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

A graduate of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. Indeed, his teams are damn fun to watch. Same with Jon Cooper in TB who coached Green Bay of the USHL except Cooper went to the AHL to win a cup before getting to the bigs.

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.
- scottak

Agreed, Scott. Most organIzations have a backup who is seasoned and ready AND a kid or vet on the farm in case of the disaster the Hawks saw last yr.

An example would be WPG with Pavelic. IIRC 2 yrs ago they had Hutchinson as a #2 and HellBoy on the farm and all saw action in the NHL. ....... In other words a legit 3 deep at the position.

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

I agree with your post Mr Fox and would add draft the best player regardless of position 9 out of 10 times. But for me the biggest point is is this is the reason a kid like Tkachuk is so valued. As close as a can't miss who is already a big player and is skilled.

They are very very hard to find and a reason Panik types get so many looks and a Ryan Clowe is given so much money when he's not a lock to earn it. Why you throw big money at a Bickell.

Hawk management has seen the club get rag dolled thru quite a few playoff series, even when they won them vs a STL, ANA, VAN, and would love some skilled size up front but it ain't that easy to acquire and is expensive.

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

Where do you stand on Brodziak for a yr or two as a 3C, AA as 2C and Schmaltz to wing with AA and Kaner?

You make a good case here, Rick. I also agree with those who say this kind is the perfect example of what rushing a kid who needs AHL seasoning ends up like.

A physically gifted kid who gets stunted, if not ruined, by being rushed. That was the worry with Dcat last yr. Sure he ended up just fine but there was still risk involved.
- Mr Ricochet

On Dcat, there is this sophmore jinx thing. I think he has the puck sense to mostly overcome anything like that, but a lot of teams only saw him a couple of times. Almost like a pitcher going through an opposing rotation.

And I think it's Miss or Mrs Fox, not Mr.

I see on several sites that there is a fair bit of interest in Duclair. I still think he should have been qualified and given a better chance to prove himself. He is only 22 and is going to get snapped up. We don't have the luxury of assets to be giving away useful players.
Bowman better put these extra dollars toward a difference maker player -then I will be OK with this decision.

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.
- RickJ

Schefiele-Little-Lowry-Perrault and I know they like 21 yr old Roslovic who looked good with the Jets last yr............. Indeed, they are in good enough shape to deal from strength at C. and in fact have to move some salary to sign Trouba, HellBoy, Wheeler, Meyers, Morrisey all within 2 yrs.

best part is they can't take back salary so will look for draft picks or prospects. In other words you can get a center without using a roster player in theory, although a kid on an ELC would work.

I see on several sites that there is a fair bit of interest in Duclair. I still think he should have been qualified and given a better chance to prove himself. He is only 22 and is going to get snapped up. We don't have the luxury of assets to be giving away useful players.
Bowman better put these extra dollars toward a difference maker player -then I will be OK with this decision.
- 67hawks

I agree, Its a 1 year deal. we can bury 1 mil of it in Rockford.

Where do you stand on Brodziak for a yr or two as a 3C, AA as 2C and Schmaltz to wing with AA and Kaner?
- Mr Ricochet

If we can get Brodziak for anything close to what he was making last year on a one year deal, snap him up. I have always liked him. If we are out at the TDL, players like him yield picks.

On Dcat, there is this sophmore jinx thing. I think he has the puck sense to mostly overcome anything like that, but a lot of teams only saw him a couple of times. Almost like a pitcher going through an opposing rotation.

And I think it's Miss or Mrs Fox, not Mr.
- 6628

Did not know that, but makes sense. A level headed, non-confrontational, informed poster.

No doubt the sophomore jinx is a real thing. But what he did as a bottom 6 with little PP time was fantastic. Time to slide the kid into a top 6 role?

You make a good case here, Rick. I also agree with those who say this kind is the perfect example of what rushing a kid who needs AHL seasoning ends up like.

A physically gifted kid who gets stunted, if not ruined, by being rushed. That was the worry with Dcat last yr. Sure he ended up just fine but there was still risk involved.
- Mr Ricochet

As you know Mr. R the list is long of players who got rushed by teams who had no patience to wait for them to develop or thought they would develop playing against NHL competition immediately. The Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres and the Maple Leafs are 3 of the worst culprits.

