadseed

Drafts are for the future. At the 8 spot in this draft, the Hawks weren't getting a player to help for next season. IMO, they had a good draft on the surface. We will have to wait to see what it actually brings. They picked players with a boatload of skill with upside potential. Reading through profiles on most of the players, i saw the word dynamic in a few of them. Now its up to their development.

A lot of people like their first 5 picks and think the Hawks had a good draft.

D hope you're well sir - as well as the family. You misunderstood I wasn't thrilled with the draft but the reality is we won't know where these kids are at for a couple of years at least...but you have to wonder how those concussions for Stan's prized pick come in to play down the line.

In regard to the trainwreck - I was referring to Bowman's stellar draft day moves last year. Where he traded his second leading scorer and his one defensive defensemen left out of town...(Saad came back (he should have never left in the first place) but Stan's mishandling of the summer of 15 continues to shine through...) And I do love a good accountant especially one that can make a save. But one hopes Bowman actually gets a bonafide NHL backup this season. Of course he still may need a starter - we really don't know.

Meantime the Hawks are pimping this story through the local nbcsports outlet:

https://www.nbcsports.com...g-free-agent-john-tavares

But all serious kidding aside - Tavares isn't coming here...let's be realistic. The Hawks have multiple holes to fill with what cap space they have - and they still need suitor for Hossa's cap hit....good luck. Is Bowman going to be able to hit it out of the park in free agency multiple times? I'm certainly hoping so...but don't see it happening hoping for the best...we'll see how it plays out.
- DK002

Blowman couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a f****** boat... he’s been scrambling since Tallon left and all he’s done is butcher this franchise.... back to the dark days boys

Blowman couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a f****** boat... he’s been scrambling since Tallon left and all he’s done is butcher this franchise.... back to the dark days boys
- bigfly46

They won 3 Cups in 6 years. The same number they won in their entire existence up to that point.

Smith had as much to do with the make-up of those teams as Tallon. How has Tallon done since he left?

I'm surprised he didn't get a concussion or two on stage at the draft.
- breadbag

Sorry I forgot - he did actually did get 2 on stage - so 27.

I am the last person to ask about how they did in the draft. They must see something in Nordgren if they traded up for him, though. I have enjoyed reading the insights on the picks here.

They won 3 Cups in 6 years. The same number they won in their entire existence up to that point.

Smith had as much to do with the make-up of those teams as Tallon. How has Tallon done since he left?
- Elbows15

Please do not try to bring facts to the discussion.

I meant he needs little time to think where he is going with it...I coined head smart to that strength.
He’s got that Matt Zuccaello puck pursuit, can make plays at full speed. Adding lower body might get him a bit quicker. He IS a trigger man. In that tourney he was real good early and at the tail end of it, in the middle he kinda was neutralized in tight spaces because he lacked speed the better little guys have but he can get strong and add it. He will either make it or be a bust depending upon his developmental work ethic
- wiz1901

I think he was worth the move at 74. Some players never figure out how to score, where to go to score. Hope he can work to make himself a well-rounded player. Many players make you forget you are talking about 17, 18 year-olds - they just look mature, older. He looked so young - maybe it was the hair.

Drafts are for the future. At the 8 spot in this draft, the Hawks weren't getting a player to help for next season. IMO, they had a good draft on the surface. We will have to wait to see what it actually brings. They picked players with a boatload of skill with upside potential. Reading through profiles on most of the players, i saw the word dynamic in a few of them. Now its up to their development.

A lot of people like their first 5 picks and think the Hawks had a good draft.
- Elbows15

I get that draft so are for the future but if they are truly trying to improve this roster for this coming season then why didn’t they package picks / prospects and or roster players to improve? Perhaps it was the riumors of trades that didn’t happen followed by the company line of bs that we did what we set out to the last two days.

I am the last person to ask about how they did in the draft. They must see something in Nordgren if they traded up for him, though. I have enjoyed reading the insights on the picks here.
- 333inthe3rd

The first 4 players the Hawks took at 8, 27, 69 and 74 are easy to argue are great picks where the talent is clearly higher than the number. Kelley has always struck me as intelligent and knowledgeable and it is reflected in these picks.

I get that draft so are for the future but if they are truly trying to improve this roster for this coming season then why didn’t they package picks / prospects and or roster players to improve? Perhaps it was the riumors of trades that didn’t happen followed by the company line of bs that we don the what we set out to the last two days.
- Abadseed

It is June 23. The rest of the summer exists to make moves with the team. Everyone just sit down, put on a funny movie, get a soda and chill.

I get that draft so are for the future but if they are truly trying to improve this roster for this coming season then why didn’t they package picks / prospects and or roster players to improve? Perhaps it was the riumors of trades that didn’t happen followed by the company line of bs that we don the what we set out to the last two days.
- Abadseed

How many trades of players for picks were there leading up to or at the draft? Usually there's a handful or more but it was a boring draft in that regard. Just a couple and outside of Grubhaur, the other was minor af. So it wasn't just the Hawks not doing this - it was across the board.

As for roster player for roster player trades, the Hawks were obviously in on Lindholm but they don't have anything to compare with Hamilton so it didn't work out. Outside of that trade, no other major trades happened so again it wasn't just the Hawks that stayed pat atm.

Look at the context and see that teams just weren't dealing in general. Some GMs were quoted as saying things like the deep draft and the uncertainty of FA was causing teams to be more reserved than in years past.

Sunday is when the window of talking to FA is open and then one week later it'll be open season for signing. They're obviously still exploring trade options (if Faulk rumors are true) and such so we'll just all have to be patient - myself included cause I too will be vexed if nothing is done.

I think he was worth the move at 74. Some players never figure out how to score, where to go to score. Hope he can work to make himself a well-rounded player. Many players make you forget you are talking about 17, 18 year-olds - they just look mature, older. He looked so young - maybe it was the hair.
- Z3Hawk

Yeah, Nordgren looks extremely young with a baby face and a happy-go-lucky "I'm just here to play some rat hockey" face. Refreshing to see that youthful energy.



Sikura also looked like a baby when he was drafted in 2014. Back then I remember thinking this 5'7" 145 lb kid is going to have a steep uphill climb to get even close to the NHL and look at him now. Back then I also remember thinking I liked what I read in his scouting reports and thought he could be a diamond in the rough if he had proper coaching and a strong support system around him. So we never know who will reach their potential and who will truly surprise when their maturation date arrives.