I know that the majority of the KK bust posts are in fun, but after I finished all my thoughts on that draft year, decided it would be interesting to read Elite Prospects pre draft online magazine, and in their extensive 6 scout collaborative of opinions both the Nazar and Korchinski, both summaries said something I never forgot: that both players where going to hit or miss pros.

"Shoot for the fences" type picks.

They based this Nazar undersized stature and KK’s large lack of defensive awareness that needed to be added.

The two scouts, lead Cam Robinson and JD Burke, both of whom I have lot’s of respect for and their opinions.

The both also thought that these two players had the highest ceiling of any other players although more at draft time as less safe and more of shooting for the fences as potential pros.

And out of six of the scouts the Best Transition forward voting had THREE votes Nazar, two 2nds and one 3rd.
(three also had him ranked on as "best problem solving skills"...)
Nazar also rnaked 2nd in best straight line skater.

That is where you have to see each; kids that who need good teaching to actually be considered “good” pro eventually then even better one.

Just sayin’.

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Actually since he came back from injury, Seth Jones IMO has been very good,
- LAHawk

I see more from him defensively than I do offensively. Certainly not saucer passes that result in goals like that.

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- ObeseOprah

If you buy the subscription, fairly reasonable, you lose the ads.

With the season winding down is pretty much all but official that the two highest scoring returning forwards we had were useless this season.

Last year

AA 20 goals 40 points
Raddysh 20 goals 37 points

I know injuries were a factor but combined they have 7 goals and 23 points. It's not surprising given that Toews was Raddysh's most common(TOI) line-mate last year at 5v5 and Kane was Athanasiou's. Last year, even though they were both not healthy Kane and Toews were still making guys around them better.

I see more from him defensively than I do offensively. Certainly not saucer passes that result in goals like that.
- 333inthe3rd

Well over his last 18 games he has 7 goals, 6 assists and is +6 . That's pretty good production all while playing with our offensively inept team.

With the season winding down is pretty much all but official that the two highest scoring returning forwards we had were useless this season.

Last year

AA 20 goals 40 points
Raddysh 20 goals 37 points

I know injuries were a factor but combined they have 7 goals and 23 points. It's not surprising given that Toews was Raddysh's most common(TOI) line-mate last year at 5v5 and Kane was Athanasiou's. Last year, even though they were both not healthy Kane and Toews were still making guys around them better.
- breadbag

Very true. Add that the Hawks best center this year was Jason Richardinson, that helps explain why they had such trouble scoring and staying in games. Bedard is insanely talented. The problem is that he doesn't have a very complete game, not to mention any linemates that he can build off of. Bedard makes Kurashev better, not the other way around. Not to take anything away from #23 (he certainly has notably improved), but you saw what happens when he didn't have Bedard as a linemate for an extended period. If the Hawks can get Bedard one actual legitimate linemate, I think you will see him absolutely take off.

I think if they can pick up a guy like that, they can then hope that Hall stays glued together for the majority of a year. Short of that, I think you'll see similar struggles.

Am I the only one who thinks Reichel has been much improved over the last 5-7 games? He's back to attacking the middle of the ice (and getting rewarded for it), more aggressive along the boards, and winning more battles. Not perfect by any stretch, but he's been one of the more noticeable (in a good way) forwards recently.
- Chunk

Do you mean Sikura II?

Well over his last 18 games he has 7 goals, 6 assists and is +6 . That's pretty good production all while playing with our offensively inept team.
- breadbag

That's all because he's paired with Vlasic.

Do you mean Sikura II?
- mohel

I thought he was more the return of Peter Regin.

Well over his last 18 games he has 7 goals, 6 assists and is +6 . That's pretty good production all while playing with our offensively inept team.
- breadbag

That's pretty impressive considering the number of times they've been shut out in that span.

It's been nice to see Murphy look pretty solid in his couple games returning from injury. He will never add much offense, but man we missed his defensive especially around the net.

Very true. Add that the Hawks best center this year was Jason Richardinson, that helps explain why they had such trouble scoring and staying in games. Bedard is insanely talented. The problem is that he doesn't have a very complete game, not to mention any linemates that he can build off of. Bedard makes Kurashev better, not the other way around. Not to take anything away from #23 (he certainly has notably improved), but you saw what happens when he didn't have Bedard as a linemate for an extended period. If the Hawks can get Bedard one actual legitimate linemate, I think you will see him absolutely take off.

I think if they can pick up a guy like that, they can then hope that Hall stays glued together for the majority of a year. Short of that, I think you'll see similar struggles.
- Chunk

Yeah. Bedard is great and he will be a force, just so young. For next season I just hope someone else steps up to the next level to help carry more load.

Watching del Mastro and Nazar arrive the last two games has been very encouraging. Del Mastro has been safe, reluctant to pinch but he’ll learn to pick his spots. Their arrival gives us hope and options for the future. Having talented players start to take spots will free up matchups in other spots.

We haven’t had a logjam on the powerplay since Hossa was being displaced by Shaw in the glory days. Some combination of Bedard, Nazar, Hall, Jones, and Korchinski with either Foligno, Richardinson, or Reichel might actually be a decent threat.


