Bickell wasn’t on LTIR, that’s the difference. No need to pay to move Hossa.
- walleyeb1

Hawks were also much tighter against the cap. Hossa's contract does have some issues from a Hawks cap perspective. None that can't be work around. Moving one of the two players who put up 50+ points in their first full NHL season should be be enough to cost Bowman his job.

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.
- Mr Ricochet

Just because you say few, if any, had Boqvist ahead of Hughes doesn’t mean it was so. There was huge volitility. Who had Barratt Hayton at 5 ahead of Zadina? Struggling a bit in the Senior European leagues applies to many players. The great Zadina scored exactly 1 goal and 1 assist in 25 games and he was taken at 6. Hughes played the Worlds yes but he was watched and protected. Boqvist has an August 15, 2018 Birthday so he is very young as well and has already won Best D-Man at Hlicka and U-18s.

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

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.

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.
- Mr Ricochet

At the U-18s you might want to check who won Best D-Man.

Just because you say few, if any, had Boqvist ahead of Hughes doesn’t mean it was so. There was huge volitility. Who had Barratt Hayton at 5 ahead of Zadina? Struggling a bit in the Senior European leagues applies to many players. The great Zadina scored exactly 1 goal and 1 assist in 25 games and he was taken at 6. Hughes played the Worlds yes but he was watched and protected. Boqvist has an August 15, 2018 Birthday so he is very young as well and has already won Best D-Man at Hlicka and U-18s.
- Z3Hawk

I watched some of his shift by shift vids. His positioning is pretty sound for a 17 year old. Saw him engage physically a couple of times when it called for it. Didn't see him making high-risks plays without support.

ngl, I really wanted Wahlstrom, I went back and forth on Boqvist a few times. In the end, Bowman went for the home run. I can't fault him for that.

Wanted nothing to do with Bouchard or Dobson. Dobson left me underwhelmed suring the Memorial Cup. I thought his partner, Gailpeau, was the domnant layer on his pairing. Which, tbf, makes sense since Gailpeau is an overager. Undrafted, BTW, and did attend a prospect camp with the Hawks in 2016.

Definitely not a source I'd put all my stock into (And this is for fantasy hockey) but interesting to note, this is the latest top 50 Fantasy Dmen published by NHL.com

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-282830728?tid=277729150

Two teams I didn't see having a player in this top 50.

Detroit, Chicago

This is by no means a definitive list ranking the depth of the teams and their blueline, but I think just another example of where the Hawks no longer have the top end talent they one had.

Edit: Also Edmonton, which I missed.

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
Anthony Duclair will be a UFA soon. The @NHLBlackhawks didn’t send him his QO.

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
Anthony Duclair will be a UFA soon. The @NHLBlackhawks didn’t send him his QO.
- TommyHawk

Have no doubt Jurco will get a contract.

Have no doubt Jurco will get a contract.
- z1990z

With the Bears of the Siberian league?

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
Anthony Duclair will be a UFA soon. The @NHLBlackhawks didn’t send him his QO.
- TommyHawk

Looks like I was wrong on Chaput... he, along with Duclair and Jurco all appear to be heading for UFA status.

It looks like the Hawks are going in a different direction and cleaning up a little bit.

At times, I was excited to see Duclair settle in here and attempt to get back to that 20-goal calibre.

Other times, in his brief stint with CHI he looked kind of lazy. I watched him take bad routes and didn't look like he knew what was up at times... below average hockey IQ I would say and maybe the Hawks saw the same.

It is now strange to see a player that young heading to his 4th NHL team.

Hawks were also much tighter against the cap. Hossa's contract does have some issues from a Hawks cap perspective. None that can't be work around. Moving one of the two players who put up 50+ points in their first full NHL season should be be enough to cost Bowman his job.
- Elbows15

Maybe it's not one of those two guys....maybe it is,or maybe a prospect people on this board like. My point is.....I don't think this contract i srolling off the books for free. No 2018 picks were given up. It's either 2019 picks or some sweetener going with the Hossa contract. I can't see the team just eating it.

Looks like I was wrong on Chaput... he, along with Duclair and Jurco all appear to be heading for UFA status.

It looks like the Hawks are going in a different direction and cleaning up a little bit.

At times, I was excited to see Duclair settle in here and attempt to get back to that 20-goal calibre.

Other times, in his brief stint with CHI he looked kind of lazy. I watched him take bad routes and didn't look like he knew what was up at times... below average hockey IQ I would say and maybe the Hawks saw the same.

It is now strange to see a player that young heading to his 4th NHL team.
- Justin Lowe

As I stated earlier, no loss. Duclair was useless. Better to cut bait and focus on the kids who showed more potential. That all said, this is another miss by Bowman. He's looking for a backup goalie right now it appears, trying to cover for the other miss last year on the Saad deal.

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
Anthony Duclair will be a UFA soon. The @NHLBlackhawks didn’t send him his QO.
- TommyHawk

Au revoir.

Maybe it's not one of those two guys....maybe it is,or maybe a prospect people on this board like. My point is.....I don't think this contract i srolling off the books for free. No 2018 picks were given up. It's either 2019 picks or some sweetener going with the Hossa contract. I can't see the team just eating it.
- phantasmo

I doubt they are giving up a high pick or highly rated prospect. They definitely aren't giving up ADB or Schmaltz to get it off the books, and I'd lead the pitchfork mob to oust Stan if he did.

