Wiz, thoughts on this?

Powers takes Lundell 9th overall in The Athletic's mock draft... Pronman doesn't care for the pick.

l that quick, but the talent is too much value at No. 8 to pass up.

9. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga

Scott Powers: Lundell is one of the more NHL-ready players in this draft. He may not make the jump next season, but he certainly fits in the time frame if the Blackhawks are looking to add another high-end, responsible forward to play around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the near future. If you add Lundell to Kane, Toews, Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik and Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks have to like how their top nine would be shaping up in the short- and long-term. Lundell’s skating is a bit of a concern, but what he’s done in Liiga at his age is undeniably impressive. Only Jesse Puljujarvi was a better possession player this past season in Finland. Lundell plays the type of two-way game the Blackhawks can use more of in their lineup.

Pronman’s take: I hate to do this to my longtime friend, but I am not a big fan of going after Lundell at No. 9. He’s a good player, but the upside is not that of a top-line caliber player. Powers is right about his NHL projectability given what he’s shown versus men already, but I think you can get more talent at this spot. I am aware that my opinion is not the opinion of a good chunk of the industry, although the more NHL scouts I’ve talked to in the second half, the more pessimistic I get Lundell is going to be a top 10 pick.

(Buy a subscription to The Athletic to read the entire thing! Trust me... it's worth it).

Yeah, I dont think he lingers long no matter who wants him...but I thought it was interesting in a latest predictions of who they draft by "someone" said Buffalo has need for pivot prospect but wouldn't hesitate if an "elite game changing" defenseman is there.

All the Irish fan funerals on the loss of Henri Jokiharju and the fact that the Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin first overall kinda puts things in perspective if they feel it is still such a large organizational need...
- wiz1901

Well I can extrapolate even more out of the what if Chicago actually was able to draft Drysdale. And I am intrigued by the possibility of Drysdale here not because I think it has even a remote possibility to happen, but merely that IMHO Bowman would have the balls to actually select him

I do not pretend to add or subtract from wiz review of Drysdale. I put on my thinking hat and right away a couple of things pop out insofar as Bowman's imprint on the roster in the years ahead.

I really believe that Bowman intends to see a deep skilled blueline has someone in each pair who can transition the puck well. One or even both players in each defense pair can produce really highly skilled plays or can be very strong two way dman

Boqvist is the sensational play capable stand out. To what extent, how frequently does he produce......we wait and find out Mitchell is your strong two way dman as he has good speed and a good shot but he also is pretty smart.....we wait and find out just how good he becomes.

Now with Beaudin you hope he could become a solid #2 pair. Carlsson and Kyrs have strong points, too, but appear more to be future third pair

All that said just to lead up to this: how does Drysdale impact an already new age promising looming defense.

It is simply this: Bowman will have an elite capable puck moving offense generating defense which may be a puck control and a huge driving impact upon what the forwards are able to produce. Pick the players you like or you choose to shape your defense then you MAY CHOOSE at some point sell off one of them for oh maybe the forward with the ability you otherwise drafted instead of Drysdale.

Right now Keith is going to slot as the number one dman. Eventually the team who selects Drysdale will have him on their top pair. When you have two dmen in seperate pairs both making great plays, scoring or assisting in winning goals plus you have a really solid Mitchell then you have an embarrassment if riches.

Just know that it is not likely Bowman snags Drysdale. If I had a top five pick I look at Lafraniere and Drysdale as the two impact guys I crave most. I would want to move up and draft either one. This is not to kick back the other players whom are strong picks in the top five or six; it is more just an opportunity to draft one of the two players whom would be the best value and most valuable addition.

Wiz, thoughts on this?

Powers takes Lundell 9th overall in The Athletic's mock draft... Pronman doesn't care for the pick.

l that quick, but the talent is too much value at No. 8 to pass up.

9. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga

Scott Powers: Lundell is one of the more NHL-ready players in this draft. He may not make the jump next season, but he certainly fits in the time frame if the Blackhawks are looking to add another high-end, responsible forward to play around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the near future. If you add Lundell to Kane, Toews, Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik and Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks have to like how their top nine would be shaping up in the short- and long-term. Lundell’s skating is a bit of a concern, but what he’s done in Liiga at his age is undeniably impressive. Only Jesse Puljujarvi was a better possession player this past season in Finland. Lundell plays the type of two-way game the Blackhawks can use more of in their lineup.

