Theo Fox: Draft: Day 2 Review A review of the Blackhawks picks from Day 2 of the NHL Draft.

Plus, thoughts on no goalie getting picked for the first time since 2017.

Thanks Theo for the round-up of day 2. I like that there was a focus on size. It's about time.....

Also, First!

Thanks for the prompt posing of yesterday's draft. As always excellent write-up!

Still some fun left to be had.

Monday, July 26: Final day to submit qualifying offers to restricted free agents. According to CapFriendly, the Blackhawks have six RFAs: forwards Pius Suter, Brandon Hagel, Adam Gaudette, David Kampf and Alex Nylander plus defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Wednesday, July 28: Free Agency starts with the opening of the signing period at 11 a.m.

*All times central

This family thing is cute, but I surely hope they are putting the skill and potential of the "other" sibling as a priority. If they had the player ranked somewhere around where they picked them, then fine. But if they grabbed them a mile early just on that factor...then I totally disagree. Hope Colton Dach was at least close to his draft spot on the Hawks board, or it is a silly ploy.

I really like the fact they put such an emphasis on size on Day two. Again, I hope they didn't reach too far in doing this or that they ignored players they had pencilled higher JUST to get the size....but, Hawks were really void of size the past few drafts, particularly on the back-end guys. You can have a small skilled D-man or two....but to go deep, you need 3-4-5 big solid D-men to go the distance. Some analytic guys disagree...and that is fine.....opinions vary. But, in my mind...and looking at deep runs by MOST Cup finalists the last umpteen years....one common thread is having some warrior D-men in the fold. Maybe one or two of those big guys pan out for the Hawks.

This family thing is cute, but I surely hope they are putting the skill and potential of the "other" sibling as a priority. If they had the player ranked somewhere around where they picked them, then fine. But if they grabbed them a mile early just on that factor...then I totally disagree. Hope Colton Dach was at least close to his draft spot on the Hawks board, or it is a silly ploy.

I really like the fact they put such an emphasis on size on Day two. Again, I hope they didn't reach too far in doing this or that they ignored players they had pencilled higher JUST to get the size....but, Hawks were really void of size the past few drafts, particularly on the back-end guys. You can have a small skilled D-man or two....but to go deep, you need 3-4-5 big solid D-men to go the distance. Some analytic guys disagree...and that is fine.....opinions vary. But, in my mind...and looking at deep runs by MOST Cup finalists the last umpteen years....one common thread is having some warrior D-men in the fold. Maybe one or two of those big guys pan out for the Hawks.
- hawk35

I agree. I think most mock drafts had C. Dach rated just about where he got picked. So I don't think it was a reach pick.

Now it's up to him to convince the Hawks he can be a viable NHLer.

Most reading this blog are big hockey fans so they realize that only 8% of players drafted after the 2nd round play 300 NHL games.

Please wait 5 years or more before grading this draft.

Mike Smith's late round picks of Buff, Brower. Burish and Wiz look pretty good now. Most people thought he was a failure.

Tallon picked Hjalm and Kruger late and most people on this blog think he invented sliced bread and sex when they write about him.

This is a league of mostly high first round picks. You can either draft them or trade for them later.

Most reading this blog are big hockey fans so they realize that only 8% of players drafted after the 2nd round play 300 NHL games.

Please wait 5 years or more before grading this draft.

Mike Smith's late round picks of Buff, Brower. Burish and Wiz look pretty good now. Most people thought he was a failure.

Tallon picked Hjalm and Kruger late and most people on this blog think he invented sliced bread and sex when they write about him.

This is a league of mostly high first round picks. You can either draft them or trade for them later.
- stevefrmglencoe

Tallon laced 'em up and Smith was a lavender sniffing theater goer. That's all you need to know (red font).

The Sharp trade was a great one.

As a player Tallon was one of the worst 2nd overall picks in history and was a minus machine on the ice.

During theatre intermissions and saving orphaned pets, Smith put together a sneaky good drafting history with multiple teams.

Despite buckets of high first rounders, Florida won 1 playoff series in 10 years under Jesus Tallon's management.

The Sharp trade was a great one.

As a player Tallon was one of the worst 2nd overall picks in history and was a minus machine on the ice.

During theatre intermissions and saving orphaned pets, Smith put together a sneaky good drafting history with multiple teams.

