https://twitter.com/gambo...tatus/1779921582519107839



I'm calling it now. Since Bettman hates the Hawks, SLC (x-Arizona) moves up and gets #1 pick in the lottery.
- Rota's Rooter

That's OK, Demidov is the real prize of this draft.

Chicago started, exposed and took advantage of that loophole, Tampa also took advantage of it and now Vegas is.
- paulr

What loophole? Kane injured and then came back for Playoffs? That doesn't compare to what Vegas is doing. Everyone knows about it and yet no one does anything about it.

What loophole? Kane injured and then came back for Playoffs? That doesn't compare to what Vegas is doing. Everyone knows about it and yet no one does anything about it.
- powerenforcer

The loophole is being able to exceed the salary cap in the playoffs. If the NHL GMs are OK with it then it will keep occurring and it’s not a problem.

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

Who would of ever imagined Nazar would have more goals than Dach this year.

Who would of ever imagined Nazar would have more goals than Dach this year.
- BetweenTheDots

I know, you’d expect a guy who’s been injured all season to be neck and neck with Matthews for the goal lead.

I know, you’d expect a guy who’s been injured all season to be neck and neck with Matthews for the goal lead.
- paulr

He was slow enough to be injured by Tinordi. Pretty much closes the book on his career, no?

He was slow enough to be injured by Tinordi. Pretty much closes the book on his career, no?
- Chunk

Good point and he’s going to have a difficult job getting his career on track from that injury. One thing about Montreal is they are putting a pretty good, deep, tough team together. Dach isn’t an integral part and has time to work his way back into the lineup.

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

Yeah, the hawks could get Lindstrom when they pick 4th overall and maybe in slot four, because I am starting to think that most draft talk has turned to BS especially after I saw POWERs say the Russian Demidov is a really special player maybe better that the Philly hype one from last year.

I am announcing this here and mean it:

I feel I am completely correct in the ineffectiveness that this Russian kid has... unable to use his outside edges.
I am no different than any of you.
And although I have a primitive grasp of all the new stats, my eyes spy...and I see a detriment.
IF this kid goes second, I am done, attempting to do mock drafts.
Because it would signal my complete ineffectiveness at my attempts to rank seven rounds of players, but especially the top end of this upcoming one.

JHawk59, you remember when we first met and before 2009 I told you that there was a Russian named Tarasenko who should be picked in the top two but will linger because he is a Russian but looks like the best scorer in the class?

Well my eyes weren't wrong and I am pretty sure my eyes are NOT incorrect on Demidov NEVER being able to be effective with his present skating because the players will lean and that inability to come out of that giant splits skating stance he basically subtracts his ability to use his feet with his hands to continue as an attacking weapon, and not look like a dudded out bottle rocket, stuck in the splits with little mobility to continue.

He gets picked, second, I am done.
If the hawks win second slot (and then relinquish any lottery chances at having lotto balls in the 2025 James Hagens/ Michael Misa / Porter Martone or 2026 at a chance to get Betsy's cousin Gavin McKenna) and take Demidov, I will be more than disappointed. I am done attempting to evaluate, b/c there most a clear delineation of what I see and the NHL scouting staffs.
If the hawks win this year, the lotto balls that would be chicgaos would be in there, but if chosen, a redraw takes place to make sure the odds are consistent yr to yr.


I will have no problem with planting a tentpole and decreeing, "Eiserman is our guy, or "the potential of the hard game Lindstrom is too much to pass on, or Zanye Parehk is our chance to maybe get a Makar type attacker."

On the defense on defense, 2024 Draft
Many scouting staffs and sites have started downplaying the big Belarusian defender Artyom Levshunov b/c so much is based on improvements that he can make and have when he does turn NHLer.

I think that various staffs picking top 6 have a lot of different kinds of prospects at defense that they might have interest in.

Sam Richardinson is a safe pick high kid and plays dee for you almost a guarantee.

Don't think that teams are discounting big fluid offensmen Carter Yakemchuk.
Or thinking they are selecting Chara II in the eventual arrival of Silayev, or have watched Denver and their championship and see what an integral part Zeev Buium was and think that's their guy.

All I know is my blood boils about forward Demidov, because what I am criticizing is not that difficult to see in each viewing.

I am getting new glasses for reading soon, but they aren't going to offset what the rest of my old eyes thinks I see.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Ideally, KK gets paired with Murphy for the last two, with Tinordi and Zaitsev just hanging on for dear life. I don't know how many times I whispered under my breath, "wow Tinordi is bad".

The funny thing is that guys like Tinordi and Megna would absolutely embarrass the vast majority of players you could throw at them that aren't in the NHL. But... you put them against the best in the game and you get what we watched this season.
- Chunk

There is a reason Tinordi and Megna have 10-12 years in the league and a total of only 150-175 games. It's because they are bad. If they weren't 6'6" tall they never would have gotten even that many games.

