Celebrini and Fantilli out for Team Canada. PLD, Hagel and Paul are in.

I could use help from folks with good memories. Buddy called after the lottery show and asked who the Hawks drafting and that they gotta get some forward help, he likes Eiserman. This dude follows prospects from 13 yr old tournaments on up so I listen.

I asked how often do top Dmen like Doughty, Hedman, Hughes, top pairing Dmen, become available thru trade or FA compared to wingers? 1st pairing centerman are in that Dmen category too. Hard to impossible to acquire outside the draft Tkachuk, Guentzel types seem to be more available than Hedmans or Doughtys.

You can acquire these guys sometimes before they pop like Karlsson or cap casualties like Pietroangelo, but it's rare.

Even rarer is acquiring elite talent thru trade or FA, you gotta draft them. And most say you gotta have elite players to win a cup and when you have them you keep them. If you're from that camp the Hawks, and their system, to date seems to have one elite player and that's Bedard.

My hope, and KD is "saying" this, is that regardless of position (but in one way or another that skews to some degree to premium positions like Dman and centerman) the organIzation will take the player with the best chance to become elite and that's BPA, especially in the top 5.

And realistically this could be the last chance to draft top 5 in quite awhile. KD needs an elite player to make 2 in the organIzation (Vlasic has a real chance to become elite) and this is the yr to do that with quite a few possibilities there at #2.

If Lindstrom is in that realm for them he might be the pick but I think KD goes Dman cuz that group probably has more chances to get an elite player than other position.

Edit: If the organIzation is not afraid of drafting a Russian for sure I think they go Demidov. Including Celebrini IMO Demidov has the chance to be the most elite player of this draft and I love Celebrini ( tons of Toews traits) and could see 4-5 Dmen having a chance at becoming elite.
- Mr Ricochet

Exactly right. The Hawks need 2-3 more stars, and it is very unlikely they get any from trade or FA.

Question for you....how many of the kids (not Bedard) do you think have a reasonable chance of being great players?

That would be moronic
- GPHawksfan

LOL

Celebrini and Fantilli out for Team Canada. PLD, Hagel and Paul are in.
- bjphawkfan

That's a bummer as I wanted to watch Bedard with Celebrini.

Do you think levshunov is the second best player available in the draft? Im not even sure if hes the best dman available.
- LFS

Depends upon what you want and how you feel the player drafted would be better eventually than the guys you ha e presently
Do you need a Maker type skill or some other criteria you want to see improve

Exactly right. The Hawks need 2-3 more stars, and it is very unlikely they get any from trade or FA.

Question for you....how many of the kids (not Bedard) do you think have a reasonable chance of being great players?
- mohel

I'd say two have a chance. KK (due to his overall toolset), and Nazar (due to his tools and compete). My very dark horse is Rinzel.

By no means am I any sort of talent evaluator, but from what I've seen and read (as much as it pains me to say it) Demidov appears to be the best bet to be the other "star" forward of this draft. Defensemen are so difficult to project especially at a young age, but Levshunov, and D!ckenson appear the surest bets on the back end (looking at total package, not just stay at home D or explosive O).

I guess the question becomes, does a potential 50-60 pt D-man who can take care of his own zone outweigh a puck hounding, incredibly skilled forward (despite the smurfy measurables )?

I just read an interesting article. There are three Stanley Cups. The original was retired in 1970 due to its age and fragility. There is the Presentation Cup that is awarded to each team that wins, and then there is the Replica Cup that stands in place of the Presentation Cup in the Hall of Fame when the Presentation Cup is not available. The things you learn when you are bored!

I am glad we all were able to conjure the many unspoken thoughts of Kyle Davidson.

It makes for more discussion.

I heard,

"Well, we (Blackhawks) basically have no areas of weakness in our prospect pool....no needs.'

To me, the imaginaery unspoken sentence is, "so, basically we can pick whomever we want, with not regard to draft lists, Central Scouting old people rankings or even our own.

If we want to think Zanye Parehk is a future scoring defenseman, we can take him and wait and see.

If we think Grand Prarie scouting service says the Russian kid is the next bold legged wonder, we can take him.

If we think Eiserman is a goal scorer and we would love that, take him.

If want a future big guy, Cayden Lindstrom.

If Tig Iginla is a better force out there, so we take him,


Oh, big Carter Yakemchuk needs time , but won't he be fun when he replacedone of our RD?


