i respect your opinion. If I cared what Hughes or Kakko were doing I would feel the same way. I want the Hawks to be right on this kid as much as anyone else, because if they aren't this franchise is toast. Toews and Kane will be gone and you spent your top 3 pick on a piece that busted.

If we're not going to be in the hunt and a playoff team, prospects and youth is all we can look forward to.
- nickmo2699

When Dach is 215 lbs in a man's body I expect you will be happy with the finished product. Right now he is learning how to play NHL hockey and cook brussel sprouts and chicken breasts for himself. Big transition.

I think playing him on the wing has been great for his development. I just want to see what the front office saw here and there. He may do some little things here and there, but if he is a top 3 overall, and hasn't been sent back to junior, we should be seeing more.
- nickmo2699

Dach is playing center. Strome is taking face offs, but they switch back to Dach in the middle after the draw.

i respect your opinion. If I cared what Hughes or Kakko were doing I would feel the same way. I want the Hawks to be right on this kid as much as anyone else, because if they aren't this franchise is toast. Toews and Kane will be gone and you spent your top 3 pick on a piece that busted.

If we're not going to be in the hunt and a playoff team, prospects and youth is all we can look forward to.
- nickmo2699

I think Dach has shown plenty of promise for what he can/will be. I think he has shown that the Hawks did not make a mistake with the pick. I think that while he still has much to learn, he has shown that he is not out of place in the NHL.

Hughes and Kakko were consensus "way ahead" of the all the others in the draft, but now everyone can see that the flashes you get in some Jr. tournaments does not exactly equate to instant success in the NHL. Everyone was screaming to Draft Byram, remind me of how many NHL games he has appeared in.....

I think Dach has shown plenty of promise for what he can/will be. I think he has shown that the Hawks did not make a mistake with the pick. I think that while he still has much to learn, he has shown that he is not out of place in the NHL.

Hughes and Kakko were consensus "way ahead" of the all the others in the draft, but now everyone can see that the flashes you get in some Jr. tournaments does not exactly equate to instant success in the NHL. Everyone was screaming to Draft Byram, remind me of how many NHL games he has appeared in.....
- TheTrob

Dach has been much better since getting more minutes and paired with Strome and DCat.

He’s going to be really, really good. Great job by Stan & the scouts.

What more would you like to see ? He dominated Jr's last year, what more do you think he would of learned in Jr's besides filling out his body? I see so far an 18 year old, fearless in the corners, good defensive awareness, high hockey IQ, playmaking ability, plus skating ability Besides points on the scoreboard, what more do you want to see? Last years draft said it was Kakko, Hughes then a coin flip. Most thought chicago would take the chicago native Turcotte, Pierre said they were a fool to not take Byram. Kings thought they were going to get Dach at 5, and were disappointed chicago took him, even though they got Turcotte.
- LAHawk

Also seems to be a solid kid, who wants to work hard and be good. I really like him living with Seabs. The kid gets it - I think they made a solid choice. Starting to look that way for Boqvist, too.

I think Dach has shown plenty of promise for what he can/will be. I think he has shown that the Hawks did not make a mistake with the pick. I think that while he still has much to learn, he has shown that he is not out of place in the NHL.

Hughes and Kakko were consensus "way ahead" of the all the others in the draft, but now everyone can see that the flashes you get in some Jr. tournaments does not exactly equate to instant success in the NHL. Everyone was screaming to Draft Byram, remind me of how many NHL games he has appeared in.....
- TheTrob

Did Byram play in the WJC?

Dach has been much better since getting more minutes and paired with Strome and DCat.

He’s going to be really, really good. Great job by Stan & the scouts.
- scottak

I suspect you won't be able to agree with this, but I think the coaching staff and front office have done a solid job slowly feeding Dach more responsibility as he earns it.

He is absolutely incredible and will make an immediate impact at the NHL level. I also watched Cozens and Zegras very closely and those two guys make me reconsider Dach quite a bit.
- nickmo2699

Not saying you're wrong or that Dach will most certainly be a better pro...they're still all 18 so who knows.

But I guess I question why you'd draw that conclusion from guys playing against other 18 year olds when Dach is playing in the NHL. Apples to watermelons?

Did Byram play in the WJC?
- mohel

Yes.

so whats the feel for Gilbert's play this year? is he a long term keeper or just holding down a space until the next waive of D comes in next year?
- glennjpawlak22

Career AHLr

Yes.
- Rota's Rooter

How did he look?

How did he look?
- mohel

Better than Dach I'm sure. Another absolute Blowman FAIL!