There is a reason Tinordi and Megna have 10-12 years in the league and a total of only 150-175 games. It's because they are bad. If they weren't 6'6" tall they never would have gotten even that many games.
- TheTrob

Compared to NHL level, sure. I was saying vs everyone else.

Maybe I am not incorrect on Demidov:

Today Lines.com paid for me to receive the Elite Prospects draft guide when it comes out soon, and it also let me have access to other articles from the past.

In March, there was one Michkov vs Demidov debate and I pulled this from it:

"Without getting too deep technically, Demidov tends to move only on his inside edges. He looks great doing it, because of the way he opens up his skates and shifts around defenders, but those moves aren't that useful in the NHL. We've seen other prospects with this style of skating fail (Antonio Stranges). He can't really cutback or absorb pressure as well as Michkov."

In the past drafts, Kyle and his staff has told us how they value skating. I hope they look at Demidov's skating and see the deficit...

Compared to NHL level, sure. I was saying vs everyone else.
- Chunk

Understood. Look, in reality, anyone who has played a few games in the NHL has at least some talent. You don't get there over everyone else unless you bring something to the table.

I was wondering how Katchouk was playing out in Ottawa. Pretty much the same guy. Getting about 10 mins per night and not doing much with it. He always seemed to show the potential, but never the consistency to keep things going.

Yeah, the hawks could get Lindstrom when they pick 4th overall and maybe in slot four, because I am starting to think that most draft talk has turned to BS especially after I saw POWERs say the Russian Demidov is a really special player maybe better that the Philly hype one from last year.
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.
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- wiz1901

Wasn't sure about Lindstrom until I got to focus on him while watching a playoff game on the CHL stream. He was just off the injured list, but made several good hits and his speed was noticeable too, he had a few scoring opportunities. Could be more of a Byfield type and I wouldn't have any issue if they decided on him with the top first rounder.

Wiz, what do you think of Ondrej Becher, F, Prince George? He has been playing well all year (58 Games, 32G, 64A, 96pts) - and is listed as eligible for the draft - but is older, 20 yo already and is playing on a loaded team. Average size, 6-0, 172. Looks like he might be worth a look in the 3rd or so.

https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/593187/ondrej-becher

Wasn't sure about Lindstrom until I got to focus on him while watching a playoff game on the CHL stream. He was just off the injured list, but made several good hits and his speed was noticeable too, he had a few scoring opportunities. Could be more of a Byfield type and I wouldn't have any issue if they decided on him with the top first rounder.

Wiz, what do you think of Ondrej Becher, F, Prince George? He has been playing well all year (58 Games, 32G, 64A, 96pts) - and is listed as eligible for the draft - but is older, 20 yo already and is playing on a loaded team. Average size, 6-0, 172. Looks like he might be worth a look in the 3rd or so.

https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/593187/ondrej-becher
- totem

What happens with the second and third year eligibles is they start getting attention when teams think the current kid surplus is close to drying up, and then you see them start with gettingvtaken or signed after they have success in team summer evaluation camps.
I'll try and look at him as it only is his second season over the pond...

Wasn't sure about Lindstrom until I got to focus on him while watching a playoff game on the CHL stream. He was just off the injured list, but made several good hits and his speed was noticeable too, he had a few scoring opportunities. Could be more of a Byfield type and I wouldn't have any issue if they decided on him with the top first rounder.

Wiz, what do you think of Ondrej Becher, F, Prince George? He has been playing well all year (58 Games, 32G, 64A, 96pts) - and is listed as eligible for the draft - but is older, 20 yo already and is playing on a loaded team. Average size, 6-0, 172. Looks like he might be worth a look in the 3rd or so.

https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/593187/ondrej-becher
- totem

What happens with the second and third year eligibles is they start getting attention when teams think the current kid surplus is close to drying up, and then you see them start with gettingvtaken or signed after they have success in team summer evaluation camps.
I'll try and look at him as it only is his second season over the pond...

It is funny, I was wondering if Hossa was over for any scouting related reasons as the final evals start getting finalized after scouting meetings...I don't know if he even helps in that capacity, but I would think they use his notoriety to gain footing with Slovaks and Czechs too.

There's always Vegas's way, stash them on LTIR and get rid of nobody.
- rpeters01

No kidding. I see Mark Stone is back again for the playoffs.

What would you call a guy who can play on the 2nd or 3rd line on a good team? Hmmmm…nothing comes to mind. 😉
- HawkintheD

Average? Middle of the road? Oh, how about middle six?!? Pretty catchy, eh?

What loophole? Kane injured and then came back for Playoffs? That doesn't compare to what Vegas is doing. Everyone knows about it and yet no one does anything about it.
- powerenforcer

A lacerated spleen in Stone's case is kind of a for real problem.

You literally just won the last draft lottery.
- BINGO!

We deserved it. We are a long-suffering fan base who hasn't been good in minutes.

i think the term "cap strapped team" is so overblown. You don't think by now that the teams you have mentioned, the GM's know exactly who they will sign, and who they will trade/let go via free agency?