It's dead space but the Hawks aren't in a jam Cap wise and can use it during the season. Would be nice to get rid of it but shouldn't cost them major assets.

As I stated earlier, no loss. Duclair was useless. Better to cut bait and focus on the kids who showed more potential. That all said, this is another miss by Bowman. He's looking for a backup goalie right now it appears, trying to cover for the other miss last year on the Saad deal.
- kwolf68

Not really on Duclair. He took a flier on some guy with skill and was able to get rid of Panik's deal in the process (yes I get he gave Panik that deal).

As far as Forsberg goes, I think he was generally fine as a backup but was asked to assume a bigger role than he was ready for when Crow went down. Idk if I'd declare him donezo just yet.

That said, I have no issue with them bringing someone in to challenge.

Looks like I was wrong on Chaput... he, along with Duclair and Jurco all appear to be heading for UFA status.

It looks like the Hawks are going in a different direction and cleaning up a little bit.

At times, I was excited to see Duclair settle in here and attempt to get back to that 20-goal calibre.

Other times, in his brief stint with CHI he looked kind of lazy. I watched him take bad routes and didn't look like he knew what was up at times... below average hockey IQ I would say and maybe the Hawks saw the same.

It is now strange to see a player that young heading to his 4th NHL team.
- Justin Lowe

13 minutes and 0.34 points per game is replaceable.

I doubt they are giving up a high pick or highly rated prospect. They definitely aren't giving up ADB or Schmaltz to get it off the books, and I'd lead the pitchfork mob to oust Stan if he did.

It's dead space but the Hawks aren't in a jam Cap wise and can use it during the season. Would be nice to get rid of it but shouldn't cost them major assets.
- HawkintheD

OK D I'm hoping

Looks like I was wrong on Chaput... he, along with Duclair and Jurco all appear to be heading for UFA status.

It looks like the Hawks are going in a different direction and cleaning up a little bit.

At times, I was excited to see Duclair settle in here and attempt to get back to that 20-goal calibre.

Other times, in his brief stint with CHI he looked kind of lazy. I watched him take bad routes and didn't look like he knew what was up at times... below average hockey IQ I would say and maybe the Hawks saw the same.

It is now strange to see a player that young heading to his 4th NHL team.
- Justin Lowe

Just my opinion seems hawks are opening up space for free agents Number 1and 2 on my list would be Bozak move smaltz to 3rd center or top 6 lw takes the pressure off of towes. Then DeHann if hawks can get both big win then maybe a colborun or riley nash and rousell hawks be looking good. But everything depends on crawfords status and moving hossa's contract.

OK D I'm hoping
- DK002

Ha! I don't like all Stan's moves but that one would be certifiable. He should at least get back a 5th along with glorious Cap Space for LTIR Hoss and Schmaltz. (red font)

Looks like I was wrong on Chaput... he, along with Duclair and Jurco all appear to be heading for UFA status.

It looks like the Hawks are going in a different direction and cleaning up a little bit.

At times, I was excited to see Duclair settle in here and attempt to get back to that 20-goal calibre.

Other times, in his brief stint with CHI he looked kind of lazy. I watched him take bad routes and didn't look like he knew what was up at times... below average hockey IQ I would say and maybe the Hawks saw the same.

It is now strange to see a player that young heading to his 4th NHL team.
- Justin Lowe

This is my "one trick pony" topic:

He went straight to the Rags after amateur hockey at 19 - he should have spent a year or two (more?) in the AHL to learn how to play the game, learn how to play the pro game, learn how to play both ends, learn how....

Just my opinion seems hawks are opening up space for free agents Number 1and 2 on my list would be Bozak move smaltz to 3rd center or top 6 lw takes the pressure off of towes. Then DeHann if hawks can get both big win then maybe a colborun or riley nash and rousell hawks be looking good. But everything depends on crawfords status and moving hossa's contract.
- Scott1977

Definitely, Scott. I think by not signing Jurco and Duclair that means there will be more spots and $'s to spend.

By not resigning those guys we should think about who they can now use that money on. I mean, they would have came in around 2.5M for the both of them.

Maybe this now allows them to get another D, a competent backup or a couple depth/role guys like Wingels/Roussel/Beagle/Smith-Pelley.

Renaud Lavoie
@renlavoietva
Anthony Duclair will be a UFA soon. The @NHLBlackhawks didn’t send him his QO.
- TommyHawk

You sure it's not in the mail?

You sure it's not in the mail?
- Dieselhead

Its stuck in the fax machine

Just my opinion seems hawks are opening up space for free agents Number 1and 2 on my list would be Bozak move smaltz to 3rd center or top 6 lw takes the pressure off of towes. Then DeHann if hawks can get both big win then maybe a colborun or riley nash and rousell hawks be looking good. But everything depends on crawfords status and moving hossa's contract.
- Scott1977

Good call on Bozak and DeHann- however
The Hawks need to sign a 1A or 1B Goalie for all the obvious reasons

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

I've only seen Mitchell play 3 or 4 games on TV last year.

I was more impressed with him than any other Hawks prospect. I did only see Henry play a little bit at the World Jrs, he looked good, but I thought Mitchell looked like a future stud.