Pronman’s take: I hate to do this to my longtime friend, but I am not a big fan of going after Lundell at No. 9. He’s a good player, but the upside is not that of a top-line caliber player. Powers is right about his NHL projectability given what he’s shown versus men already, but I think you can get more talent at this spot. I am aware that my opinion is not the opinion of a good chunk of the industry, although the more NHL scouts I’ve talked to in the second half, the more pessimistic I get Lundell is going to be a top 10 pick.

(Buy a subscription to The Athletic to read the entire thing! Trust me... it's worth it).
- Tyler Cameron

While Askarov is still the obvious choice for the Hawks I think Lundell is a great 2nd choice. People talk about his skating needing improvement but the same was said about Dach and that isn’t a concern with him.

I echo your comments about getting a subscription to The Athletic. I’ve had a subscription for a couple of years and it’s money well spent.

While Askarov is still the obvious choice for the Hawks I think Lundell is a great 2nd choice. People talk about his skating needing improvement but the same was said about Dach and that isn’t a concern with him.

I echo your comments about getting a subscription to The Athletic. I’ve had a subscription for a couple of years and it’s money well spent.
- DarthKane

Dach is a very good skater. Seeing him play all season I do not understand why that was a knock on him....

As long as Lundell isn't Strome like skating wise. He hasn't looked slow in highlight videos I have seen of him (although those are highlight videos). He sounds like he could be a really strong 2-way #2 center. Would be a nice compliment to Dach, if he reaches his ceiling as a #1 center.

Dach is a very good skater. Seeing him play all season I do not understand why that was a knock on him....

As long as Lundell isn't Strome like skating wise. He hasn't looked slow in highlight videos I have seen of him (although those are highlight videos). He sounds like he could be a really strong 2-way #2 center. Would be a nice compliment to Dach, if he reaches his ceiling as a #1 center.
- bhawks2241

Dach is the better skater by far. Both suffer from the big guy bias on skating. Lundell's skating does need some work from the vids I have seen. Lundell kinda reminds me of a younger AA.

Dach is a very good skater. Seeing him play all season I do not understand why that was a knock on him....

As long as Lundell isn't Strome like skating wise. He hasn't looked slow in highlight videos I have seen of him (although those are highlight videos). He sounds like he could be a really strong 2-way #2 center. Would be a nice compliment to Dach, if he reaches his ceiling as a #1 center.
- bhawks2241

ADB's skating was mocked, Tavares skating was mocked, Magnuson was probably the worst skater in the league. Skille, Stahlberg, and Fortin had elite speed. The bottom line is what is the overall hockey talent of the player (including to me the hockey sense, (mind))

Sounds to me Wiz is not doubting Byram's physical talents, but he has doubts about his hockey sense. Dach to me has elite hockey sense.

Dach’s skating is very, very impressive for such a big/tall dude. Giant strides, he can cover ground like most others can’t.

Umm, on the other hand if you have cap space it means you suck!
- rpeters01

Well, the Islanders and the Avalanche don't suck. The exact opposite can be said about Sabres and Coyotes who don't have cap space and they aren't Stanley Cup contenders.

Whatever happened to Stalberg? He overseas somewhere?

Whatever happened to Stalberg? He overseas somewhere?
- SimpleJack

Swiss-A league last year.

Wiz, thoughts on this?

Powers takes Lundell 9th overall in The Athletic's mock draft... Pronman doesn't care for the pick.

l that quick, but the talent is too much value at No. 8 to pass up.

9. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga

Scott Powers: Lundell is one of the more NHL-ready players in this draft. He may not make the jump next season, but he certainly fits in the time frame if the Blackhawks are looking to add another high-end, responsible forward to play around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the near future. If you add Lundell to Kane, Toews, Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik and Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks have to like how their top nine would be shaping up in the short- and long-term. Lundell’s skating is a bit of a concern, but what he’s done in Liiga at his age is undeniably impressive. Only Jesse Puljujarvi was a better possession player this past season in Finland. Lundell plays the type of two-way game the Blackhawks can use more of in their lineup.