Looking ahead to potential UFAs or trade partners in a cap strapped team: Reinhart, Guentzel, Montour, Lindholm, Stamkos, Marchessault, Duchene, Pesce, TT, Toffoli, DeBrusk, Domi, Stephenson, Wennberg, Skjei.

Teams who will be having cap issues: Florida, Carolina, NYR, LAK, Tampa, Colorado, Vegas.

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- ObeseOprah

If you have a Samsung phone use their Samsung internet app and Samsung ad blocker.

I thought he was more the return of Peter Regin.

- Chunk

There's only one Peter Regin, Chief....

Celebrini is the big prize in this year's draft, but I am intrigued with the defensemen Levshunov and Parekh. Either one of them would add to the young defenseman corps, possibly making the likes of Kaiser, DelMastro, KK, Allan, maybe eventually even Jones expendable.

On the other hand, the Hawks could use a top forward. After Celebrini the others have some warts. Demidov - always the risk of him not coming to the NHL, Catton and Eiserman projected to be a little bit further down the board, Lindstrom - is he the real thing? His stock rose the 1st half the season then he got hurt.

KD should pick the best player available, but who will that be in his eyes?

Edit - Wiz now has Eiserman the Hawks' choice at #2.
https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts
- boilermaker100

With his shot and tenacity he could score 50 goals next year in the NCAA.

He's certainly enticing but, I'm getting Kirby Dach vibes when I look at his stats.

Frankie Nazar will finish this season with more goals then Kirby BTW.

I was curious to see where the 3rd round Ottawa pick falls for the Hawks. Wiz has the Hawks picking the 1st goalie, Ryerson Leenders, at #71. 6' 1" / 160 lbs(?)
- Rota's Rooter

Lidstrom uses his body and is actually big at 215-220. While Dach was tall but a bean pole at 190-195.

Watching del Mastro and Nazar arrive the last two games has been very encouraging. Del Mastro has been safe, reluctant to pinch but he’ll learn to pick his spots. Their arrival gives us hope and options for the future. Having talented players start to take spots will free up matchups in other spots.

We haven’t had a logjam on the powerplay since Hossa was being displaced by Shaw in the glory days. Some combination of Bedard, Nazar, Hall, Jones, and Korchinski with either Foligno, Richardinson, or Reichel might actually be a decent threat.


Looking ahead to potential UFAs or trade partners in a cap strapped team: Reinhart, Guentzel, Montour, Lindholm, Stamkos, Marchessault, Duchene, Pesce, TT, Toffoli, DeBrusk, Domi, Stephenson, Wennberg, Skjei.

Teams who will be having cap issues: Florida, Carolina, NYR, LAK, Tampa, Colorado, Vegas.
- ObeseOprah

What? No Toronto?

Watching del Mastro and Nazar arrive the last two games has been very encouraging. Del Mastro has been safe, reluctant to pinch but he’ll learn to pick his spots. Their arrival gives us hope and options for the future. Having talented players start to take spots will free up matchups in other spots.

We haven’t had a logjam on the powerplay since Hossa was being displaced by Shaw in the glory days. Some combination of Bedard, Nazar, Hall, Jones, and Korchinski with either Foligno, Richardinson, or Reichel might actually be a decent threat.


Looking ahead to potential UFAs or trade partners in a cap strapped team: Reinhart, Guentzel, Montour, Lindholm, Stamkos, Marchessault, Duchene, Pesce, TT, Toffoli, DeBrusk, Domi, Stephenson, Wennberg, Skjei.

Teams who will be having cap issues: Florida, Carolina, NYR, LAK, Tampa, Colorado, Vegas.
- ObeseOprah

The guys into their 30s probably only need 2 years and don't interfere with long term plans so you can overpay to help get the core that is already here meaningful games. Marchessault, Toffoli, Stamkos (though I doubt he leaves Florida).

How's the Hawks' list of potential elite players coming along? I don't mean league average Top Six forwards or Top pair defensemen. I mean potential stars who can hold their own against the best players of elite teams.

Bedard, for sure. If we're being generous...Vlasic, too.

Who else?

Tankathon must have been saving the 1's for me.

1-1-1-4-1 believe or not.
- boilermaker100

I'll go with "not".

via GIPHY

Well over his last 18 games he has 7 goals, 6 assists and is +6 . That's pretty good production all while playing with our offensively inept team.
- breadbag

But that pass, where did that come from? Not sure if I've ever seen something like that from him before.

I'm still having a hard time with how he kept shooting so Detroit could regain control the puck and feed Kaner for the OT GWG. But that was more than 18 games ago.

Was really impressed by Del Mastro, especially for that only being his second NHL game. Kid's got some smarts.

How's the Hawks' list of potential elite players coming along? I don't mean league average Top Six forwards or Top pair defensemen. I mean potential stars who can hold their own against the best players of elite teams.

Bedard, for sure. If we're being generous...Vlasic, too.

Who else?
- mohel

It depends on what you mean by elite? While I think he is very good at defense, I would not call Vlasic elite. He is an outstanding defensive defenseman (which I love and want more of), but most of the rest of his game is kinda average. They have a lot of lottery tix on the back end. Hopefully one or two turn into studs, but we'll have to wait and see.