Glad you enjoyed the game. Watching, it appeared the Hawks didn’t win many board battles. If Bedard, Nazar, Reichel, Kurashev are in the top 6, I hope KD is looking to bring in a forward or 2 that belong on the top 2 lines that can come out of a board battle with the puck on their stick.
- LAHawk

I think some size and physicality is needed to balance out the forwards. That’s why I think if Lindstrom is available, and the Hawks aren’t picking first, KD will go with him. As much as the scoring from Eiserman would be helpful I’d like to see hopefully a top six player who can win the puck battles and still produce offensively. And I’d prefer the Hawks steer completely clear of any Russian player with that first pick.

I think some size and physicality is needed to balance out the forwards. That’s why I think if Lindstrom is available, and the Hawks aren’t picking first, KD will go with him. As much as the scoring from Eiserman would be helpful I’d like to see hopefully a top six player who can win the puck battles and still produce offensively. And I’d prefer the Hawks steer completely clear of any Russian player with that first pick.
- paulr

You mean you don’t want the Hawks to turn into the Leafs?

[quote=Ztra]Next year probably 15 spots taken and 7 open
AA
D!ckinson
Foligno
Kurashev
Donato
Bedard
Nazar
Reichel
Hall
Jones
Murphy
KK
Vlasic
Kaiser
Mrazek

I would not mind them resigning Anderson
- HawkintheD[/quote]

I wouldn't either and also would add Slaggert to your fwd list.

I don't think Slaggert or Nazar are guaranteed a spot on the roster next season. If they earna spot then great, but I culd see them get the Vlasic treatment of playing a handful of games at the end of a season then spend a full season in Rockford developing their pro game.

I am interested to see what they do on defense. Jones, Murphy, Vlasic and Korchinski will be back, but which of the Rockford kids will make the jump (my money is on EDM). I wouldn't be surprised to see KD sign a veteran to be the 7th defenseman playing once a week. I just hope it's not Tinordi or Megna.

You mean you don’t want the Hawks to turn into the Leafs?
- LAHawk

God no!

Seriously though the Leafs stocked up on some sandpaper guys this year. Be interesting to see if Matthews, Marner and Bystander can step up and get involved in the tougher areas of the ice or continue to be perimeter only players? All three have proven they can produce points without getting a bloody nose or some bumps and bruises but are they ready to get banged up to try to win?

I don't think Slaggert or Nazar are guaranteed a spot on the roster next season. If they earna spot then great, but I culd see them get the Vlasic treatment of playing a handful of games at the end of a season then spend a full season in Rockford developing their pro game.

I am interested to see what they do on defense. Jones, Murphy, Vlasic and Korchinski will be back, but which of the Rockford kids will make the jump (my money is on EDM). I wouldn't be surprised to see KD sign a veteran to be the 7th defenseman playing once a week. I just hope it's not Tinordi or Megna.
- DarthKane

Almost posted something similar regarding Slaggert. If he and/or Nazar spend some time in RFD, I don't see them being there a whole season...especially FN3.

Almost posted something similar regarding Slaggert. If he and/or Nazar spend some time in RFD, I don't see them being there a whole season...especially FN3.
- HawkintheD

I have no problem if Slaggert, Nazar or Korbustsky starting in Rockford if the reason is to fine tune their respective game. But I don’t want to see them in Rockford to get lesser veterans in their place to tank another season.

I think some size and physicality is needed to balance out the forwards. That’s why I think if Lindstrom is available, and the Hawks aren’t picking first, KD will go with him. As much as the scoring from Eiserman would be helpful I’d like to see hopefully a top six player who can win the puck battles and still produce offensively. And I’d prefer the Hawks steer completely clear of any Russian player with that first pick.
- paulr

Sounds like you're saying KD will draft based on need and not take the best player available. I agree that the Hawks will eventually require a couple of bigger bodies up front instead of the smurfy Bedard, Nazar, Lardis and Kantserov types. But at this stage of the rebuild, I think you take the BPA, even if it's a defenseman (Parekh, wink, wink).

I have no problem if Slaggert, Nazar or Korbustsky starting in Rockford if the reason is to fine tune their respective game. But I don’t want to see them in Rockford to get lesser veterans in their place to tank another season.
- paulr

I don’t know who will be in this lineup if Nazar and Korchinski aren’t. Maybe the league has even more guys with the last name Johnson.

