I would have Mitchell before 3-5. Played in all situations on the top pair for the defending NCAA champs. While it is D+1year vs DE year, Mitchell put up more points than Hughes. Both were freshman. Mitchell played 4 more games.
- Elbows15

So are you saying Mitchell is better than Hughes? Hughes is such a dynamic skater than he can get into and of trouble quickly. My only question is can he defend in his own end because offensively he will be impactful. As for Mitchell, I too have watched him, he doesn't take over games like Hughes but again he didn't have to with the likes of Borgstrom/Terry/etc. He did run their 1st PP unit and was good. On top of it all, he played in a scheme that would be any hockey player's dream...offense, offense and more offense with octane, thanks to Monty!

FYI. Saw some report that Bozak is looking for 6M. So scratch him off of your wish list if he is there.
- Elbows15

That's his agent things can be negotiated bozak is best center option stantsy will want more or more term.

What we do know is StanBow did not mortgage the future on draft day. For that I think all fans should be grateful. I have new respect for the guy with Rocky "allegedly" breathing down his neck. The pipeline legitimately looks better than it has in 10 or so yrs.

I'm not sure StanBow knows what the club will look like. I think he realizes how good it is to have cap space and with it comes a lot of options, even better he's not living his life with a gun to his head giving up a Johns just to ice a team on game day.

What I'm most sure of is he'll never leave himself so exposed at the goalie position. He'll address the backup but that also means they may lose Forsberg to waivers.
Kid is 25 and has won a cup in the AHL.

IMO he finds the most reasonable top 6 guy and top 4 Dman in FA without overpaying anymore than one is forced to, if possible. I prefer a center, Bozak(?), so Schmaltz slots where he's better at this stage at wing. IMO the team is just better at both ends if Schmaltz plays wing and of course better at the dot.

Still holding out hope for left shot, 27 yr old De Haan. Solid player and giving him term is reasonable.
- Mr Ricochet

Really tough for rookies to be backups. It took Darling a year to get comfortable playing once every 2 weeks, instead of every game in the AHL. And when you have an untested rookie as backup and your starter goes out for an extended period, that’s not good, as we saw last year.

There are already a half dozen veteran backups and former, aging #1s on the market. Any one of them can be signed cheap, and let Delia develop with a full year as the top guy in Rockford.

Has it been confirmed that Crow is out of rehab for Heroine addiction?
The hawks are totally covering up the problems this young man hasH
- tomanderson61

Where are you getting this information??
Or are you just throwing it out there because a buddy of yours said so. Unless you can provide a legitimate source to help you confirm this keep moving along and stop with the nonsense.
On the other hand if what you are saying is true the Hawks have a serious problem in net without a true legitimate backup. The Hawks organization will take care of Crow. If it's true the Hawks don't have to disclose this since it is a personal matter not for the public to be part of. This organization has and always has taken care of its players in every way possible.

So are you saying Mitchell is better than Hughes? Hughes is such a dynamic skater than he can get into and of trouble quickly. My only question is can he defend in his own end because offensively he will be impactful. As for Mitchell, I too have watched him, he doesn't take over games like Hughes but again he didn't have to with the likes of Borgstrom/Terry/etc. He did run their 1st PP unit and was good. On top of it all, he played in a scheme that would be any hockey player's dream...offense, offense and more offense with octane, thanks to Monty!
- D2D

Did you read me say Mitchell is better than Hughes? Mitchell is probably better in his own end right now than Hughes. Mitchell, while not the skater Hughes is, is no slouch himself.

I used Hughes as way to add perspective as to where Mitchell is as a prospect in the system.

What we do know is StanBow did not mortgage the future on draft day. For that I think all fans should be grateful. I have new respect for the guy with Rocky "allegedly" breathing down his neck. The pipeline legitimately looks better than it has in 10 or so yrs.

I'm not sure StanBow knows what the club will look like. I think he realizes how good it is to have cap space and with it comes a lot of options, even better he's not living his life with a gun to his head giving up a Johns just to ice a team on game day.