Pronman’s take: I hate to do this to my longtime friend, but I am not a big fan of going after Lundell at No. 9. He’s a good player, but the upside is not that of a top-line caliber player. Powers is right about his NHL projectability given what he’s shown versus men already, but I think you can get more talent at this spot. I am aware that my opinion is not the opinion of a good chunk of the industry, although the more NHL scouts I’ve talked to in the second half, the more pessimistic I get Lundell is going to be a top 10 pick.

(Buy a subscription to The Athletic to read the entire thing! Trust me... it's worth it).
- Tyler Cameron

I just saw these at the Athletic and love being contray with all of them.

Let's say if you look at my board on DraftSite you see him sitting at slot 9 (and that is not slotting him to hawks just me picking each slot.

I think he is solid in his recognition, compete level, dedication to details out there, but I wonder if he checks the boxes for the Hawks as a strong high level attacking player. He does win many a face off.
Maybe the hawks scouts see him differently, but there are guys I like better for the hawks...who aren't necessary locked in as centre only. Holloway, at Wisconsin might not have shown an elevated game there yet, but I think he fits the hawks dynamic as a centre-forward who plays strong and fast.
And even though you don't see honking the horn for Quinn, IF he can be a scorer, they probably have to consider him, Zary and defenseman Sanderson is really really a good prospect too.

Dach’s skating is very, very impressive for such a big/tall dude. Giant strides, he can cover ground like most others can’t.
- SimpleJack

same with Byfield

It appears that good old #12, Pat "Whitey" Stapleton passed away last night. One of my childhood favorite Hawks and Chicago Cougar.

https://twitter.com/Andre...tatus/1248277091814080515

It appears that good old #12, Pat "Whitey" Stapleton passed away last night. One of my childhood favorite Hawks and Chicago Cougar.

https://twitter.com/Andre...tatus/1248277091814080515
- Rota's Rooter

He has been long rumored to have the last puck from the 72 Summit Series. He was on the ice when Henderson scored the winning goal. He and Bill White were on the ice in the final minute.

He has been long rumored to have the last puck from the 72 Summit Series. He was on the ice when Henderson scored the winning goal. He and Bill White were on the ice in the final minute.
- Elbows15

Bill White, good old #2. He was my dad's favorite. Tall, lanky, balding, but, he was a d-man 1st and foremost.

I have 1 Jack Skille story. In the early part of the 2010-2011 season, the Hawks were in Nashville and I ran into Wideman in the hall before the game and chatted him up for a little while. He asked if I had any predictions and I said Skille would score 2 goals tonight and he said have you been drinking that TN Moonshine?, laughed and walked away.

My seats were on the blue line just below the press box so he could see me. Skille scored in the first period and I turned to him and pointed that's 1. He smiled and was like umm yeah OK, I'm sure he'll get another. Low and Behold, Skille scored again and I was then laughing hysterically, pointed to him again and I just cheers him to my beer as he looked in disarray.

Some hilly-billy lady said to me in hall that game too "Toews Sucks" (said like a true hilly-billy). I think they lost in OT or shootout but it was a blast of a game and a heck of a prediction.


RIP - John Prine A True Artist.

Kyle Beach would be a good one for the next write-up.
- Tyler Cameron

I won a game worn Rockford Ice Hogs Kyle Beach jersey at a Blackhawks convention from a raffle ticket at the Hogs booth.

Im sure it's worth thousands.

Let me just tell you to read my evaluations on DraftSite...ok?

both have wheels

Bowen is bigger in where IF he was to develop better defensive anticipation and sense, he COULD find use for it besides his obvious centre like generation skills in the attack zone, but there is a proclivity in his game to enter the attack zone, spend an overly amount of walking and looking for a teammate.
(You know what I mean because we have glimpses in Boqvist' attacks (that in my opinion are better when he finds a shot opening, and scampers back into his defense position.