I throw Duclair in the same basket as a Josh Ho Sang - kids with ability that now don't look like they are going to ever stick at the NHL level. Same with Griffin Reinhart, Jared Cowen, Nail Yakupov, maybe Jake Virtanenen. And how long are the Oilers going to wait on Jesse Puljujarvi?

I like what the Hawks are doing now with kids in Rockford - patient coach with input. Take the kids and teach them. The best will find a way to the NHL - some with Chicago and some elsewhere.

Notice the Leafs gave Justin Holl a qualifying offer yesterday? - 54th overall by the Hawks in the 2010 draft. Perfect #5/6 Dman for somebody in the NHL and he is now 6'3 210 lbs. And would play at a bargain price.

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.
- L_B_R

Wow, you have Hughes topping out as a 40ish point player? Veeeery interesting.

Forget DuClair . He is just the Edwin Jackson of the NHL. Everyone sees the speed and is like “I can fix that” . He will play on half a dozen teams before he is done.

While I'm not a huge Bowman guy, I think it's kind of short-sighted to blame everything on him.

There's other people in the front office that have to agree with the moves. It's not like he has free reign to do whatever he wants and isn't questioned, etc.

I'm sure there is a lot of discussions with multiple people before a decision is made.

Yes please. Thanks LBR - great advice.
- Justin Lowe

I agree with your post Mr Fox and would add draft the best player regardless of position 9 out of 10 times. But for me the biggest point is is this is the reason a kid like Tkachuk is so valued. As close as a can't miss who is already a big player and is skilled.

They are very very hard to find and a reason Panik types get so many looks and a Ryan Clowe is given so much money when he's not a lock to earn it. Why you throw big money at a Bickell.

Hawk management has seen the club get rag dolled thru quite a few playoff series, even when they won them vs a STL, ANA, VAN, and would love some skilled size up front but it ain't that easy to acquire and is expensive.
- Mr Ricochet

Check out your last paragraph, was watching the NHL channel this morning, and they talked about Steven Johns and Michael Kempney, I think both of those guys would’ve fit the bill nicely on the Chicago defense, instead we have…… Osterle and Rutta among other club foots. This is the extremely frustrating part with the coach. And if he doesn’t start letting some of these bigger guys play to their strengths instead of turning them in to Sunday morning no check hockey players. Nothing will change. The element of doubt as far as the coach goals long-term is starting to creep into my mind, even though I supported him, and I’m very thankful for the three Stanley cups. Joel has to start letting these bigger guys play the way they know how.

As you know Mr. R the list is long of players who got rushed by teams who had no patience to wait for them to develop or thought they would develop playing against NHL competition immediately. The Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres and the Maple Leafs are 3 of the worst culprits.

I throw Duclair in the same basket as a Josh Ho Sang - kids with ability that now don't look like they are going to ever stick at the NHL level. Same with Griffin Reinhart, Jared Cowen, Nail Yakupov, maybe Jake Virtanenen. And how long are the Oilers going to wait on Jesse Puljujarvi?

I like what the Hawks are doing now with kids in Rockford - patient coach with input. Take the kids and teach them. The best will find a way to the NHL - some with Chicago and some elsewhere.

Notice the Leafs gave Justin Holl a qualifying offer yesterday? - 54th overall by the Hawks in the 2010 draft. Perfect #5/6 Dman for somebody in the NHL and he is now 6'3 210 lbs. And would play at a bargain price.
- RickJ

Refresh my memory, aren't Duclair and Ho Sang the same in that they don't think they need AHL seasoning?

I think Reinhardt starting getting it midseason last yr, but I get your point. You think Puljujarvi has proven he's not a top 6 guy but can carve out a nice bottom 6 role? Or is the jury still out?

And yes with Colliton on the farm the organIzation has taken a traditional look. The AHL is there to replicate the NHL clubs' systems and to develop patiently. This is starting to pay dividends as shown by Hayden and Vinnie and even Kampf or Gus.

