Well according to Powers they’re not going to qualify him either.
- walleyeb1

There have to be things going on. As others have suggested I also think the trade was a tip of the hat to Kero sending him to a team where he had a chance to play.

Stopped reading right here at your first sentence, but will finish afterwards. That is NOT McKenzie's ranking as you well know. It is the average of 10 paid NHL scouts that McKenzie gathers, does the math and then lists. He does zero evaluating 10 paid NHL scouts do.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes I do know how McKenzie’s List works. Should’ve said McKenzie’s List I guess - whew tough crowd.

There have to be things going on. As others have suggested I also think the trade was a tip of the hat to Kero sending him to a team where he had a chance to play.
- Z3Hawk

Makes sense.

LeBrun

Carter Hutton’s .931 save percentage apparently travels well as eight teams reached out Sunday once the UFA speaking period opened.

I believe by Monday morning that list had been cut down to six teams and likely in two groups, teams offering a solid No. 2 job and teams offering a chance at competing for the No. 1 job.

Teams I know that reached out to the Hutton camp include Chicago, Buffalo, Carolina and the New York Islanders. Obviously, the Isles, Sabres and Hurricanes can offer a chance at competing for a No. 1 job while the Blackhawks, given the uncertainty with Corey Crawford’s health, can at least offer a solid No. 2, plus who knows.

With respect your analysis is off, so was McKenzie’s. Boqvist was seeded very highly only a very short time ago. He was even discussed as possibly being taken second over-all. He maintained his 2 ranking behind only Dahlin on Central Scouting’s International List. As an aside I am NOT a fan of splitting the players like this. Boqvist had also been slotted very highly on McKenzie’s earlier List. Boqvist fell during a time no hockey was being played. McKenzie said it was not on him but maybe movement up for some other players. Boqvist’s concussion issue may also have played a part. However, many assumed that regardless of whether Boqvist had generally fallen in his ranking that he’d still be taken early and would not actually be available at 8.

Dobson won the Memorial Cup but it wasn’t because of Dobson. I watched the Memorial Cup very closely. If I hadn’t known that Dobson was highly rated I wouldn't have taken notice of him at all. Nothing he did would have made me say - wow he is really something. Scored some points but that was a function of many goals being scored. Regardless of the late movement on Lists I knew Bouchard and Dobson would fall like stones at the Draft which they did. I was also 100% certain that the Hawks would NOT chose either of them at 8 even if they were available. They simply didn’t fit the Kelley Trinity of High-end Skill, High-end Skating, High-end Ceiling. Bouchard and Dobson may make their way in the NHL but Boqvist could be a huge star.

I also knew that the Hawks would take Boqvist easily over Wahlstrom and even over Hughes, if both were available. As another aside Hughes seemed so small. The Hawks are so fortunate to have drafted Boqvist at 8 - I could not be happier with this pick.
- Z3Hawk

Z, I know you know you know, you say so in most every post.

No, Bovquist didn't fall because of any other reason than this. Not a highlight film a shift by shift that gives a picture of what a player is really like. https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=Kfs9agFqqaM&t=2087s

Take the time and watch Bovquist at the U-18's vs Canada, a tournament where he put up 6 in 6, this is Jan 1st. So no, the Swede didn't drop in April. I was absolutely shocked at his refusal to compete, little effort at 50/50's, hot potato to a teammate with no options. But it does show an incredible snapper, what I call elite.

After watching this I came to the conclusion I hope the kid goes before 8, ranking, skating, shot, evaluations be damned. ..........

This is Wiz's evaluation of a player the Hawks drafted. I saw the very very very same thing watching the Swede in the above link, the biggest game in his life at that time to boot, the WJC that every Euro dreams of winning.

Wiz:

"Longer term project who is not the sum of his parts. Displays good feet, vision, hands of the high end level, but his work ethic is on the low end. Needs to become an all around team first player, one who helps his team get chances, and not wait for the team around him to provide him with scoring chances. Takes many a shift off, and can disappear in a tight checking game. The question remains will the team that drafts him see the dazzling skill and motor for 60 minutes?"

