Watching Turcotte play reminds me of Patrice Bergeron the way he relentlessly pursues the puck and makes plays. Never stops. I would be very happy to see Stan call his name with the #3 pick. (I still want Byram though)

Watching Turcotte play reminds me of Patrice Bergeron the way he relentlessly pursues the puck and makes plays. Never stops. I would be very happy to see Stan call his name with the #3 pick. (I still want Byram though)
- EbonyRaptor

Or Cozens or Dachs or Caufield or .....

While Turcotte may not be my first (or second) choice I would still be happy if the Hawks went with him.
- DarthKane

Here I was thinking for sure Darth is gonna say there’s a clear cut #3 Cole Caufield!

I am leaning towards taking a center, especially with Wiz's doubts about byram's defensive smarts. Question is Strome went #3 in his draft year, how do the centers eligible this year compare to Strome when he was eligible?

I am leaning towards taking a center, especially with Wiz's doubts about byram's defensive smarts. Question is Strome went #3 in his draft year, how do the centers eligible this year compare to Strome when he was eligible?
- LAHawk

Going on nothing but profiles, Dach sounds somewhat comparable in terms of ability and style of game to Strome, so he would be the one I likely wouldn’t pick...which also likely makes him the best of the bunch.

That’s not an indictment on Strome. I just think it would be a bit of a redundancy, kind of like Caufield...sorry Darth.

Here I was thinking for sure Darth is gonna say there’s a clear cut #3 Cole Caufield!
- walleyeb1

That is what I am saying. Turcotte isn't even my first, second or third choice. They would be Caufield, Byram then Cozens in that order.

I am leaning towards taking a center, especially with Wiz's doubts about byram's defensive smarts. Question is Strome went #3 in his draft year, how do the centers eligible this year compare to Strome when he was eligible?
- LAHawk

Caufield can play centre.

Or Cozens or Dachs or Caufield or .....
- paulr

Such a nice problem to have!!

I think there is a new Video of Bowens playoff highlights. the things that jumped out to me was
1) his head always seems up, which at 17 is big
2) when he has the puck, in this case mostly on the power play he is not totally predictable. I don't want to pick on keith. but I think the defenders on the PP know exactly were the puck is going and that is why they don't even try and close out 100% does that make sense? When a guy does not close out on bowen and protects the wall he goes to the center of the ice. kieth sends that in most times and the Defender usually gets a stick on it.

I think Turcotte, Cozens, Dach are all close. I think Zeg is a step down. he is great passer but those guys tend to get pass happy (Nick S) I'm a fan of putting the puck on net. I think Bowen is in the same class as those 3, But I just feel he has a higher floor. he has size, speed, hands, shot, compete, Smarts, and will be Physical. Are any of the above traits elite? No but When you put that many above AVG things together it becomes Elite. Teows would be an example. What is he elite at? Faceoffs. he has size, speed, hands, smarts, physical. ETC but you do not see any elite skills but when you put 10 traits between a 7-9 it becomes elite.

we don't ave a #1 D on our team or in our system. you can get by without a true # 1 Center or Wing if you have depth on all 4 lines. you cannot get deep in the playoffs without Good D. When I say true #1 that is top 10-type guy.

https://www.bing.com/vide...2AEA3E1E9C17&&FORM=VRDGAR

personly, i say give up all picks. let the players proove themselves

In my neighbourhood I learned to colour then I learned English, in your neighborhood you learned to color then you learned American.

- paulr

"Well, at least speak English-English." -Austin Powers

None of the remaining NHL final 4 has a player making more than $8M (The Athletic).

Great piece, TC. When I was on break, I always made time to read when you had new stuff come out. I always appreciate what you do. I like Turcotte a lot, and this has me excited for him. But, as the guys have said, there are equally other great options to select. I'll just patiently wait, discuss, and be happy with whoever's name is announced.

Let's be honest guys. No one really cares exactly who we take whether it's Cozens, Byram, Dach, Turcotte, Podkolzin, etc..............as long as they can make an impact on this team sooner rather than later. As long as they can get a guy who can step in a year from now (two at the most) and play a Top 6 Forward or Top 4 Defense role on this team then it's a win. Stan and Mark Kelley have done a pretty good job at picking talent out and are going to need to hit a HR with this pick as well. Let's just hope they get the third best guy in this draft whoever that ever ends up being

None of the remaining NHL final 4 has a player making more than $8M (The Athletic).
- scottak

That says a lot. When we were winning cups that is where we were at. And teams with the McDavid's handing out massive deals when their ELC's run out are on the outside looking in as well. GM's have to learn how to say "NO". If these kids offer sheet their way out of town, take the picks and move on.