I don't think Slaggert or Nazar are guaranteed a spot on the roster next season. If they earna spot then great, but I culd see them get the Vlasic treatment of playing a handful of games at the end of a season then spend a full season in Rockford developing their pro game.

I am interested to see what they do on defense. Jones, Murphy, Vlasic and Korchinski will be back, but which of the Rockford kids will make the jump (my money is on EDM). I wouldn't be surprised to see KD sign a veteran to be the 7th defenseman playing once a week. I just hope it's not Tinordi or Megna.
- DarthKane

I can see two vet defensemen signed. the 7D and maybe a RD. Would KFC make the plunge and sign a Pesce or Tanev to big bucks? Pairings would be

Vlasic-Jones
KK-Murphy/Vet
Kaiser- Vet/Murphy
Vet 7D

I wonder if KK struggles a bit, if he'll be sent down to Rockford for a while. That will give EDM some NHL time. Allan and Phillips & Crevier (if extended) would be injury call ups based on their play at Rockford.

Kinda bummed we don’t get to see a healthy kane in the playoffs. Washington is fooling only themselves trying to be competitive with this dinosaur team. They’ll get trounced by the Rangers or Hurricanes.
- ObeseOprah

Screw that, went to the Wings, hope they never see the playoffs.

It'll be another off season taht i have to hear how great of GM Stevie Y is and how bad KD is and doesn't know what he's doing and his coach sux.......................

Might be a bit early to crown him our second best forward after 15 minutes of NHL playing time.

Chuck was making a good point that the guys need to earn their spots. It will be up to them to show they belong, not just after a few games here at the end of the year, but training camp next year and into next season.

This is where the coach and GM need to do their job and so far they haven't been afraid to send guy down, especially when they need work. I mean just looking back a year or so, folks were clamoring over how great Reichel was and like many young players, his road hasn't been a linear path.
- breadbag

Why??? He could be declared a bust in much lesser time

Two questions:
What should the Salt Lake City team’s name be? I’m a big fan of the Yeti.

Assuming the Hawks get the number 2 pick, who do you prefer?

I don’t know who will be in this lineup if Nazar and Korchinski aren’t. Maybe the league has even more guys with the last name Johnson.
- ObeseOprah

Nazar is on the team for next year, are you kidding? You think he left Michigan after only one full year and burned a year of his contract for 3 games to play in Rockford???

Sounds like you're saying KD will draft based on need and not the best player available. I agree that the Hawks will eventually require a couple of bigger bodies up front instead of the smurfy Bedard, Nazar, Lardis and Kantserov types. But at this stage of the rebuild, I think you take the BPA, even if it's a defenseman (Parekh, wink, wink).
- boilermaker100

I think you always go with best available. If the Hawks draft first they go with Celebrini. Eiserman brings high end scoring and nothing else while Lindstrom brings not as much scoring but other qualities like physicality, size, defense and some scoring. I think if you evaluate two guys who are so close you go with need.

As for Parekh he could wind up being the best player in the whole draft. I’ve watched him allot and I don’t see anyone in the draft who plays a more dynamic smart game. That said can he, or will he be able to bring his game to the next level and be able to incorporate defense?

All that said I trust whatever KD and his scouts do and think they’ll do what’s best for the team.

Two questions:
What should the Salt Lake City team’s name be? I’m a big fan of the Yeti.

Assuming the Hawks get the number 2 pick, who do you prefer?
- ObeseOprah

Yutes! What's a Yute?

I think you always go with best available. If the Hawks draft first they go with Celebrini. Eiserman brings high end scoring and nothing else while Lindstrom brings not as much scoring but other qualities like physicality, size, defense and some scoring. I think if you evaluate two guys who are so close you go with need.

As for Parekh he could wind up being the best player in the whole draft. I’ve watched him allot and I don’t see anyone in the draft who plays a more dynamic smart game. That said can he, or will he be able to bring his game to the next level and be able to incorporate defense?

All that said I trust whatever KD and his scouts do and think they’ll do what’s best for the team.
- paulr

I get the argument for Lindstrom, however, one thing that I keep seeing regardless of who he is on the ice with) is that very few players, maybe Kurashev occasionally, know how to get themselves open when Bedard has the puck in the offensive zone. More often than not, they almost run into him because they don't know where to go. Eiserman has a knack for not only getting himself open, but also finding his way to the front of the net.

I think there is something to be said for drafting a guy who knows how to score. Plus, he's kinda built like a tank.