What I'm most sure of is he'll never leave himself so exposed at the goalie position. He'll address the backup but that also means they may lose Forsberg to waivers.
Kid is 25 and has won a cup in the AHL.

IMO he finds the most reasonable top 6 guy and top 4 Dman in FA without overpaying anymore than one is forced to, if possible. I prefer a center, Bozak(?), so Schmaltz slots where he's better at this stage at wing. IMO the team is just better at both ends if Schmaltz plays wing and of course better at the dot.

Still holding out hope for left shot, 27 yr old De Haan. Solid player and giving him term is reasonable.
- Mr Ricochet

If our backs are against the wall and Bozek was the only center inquestion, then yes sign him and put him between Kaner and Schmaltzy. Bozek would be a good defensive third man high kind of guy while supporting if need be but letting Kaner and Schmaltzy have fun in the neutral and O zones.

I would rather have homegrown Johnny Moore as a top 4 dman over DeHaan

FYI. Saw some report that Bozak is looking for 6M. So scratch him off of your wish list if he is there.
- Elbows15

The old $4M/yr is now $6M with the cap moving higher. And there isn't many proven centers on the market - Tavares, Stastny, Bozak.

Bergevin will give Bozak some heavy dough. The Hawks can't/won't.

The old $4M/yr is now $6M with the cap moving higher. And there isn't many proven centers on the market - Tavares, Stastny, Bozak.

Bergevin will give Bozak some heavy dough. The Hawks can't/won't.
- RickJ

They can but won't. Schmaltz is already better. AA is cheaper and can play a defensive role. Bozak can't.

Where are you getting this information??
Or are you just throwing it out there because a buddy of yours said so. Unless you can provide a legitimate source to help you confirm this keep moving along and stop with the nonsense.
On the other hand if what you are saying is true the Hawks have a serious problem in net without a true legitimate backup. The Hawks organization will take care of Crow. If it's true the Hawks don't have to disclose this since it is a personal matter not for the public to be part of. This organization has and always has taken care of its players in every way possible.
- BGKarras

I wouldn't even give that comment any attention.

The Hawks need some good players, but there are gonna be some over valued contracts handed out this summer. I hope they can avoid the overpay and just go under the radar.

I think they will have to be creative but if they can avoid the frenzy and just get some good players who aren't over the hill, I'll be happy.

That's his agent things can be negotiated bozak is best center option stantsy will want more or more term.
- Scott1977

I don't want either.

Just some food for thought to add to the question of whether the Hawks should consider size or draft for size or go with best talent available regardless of size. These are just gross observations, not any deep analysis looking at weight or strength or body type or advanced stats.

Since the 2011 draft when the Hawks last had two #1 draft picks (McNeill and Danault) before this year's draft, only 3 picks who were 6'0" or taller when drafted have made it to the NHL:

Danault
Saad
Hayden

In that same time span, there have been more than twice the number of draft picks who made it and were shorter than 6'0" (and some of them are smaller by quite a wide margin) when drafted and most of them still have not eclipsed 6 feet:

DeBrincat
Schmaltz
Sikura
Hartman
Teravainen
Hinostroza
Shaw

Also, looking at the 2015 and 2014 drafts where the majority of draft picks each of those years are 6'0" or taller, none of them are in the NHL and most are not even close and may never make it:

2015
Knott 6'3"
Gilbert 6'2"
Shea 6'0"
Bondra 6'5"
Radke 6'2"
Tuulola 6'2"

2014
Iacopelli 6'1"
Starrett 6'4"
Olofsson 6'1"
Snuggerud 6'0"
Soderberg 6'4"
Ramsay 6'2"

Gilbert, Shea, and Snuggerud may be on the right track but we shall see with them or any of the others.

The Hawks need some good players, but there are gonna be some over valued contracts handed out this summer. I hope they can avoid the overpay and just go under the radar.

I think they will have to be creative but if they can avoid the frenzy and just get some good players who aren't over the hill, I'll be happy.
- breadbag

I would also add that the Hawks don't necessarily need all stars, just solid players with experience who can play well in all zones. That may help temper the temptation to go big and overspend when they may not be the answer for any of the team's needs.