Let's be honest guys. No one really cares exactly who we take whether it's Cozens, Byram, Dach, Turcotte, Podkolzin, etc..............as long as they can make an impact on this team sooner rather than later. As long as they can get a guy who can step in a year from now (two at the most) and play a Top 6 Forward or Top 4 Defense role on this team then it's a win. Stan and Mark Kelley have done a pretty good job at picking talent out and are going to need to hit a HR with this pick as well. Let's just hope they get the third best guy in this draft whoever that ever ends up being
- Savetheembers33

People may not care right now, but when the draft pick doesn't become the next Toews, Kane or Keith they'll be all over Stan for making the wrong choice.

It is Cozens people. Locked in.

Unless they trade out of the pick, and that is highly unlikely.

And, Cozens will be a good choice. You will like it. So there. Live with it!

None of the remaining NHL final 4 has a player making more than $8M (The Athletic).
- scottak

People have been mentioning that, but honestly I don't think it is such a big deal. There are currently 20 players with an AAV of more than 8 million and some of them are teammates. About half the teams don't have anyone making more than 8 million currently.

The last 3 cup winning teams all had players making more than 8 million. I don't think it really points to any conclusion except that some teams don't have players making more than 8 million.

People may not care right now, but when the draft pick doesn't become the next Toews, Kane or Keith they'll be all over Stan for making the wrong choice.
- DarthKane

People ... mad ... at Stan ... because of high expectations ... pff!!! You're so silly, Darth. All of that Canadian air has gone to your head.

Let's be honest guys. No one really cares exactly who we take whether it's Cozens, Byram, Dach, Turcotte, Podkolzin, etc..............as long as they can make an impact on this team sooner rather than later. As long as they can get a guy who can step in a year from now (two at the most) and play a Top 6 Forward or Top 4 Defense role on this team then it's a win. Stan and Mark Kelley have done a pretty good job at picking talent out and are going to need to hit a HR with this pick as well. Let's just hope they get the third best guy in this draft whoever that ever ends up being
- Savetheembers33

Watch, we'll probably draft a bust with #3, but find a gem in the 4th round who is great.

I've been watching some of the USA games over the past few days and I have to say Kane has brought his half-ass defensive effort to Slovakia. He's been terrible. He often looks nonchalant so it's not necessarily that - but just a half heart effort unless he has the puck in the o-zone. He just had one of those plays that led to GBR scoring their second goal - he took a one-hand on stick swipe at the puck which actually pushed the puck into the slot were Perlini's brother took it and buried it. And he's wearing the "C" for USA. Very disappointing.

On the other hand DeBrincat looks great. He scored another goal today (4 goals in 4 games) and he's hustling all over the ice.

I've been watching some of the USA games over the past few days and I have to say Kane has brought his half-ass defensive effort to Slovakia. He's been terrible. He often looks nonchalant so it's not necessarily that - but just a half heart effort unless he has the puck in the o-zone. He just had one of those plays that led to GBR scoring their second goal - he took a one-hand on stick swipe at the puck which actually pushed the puck into the slot were Perlini's brother took it and buried it. And he's wearing the "C" for USA. Very disappointing.

On the other hand DeBrincat looks great. He scored another goal today (4 goals in 4 games) and he's hustling all over the ice.
- EbonyRaptor

Good. I don't want Kane playing defense over there. The only thing I care about is that he doesn't get hurt. Nothing else really matters, from my point of view.

Watch, we'll probably draft a bust with #3, but find a gem in the 4th round who is great.
- breadbag

I was actually wondering about that. If Stan completely blows the first pick, but hits big on 3 or 4 later picks, is it considered a "good" draft, or is he still a turd for not getting the first one right?

Good. I don't want Kane playing defense over there. The only thing I care about is that he doesn't get hurt. Nothing else really matters, from my point of view.
- hereismike1

Totally agree. There really isn't a lot of intensity to many of these games anyway.
No way to we want Kane busing his butt over there.

Question......... does anybody have a thought on way Brandon Saad is not at this tournament ? Maybe I'm missing something here and don't want to jump to any negative conclusions. Please enlighten me if anybody knows anything. Thanks guys.

Hawks will draft Podkolzin just to give everyone on message boards something to be upset about