I think Kyle feels no pressure to take anybody but there true best player.

Do you think levshunov is the second best player available in the draft? Im not even sure if hes the best dman available.
- LFS

I see allot of OHL games, I have a reasonable read on some OHL prospects but unless I actually see them play against another prospect it’s difficult to compare OHL players. And it’s almost impossible to compare OHL guys vs WHL, QMJHL, USJHL, high school, College or European guys. I’m basing what I posted by what many of the draft lists are publishing and it seems the consensus except by one or two is Levshonov/Damidov or Demidov/Levshonov. And Eiserman doesn’t seem to be in the top 5-7 on most draft lists. And at the end of the day on the draft day, the draft lists and my opinion don’t matter.

Exactly right. The Hawks need 2-3 more stars, and it is very unlikely they get any from trade or FA.

Question for you....how many of the kids (not Bedard) do you think have a reasonable chance of being great players?
- mohel

That's the big question that is hard to answer. A lot of unknowns yet, and realistically we do need team to "get lucky" on a pick or two and find a diamond in the rough, or continue to fail and draft really high. I think the strategy the Hawks are using, high volume of picks who are high ceiling but might take longer, isn't a bad one to maybe find a player or two who will surprise.

That's the big question that is hard to answer. A lot of unknowns yet, and realistically we do need team to "get lucky" on a pick or two and find a diamond in the rough, or continue to fail and draft really high. I think the strategy the Hawks are using, high volume of picks who are high ceiling but might take longer, isn't a bad one to maybe find a player or two who will surprise.
- breadbag

I agree. This is why I'm not fond of the idea of trading picks for players - they're not getting a star that way. Use the picks to hopefully land a Kieth or Kucherov, because you're not getting them after their first camp with another team.

That's the big question that is hard to answer. A lot of unknowns yet, and realistically we do need team to "get lucky" on a pick or two and find a diamond in the rough, or continue to fail and draft really high. I think the strategy the Hawks are using, high volume of picks who are high ceiling but might take longer, isn't a bad one to maybe find a player or two who will surprise.
- breadbag

Guys like Kantserov and Lardis are really intriguing. I'm also excited to see what some of the "lesser" names like Ludwinski, Hayes, and Dach end up being. Savoie seems to be a favorite here as well.

Lots of young guys to filter in over the next 4-5 years.

Guys like Kantserov and Lardis are really intriguing. I'm also excited to see what some of the "lesser" names like Ludwinski, Hayes, and Dach end up being. Savoie seems to be a favorite here as well.

Lots of young guys to filter in over the next 4-5 years.
- Chunk

I’m interested to see how Lardis plays as a 19 year old for Brantford next season. Will he bring his game in from mostly the perimeter? Can he stay healthy? The kid has exceptional speed and skating ability, there was some talk during last year’s draft that he may be as fast as Moore. He has has a great shot with a quick release. I’ll make sure I see him every time he comes to Oshawa and I may go to Peterborough to see him up there.

I agree. This is why I'm not fond of the idea of trading picks for players - they're not getting a star that way. Use the picks to hopefully land a Kieth or Kucherov, because you're not getting them after their first camp with another team.
- mohel

Indeed, you will need some of the 2nd/3rd/4th rounders to turn into good/great players. The problem is that most of those guys don't show they are great until about 3-4 years after they are drafted. You've asked a few times "how many stars do you see in the pipeline?". There are a bunch of guys that show tons of promise, but we won't know for sure for a few more years. This is why, I think, the move to begin improving now is a good one. You can't just wait around for these prospects to become good then fill in around them. Provide a competitive environment for them and have them raise their level of play to that of the team.

Seabrook's wrist shot was harder and better than Keith's slap shot.
- rpeters01

It was and Seabs had a good slapper too but Keith kept his shot low where Seabs' shot often sailed away high. ........ Thinking back I think Keith's shot may have been more dangerous the Seabs' and a lot of that was cuz he kept his shot down where skinny legs and sticks could help.

Here's the link to the Davidson interview on WSCR radio. Short video snippet at the top and the full 20 minute audio discussion a bit further down.

https://www.audacy.com/67...ful-for-blackhawks-future
- boilermaker100

Thank you, BM........

There's also not a lot of talk about any of the kids you mentioned looking yet like potential stars. Still need a couple of those, imo.
- mohel

A couple had good years in the Juniors. Kantserov had a good season too. Would be nice if there is a Kirill Kapritzov or Brayden Point type among them. i.e. lower round guys that become stars.