Better than Dach I'm sure. Another absolute Blowman FAIL!
- HawkintheD

Unless one is a bust, it may be hard to compare Byram with Dach down the road since one's a defenseman and the other is a center. Easier to compare Dach to Cozens, Turcotte and other forwards.

We'll see how it goes, but it may take until they're all 19 to make a complete and permanent assessment.

I suspect you won't be able to agree with this, but I think the coaching staff and front office have done a solid job slowly feeding Dach more responsibility as he earns it.
- mohel

No, I’d concur. Stan knew what he had drafting Dach, and everything the team has done since the draft has been to have him start his development in the NHL this year.

Dach was the guy I wanted them to take, and the organization has done everything with him pretty well so far.

That doesn’t change what I think of Colliton coaching ability.

No, I’d concur. Stan knew what he had drafting Dach, and everything the team has done since the draft has been to have him start his development in the NHL this year.

Dach was the guy I wanted them to take, and the organization has done everything with him pretty well so far.

That doesn’t change what I think of Colliton coaching ability.
- scottak

JFC, every time you post! FFS, we know what the (frank) you think already.

No, I’d concur. Stan knew what he had drafting Dach, and everything the team has done since the draft has been to have him start his development in the NHL this year.

Dach was the guy I wanted them to take, and the organization has done everything with him pretty well so far.

That doesn’t change what I think of Colliton coaching ability.
- scottak

Same, yo, same

No, I’d concur. Stan knew what he had drafting Dach, and everything the team has done since the draft has been to have him start his development in the NHL this year.

Dach was the guy I wanted them to take, and the organization has done everything with him pretty well so far.

That doesn’t change what I think of Colliton coaching ability.
- scottak

Glad your dislike for JC's coaching ability doesn't mean he can't get anything right.

My take on JC is that he has the team about where they should be. I know you and others disagree on his coaching ability. That's okay, it gives us something to kick around over a virtual beer!

In his entire career - in Sweden, Rockford, Chicago - he had one season of good scoring. Reverting to his mean this season - probably predictive of his future.

He’s below average / standard on defense.

Even if they can figure out how to get the cap space - why resign him?
- StLBravesFan

That's a question for the GM. To me he's absolutely horrible on the PP if the puck gets past him.

I'm guessing he won't command the money that had been predicted is all.

Easier to say when you see on guy playing against men and the others are playing Top 6 minutes against players on their same level or lower. Not to say either won't be a a very good player in this league, but Dach has shown some serious skill against guys in the league which at his age is very impressive.
- Savetheembers33

Agreed it's boys and men and not just any men, they are NHL men.

I disagree. This guy was a top 3 pick. He seems pedestrian to me and other then glimpses game to game, I don't see one part of his game that truly stands out other than his size. I'm not saying he should be a PPG guy but I feel underwhelmed by what I seen at this point despite his age.
- nickmo2699

At 18 he's playing against NHL guys, half the tournament will never get out of the AHL.

i respect your opinion. If I cared what Hughes or Kakko were doing I would feel the same way. I want the Hawks to be right on this kid as much as anyone else, because if they aren't this franchise is toast. Toews and Kane will be gone and you spent your top 3 pick on a piece that busted.

If we're not going to be in the hunt and a playoff team, prospects and youth is all we can look forward to.
- nickmo2699

Strome was a #3, I'll take Dach...

Strome was a #3, I'll take Dach...
- rpeters01

I think Strome will be a pretty good top six player. Much better if he improves in his own zone. But not an elite player.

Dach could become elite. Long way to go, but could be......

Strome was a #3, I'll take Dach...
- rpeters01

Same. Though I am seeing some growth from Strome and after a slow start he seems to be gaining confidence.

Idk what the answer is in terms of who plays with Kane but I like the three younger guys 12 77 17 playing together.

I think Strome will be a pretty good top six player. Much better if he improves in his own zone. But not an elite player.

Dach could become elite. Long way to go, but could be......
- mohel

Gee - if....

Nylander-Toews-Kane
AdB-Dach-XXXXX
Saad-Strome-Kubalik
Carpenter-Kampf-Quenneville

Nylander could be the key to a lot of good things - the "if" above - I still hold out hope for the 21 year old.

Same. Though I am seeing some growth from Strome and after a slow start he seems to be gaining confidence.

Idk what the answer is in terms of who plays with Kane but I like the three younger guys 12 77 17 playing together.
- HawkintheD

The need is for another top-9 center - one of Dach or Strome, I think - I'd push Strome to the third line with maybe Saad and Kubalik.