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.
- LAHawk

That’s a good point. Didn’t realize how solid those guys have been for Boston, definitely didn’t think JVR had that left in the tank.
I’m still hopeful we can get some above average caliber NHL players to fill out the roster even if they’re on mildly inefficient contracts.

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.

- rpeters01

Vegas does it by basically not caring at all about their own draft picks. They'd rather trade them for established players. Also, every offseason, they dump two or three guys that are still very serviceable. Stone played 56 games this year. the only guys on IR to start the year were Whitecloud, Martinez (who has now played 53 games) and Lehner. If the other teams in the league wanted to completely screw over the Knights they could just refuse to trade with them in the offseason. They need to sign about 5 guys to fill out next years roster, and only have $2.5M to do so. They play within the rules. If you want to be mad at the rules, you know to whom you should direct your anger.

Vegas does it by basically not caring at all about their own draft picks. They'd rather trade them for established players. Every offseason, they dump two or three guys that are still very serviceable. Stone played 56 games this year. the only guys on IR to start the year were Whitecloud, Martinez (who has now played 53 games) and Lehner. If the other teams in the league wanted to completely screw over the Knights they could just refuse to trade with them in the offseason. They need to sign about 5 guys to fill out next years roster, and only have $2.5M to do so. They play within the rules. If you want to be mad at the rules, you know to whom you should direct your anger.
- Chunk

Actually $7.5 because Lehner will be back on LTIR. Was listening to NHL Radio a few weeks ago, and I think it was Jeff Marek who said no one has a problem trading with McCrimmon because he is very fair, and gives what is perceived equal value back in any trade.

Actually $7.5 because Lehner will be back on LTIR. Was listening to NHL Radio a few weeks ago, and I think it was Jeff Marek who said no one has a problem trading with McCrimmon because he is very fair, and gives what is perceived equal value back in any trade.
- LAHawk

It will be interesting to see what they do, but they will probably have to walk away from most if not all their pending UFA.

Marchessault, Mantha, Stephenson, Martinez, Carrier.

Might come down to what Marchessault wants, but he could easily get 7.5+ by himself. If they do retain him, they probably have to move someone else to fill out the roster.

They don't look nearly as dangerous to win this season. They've tread water down the stretch here, just above 0.500 hockey in the new year. I think that's in part the decline of Pietrangelo who is starting to show his age a bit.

I don't envy the position they are in going into the next 3 years here, looking more and more like a bubble team without much left to deal with, since they've dealt many of their draft picks and prospects.

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

He never left being mine at 2, 3, or 4

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

As always I am hopeful Chicago can move up in the draft.....this draft I wonder if KD likes a couple players at same or even different positions .....does he try to swap the Tampa pick for an earlier pick. I also see where some mid to late first round picks from a few drafts back are signing NHL contracts as their current seasonǰ has ended and they are farther along in their development....which is why I am glad to hear expanded roles for Blackhawk prospects - for example see previous blog entry about Misiak

I had emailed you yesterday wiz wondering about how Demidov could be chosen so high with the issue being his lack of edging in his skating. Well you answered that and as I surmised take Eiserman instead. Actually as I also pointed out it would be quite a contrast seeing Moore explosive skating bs Demidov no edge work

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

So i have you down as you didn't expect it either? Your reply on the other hand, needs work

It will be interesting to see what they do, but they will probably have to walk away from most if not all their pending UFA.

Marchessault, Mantha, Stephenson, Martinez, Carrier.

Might come down to what Marchessault wants, but he could easily get 7.5+ by himself. If they do retain him, they probably have to move someone else to fill out the roster.

They don't look nearly as dangerous to win this season. They've tread water down the stretch here, just above 0.500 hockey in the new year. I think that's in part the decline of Pietrangelo who is starting to show his age a bit.

I don't envy the position they are in going into the next 3 years here, looking more and more like a bubble team without much left to deal with, since they've dealt many of their draft picks and prospects.
- breadbag

The Knights already replaced Marchessault and Martinez signing the younger Hertl and Hannifin for next year and beyond.