I think you always go with best available. If the Hawks draft first they go with Celebrini. Eiserman brings high end scoring and nothing else while Lindstrom brings not as much scoring but other qualities like physicality, size, defense and some scoring. I think if you evaluate two guys who are so close you go with need.

As for Parekh he could wind up being the best player in the whole draft. I’ve watched him allot and I don’t see anyone in the draft who plays a more dynamic smart game. That said can he, or will he be able to bring his game to the next level and be able to incorporate defense?

All that said I trust whatever KD and his scouts do and think they’ll do what’s best for the team.
- paulr

Points taken. I'm sure it's a given that if the Hawks win the lottery, they'll select Celebrini. If they pick 2,3,4, we'll be on pins and needles, and write countless words deciding who to take.

I hope they stay away from the Russians even though I see Demidov as #2 in many prospect ratings. One of Lindstrom, Eiserman, Catton, Parekh, Levshunov will be available even at #4 and will be a decent addition to the team.

I don't think Slaggert or Nazar are guaranteed a spot on the roster next season. If they earna spot then great, but I culd see them get the Vlasic treatment of playing a handful of games at the end of a season then spend a full season in Rockford developing their pro game.

I am interested to see what they do on defense. Jones, Murphy, Vlasic and Korchinski will be back, but which of the Rockford kids will make the jump (my money is on EDM). I wouldn't be surprised to see KD sign a veteran to be the 7th defenseman playing once a week. I just hope it's not Tinordi or Megna.
- DarthKane

I'll go with Kaiser. His second stint was really good. He knows how to get out of his own zone and can actually complete a pass in stride. Also, his coverage in the defensive zone was better than most on this team.

As some others here have mentioned, I think KK will need to show improvement in his defensive play to hold a permanent spot on this team next year. They have the option to send him down now, so I don't think they will hesitate to do so if needed.

That is just a horrible d-pairing. Either one of those with someone else is bad enough, but together?

via GIPHY

- DarthKane

One more game for those two, they are both bad, but Tinordi just drives me crazy. Sign a serviceable RD short term for the third pair, or trade for a good young RD.

I found this article containing profiles on the top 16 prospects. Detailed write ups on each one listing strengths/weaknesses, NHL potential and risk/reward ratios.

https://thehockeywriters.com/2024-nhl-draft-guide/

One more game for those two, they are both bad, but Tinordi just drives me crazy. Sign a serviceable RD short term for the third pair, or trade for a good young RD.
- Angotti

If you are going to have all these smurfs on offense, and not very "physical" defenseman (well Murphy if he can stay in the line-up, unless you want Foligno being your policeman), the 7th D needs to be some dragon breather.

In regards to Foligno, boy did he slow down the last 20 games or so. He played too many minutes as a 36 y.o. during the first half of the season 3 g 7 A for the last 20 games, but that includes the 4 assist game against Anaheim, 2 goals 1 assist in the past 14.

Two questions:
What should the Salt Lake City team’s name be? I’m a big fan of the Yeti.

Assuming the Hawks get the number 2 pick, who do you prefer?
- ObeseOprah

The Skinwalkers, obviously.

If you are going to have all these smurfs on offense, and not very "physical" defenseman (well Murphy if he can stay in the line-up, unless you want Foligno being your policeman), the 7th D needs to be some dragon breather.

In regards to Foligno, boy did he slow down the last 20 games or so. He played too many minutes as a 36 y.o. during the first half of the season 3 g 7 A for the last 20 games, but that includes the 4 assist game against Anaheim, 2 goals 1 assist in the past 14.
- LAHawk

Yeah, I think ideally, he plays fourth line and is not on the PP next year. I've been very pleasantly surprised by him, but not sure if he has the stamina for this kind of workload again. 3rd in TOI among forwards at almost 18 mins per night. Kurashev and Bedard were the only ones higher.

It's funny how that stat kind of puts this season in perspective. 23, 98, and 17 were this highest TOI forwards.... yeah no kidding they struggled. I would love to see Hall make it through an entire year, but I really don't think you can bank on it. Fingers crossed for some notable reinforcements.

The Skinwalkers, obviously.
- MartiniMan

That would be awesome, just need Brandon Fugal to buy the team

I found this article containing profiles on the top 16 prospects. Detailed write ups on each one listing strengths/weaknesses, NHL potential and risk/reward ratios.

https://thehockeywriters.com/2024-nhl-draft-guide/
- boilermaker100

It's kind of funny. Hage is listed at 6'1" and 190 and is repeatedly referenced as small.