This is going to be an interesting series. Looks like the size of the BJs are going to give them problems.

One rule i see already anytime Chara touches the puck, put ther body on him

Isn't one of the guys in the booth Mike Milbury? I think he's a former Boston Bruin
- BetweenTheDots

Yes and he's a terrible analyst.

Seth Jones fall asleep?

You're going to get it don't worry Ogi. .....but it will be in free agency. Matt Duchene will be signed....
Book it !!
- Hawkytalk

God I hope not.

Yes and he's a terrible analyst.
- Hawkytalk

I don’t mind him in the studio, but not in the booth.

I don’t mind him in the studio, but not in the booth.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.....and he's barely acceptable in the studio as well. Just a real meathead as somebody else posted. I remember the argument he and Roenick got into on the air a few years ago. JR almost lost it with him a few times now. I can not believe that NBC still carries him with all the great new talent they've added.....ie....Patrick Sharp is really good in studio.

Agreed.....and he's barely acceptable in the studio as well. Just a real meathead as somebody else posted. I remember the argument he and Roenick got into on the air a few years ago. JR almost lost it with him a few times now. I can not believe that NBC still carries him with all the great new talent they've added.....ie....Patrick Sharp is really good in studio.
- Hawkytalk

Nice to see former Hawks on there. I miss vintage Sharp. Looks good on TV and he’s played with a lot of the current players. Love his view point and small insights.

Whoa, I heard from a source that he is going #1.
- breadbag

I can see that.

AGREE AGREE!!!!!!!! Need center depth in the top six cozens Turcotte zegras cozens is my pick. Justin I ask a question in a previous blog did not get an answer so have the hawks talked to vegas at the TDL or at anytime about a deal for eakin mcnabb/miller? Just curious because it keeps coming up by several posters and yourself, any concrete discussion or just speculations and opinions?
- Scott1977

Hey Scott - I have not heard anything specific on CHI and VGK talking. I think the connection is just based on Vegas' cap issues paired with the Hawks needs.

I can see that.
- DarthKane

It is a debate between Kakko or Cozens and pray both are not selected before us at #3. Drafting a dman or Pod, the Russian, is not the right choice and we definitely do not want a small center no matter how good he is. When the prospects are all really good and we have a team need - a really big need - you want Cozens over the more pure scorer in Kakko. We have Kane and DeBrincat as money scorers but we do not have any who provide what Cozens does.

Cozens would compliment a top line. Down playoff stretch and playoffs you need a tough skill who also can skate = Cozens

Having watched almost all of the WJC tourney and it being my first time to see a lot of the prospects Cozens makes me nervous.

Positives- He is willing to go to the net and play in the dirty areas. Speed seems good. Has a good shot.

Negatives-Doesn't seem to have a big compete level. He coasts a lot. Also doesn't seem to have great vision or a lot of skill to beat guys one on one. He is definitely not McDavid light. I see no resemblance to that.

I think he will be a good NHL player but not a game changer/superstar you hope to see at #3.

Turcotte to me does all of the things Cozens can do and competes much harder and has better vision.

I would be good trading down and taking Boldy as well. Great vision and size and seems intelligent on the ice.

I also like Krebs game as well. Seems smart and is always in the right spot. Has good vision as well.

2nd round give me Jamison Rees. Dude just competes! Kills penalties, hits, agitates and is everywhere. He would be a fan favorite.

If Byram is truly viewed as a #1 D man I think you take him. If that is the case with him he will impact the game more than Turcotte, Krebs or Cozens.

Keep in mind this is the only time I have seen these players (so what do I really know) and the US team is stacked!

It is a debate between Kakko or Cozens and pray both are not selected before us at #3. Drafting a dman or Pod, the Russian, is not the right choice and we definitely do not want a small center no matter how good he is. When the prospects are all really good and we have a team need - a really big need - you want Cozens over the more pure scorer in Kakko. We have Kane and DeBrincat as money scorers but we do not have any who provide what Cozens does.

Cozens would compliment a top line. Down playoff stretch and playoffs you need a tough skill who also can skate = Cozens
- jhawk59

My preferences for the 3rd overall pick:

1. Caufield
2. Kakko
3. Cozens
4. Bowen

Hey Scott - I have not heard anything specific on CHI and VGK talking. I think the connection is just based on Vegas' cap issues paired with the Hawks needs.
- Justin Lowe

You can be fairly certain no trade talks iniated by Vegas and Vegas would probably kindly respond to any inquiry before their playoff ouster with, we aren't prepared to consider trading anyone just yet.

The GM may have asked for input among his organizational people....might have asked said something like....
How soon can you see our prospect at Chicago AHL playing NHL....might not even be a direct question now or ever whether they should trade Miller or Eakins or whomever.

Gm's have multiple plans and scenarios tucked away.
.a lot of what if scenarios. OFTEN They will take an offer or interest shown in one of their players and just let it perculate until right before draft day. Then the serious negotiations occur. You never know whom might become available or if a trade idea goes cold.

As fans we should not get too fixated on any of it. Hard as it may be, just wait and see what happens. And completely ignore all those predictions like Eklund board would have.

Having watched almost all of the WJC tourney and it being my first time to see a lot of the prospects Cozens makes me nervous.

Positives- He is willing to go to the net and play in the dirty areas. Speed seems good. Has a good shot.

Negatives-Doesn't seem to have a big compete level. He coasts a lot. Also doesn't seem to have great vision or a lot of skill to beat guys one on one. He is definitely not McDavid light. I see no resemblance to that.

I think he will be a good NHL player but not a game changer/superstar you hope to see at #3.

Turcotte to me does all of the things Cozens can do and competes much harder and has better vision.