Despite buckets of high first rounders, Florida won 1 playoff series in 10 years under Jesus Tallon's management.
- stevefrmglencoe

Drafted Crawford, Keith and Seabs as well. Thought he was at the helm when they drafted Tuomo too but other than Ruttuu and Seabs' his first rounders didn't pan out.

At least he gets mentioned now when people refer to "the team that Tallon built".

Now that the draft is done, it will be interesting to see what other moves the Hawks make. It's been pointed out but even with no Keith or Boqvist, it's still a pretty crowded blue line. Hopefully they can at least find Z a new home...maybe deHaan too.

I think a top four of Jones, Murphy, deHaan and Z could keep the Hawks around the playoffs late into the season.

Play the young guys against bottom lines and offensive zone starts only.

When Keith and Seabrook were young playing in front of the 3,000 diehards, Yawney protected them. They turned out ok.

I think a top four of Jones, Murphy, deHaan and Z could keep the Hawks around the playoffs late into the season.

Play the young guys against bottom lines and offensive zone starts only.

When Keith and Seabrook were young playing in front of the 3,000 diehards, Yawney protected them. They turned out ok.
- stevefrmglencoe

Counting on DeHaan, if he is not dealt, for more than 25 games is a pipe-dream. Murphy and Jones are "givens" after that the next 5 are iffy at best, and down-right brutal at worse...


*edit....

Just to be clear....

Not saying the rest will NEVER be good. Mitchell, Stillman, Beaudin, Caleb Jones...among others...MIGHT be OK in a year or two. But for THIS year. EVERYONE after Jones and Murphy are HUGE question marks.

I think a top four of Jones, Murphy, deHaan and Z could keep the Hawks around the playoffs late into the season.

Play the young guys against bottom lines and offensive zone starts only.

When Keith and Seabrook were young playing in front of the 3,000 diehards, Yawney protected them. They turned out ok.
- stevefrmglencoe

So would C. Jones and Stillman be your 3rd pair? If deHaan can regain some of the form he was showing before the last shoulder surgery that would be fine, but I'd rather see more of Kalynuk than Z. Maybe Mitchell and Beaudin spend the majority of next season playing big mins in RFD.

I think a top four of Jones, Murphy, deHaan and Z could keep the Hawks around the playoffs late into the season.

Play the young guys against bottom lines and offensive zone starts only.

When Keith and Seabrook were young playing in front of the 3,000 diehards, Yawney protected them. They turned out ok.
- stevefrmglencoe

I think any team penciling Zadorov into their top 4 is destined for a lottery pick.

Counting on DeHaan, if he is not dealt, for more than 25 games is a pipe-dream. Murphy and Jones are "givens" after that the next 5 are iffy at best, and down-right brutal at worse...


*edit....

Just to be clear....

Not saying the rest will NEVER be good. Mitchell, Stillman, Beaudin, Caleb Jones...among others...MIGHT be OK in a year or two. But for THIS year. EVERYONE after Jones and Murphy are HUGE question marks.
- hawk35

I would add Kalynuk to your edit list. I’d like to see Kalynuk and Mitchell on the big club, trade Z and Strome for another Dman.

For those concerned about cap situation after signing Jones….. it might not be as bad as you think. Even with a flat cap of $81.5mil there is room for:
2x$9.5mil
1x$8.0mil
2x$7.0mil
3x$5.0mil
4x$3.5mil
6X$1.25mil bottom 6, 3rd pair, 21/22/23rd player 5x$800,000 entry level contracts
Total 23 players $81.5 mil

I think this will be pretty typical of the salary breakdown of NHL teams going forward. All teams will have some overpaid players and some on bargain deals. 11 of the 23 man roster will be on cheap deals, entry level contracts or fringe veterans.

This year we are fine. Jones is only making $5.4mil. Next year deHaan and Shaw roll off. The following year Toews and Kane contracts are up. We can all speculate on Toews’ future and Kane’s next contract. We also have Seab’s 6.875 mil for the next 3 years.

The Math works.

I would really like to see Murphy sign a Adam Larson like contract (4 x $4M) or comparable as I feel like they are similar players. This would really solidify our right side.

I think any team penciling Zadorov into their top 4 is destined for a lottery pick.
- Ogilthorpe2

Be nice to have one.

Clock is ticking on QOs. Will there be another palace coup?