Do you think McCrimmon traded for and signed Hertl/Hannifan long term without knowing what he is going to do about Marchisseault?

Do you think Boston really shed a tear giving the Hawks Hall and Foligno? Or Ottawa Zaitsev? or even Vancouver and Richardinson?

The salary cap is not new anymore. I am sure teams don't just fritter away players that they truly want to keep based on the salary cap.
- LAHawk

Zaitsev was an obvious cap dump. Hall and Foligno were cap dumping good talented players for ELC players who may or may not pan out.


Whether the cap issues are known or not, it does not change the predicament or math. Vegas has some big numbers to shed starting this offseason, guys on the wrong side of 30 with big deals could be moved for peanuts the same way we got Marc Andre Fleury for a pack of pucks. The Hawks have the cap space, and a good amount of picks/prospects who I’m less keen on moving. Hoping they can take advantage of these all in teams to make their team better. Hope this answers the seventeen question marks.

Average? Middle of the road? Oh, how about middle six?!? Pretty catchy, eh?
- mohel

The Creamy Middle ?

Yeah, the hawks could get Lindstrom when they pick 4th overall and maybe in slot four, because I am starting to think that most draft talk has turned to BS especially after I saw POWERs say the Russian Demidov is a really special player maybe better that the Philly hype one from last year.

I am announcing this here and mean it:

I feel I am completely correct in the ineffectiveness that this Russian kid has... unable to use his outside edges.
I am no different than any of you.
And although I have a primitive grasp of all the new stats, my eyes spy...and I see a detriment.
IF this kid goes second, I am done, attempting to do mock drafts.
Because it would signal my complete ineffectiveness at my attempts to rank seven rounds of players, but especially the top end of this upcoming one.

JHawk59, you remember when we first met and before 2009 I told you that there was a Russian named Tarasenko who should be picked in the top two but will linger because he is a Russian but looks like the best scorer in the class?

Well my eyes weren't wrong and I am pretty sure my eyes are NOT incorrect on Demidov NEVER being able to be effective with his present skating because the players will lean and that inability to come out of that giant splits skating stance he basically subtracts his ability to use his feet with his hands to continue as an attacking weapon, and not look like a dudded out bottle rocket, stuck in the splits with little mobility to continue.

He gets picked, second, I am done.
If the hawks win second slot (and then relinquish any lottery chances at having lotto balls in the 2025 James Hagens/ Michael Misa / Porter Martone or 2026 at a chance to get Betsy's cousin Gavin McKenna) and take Demidov, I will be more than disappointed. I am done attempting to evaluate, b/c there most a clear delineation of what I see and the NHL scouting staffs.
If the hawks win this year, the lotto balls that would be chicgaos would be in there, but if chosen, a redraw takes place to make sure the odds are consistent yr to yr.


I will have no problem with planting a tentpole and decreeing, "Eiserman is our guy, or "the potential of the hard game Lindstrom is too much to pass on, or Zanye Parehk is our chance to maybe get a Makar type attacker."

On the defense on defense, 2024 Draft
Many scouting staffs and sites have started downplaying the big Belarusian defender Artyom Levshunov b/c so much is based on improvements that he can make and have when he does turn NHLer.

I think that various staffs picking top 6 have a lot of different kinds of prospects at defense that they might have interest in.

Sam Richardinson is a safe pick high kid and plays dee for you almost a guarantee.

Don't think that teams are discounting big fluid offensmen Carter Yakemchuk.
Or thinking they are selecting Chara II in the eventual arrival of Silayev, or have watched Denver and their championship and see what an integral part Zeev Buium was and think that's their guy.

All I know is my blood boils about forward Demidov, because what I am criticizing is not that difficult to see in each viewing.

I am getting new glasses for reading soon, but they aren't going to offset what the rest of my old eyes thinks I see.
- wiz1901

For an attacking player in today's game with mobility being such a paramount - I don't think you can take a guy with poor edge work that high. And that is really the anti Kyle pick so far.

Zaitsev was an obvious cap dump. Hall and Foligno were cap dumping good talented players for ELC players who may or may not pan out.


Whether the cap issues are known or not, it does not change the predicament or math. Vegas has some big numbers to shed starting this offseason, guys on the wrong side of 30 with big deals could be moved for peanuts the same way we got Marc Andre Fleury for a pack of pucks. The Hawks have the cap space, and a good amount of picks/prospects who I’m less keen on moving. Hoping they can take advantage of these all in teams to make their team better. Hope this answers the seventeen question marks.
- ObeseOprah

Hall and Foligno were cap dumping easily replaceable players. The Burins got the same producition from Morgan Geekie and Van Riemsduyk for 1/2 the cost.

A lacerated spleen in Stone's case is kind of a for real problem.
- fattybeef

Vegas will do it anytime beginning, middle, end of the season. Every year we wonder how they will get cap compliant to start the season and somebody goes down.