That is Nick Schmaltz. Watching this kid 5-6-7-8 times live the 2 yrs coming into that draft IMO this is Wiz' best ever evaluation on any player, ever. I see much of this in Bovquist in the above link. But:

Since he was drafted I scoured for more film and found it, all better than this showing that I will post. I am rooting like hell for the kid as a Hawk fan and will gladly, hopefully, be proven wrong should he have a better career than Wahlstrom.

I tell anyone who will listen how wrong I was on Schmaltz, that this is the player who taught me not to speak in absolutes and scouts have seen thousands of heartless players develop some heart and Schmaltz has that chance, enough skill to justify the swing at 20.

Found the full game Hlinka footage and the Swede looks solid. Take the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl9gUdQQlGE Impressed he got PK time, says much to me. Showed some push back and compete which was non existent 5 months later in the link I already posted. No audio but found the rosters: http://hlinkamemorial.com/eng/soupiska.asp

Merkley, Dobson, Veleno, Ty Smith, Dellandrea and all the rest here. Hawks' Gravel is on the bench backing up.

Yes I do know how McKenzie’s List works. Should’ve said McKenzie’s List I guess - whew tough crowd.
- Z3Hawk

You are selling, Z, I am not. My thoughts are pre draft not post at least as far as #8 is concerned.

Yeah those guys favour the CHL picks as that's who they know the best. I can bet that they didn't watch much on the European leagues and only watched Boqvist's YouTubes.
- Justin Lowe

Just a final note on Sportsnet’s coverage. Neither Boqvist or Beaudin got interviewed nor did Bowman or Kelley. Hawks’ choice? Sportsnet’s choice? I think Sportsnet interviewed all the other Draftees or very close to it.

The Jets have 16 RFAs

Goalies: Hellebuyck, Comrie, Phillips

Defencemen: Poolman, Morrow, Kostalek, Trouba, Morrissey

Forwards: Lowry, Armia, Tanev, Dano, Petan, De Leo, Lipon, Lodge.

The Jets have 16 RFAs

Goalies: Hellebuyck, Comrie, Phillips

Defencemen: Poolman, Morrow, Kostalek, Trouba, Morrissey

Forwards: Lowry, Armia, Tanev, Dano, Petan, De Leo, Lipon, Lodge.
- walleyeb1

Petan looks like a reclaimation project. smurf, watch Stan get his rights. Lodge has been playing ECHL hockey here in Jacksonville. For a big guy, he gets bumped off the puck a lot and hasnt shown much commitment to D

How would we rank our top prospects now?

My first draft list would likely go:
1. Boqvist
2. Jokiharju
3. Beaudin
4. Sikura
5. Barratt
- ObeseOprah

Not close, the Swede. Kid has a chance to be a difference making 50-60 point player who can get the thing out with his feet and hands, in the same way, break down defenses and run a PP.

I'd have Wise #3.

The Jets have 16 RFAs

Goalies: Hellebuyck, Comrie, Phillips

Defencemen: Poolman, Morrow, Kostalek, Trouba, Morrissey

Forwards: Lowry, Armia, Tanev, Dano, Petan, De Leo, Lipon, Lodge.
- walleyeb1

All due significant raises? Trouba and Morrissey for sure, Hellebuyck for sure, Lowry probly not a huge bump, the rest I'd say "meh" but don't know enough about them.

I thought there was great volitility after 2. Regardless of what was happening with Boqvist I still thought someone would grab him far earlier than 8. I didn’t like pre-Draft that Boqvist, when talking about himself, thought he was 2 or 3 years away. Then you find out he has battled dyslexia and that likely he deals with life humbly.

I liked Hughes too and said so but it was more a function of the fact that Hughes could actually fall to 8 which he almost did being taken 7. Wahlstrom was also discussed a lot - I had nothing against Wahlstrom but I saw the Hawks taking him at 8 if there was nobody better at 8 that fit the Hawks’ mold. I also thought that some team would jump in on Merkley regardless of the fact that his ranking had plummetted. He was 45,70 all over the place - crazy. Had been ranked high by McKenzie a short time ago even with problems. Merkley taken at 21.

My analysis and my viewing of the Draft had much to do with who I did not want the Hawks to draft at 8. Didn’t want Tkackuk and didn’t want Bouchard or Dobson.
- Z3Hawk

Few, if any, had Bovquist ahead of Hughes as the season went on and certainly not by the end. Hughes hung with men at the World Championships, the Swede was overwhelmed by men in 15 games in Sweden, and after that all Hughes questions we answered, nobody had Bovquist higher after that.