You got me Googling the thing. Indeed he'll still be 17 but wasn't sure of eligibility, namely are drafted players eligible. The tournament is basically the kick off for scouting draft eligible 17/18 yr olds for the next draft........... But yes looking at the dates and if drafted players are eligible he is.

But the WJSS (world junior summer showcase), the tournament to look at 35 or so kids for the 2019 WJC U-20 ends 2 days before the Hlinka tournament starts, so I assume he'd attend the WJSS instead.
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe the Okanagan will be the place to be as Kamloops is hosting the WJSS.

Check out your last paragraph, was watching the NHL channel this morning, and they talked about Steven Johns and Michael Kempney, I think both of those guys would’ve fit the bill nicely on the Chicago defense, instead we have…… Osterle and Rutta among other club foots. This is the extremely frustrating part with the coach. And if he doesn’t start letting some of these bigger guys play to their strengths instead of turning them in to Sunday morning no check hockey players. Nothing will change. The element of doubt as far as the coach goals long-term is starting to creep into my mind, even though I supported him, and I’m very thankful for the three Stanley cups. Joel has to start letting these bigger guys play the way they know how.
- wonthecup10

I understand and agree to an extent but was speaking more to forwards. I agree Q just can't help himself. He started out with that 4th line last yr that could/would bang and add energy and finished with Duclairs and Jurcos down there. ... He needs 4 lines that can score and in the hard cap world you may get that in a window but not yr after yr after yr.

He is a speed/skill neophyte. Just is.

Brodziak is pretty far down my list of centers I'd want. If his role was to be a checking/shutdown center the last few years, he wasn't that good at it - terrible shot suppression / goals against numbers. Got more assists last year because the Blues had to move him up the line up after the Stastny trade but I don't think that production is repeatable. Not the worst pickup, not Bouma levels of do not want, but there are other guys I'd prefer.

Ugh this UFA class is just so lacking everyone of quality is going to be inflated.
- L_B_R

LBR, Wiz, Justin.... What 4 FA's that are realistic, affordable, under the radar would you recommend for the Hawks.
- A RW to play with Saad and Toews.
- A 2nd or 3rd line center (depending if AA stays or is traded).
- A defensemen
- A back up goalie
Realizing we probably do not have enough money to get all 4 unless we shed Hossa's contract.

I agree, Its a 1 year deal. we can bury 1 mil of it in Rockford.
- kmw4631

Duclair was already making $1.2M and was arbitration eligible. I'm not sure but, I don't think at his age and years of service the Hawks could have offered a contract less then what he was already making.

One 20 goal season will only get you so many chances in the NHL. I for one am glad that we don't have another Rundblad situation on the Hawks.

Stan took a chance. It didn't work. Move on.

Maybe the Okanagan will be the place to be as Kamloops is hosting the WJSS.
- Z3Hawk

I'm crushed it's not in Plymouth again this yr. My very best hockey experience last yr. Just getting a rare chance to see Canada line up against USA and Finland vs Sveden live is enough to get a fans juices flowing but add getting a look at Dahlin and so many drafted prospects made it simply awesome.

I'm no scout but just seeing Dahlin for a shift you could see he was a player unlike any other.

Is there a final/complete list of FA's that did not receive qualifying offers yesterday?

Forget DuClair . He is just the Edwin Jackson of the NHL. Everyone sees the speed and is like “I can fix that” . He will play on half a dozen teams before he is done.
- mrpaulish

Hughs could always go the collage free agent route if he does not want to sign with Vancouver and wants to play with Kane its a possibility.

Forget DuClair . He is just the Edwin Jackson of the NHL. Everyone sees the speed and is like “I can fix that” . He will play on half a dozen teams before he is done.
- mrpaulish

If the Hawks are relying on guys like Duclair or Jurco then they’re in deep trouble. Chicago has their worst season in a decade and people are upset the team is taking a new direction with some players?

Duclair, Jurco, Chaput and Clendening are all just ok. But the key is that they’re easily replacable. Duclair may have the most potential of the bunch, but instead of paying $1.2 million you would get equivalent value for $750,000(ish) in somebody else. Every extra dollar in (glorious) cap space counts.