I would be good trading down and taking Boldy as well. Great vision and size and seems intelligent on the ice.

I also like Krebs game as well. Seems smart and is always in the right spot. Has good vision as well.

2nd round give me Jamison Rees. Dude just competes! Kills penalties, hits, agitates and is everywhere. He would be a fan favorite.

If Byram is truly viewed as a #1 D man I think you take him. If that is the case with him he will impact the game more than Turcotte, Krebs or Cozens.

Keep in mind this is the only time I have seen these players (so what do I really know) and the US team is stacked!
- Black Raven

The issue with you or mine review of a tournament, is it is not a complete know all or the way it is type call. Projections are based on various factors. Turcitte for example may be more advanced but may not be as valuable or as big an impact player as Cozens could become. So i go by wiz report card

He has watched tape, seen progress and Wiz has knocked himself out pouring over tapes and updating his profiles. Over 30 year worth.

EDIT LATE ADD But everyone who wishes to convey their thoughts even just one game or a few in a tournament, your thoughts is always welcome and appreciated by should be all of us. We aren"t grading each other on our observations. It is merely input based on a tiny sample set. It is exciting and interesting to contemplate but we recognize we are not hard core scouts who have seen these players many times.

I can't see Cozens or Podkolzin kind of players Bowman&Kelley prefer. My educated guess is that #3 pick will be Byram, Krebs, Turcotte or Zegras.

For me Krebs has outplayed Cozens by far in U18's. Even Newhook has looked better. It's only one tournament but the smarts Krebs has is something else.

I can't see Cozens or Podkolzin kind of players Bowman&Kelley prefer. My educated guess is that #3 pick will be Byram, Krebs, Turcotte or Zegras.

For me Krebs has outplayed Cozens by far in U18's. Even Newhook has looked better. It's only one tournament but the smarts Krebs has is something else.
- MjulQvist

Yours is another non support for Cozens. Wiz report sure made him look like the one. And maybe he is. Maybe he plays one year collegiate and is a much more mature player.

I tend to agree with you on Podkolzin. He would appear to be a swing for the fence home run. Projecting out a potential very good player with what could be some really strong points - in that way similar to Boqvist. I wonder how far the russian might drop due to his North American arrival date chiefly concerning.

I see issues connected to the selection of a dman. A rookie needs strong support or minimumly benefits by such. It is extremely difficult to acquire a solid experienced dman. As it stands there is a bevy of youngsters with less than stellar NHL pairings to help them break in. It is nonsense to let them play and develop without a good reliable partner. Therefore what dman prospect gets pushed aside or why trade a dman prospect before he ripens? Maybe one dman prospect goes in a trade....so you give up on some dman too early?

Look closely at thosr two top rayed dmen. One from Sweden seemsvlikevhiscstock has dropped butvthe other dman prosoect stockbhas risen. Yet this other prosoect played at a low level and is rae like Boqvist was andvstill is in somecaspects of his game. You want to rush him yet he had not even played major junior. Just adding another dman prospect when know we have a lot already, does not make a lot of sense. Are we going to have Rockford battle royal for playing time

Just got an e-mail from a source within the Hawks organization. First time I've ever heard from him (he cleans the crappers at the UC), but I trust him implicitly. He says the Hawks will select Little Cole if he's still available at three.

Just got an e-mail from a source within the Hawks organization. First time I've ever heard from him (he cleans the crappers at the UC), but I trust him implicitly. He says the Hawks will select Little Cole if he's still available at three.
- mohel

Does he clean the executive crapper - or the ones the fans use?

Does he clean the executive crapper - or the ones the fans use?
- StLBravesFan

He did not say, and I didn't want to pry.

He did not say, and I didn't want to pry.
- mohel

Willy the janitor?

Willy the janitor?
- z1990z

I cannot reveal my sources; too much integrity for that nonsense.

Evan Bouchard is the OHL defenseman of the year. Why the (frank) didn't Stan get him? (frank)ing idiot.

Evan Bouchard is the OHL defenseman of the year. Why the (frank) didn't Stan get him? (frank)ing idiot.
- mohel

Have been watching video on Byram. Kid is impressive.

Have been watching video on Byram. Kid is impressive.
- z1990z

Yeah, there's a bunch of kids in play that will be available to the Hawks. Glad I don't have to choose.

Having watched almost all of the WJC tourney and it being my first time to see a lot of the prospects Cozens makes me nervous.

Positives- He is willing to go to the net and play in the dirty areas. Speed seems good. Has a good shot.

Negatives-Doesn't seem to have a big compete level. He coasts a lot. Also doesn't seem to have great vision or a lot of skill to beat guys one on one. He is definitely not McDavid light. I see no resemblance to that.

I think he will be a good NHL player but not a game changer/superstar you hope to see at #3.

Turcotte to me does all of the things Cozens can do and competes much harder and has better vision.

I would be good trading down and taking Boldy as well. Great vision and size and seems intelligent on the ice.

I also like Krebs game as well. Seems smart and is always in the right spot. Has good vision as well.

2nd round give me Jamison Rees. Dude just competes! Kills penalties, hits, agitates and is everywhere. He would be a fan favorite.

If Byram is truly viewed as a #1 D man I think you take him. If that is the case with him he will impact the game more than Turcotte, Krebs or Cozens.

Keep in mind this is the only time I have seen these players (so what do I really know) and the US team is stacked!
- Black Raven

Thanks for this write-up Black Raven. I'm in favor of the Hawks drafting a C. I think the best thing about taking Cozens, Turcotte or Dach is that they don't have to come in and make the 1st line.. or 2nd. My highest expectation is more production on the 3rd line. Depth, skill and size down the center of the ice is always a good thing.