So you didn't think Bovquist would fall so never mentioned him? Ok, but I know speaking for myself Kotkaniemi was my guy and said hopefully he falls. All my thoughts and evaluations are pre, not post draft with the caveat I found some good footage of the Swede at the Hlinka post draft.

In fact that footage has given me hope and think I'm objective enough to justify that hope. I hope.

Justin, do you think the Hawks will add a "poison pill" person like DeBrincat or Schmaltz to push the Hossa contract to another team? Otherwise, maybe one of the many D men on the roster or the Rock?

List Of Players Who Will Not Receive A 2018 Qualifying Offer:

https://www.prohockeyrumo...018-qualifying-offer.html

Justin, do you think the Hawks will add a "poison pill" person like DeBrincat or Schmaltz to push the Hossa contract to another team? Otherwise, maybe one of the many D men on the roster or the Rock?
- phantasmo

It would be stupid to use a quality player just to move Hossa’s contract.

List Of Players Who Will Not Receive A 2018 Qualifying Offer:

https://www.prohockeyrumo...018-qualifying-offer.html
- walleyeb1

So far the list is a whole lot of

It would be stupid to use a quality player just to move Hossa’s contract.
- walleyeb1

Especially one of those two players.

It would be stupid to use a quality player just to move Hossa’s contract.
- walleyeb1

it's laughable someone thinks DinkyCat or Schmaltz would be moved just to unload Hossa's contract and I sure don't see either of these guys being part of that deal, but with Bowman who knows.

The Jets have 16 RFAs

Goalies: Hellebuyck, Comrie, Phillips

Defencemen: Poolman, Morrow, Kostalek, Trouba, Morrissey

Forwards: Lowry, Armia, Tanev, Dano, Petan, De Leo, Lipon, Lodge.
- walleyeb1

Stan should target these two.

Stan should target these two.
- DarthKane

Not Trouba???

You are selling, Z, I am not. My thoughts are pre draft not post at least as far as #8 is concerned.
- Mr Ricochet

AGAIN I point out to you that I am not “selling” you or anyone else on anything ever. This is just hockey discussion. I made it very clear what I thought PRE-Draft. Didn’t want Tkachuk. This opinion was not at all popular by the way. Didn’t want Bouchard. Didn’t want Dobson. I said repeatedly you can teach lots of things but you can’t teach high-end skill. I wanted players with High-end Skill, High-end Skating and High-end Ceiling.

I talked a lot about Merkley. I thought it highly unlikely that the Hawks or any team for that matter would have the nads to take him in the top 10. However, I actually hoped the Hawks would move up somehow or do something after the pick at 8 to take him. I said PRE-Draft that whatever it takes draft Merkley. Alas Wilson took Merkley at 21.

Said I liked Hughes. I thought he had a chance to fall to 8 or that maybe the Hawks even move up a bit to grab him. I thought the Hawks would have him high. If both Hughes and Wahlstrom available to the Hawks I wanted Hughes. Thought it was a positive that he already had a relationship with Kane.

Boqvist was not championed by me pre-Draft - in part because he had been rated so high just a short time ago it seemed impossible that he would actually be there at 8. I’m very happy he was and I make no bones about. It is a Great Pick and I believe a very fortunate one - thanks Montreal and Arizona.

it's laughable someone thinks DinkyCat or Schmaltz would be moved just to unload Hossa's contract and I sure don't see either of these guys being part of that deal, but with Bowman who knows.
- kwolf68

Not trolling....didn't the Hawks do this with TT and the Bickell contract? Young, talented cost controlled player sent to a team along with a bad contract for peanuts?

I've really enjoyed your work, Justin. Looking forward to hundreds more posts!

Not trolling....didn't the Hawks do this with TT and the Bickell contract? Young, talented cost controlled player sent to a team along with a bad contract for peanuts?
- phantasmo

Bickell wasn’t on LTIR, that’s the difference. No need to pay to move Hossa.

Not Trouba???
- z1990z

In a perfect world, yes. Realistically that's not happening.