Just wanted to add Heiskanen.
- Chunk

You are correct. Missed one. Still not a great percentage of dominating no1 defenders taken top 5 out of Makar.

He took the best punter…not the best player available
- LFS

Looking at it that way the Punter would have been a first round draft pick. All the articles are saying teams are sorry they didn't get him earlier.

I just read an interesting article. There are three Stanley Cups. The original was retired in 1970 due to its age and fragility. There is the Presentation Cup that is awarded to each team that wins, and then there is the Replica Cup that stands in place of the Presentation Cup in the Hall of Fame when the Presentation Cup is not available. The things you learn when you are bored!
- bjphawkfan

Which one did Bickell drink beer out of at home?

That's a bummer as I wanted to watch Bedard with Celebrini.
- Popsghostly

You'll have to watch Bedard with PLD. Who knows? maybe those two light it up and we see a PLD for Jones trade in the off season(red font).

Why?
- LFS

Why would they use the second overall pick on a player projected way lower? Especially one with big holes in his game. That's a good way to blow a rebuild.

Exactly right. The Hawks need 2-3 more stars, and it is very unlikely they get any from trade or FA.

Question for you....how many of the kids (not Bedard) do you think have a reasonable chance of being great players?
- mohel

Great is a subjective term but I think we'd fall into the same camp with most guys. Short answer, yes I do see a few with realistic chances of being impactful and who knows, maybe great, based on their traits or development so far.. ......Was Sharp great? I think a few of these guys could be as impactful as a Sharp Hammer type.

Nazar's IQ up with the Hawks blew me away and used that with his plus skating/hands to make plays in all 3 zones, was dangerous at least a few times in every zone (with his IQ those types are dangerous on all 200 ft of ice) all while playing defense...... I'w really really high on this kid now. He showed things in the NHL he didn't in the NCAA.

They drafted Hayes the yr he had a 19 goals and 49 pts. Next yr 41 goals and 80 pts this yr 37 goals and 76 pts..... Nice numbers, especially the goals, but the eye test in this yrs playoffs kid looked smooth, poised with good size. He had the look.

Lardis has that explosive trait and he knows how to finish. He don't hang around the crease but seems to know how to find soft ice and the timing to pop in and out of dangerous areas and be open.. His explosion, IQ and finish are nice traits.

Of all of em this yr I was most impressed with Rinzel. Partly cuz I didn't expect too much this early but going from the USHL as a 19 yr old with defensive issues, positioning and work rate to a top program like U of MN and end up running the 1st unit PP, rushing pucks 200 ft up the ice vs NCAA competition and seeing him engage in his zone more than ever is very impressive......

I have a couple more thoughts and will add to this list but it's puck drop Game 1 London v Oshawa.

This isn't true at all. Zach Hyman wasn't a first line player when he was drafted but he's gradually gotten better and improved his game. Same as Kurashev is doing. It's not impossible
- GPHawksfan

True statement.

Tampa Bay as one of the best examples - Point 79th overall, Kucherov 58th, Cirelli 72nd, Palat 208th, Yanni Gourde (undrafted).

Anybody can draft 18 year olds off the multiple lists compiled by the "experts". The real skill is finding untapped talent in later rounds who get developed over time and under excellent minor league coaching.

And the scouting birddogs that find these type of players are invaluable, especially when the GM will listen to them.
Do the Hawks have that type of Hockey Ops Dept?

Exactly right. The Hawks need 2-3 more stars, and it is very unlikely they get any from trade or FA.

Question for you....how many of the kids (not Bedard) do you think have a reasonable chance of being great players?
- mohel

Did they not sign Hossa and Campbell as free agents?

Hanafin is a very good defender and he was traded.

Sergachev was acquired with a trade. Fox was a trade. Toews was a trade. Faber was a trade. Buff was traded to Winnipeg.

Maybe a different tier but Trouba was a trade. Everyone on the Canucks blue line not named Hughes was a sign or trade. The Oilers got Ekholm in a trade. Everyone on the Panthers not named Ekblad was a sign, trade or waiver pick up.

There's clearly deals out there to be made for high end talent other than the draft.

Just about every one of consequence on the Rangers, Vegas, was a sign or trade. Krieder I think was drafted and so was Miller.