Oh also... this:

"* Also, sounds like there has been quite a bit of scouting being done overseas as well. "


My contact was right about that. He makes me look good once and a while.
- Justin Lowe

When you invest a lot of time scouting the reward is measured by the outcome of the players you draft-, sign, trade. No one expects a superstar is unearthed. Playing a role in the NHL ....now that defines success born out of the scouting mission

So you can look at recent signs Ruuta, Kempny, Kahun, Kampf. Now the latest is another Czech.

You may also consider scouting work as in Bowman hoping that he signed a diamond in the rough.....see Edjsell. This player has too many weak areas and likely never plays NHL, at least top six NHL.

Then there is one last realization that this player acquired today would help Rockford become a better team. Which is a firm foundation with the hope that prospects in AHL develop in a good environment.

A 5th round choice is percentage wise for us or the Kings a gamble on scouting. Percent rate of 5th rounders making NHL is not great; in fact it is very low cumulative whether per team or NHL overall.

So the acquisition today is seen in proper perspective. Given the NHL trajectory of recent European signs aforementioned, this transaction today I am in favor. But I have tempered expectations

I think AA may have been traded 4 times! By the same guy!
- paulr

I think AA may have been traded 4 times! By the same guy!
- paulr

Haven't backread. Did we at least get Malkin for him in one of the trades?

What is the rate on 3rd rounders? Cause we apparently have a poopload of them.

And Hossa is a Slovak. Isn't this guy a Czech?
- Elbows15

Hossa is Slovak and this guy is Czech, correct. I was under the impression that he would know about Czech and KHL due to the proximity. I would assume he is pretty well connected to the scene in the region. He has advised the front office informally on some of the prospects from the region in the past.

- Elbows15

We all should expect the greatest impact comes from drafting. Trades may change a team's chemistry or dynamics of the current group. The Panarin trade is an example. Most trades no one gets fleeced. Yet we dream all we want on this board

I think AA may have been traded 4 times! By the same guy!
- paulr

At some point he went for a player to be named, which turned out to be himself.

Haven't backread. Did we at least get Malkin for him in one of the trades?
- HawkintheD

Just think maybe a prospect may come up and have a shining moment, then disappear

Justin Holl.

An original Chicago pick. Had a moment in time for Leafs.

Wait ... why stop at only signing free agents Panarin, Stone, Dzingel and Kadri? I say we don't do half measures and also sign Skinner, Duchene, Karlsson, Stralman, Hainsey, Lehner and Bobrovsky.

Panarin-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Stone
Dzingel-Duchene-Hughes
Saad-Kadri-Skinner

Keith-Karlsson
Hainsey-Stralman
Murphy-Jokiharju

Lehner
Bobrovsky


- EbonyRaptor

You’re overlooking that we should also trade Gus for Crosby and Malkin. Then flip Malkin for Tavares.

Hossa is Slovak and this guy is Czech, correct. I was under the impression that he would know about Czech and KHL due to the proximity. I would assume he is pretty well connected to the scene in the region. He has advised the front office informally on some of the prospects from the region in the past.
- 333inthe3rd

The only one I could think he did that for was Panik, whom he knew personally because he played with Panik's Dad I think it was.

The only one I could think he did that for was Panik, whom he knew personally because he played with Panik's Dad I think it was.
- Elbows15

Yes, and neither the new guy or Hossa has ever played in the KHL.

Kelly Stephens
‏ @k44steph
12h12 hours ago

Kelly Stephens Retweeted Ted Suihkonen

Over 98% of a hockey game is played without the puck on your stick. Hockey sense creates success, knowing where to go without the puck on both ends of the rink makes a hockey player. Hockey sense + hard work = success.

Kelly Stephens added,
Ted Suihkonen
@suihkonenhockey
Without hockey sense, your other skills don’t matter! This is why many players who can skate, stick handle and shoot like no other...do not succeed! It’s what’s between the ears that is the true separator. #twittpuck #hockey #development
1 reply 3 retweets 16 likes

I realize it may violate internet and hockeybuzz rules, but shouldn’t we check to see if something is factually correct before we post it?

Opinions are one thing, but mis-stating facts in a whole different thing.

I realize it may violate internet and hockeybuzz rules, but shouldn’t we check to see if something is factually correct before we post it?

Opinions are one thing, but mis-stating facts in a whole different thing.
- scottak

We will never see EK again.

Kelly Stephens
‏ @k44steph
12h12 hours ago

Kelly Stephens Retweeted Ted Suihkonen

Over 98% of a hockey game is played without the puck on your stick. Hockey sense creates success, knowing where to go without the puck on both ends of the rink makes a hockey player. Hockey sense + hard work = success.