I am ok with the draft. Maybe a reach on the First pick. I think Bowman is still focused on being competitive in 3 years. We have a nice blend of young dmen. Some size and snarl and some wheels and offense. Several bottom 6 options. Top 6 including Kane, Debrincat, Kubalik, Reichel, Dach. Toews probably done by then. But you never know. Maybe 1C or 2c free agent center needed? Goalies Lankinen, Commesso, Soderblom. A few trades or free agents here and there. Will things pan out? Will it be a dumpster fire? Elbows may be sure we are the latter, but I am not so sure.

For those interested USA, FIN, SWE are playing in the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI this week (Canada is not there cuz of the pandemic). It's being streamed on Hockey TV. I doubt many have that subscription but you may find a link to watch. Here's one I find helpful http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh

USA has a Team Blue and White. Both play today. White at noon and Blue at 3:00.

Hawk's property at the tournament.

Mario Tirabassi Retweeted
Bleacher Nation Blackhawks
@BN_Blackhawks
·
33m
USA White:
Wyatt Kaiser
Landon Slaggert
Connor Kelley

USA Blue:
Drew Commesso

Sweden:
Victor Stjernborg

#Blackhawks #WJSS


The showcase schedule: https://teamusa.usahockey...0-2021-wjss-full-schedule

Thru the schedule link you'll find access to all the rosters.

Wow, just got through all the pages from yesterday (it was a party weekend in Charleston, I missed a lot of this weekend )

Lots of upset posters huh? Eh, I'll wait until FA is over, and see if there are any other trades.

I know most believe Stan and the FO are idiots, maybe they are, but maybe, they did what they did with Jones and the picks as they have other trades in the balance to recoup some of that.

We'll see. Just don't think you can make a critique and be too upset yet, until its all over and they get to camp. Just think the Jones trade is part of a bigger plan.

On Jones the player, I've liked him since World Jrs, viewed him as a #1. The only time I really saw him extensively, was against Tampa in the playoffs a couple years ago, and he was the best D man on the ice, and that included both Werenski and Hedman.

Personally, I thought it was too much to give up and too much to pay, but it might have been what it would take. I know many will say "Stan didn't have to pay that much" but you don't really know, and never will.

Lets see where they sit this time next week. then I may be female doging more.

For those interested USA, FIN, SWE are playing in the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI this week (Canada is not there cuz of the pandemic). It's being streamed on Hockey TV. I doubt many have that subscription but you may find a link to watch. Here's one I find helpful http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh

USA has a Team Blue and White. Both play today. White at noon and Blue at 3:00.

Hawk's property at the tournament.

Mario Tirabassi Retweeted
Bleacher Nation Blackhawks
@BN_Blackhawks
·
33m
USA White:
Wyatt Kaiser
Landon Slaggert
Connor Kelley

USA Blue:
Drew Commesso

Sweden:
Victor Stjernborg

#Blackhawks #WJSS


The showcase schedule: https://teamusa.usahockey...0-2021-wjss-full-schedule

Thru the schedule link you'll find access to all the rosters.
- Mr Ricochet

Theo >>> Mario by a country mile

Wow, just got through all the pages from yesterday (it was a party weekend in Charleston, I missed a lot of this weekend )

Lots of upset posters huh? Eh, I'll wait until FA is over, and see if there are any other trades.

I know most believe Stan and the FO are idiots, maybe they are, but maybe, they did what they did with Jones and the picks as they have other trades in the balance to recoup some of that.

We'll see. Just don't think you can make a critique and be too upset yet, until its all over and they get to camp. Just think the Jones trade is part of a bigger plan.

On Jones the player, I've liked him since World Jrs, viewed him as a #1. The only time I really saw him extensively, was against Tampa in the playoffs a couple years ago, and he was the best D man on the ice, and that included both Werenski and Hedman.

Personally, I thought it was too much to give up and too much to pay, but it might have been what it would take. I know many will say "Stan didn't have to pay that much" but you don't really know, and never will.

Lets see where they sit this time next week. then I may be female doging more.
- vabeachbear

Never negotiate againt yourself which is what Bowman did. Why was it necessary to sign him to an extension right away? To justify the assets squandered away? No one else was interested in Jones once his asking price was known. Bowman had tunnel vision on Jones and wasn't wiling to do the one thing a buyer has to be able to do in any negotiation, walk away.

I am fairly confident that of the D-corps Stillman and especially Kalynuk will be just fine playing behind Jonesy and Murph. Mitchell and Beaudin I am hopeful but not so sure...Z and De Haan could be worthwhile soldiers if things play out the way it can.