So pretty much every forward that was drafted last year.
- Chunk

Would like to see even part time line combination of Bedard, T Hall, Reichel

Bedard adjusted playing with Fantilli so the question is more appropriately how well would they work together

Kane and Toews was not ideal but worked fairly well. Just to provide an example and temper our hopes a tad

Well exactly and more than one way to skin a cat. I don't think trading up to get a guy they want speeds up the rebuild either.

We'll see how it all plays out but I don't have an issue with him packaging a 2nd (would prefer it not be their 1st 2nd round pick at 35) to move up to get someone they are really high on.

Davidson did a lot of good work last Summer I think, trying to restock the pond and so far, he and Ryan Poles have proven to be the anti-Ryan Pace when it comes to team building models.
- HawkintheD

Agreed they are still way early on this rebuild. Not sure if trading a pick for a young prospect is there yet either......more about just loading up on best available really to be able to deal from a strength when it's time to go for it.

Going to be a very interesting year league wide....have to think Toronto is going to move 1 of those top 4 guys out and see what Edmonton does. Even add the NYR to it. Have to think Colorado is going to be aggressively trying to find another top 6 guys to backfill Landeskog....have to wonder if he'll EVER be the same player again.

What if the cost of acquiring a sleeper like
a Versteeg, a Sharp, or a Ladd is a 2nd round pick?
- boilermaker100

I hear you....I just don't know if they are there YET. Really depends on the IMO as why give up a pick where you can get a 18-22 yr old vs trading for an older player when you are still at least a few years from winning.

I get the need to develop a new core, new leadership group and building around Bedard.

Going to be fun to see how Davidson builds this thing. Multiple ways.....would love to have a wave of prospects just coming up nonstop.

I get your concern, I'm of the belief they will draft Bedard, and be smart draft day or days before the draft. This is the direction KD wanted to go and so far it sure seems like we've had no front office interference. If he makes an idiotic move like signing Matthews, hahaha just teasing, then I'll be concerned but as of now it sure seems like things are falling the Blackhawks way to build a monster roster over the next few years.

I see it like Bears fans crying for an edge rusher, and Poles is like nope the time isn't right yet.
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed....Matthews debate has sailed.....

They just need to play the slow game. Give Bedard a few older guys now on shorter team to help him grow, gain confidence and then draft guys to help backfill those guys to start building your core/roster.

Hope they sign a few guys to 1-2 year deals that are friendly they can flip come deadline time to accumulate more depth picks. Not saying they should tank again but if a guy is not deemed a LT answer and a prospect is ready.....they need to deal some of these guys. Would love to see Murphy get shipped out. Sooner the better.

What are the chances IF Toews is healthy, he would sign in Colorado? They are desperate to fill Landeskog's center position. And who wouldn't want a guy {if healthy} who can win faceoffs? Just throwing it out there.

What are the chances IF Toews is healthy, he would sign in Colorado? They are desperate to fill Landeskog's center position. And who wouldn't want a guy {if healthy} who can win faceoffs? Just throwing it out there.
- bjphawkfan

and all this time I thought he mostly played left wing.

Ricochet says later: You'll enjoy this, Wiz. https://theathletic.com/4.../05/16/nhl-draft-lessons/

I read this article which pooh poohed small defenders success and questioned teams adding centres who actually made their respective teams better but those centres are "justworkmanlike."

Tell you what, did you hear the high praises for Dallas' first rounder centre 2021 Wyatt Johnston. It is a different foot if / when the shoes of Barrett Hayton or Jesperi Kotkaniemi are scoring goals that enable their teams to go to the final four.

I thought that was a straight bullpoop take on the draft, including the small defender argument applied to this Swedish kid Axel Sandin Pelikka.

Centre do so much the causal fans miss.

If your team has no centres coming down the developmental pike, YOU TAKE that pick and FILL no matter what might happen around you.

Yeah but I also said he doesn't think they;ll be using all their picks in the 1st, 3 rounds. Which to me is a mistake. They'll need to make those savvy trades that net you the Versteegs, Sharps, and Ladds of the world.
- SteveRain

The devil is in the details. It all depends on how he uses the picks. They had 11 picks last year. They have 11 this year, and 9 each the next two. That is a lot of extra players if they don't move any picks. They can't all come up at the same time. There isn't enough room on the roster (even within a 2 or 3 year span).

Using excess picks to acquire more established players (long term), future higher picks, or move up in this draft is perfectly acceptable as long as he gets proper value out of it.

Would like to see even part time line combination of Bedard, T Hall, Reichel

Bedard adjusted playing with Fantilli so the question is more appropriately how well would they work together
- jhawk59

They didn't adjust...in the World's U-18 they moved Fantilli down a line, and he wasn't on a line with Bedard at the double World Junior U-20s either.

I prefer Dallas' marchment to hall, the China doll who never raised his game to him being a tenacious Toews type in the attack zone.

What are the chances IF Toews is healthy, he would sign in Colorado? They are desperate to fill Landeskog's center position. And who wouldn't want a guy {if healthy} who can win faceoffs? Just throwing it out there.
- bjphawkfan

He certainly is not going to command anything near his last cap hit, so that is in his favor. If he is healthy enough and still wants to put himself through another year of hockey, I would say that COL would certainly make sense. I could also see - dare I say it - Detroit as an option if they are going to try and push for a playoff spot. He could finally take his true calling as a 3C.

I hear you....I just don't know if they are there YET. Really depends on the IMO as why give up a pick where you can get a 18-22 yr old vs trading for an older player when you are still at least a few years from winning.