Kelly Stephens added,
Ted Suihkonen
@suihkonenhockey
Without hockey sense, your other skills don’t matter! This is why many players who can skate, stick handle and shoot like no other...do not succeed! It’s what’s between the ears that is the true separator. #twittpuck #hockey #development
1 reply 3 retweets 16 likes
- Mr Ricochet

Great statement and very true.

Actually depth is in fact built through the draft. Any holes on the team, and yes depth holes as well, can be augmented by trades and free agency.
- paulr

Absolutely agree with this. If I was the gm I would be looking at the assets currently in the hawks system and projecting who would be viable at the 2021-2022 or 2022-2024 seasons. I believe the moves made now and the next two years should be made to put the best product on the starting at 2021.

I don’t see the hawks doing anything this year that isn’t going to make them anything other than a marginally better team in 2019-2020. My fear would they do something short term that hurts the 3 years out. Not saying they shouldn’t do anything, such that if they see Stone being the type of player they need in three years, get him now because he probably will be locked up when you need him if you don’t take him now.

You are correct that the hawks are only going to be able to use free agents to plug key hole or add the missing piece. How they draft and build from within - plus what youth they’ve added over the last several years — will be the core they need to be winning with in the future.

Edmonton is not trading drasatil excuse the spelling.
- Scott1977

Who mentioned Draisaitl?

Who mentioned Draisaitl?
- tvetter

I KNOW I KNOW

The only one I could think he did that for was Panik, whom he knew personally because he played with Panik's Dad I think it was.
- Elbows15

I seem to remember that he would get asked by the front office about players from the region. I didn't think it was only Slovakia. Apparently there is a KHL team based in Slovakia, also, fwiw. If I'm misremmebering his informal advisory role, I guess it can happen.

The only one I could think he did that for was Panik, whom he knew personally because he played with Panik's Dad I think it was.
- Elbows15

His next door neighbour in the old country is Zdeno Chara. Maybe he can deliver him and Jaro Halak for next season.

He would be a nice pick up to add to our prospect pool with his brother playing for Rockford as well. Promote the Sikura and Raddysh bros playing together. It's a PR guys wet dream but in all seriousness if there was a way to get him and a draft pick for taking say Ryan Callahan for Forsling and Hayden (something like that) I would be in for it. Especially if we're not gonna spend big in FA this year might as well put that money to good use and get some more prospect depth outta it
- Savetheembers33

I like the way you think! Add in that the Raddysh brothers, Debrincat and Strome owned the the OHL in '16-'17 and you're guaranteed some big PR points right there! Reunite the three forwards and dub that line the "Otter Line"!

Any reports on Entwistle or Wise?

His next door neighbour in the old country is Zdeno Chara. Maybe he can deliver him and Jaro Halak for next season.
- RickJ

But why?

Any reports on Entwistle or Wise?
- tvetter

I read where Wise was not scoring much this season. No doubt he is capable to succeed at a higher level; what his strength is and trajectory is something I wish to hear. For whatever reason he has experienced adversity this season. Thought to be a third round steal. Perhaps AEL_FOX or anyone else can enlighten us farther.

Imagine a talented point producer with Kane.

Entwhistle was just traded from one junior team to another. If this results in playoffs at his junior league level, it is a positive development. You might see some points and strong play forthcoming from a player of his ilk on the playoff stage. This is a big strong checker who can score but is not a top line scorer. Each team needs a prototype like him.

On a side note, a bit disappointed Stahl on Carolina has not produced more points or haven't heard much about him.

Any reports on Entwistle or Wise?
- tvetter

Wise is out for the season with an injury. The speculation is a shoulder injury. It has never been conformed by his coach at BU.

Entwistle was traded from his junior team to guelph recently but is having a vg season overall. Also played well for Canada at the WJHC.

Wise is out for the season with an injury. The speculation is a shoulder injury. It has never been conformed by his coach at BU.

Entwistle was traded from his junior team to guelph recently but is having a vg season overall. Also played well for Canada at the WJHC.
- Elbows15

You know what -

Bowman the last two three seasons or so has done a good job identifying and drafting/signing/trading for prospects. These two players (Wise, Entwhistle) is a good example.

Bowman had the right idea about Edjsell too....if a guy can score and is really talented.....but Edjsell is too slow, doesn't use his body effectively in checking and basically if not scoring or making great passes....he is invisible. Lacks the quickness so that is the kicker right there. Bowman salivating over a big size center with scoring prowess from Nashville trade but the draft choice from that trade - Beaudin - is the player we can be thankful to land.

Blackhawks will improve through good drafting and development of talented players. Not too much via trades.