Just some food for thought to add to the question of whether the Hawks should consider size or draft for size or go with best talent available regardless of size. These are just gross observations, not any deep analysis looking at weight or strength or body type or advanced stats.

Since the 2011 draft when the Hawks last had two #1 draft picks (McNeill and Danault) before this year's draft, only 3 picks who were 6'0" or taller when drafted have made it to the NHL:

Danault
Saad
Hayden

In that same time span, there have been more than twice the number of draft picks who made it and were shorter than 6'0" (and some of them are smaller by quite a wide margin) when drafted and most of them still have not eclipsed 6 feet:

DeBrincat
Schmaltz
Sikura
Hartman
Teravainen
Hinostroza
Shaw

Also, looking at the 2015 and 2014 drafts where the majority of draft picks each of those years are 6'0" or taller, none of them are in the NHL and most are not even close and may never make it:

2015
Knott 6'3"
Gilbert 6'2"
Shea 6'0"
Bondra 6'5"
Radke 6'2"
Tuulola 6'2"

2014
Iacopelli 6'1"
Starrett 6'4"
Olofsson 6'1"
Snuggerud 6'0"
Soderberg 6'4"
Ramsay 6'2"

Gilbert, Shea, and Snuggerud may be on the right track but we shall see with them or any of the others.
- AEL_Fox

Shaw was such a good pick. Drafted in 2011 in the 5th round and ended up playing the second half of the season right away. Gave the Hawks 4 years after helping with 2 cup wins and then was traded for two picks (Debrincat and Chat Krys).

A blueliner like de Haan and maybe a forward like van Riemsdyk are the only player acquisitions who I'd give term to. Everyone else should be 1-2 years which (a) allows time for prospects to develop until they are ready to graduate to the big club and replace them, and (b) doesn't handcuff the team from re-signing Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Sikura, etc. when their ELCs are over.
- AEL_Fox

Wise management. Agreed.

I would rather have homegrown Johnny Moore as a top 4 dman over DeHaan
- D2D

I say go for both, or at least strive to sign 2 UFA defenders whether them or others available. If de Haan and Moore, I'd think they could both be had for $6-6.5MM combined with de Haan anchoring the 2nd pair and Moore on the 3rd pair. Another UFA d-man like Pateryn may come cheaper than Moore and be better financially for a bottom pair option.

Where are you getting this information??
Or are you just throwing it out there because a buddy of yours said so. Unless you can provide a legitimate source to help you confirm this keep moving along and stop with the nonsense.
On the other hand if what you are saying is true the Hawks have a serious problem in net without a true legitimate backup. The Hawks organization will take care of Crow. If it's true the Hawks don't have to disclose this since it is a personal matter not for the public to be part of. This organization has and always has taken care of its players in every way possible.
- BGKarras

There are eyes everywhere but not everyone cares or gives a hoot. I personally am quick to say I would cast a vote this story is a truism. I also believe Crawford will return to the net. I cannot predict if he will need a year or partial year to get back to his old form. There would be no surprise to me if he is traded at the trade deadline......how much longer does his contract run? I would be emboldened to trade him even on the cheap to LA or Nashville where they need a strong duo, as their current #1 have struggled at times. Winnipeg maybe to start in playogfd if Hellybuck is shaky. Crawford = been there, has the experience. Maybe in places other than on the ice. But hey, if Blackhawks or Crawford deny or are evasive.....
That:s ok with me. I will form my own opinion and wish him well

Yeah, I know Hughes won, and he was really good, really really good, and he did't he get selected before the Boqvist?, I have no problem with that, and I won't even go o about the process of how they pick these MVP and all-star line-ups...

It is a great stage to see the same age guys play against each other.

Thus tourney also was the showcase for Jesperi Kotkaniemi at centre, and that worked out too.
The swedes got the bronze and a player who is MVP usually but not always comes from the the winner...USA was the silver winner.
- wiz1901

Our Boqvist heard his name announced as the Best D-Man at the 2018 U-18s. That’s what I know. I also know our Boqvist won Best D-Man at the 2017 Hlinka Tourney.