I get the need to develop a new core, new leadership group and building around Bedard.

Going to be fun to see how Davidson builds this thing. Multiple ways.....would love to have a wave of prospects just coming up nonstop.
- SteveRain

Sure I agree, maybe a wise trade or two a couple of years down the road. Wouldn't mind trading one of the 2nds this draft to improve position.

Within the next year, I can also see KD accumulate more future picks via cap dumps or, signed UFAs who are flipped at the TDL.

They didn't adjust...in the World's U-18 they moved Fantilli down a line, and he wasn't on a line with Bedard at the double World Junior U-20s either.

I prefer Dallas' marchment to hall, the China doll who never raised his game to him being a tenacious Toews type in the attack zone.
- wiz1901

Mason Marchment is 4 years younger than Hall which is huge, but are suggesting Marchment is a better NHL hockey player than Taylor Hall?

Given the statements from KD about not keeping all of this years picks and the possibility he may feel like he's creating a logjam with 8 picks in the first 3 rounds this year coupled with the haul from last year and the bevy of picks next year, and with all those kids needing contracts at some point I could see him moving one of the last two 2nd round picks for a 1st in 2025 or 2026. He's only got 50 contracts max.
Depending on which prospects are available after the top 50 this year, of course.

Mason Marchment is 4 years younger than Hall which is huge, but are suggesting Marchment is a better NHL hockey player than Taylor Hall?
- stevefrmglencoe

Are you Mexicohawk?

Given the statements from KD about not keeping all of this years picks and the possibility he may feel like he's creating a logjam with 8 picks in the first 3 rounds this year coupled with the haul from last year and the bevy of picks next year, and with all those kids needing contracts at some point I could see him moving one of the last two 2nd round picks for a 1st in 2025 or 2026. He's only got 50 contracts max.
Depending on which prospects are available after the top 50 this year, of course.
- GreenJeans

Typically only 3 or 4 rookies play 40+ games on an AHL hockey team as well. Rockford had 2 this season.

Are you Mexicohawk?
- paulr

No.

Same and since many are giving self appreciating reach arounds......

While I was dead wrong about Carolina making a run, I did say Kane should have looked at Dallas as the west was WIDE open. His tunnel vision on NYC and his dad's hatred of flying impeded his and the Hawks ability to find the best suitor for him.

Further Dallas goes, and more Domi makes an input.....find it hard to figure out many think Domi is going to take another bridge deal after having a breakout year, and having bet on himself the last few years on lesser term. Think this guy isn't ready to cash in and settle in somewhere? 100%
- SteveRain

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

Really?

"Hi I'm SFG, and I like to say things to start poop."

Really?

"Hi I'm SFG, and I like to say things to start poop."
- Chunk

Were you impressed with his coaching? If you could snap your fingers right now and replace him with Laviolette would you?

KD and team seem to have good insight into what other teams are looking to do at the draft. I’d bet he has a good idea of the 2-3 players on his list that could be available at #19. The same goes for the 2nd round picks, especially #35.

I’ve heard in interviews with KD and his scouting staff that it’s unlikely that the Hawks use all 8 picks in the first 3 rounds. Some could be used to move up in the first round, they could be used for immediate help or they could be used to acquire picks in future drafts. But it seems unlikely at this point that the Hawks will draft 4 players in the second round.

As much as I’d like to see the Hawks move up from #19 I don’t know if it’s possible. I know KD is more than willing to trade, but he needs a second team to work with. Which team would be willing to part with a top 15 pick? Maybe St Louis or Buffalo, but I’d see Buffalo moving their pick for immediate help and Chicago doesn’t have the assets to accommodate that. Maybe St. Louis is willing to move one of their later first round picks and KD can use a combination if second and third round picks in a deal?
- DarthKane

Just because of the long rivalry, I doubt the Blues and Blackhawks do business together.
Buffalo is looking for a veteran right shot defenseman.

So, if it was anybody but Seth Jones, it would cost the hawks a pick(s).

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? .
- stevefrmglencoe

HE IS NOT COMING BACK

Mason Marchment is 4 years younger than Hall which is huge, but are suggesting Marchment is a better NHL hockey player than Taylor Hall?
- stevefrmglencoe

I am suggesting he fits what Bedard needs on his flank...beef.

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

No. Stan Mikita was the best Blackhawk ever. Look at the numbers. When Kane won the Conn Smyth it probably should have gone to Crawford.

Patrick Kane is probably the best Blackhawk and American player ever. Does anything he has done suggest he would consider coming here to mentor Bedard while playing with a bunch of AHL players and an AHL coach? He wouldn't even say he would consider playing for anyone besides the Rangers and cost the Hawks a first round pick if not more. Kane should go to a team that can win and surround himself with established players. He doesn't need money. He's already going to the Hall of Fame. The only thing that should be on his mind is 1 more Cup.

As for Domi, as you point out, he is having an amazing playoff. He's not going to want to come back here to babysit Bedard. He is 28. He is going to sign a nice deal with a win-now team and go for the Cup.
- stevefrmglencoe

I guess you're in charge of his life, eh? Maybe he should select what he wants out of the rest of his career and life.

Were you impressed with his coaching? If you could snap your fingers right now and replace him with Laviolette would you?
- stevefrmglencoe

No.

No. Stan Mikita was the best Blackhawk ever. Look at the numbers. When Kane won the Conn Smyth it probably should have gone to Crawford.
- bjphawkfan

I can't win this arguement because Mikita is worthy for sure. Since Makita he's the best.