Bedard and Kurashev get criticized for their defense sure, so you have one kind of top 6 line on this team and they have to face the best players every game vs every opponent. I think its remarkable that Bedard ended up with a many points as he did and Kurashev did as well. Kurashev wasn't a passenger he contributed. Curious to see if they can continue their chemistry next season.
- BetweenTheDots

He put in the work this year and worked his tail off most the time. If the team wasn't under water so badly with puck possession and had a bit more depth, maybe Kurashev has 60+ points, which ain't bad for a complimentary piece.

Hey Rick, or Lou, any thoughts on Del Mastro's skating while he was up for 2 games?

IMO the most complete Dmen in this draft today is Zev Buium. Could not have been more impressed with the kid thru the NCAA tournament as a true freshman. 1st pairing, 1st PP unit, 2 way Dman for national champion U of Denver. As a freshman vs plenty of 21-22-23 yr olds!

His calling card is IQ. No doubt he's a plus skater and at least NHL average hands but his calling card is IQ, exceptional IQ. The true freshman was able to control the game with his smarts vs NCAA competition on their way to becoming champs.. ..... I would have no problem drafting him 2nd.

Rick, saw you asking Wiz for thoughts on the Dmen. No matter where they draft between 2 and 4 if they are going BPA that would be a Dman IMO assuming they pass on any Russians with their first pick. Unless they have Lindstrom squeezed in there but 75% chance they have a Dman ranked between 2 and 4 as the BPA.

Excluding Russians I'd be ok with any of the Dmen at 2. Buium is a kinda Josi but looks like he'd be more complete without quite the offensive prowess but I hesitate to put and cap on his ceiling. ..... His IQ is that crazy.

Parekh, right shot. Pure offense but not as bad defensively as you read. His Memorial Cup playoffs will se a Game 7 on Tuesday. He was hit hard in the 3rd a couple games back and didn't return and was a scratch the next game. IMO he does not look right and I think he's playing dinged. No doubt NHL pt per game skill, shot, skating, vision and above all he too has crazy IQ.

D!ckenson outa London. Kid is 6ft 3in and finished 2nd in the skating competition for best skater at the CHL Prospect game!! No small feat. Fantastic combination. I see a Shea Weber. A 50 pt guy who controls a game like Weber did. Born to play NHL playoffs.

Levshunov, right shot. The youngest player in the NCAA this yr and is already 6ft 2in over 200 lbs. I read first half of the season he had trouble with decision making but improved a good bit by yrs end on that account. My eyes see a big mobile Dman who takes his zone seriously and skates well enough to join the rush. I see a Doughty type player.

Silayev. He's a Russian and I could see this dude at 3 or 4 on some boards. There simply is no comparable for this freak. 6ft 7in and skates like a 6 footer and combined with his reach he can cover one half the ice. Kid has some explosion in his feet at 6ft 7in!! No idea on IQ or offensive ability cuz I have only seen clips on account of Putin but there isn't a scout on earth that looks at this kid and says never saw anything like this and it wouldn't be hyperbole.

I've seen the NCAA tournament and am 2 rds into the Memorial Cup so I'm close to satisfied and honestly believe all these Dmen will be NHL difference makers in their own way...... Would have no problem taking any of them 2nd, excluding the Cossack.

Unless it's Lindstrom they covet as they watch Byfield play like a beast in the playoffs.
- Mr Ricochet

D!ickson is an interesting potential selection. It’s not the RHD or goal scoring forward the Hawks need, but he could be a #1 d-man.

Someone sent me this link yesterday;

https://www.usatoday.com/...ks-celebrini/73400282007/
- wiz1901

Our guy's famous. Congrats, Wiz.

Someone sent me this link yesterday;

https://www.usatoday.com/...ks-celebrini/73400282007/
- wiz1901

Very cool Wiz.

I would just add that just because the teardown phase is done, doesn't mean we won't see KD take advantage of an opportunity. If we get closer to the TDL next year and we aren't in the playoff picture, still expect the Hawks to sell where it makes sense or take on a "short term" cap dump until they are starting to need that cap space.
- breadbag

Agree.

Agree.
- mohel

My, my aren’t you Mr. Geniality today.

What do you think Korbustsky has to work on for next season?
- paulr

Finding a new home.

Williams, Harrison Jr.
- rpeters01

Williams and MHJ won't be there at 9. Bring one of Nabers, Bowers, Alt or an Edge.

Big question is, will 4 qb's go early?
- rpeters01

Some are predicting the first 4 picks will be QBs.

The bears should really consider trading #1 for a haul. They already have the best o lineman at RT, so drafiting Penix Jr. would be the smart thing to do.
- powerenforcer

With that sidearm throwing motion? That isn't going work in the NFL

Here is Jones' quote:

"We need some identity pieces I think,” Jones said. “We need guys that want to play 10-12 minutes on a fourth or third line, go out there, do his job, be happy that the team won without scoring a goal or getting a point. He does a good job, gets off, doesn’t complain about his ice time — he doesn’t care about that, he just wants to see the team win. We call them ‘identity pieces,’ guys like that that will bring different guys into the fight in those situations.”
- boilermaker100

Yeah, identity pieces. (frank)ing twit.

This guy can't be launched soon enough

OK. Carry on.

The bears should really consider trading #1 for a haul. They already have the best o lineman at RT, so drafiting Penix Jr. would be the smart thing to do.
- powerenforcer

I think they should see what NE or Washington would give for #1 and then pick Maye or Daniels (I would take our the #2, out 2nd back from Washington and a 4th for the #1 overall and draft Maye).

OK. Carry on.
- Elbows15

That was one hell of a release. Be sure to clean up your keyboard. 🤣🤣

I know there are a lot of Leafs hater here, but you have to admit, that game winner from Matthew’s was pretty damn cool.

Islanders done after tonight

Islanders done after tonight
- BetweenTheDots

Shame -was hoping for a VGK and Islanders win and TB loss (so TB pick would be 18-every spot counts).

Some are predicting the first 4 picks will be QBs.
- Elbows15

Predictions are usually way off especially Kiper and Mayock.

Some are predicting the first 4 picks will be QBs.

- Elbows15

Predictions are usually way off especially Kiper and Mayock.
- rpeters01

Well, there is a better chance with trades that four QB are gone by #7.

And although Washington, New England, and Arizona all have the Let's Make A Deal sign up, all three are all asking for far more than what teams will pay.

The 3rd QB could go to NEW England, but it also may that the 3rd & 4th QBs go in the slots that the LA hangers, the New Giants and the Tennessee Titans now occupy.

Well, there is a better chance with trades that four QB are gone by #7.

And although Washington, New England, and Arizona all have the Let's Make A Deal sign up, all three are all asking for far more than what teams will pay.

The 3rd QB could go to NEW England, but it also may that the 3rd & 4th QBs go in the slots that the LA hangers, the New Giants and the Tennessee Titans now occupy.
- wiz1901

I know they paid Jones a lot of money but I wouldn't be shocked if the Giants took a QB if one is still on the board at 6 they like.

I know they paid Jones a lot of money but I wouldn't be shocked if the Giants took a QB if one is still on the board at 6 they like.
- HawkintheD

Isn't he still recovering from injury? I'd say they are better than 50% to take one.

Isn't he still recovering from injury? I'd say they are better than 50% to take one.
- Chunk

He might be. Mostly, he’s just not good and it’s an opportunity for them to do a redo at 6 where they took him 5 yrs ago.

Question for Wiz....who typed your responses in that article?

Just busting chops...congrats again.

NFL draft talk can be continued on the new blog.