That's his agent things can be negotiated bozak is best center option stantsy will want more or more term.
- Scott1977

Bozak is coming off a $4.2m contract and at age 32 this will likely be his last one, so he's going to want to make money. He really shouldn't get around what Bonino got but with limited centers, someone will overpay Bozak what he wants. Colorado, Carolina, Montreal are all desperate.

Hawks would be better targeting a bottom 6 center than won't want more than $3.5m in UFA or get one via trade.

Where are you getting this information??
Or are you just throwing it out there because a buddy of yours said so. Unless you can provide a legitimate source to help you confirm this keep moving along and stop with the nonsense.
On the other hand if what you are saying is true the Hawks have a serious problem in net without a true legitimate backup. The Hawks organization will take care of Crow. If it's true the Hawks don't have to disclose this since it is a personal matter not for the public to be part of. This organization has and always has taken care of its players in every way possible.
- BGKarras

Just ignore people who talk about unsubstantiated rumors.

Just a little additional information on Quinton Hughes and Adam Boqvist. Hughes was born on October 14, 1999. Consequently his birthday was a month after the cut-off date. If he was a month younger he would have bern eligible for the 2017 Draft. Boqvist was born August 15, 2000. Consequently, Hughes is only a few months short of being a year older - 10 months. However, in hockey terms it is an additional year of development.

I liked Hughes going into the Draft but I’ll admit I was sort of shocked by how small he looked on the Draft stage. Brian Burke kept repeating something like “gentleman that is one small body, that is one small body.” I don’t necessarily like Burke but he was right on this point. I don’t think it is going to ultimately matter but Hughes did have that additional year to develop physically and from a hockey standpoint as one of the older Draftees.

Bozak is coming off a $4.2m contract and at age 32 this will likely be his last one, so he's going to want to make money. He really shouldn't get around what Bonino got but with limited centers, someone will overpay Bozak what he wants. Colorado, Carolina, Montreal are all desperate.

Hawks would be better targeting a bottom 6 center than won't want more than $3.5m in UFA or get one via trade.
- L_B_R

Bozak wasn’t worth his last contract.

Just a little additional information on Quinton Hughes and Adam Boqvist. Hughes was born on October 14, 1999. Consequently his birthday was a month after the cut-off date. If he was a month younger he would have bern eligible for the 2017 Draft. Boqvist was born August 15, 2000. Consequently, Hughes is only a few months short of being a year older - 10 months. However, in hockey terms it is an additional year of development.

I liked Hughes going into the Draft but I’ll admit I was sort of shocked by how small he looked on the Draft stage. Brian Burke kept repeating something like “gentleman that is one small body, that is one small body.” I don’t necessarily like Burke but he was right on this point. I don’t think it is going to ultimately matter but Hughes did have that additional year to develop physically and from a hockey standpoint as one of the older Draftees.
- Z3Hawk

Hughes has the potential to be the next Ryan Ellis while Boqvist has the potential to be the next Karlsson/Klingberg. Both will be pretty good, no matter their size imo.

I will say, I liked Hughes partially because he wanted to be a Hawk. I think he's mentioned playing with Kane at Worlds unprompted like 5 times now, even once since being drafted (about warm-up music). Players that really want to be a part of the team are the best.

Bozak is coming off a $4.2m contract and at age 32 this will likely be his last one, so he's going to want to make money. He really shouldn't get around what Bonino got but with limited centers, someone will overpay Bozak what he wants. Colorado, Carolina, Montreal are all desperate.

Hawks would be better targeting a bottom 6 center than won't want more than $3.5m in UFA or get one via trade.
- L_B_R

He's a bit expensive but Bryan Little is a player the Jets may need to make a move on as they have to start paying guys.

Bozak wasn’t worth his last contract.
- Z3Hawk

No, he wasn't, but that doesn't mean he won't want a raise as most players do. Rising cap means rising salaries. Watch him get something stupid cause a team is desperate.

If the Hawks end up not doing much in FA but there are some legit ridiculous contracts thrown about, I'll be disappointed a bit but happy they weren't reckless. They need help but not at the cost of the future.