If Hawks draft 2nd do they take the Russian winger, a top pairing defender or go the Dach route and draft the big center.
- Vanillaface

Draft big center imo

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

As always I am hopeful Chicago can move up in the draft.....this draft I wonder if KD likes a couple players at same or even different positions .....does he try to swap the Tampa pick for an earlier pick. I also see where some mid to late first round picks from a few drafts back are signing NHL contracts as their current seasonǰ has ended and they are farther along in their development....which is why I am glad to hear expanded roles for Blackhawk prospects - for example see previous blog entry about Misiak

I had emailed you yesterday wiz wondering about how Demidov could be chosen so high with the issue being his lack of edging in his skating. Well you answered that and as I surmised take Eiserman instead. Actually as I also pointed out it would be quite a contrast seeing Moore explosive skating vs Demidov no edge work

The Knights already replaced Marchessault and Martinez signing the younger Hertl and Hannifin for next year and beyond.
- LAHawk

Meh. Hertl isn't as good as Marchesault and Hanafin has a bit more offense but not nearly as good defensively as Martinez. Hertl is also already 30, so really not much younger. Those are only two of the pieces on the roster right now, not to mention the others they are in line to lose. The window for LV is closing.

The Yzerplan is 10 minutes away from going up in flames

The Yzerplan is 10 minutes away from going up in flames
- LAHawk

Not so fast. Also, they do have some good prospects in the system.

Not so fast. Also, they do have some good prospects in the system.
- Angotti

Washington wins, Detroit still alive but barely

The Yzerplan is 10 minutes away from going up in flames
- LAHawk

The last 10 minutes of the Detroit Montreal game was insane. Detroit hit the bar multiple times. Pulling for Kaner. They pulled it out in OT

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...
- wiz1901

And yet you look at eiserman with your old eyes and see no deficits worthy of non selection.

And yet you look at eiserman with your old eyes and see no deficits worthy of non selection.
- LFS

OK, point made about deficits
But if drafting second it is not so much about taking the best player over need.
The need is NOT what everyone will jump up immediately and exclaim "take best player available
. "

Sure
That is the best approach, best strategy
But now this:
Who is the rebuild built around. Who is a generational player
You want to keep him happy and you can identify several nice choices at #2 -#5 overall

We have some dmen prospects we like so although tempting to take one of them, I go with the player who Bedard can make a stud scorer. Demidov is risky because of the skating/edge work issue. But Eiserman rough spots I can live with because they will get better and he can become a difference maker

Do you agree LFS

Sportsnet with Nazar in an article. Notice where he projects to be.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...layers-coming-to-the-nhl/

OK, point made about deficits
But if drafting second it is not so much about taking the best player over need.
The need is NOT what everyone will jump up immediately and exclaim "take best player available
. "

Sure
That is the best approach, best strategy
But now this:
Who is the rebuild built around. Who is a generational player
You want to keep him happy and you can identify several nice choices at #2 -#5 overall

We have some dmen prospects we like so although tempting to take one of them, I go with the player who Bedard can make a stud scorer. Demidov is risky because of the skating/edge work issue. But Eiserman rough spots I can live with because they will get better and he can become a difference maker

Do you agree LFS
- jhawk59

If i had my choice i think we need upgrades at forward more than at defense. I guess you can say the same for both eiserman and demidov… their deficiencies can be worked on. All things equal i would take eiserman

Sportsnet with Nazar in an article. Notice where he projects to be.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...layers-coming-to-the-nhl/
- wizardofi

A middle six player?!?! There ain't no such thing....

If Frankie is a middle six player, our list of potential stars remains at one or two. Long way to go, imo.

A middle six player?!?! There ain't no such thing....

If Frankie is a middle six player, our list of potential stars remains at one or two. Long way to go, imo.
- mohel

I keep hearing that. Don't disagree that they have a long way to go, but as it's just a projection on a prospect...some end up better some end up worse.

I keep hearing that. Don't disagree that they have a long way to go, but as it's just a projection on a prospect...some end up better some end up worse.
- HawkintheD

But they are all busts.

But they are all busts.
- Chunk

Exactly! Some more busty some less so.

I keep hearing that. Don't disagree that they have a long way to go, but as it's just a projection on a prospect...some end up better some end up worse.
- HawkintheD

Completely agree. My point to the group is to gently caution (I'm nothing, if not subtle) that they'll need a few to exceed (perhaps by a lot, if our best forward prospect has a middle six ceiling) what is currently thought to be their ceilings in order to get a legitimate contender. There are indeed quite a few high picks coming in the next couple drafts, but it is unlikely that more than one of them plays in Chicago next year (maybe the next two years).

We're much closer to the beginning of this process than the end.

Exactly! Some more busty some less so.
- HawkintheD

I've heard that some favor busty.