Drysdale is smaller but even though he is able to cut and slash to the outside looking for options like Byram, he uses his strong lower body to explode everywhere, cut quickly and doesn't waste time "lingering" finds a play or an idea for a look, tries to initiate it, and gets himself ready for the puck to transition back against his team.
Both have feet but Drysdale has perfected the defensive end using his skills in most engagement to his side of the ice, and surprises, in the same way that young Duncan Keith surprised us with how he was a defender and not just a small forward.

I read what others are saying about how the Hawks even if the moved into slot three would HAVE to target a forward where their stable needs an upgrade.

I am not so sure if they would pass on him or at least have him in the conversation because he has been a pretty good OHL defender for more than this season and has shown that in international play a couple years too.
I am trying to say, there is a consistent pattern of good habits.

I hope I answered that a bit anyway....I am not one to predict how a certain young prospect at dee is going to be this or that...so much more has to get filled in on the road to the NHL, including continued teaching, and filling out.
- wiz1901

Great analysis, Wiz. Thanks for your insights as always.

The bolded parts stand out to me as what one would expect of a defenseman worth investing in. Not what you described in Byram (lingering too long to find ideal options and sometimes cute plays) but what you described in Drysdale (making the simple, safe play then getting ready to defend).

If a young defender does the latter, you have someone like Keith as you described. But if a young defender does the former, you have someone like Gustafsson.

Hockey sense and ability to process the game fast are critical.

same with Byfield
- wiz1901

Is he consensus top 3 pick? Seems to be #2 or #3 on every mock I’ve seen.

It appears that good old #12, Pat "Whitey" Stapleton passed away last night. One of my childhood favorite Hawks and Chicago Cougar.

https://twitter.com/Andre...tatus/1248277091814080515
- Rota's Rooter

Grezz I hope that not true ,have not heard anything here ,and I live in Whitey home town . Everyone is pretty locked down ,and the news is center on virus . Still that would be very sad news .

Grezz I hope that not true ,have not heard anything here ,and I live in Whitey home town . Everyone is pretty locked down ,and the news is center on virus . Still that would be very sad news .
- oldduffman

Being reported in a few places. I didn't find anything when I first looked but now Wiki has it on their site.

Looks like the Bears are kicking almost 2M to COVID relief efforts.

Is he consensus top 3 pick? Seems to be #2 or #3 on every mock I’ve seen.
- SimpleJack

I think there may be teams that might take him if they picked at one...just not that many giants with these wheels and offensive instincts...I am not saying he is a cut above the other kid or that the other kid doesn't make you better...but you only get a few chances at a package that might just be better down the line in terms of the NHL....I don't think the hawks would stray away from Alexis Lafrenière, because he fills a different need...

I won a game worn Rockford Ice Hogs Kyle Beach jersey at a Blackhawks convention from a raffle ticket at the Hogs booth.

Im sure it's worth thousands.
- stan-ley-cups

If I were you I would send it to Dale Tallon, because he locked in on beach, refused to listen about defenders and he pushed the staff to that pick no one else.

At that 1993 all star game there was a governors and league party that I was allowed to attend to "work" but my friend (whose dad worked for the Hawks and got us in)Kevin, decided after only about 15 minutes of manning our posts as volunteers, we were done and were going to take part in the party the alcohol, playing the bubble hockey games and shooting on the U of Illnois goalie on teflon ice....

I spent the time from midnight and when I left later with why as we hammered down and just talked the game. I don't know if after awhile we both knew what we talking about, where the train of thought was (well that is clear from my posts, eh?) and by the time I got home, and even though it was at Goose Island structure that looked more like a parking garage than place for a party and didn't live far, my dumb ass decided to drive...I made it...I never drove again after cocktails because this was tempting fate...
anyway Whitey was fun that night...dint have to talk to me at all...

Being reported in a few places. I didn't find anything when I first looked but now Wiki has it on their site.
- Elbows15

Yep got the news here now .Looks legit ,Sad news indeed . Guy was a friend of my Dad's .Real nice guy ,use to have horses in our town right under the bridge ,got to go for a ride one time .
I would bet big money on him having the 72 puck ,you can see him going after the puck during the celebration .I think we will learn soon if did have it ,think it will donated to HOF or something .
R.I.P. Whitey