Logan Cooley- 6 goals and 19 assists. -10 I thought he would have better stats. You never know with rookies.

By the "few others" I was referring to Malkin, Kuznetsov, the 3 guys in Tampa. Tarasenko fell to the Blues at around #16.
- RickJ

I thought Tarasenklo was top 3 pick, but being Russian dropped him in 2009.

Podkolzin has done nothing yet in Vancouver. (Maybe Rutherford would dump him into KD's lap for some other favour).
- RickJ

I really liked Podkolzin his draft year, b/c he was SO agggressive on the attack, but I think he has heavy boots he hasn't overcome yet, so I bet, Kyle would stay away, because ehe wants high tempo attackers...

Logan Cooley- 6 goals and 19 assists. -10 I thought he would have better stats. You never know with rookies.
- bjphawkfan

Cooley had a decent start then petered out after the first month

I thought Tarasenklo was top 3 pick, but being Russian dropped him in 2009.



I really liked Podkolzin his draft year, b/c he was SO agggressive on the attack, but I think he has heavy boots he hasn't overcome yet, so I bet, Kyle would stay away, because ehe wants high tempo attackers...
- wiz1901

With Kuzmenko gone maybe Podkolzin gets another chance in the Canuck lineup.Tocchet likes physical, aggressive, it reminds him of himself.

Right now, KD could use any kind of attacker up front.

1-1-2-1-3

1-1-2-1-3
- 35Tony0

3-1-3-1-2

3-1-3-1-2
- paulr

Ok you got me to do this:

1 - 1 -3 - 1 - 2

I am not a big All-Star game watcher, but I set set a tape for the skills thing, and it shocked the heck out of me when I saw Bedard there.

I do have questions as I haven't attempted reading anything prior to this weekend.

The hawks have made sure that in Chicago, Bedard is protected and shielded from media attempts outside what are their regularly schedule ones, so he has some space.

They also had an attempt to limit his ice after the injury and he lobbied for earlier time, and he got it.

So, do the Blackhawks have an actual team representative playing in the event?

Was the inclusion of the player who the fans wanted there representing the Blackhawks is there a league request?
Bedard's request?

I truly wonder if the hawks were asked, then they talked to the kid, and gave the go-ahead.

I don't listen to the between periods clap-trap, or turn the 'puter on to read the words of the "insider" Κάρολος, so,

I truly don't know if the hawks had named a replacement, or if there was a pray-Star acknowledgement many days prior to the event, or was this some big league surprise.

Please, tell me, tell me, I am bursting to know there answers!

Cooley had a decent start then petered out after the first month
- wizardofi

I think the coaching staff is tryin g to win with the veterans who have earned higher minutes, and it isn't like he is the only forward that is there on a on the job training with offensive gifts.

Dylan Guenther is a guy I would have picked in his draft year over others,
and Matias Maccelli is going to be a nice NHL winger too.

I was at the Frozen Four, and Cooley was much more advanced than Fantilli in the attack zone, but of course is of a slighter build.
He is pretty darn quick in all phases, and has points in his last 4 games...

Ok you got me to do this:

1 - 1 -3 - 1 - 2

I am not a big All-Star game watcher, but I set set a tape for the skills thing, and it shocked the heck out of me when I saw Bedard there.

I do have questions as I haven't attempted reading anything prior to this weekend.

The hawks have made sure that in Chicago, Bedard is protected and shielded from media attempts outside what are their regularly schedule ones, so he has some space.

They also had an attempt to limit his ice after the injury and he lobbied for earlier time, and he got it.

So, do the Blackhawks have an actual team representative playing in the event?

Was the inclusion of the player who the fans wanted there representing the Blackhawks is there a league request?
Bedard's request?

I truly wonder if the hawks were asked, then they talked to the kid, and gave the go-ahead.

I don't listen to the between periods clap-trap, or turn the 'puter on to read the words of the "insider" Κάρολος, so,

I truly don't know if the hawks had named a replacement, or if there was a pray-Star acknowledgement many days prior to the event, or was this some big league surprise.

Please, tell me, tell me,
- wiz1901I am bursting to know there answers!

The Hawks did not get a replacement representative for the game. Let’s be honest, if something like this happened when the Hawks were monsters, we’d all be asking why some bottom feeder with 0.5ppg for the nod over Hossa if Kane was already the all star.

I’ve not read or heard anything about whether the Hawks have some sort of player liaison there for the activities, but I would assume they have someone there to keep tabs on the kid.

Ok you got me to do this:

1 - 1 -3 - 1 - 2

I am not a big All-Star game watcher, but I set set a tape for the skills thing, and it shocked the heck out of me when I saw Bedard there.

I do have questions as I haven't attempted reading anything prior to this weekend.

The hawks have made sure that in Chicago, Bedard is protected and shielded from media attempts outside what are their regularly schedule ones, so he has some space.

They also had an attempt to limit his ice after the injury and he lobbied for earlier time, and he got it.

So, do the Blackhawks have an actual team representative playing in the event?

Was the inclusion of the player who the fans wanted there representing the Blackhawks is there a league request?
Bedard's request?

I truly wonder if the hawks were asked, then they talked to the kid, and gave the go-ahead.

I don't listen to the between periods clap-trap, or turn the 'puter on to read the words of the "insider" Κάρολος, so,

I truly don't know if the hawks had named a replacement, or if there was a pray-Star acknowledgement many days prior to the event, or was this some big league surprise.

Please, tell me, tell me,
- wiz1901I am bursting to know there answers!

It’s a complete guess on my part but I’m sure the NHL wanted Bedard there as he’s a big name and a new face of the league.

As for playing that Tankathon lottery it’s addicting. But it’s also kind of pointless as the players after Celebrini seem to be changing, and changing drastically, on a regular basis.

I think the coaching staff is tryin g to win with the veterans who have earned higher minutes, and it isn't like he is the only forward that is there on a on the job training with offensive gifts.

Dylan Guenther is a guy I would have picked in his draft year over others,
and Matias Maccelli is going to be a nice NHL winger too.

I was at the Frozen Four, and Cooley was much more advanced than Fantilli in the attack zone, but of course is of a slighter build.
He is pretty darn quick in all phases, and has points in his last 4 games...
- wiz1901

Wiz on your opinion if the draft hsppen today and the Hawks got the 2nd overall pick who are you drafting not based on need or position and why?

I think the Hawks definitely would know Bedard was going to take part and be told it's nothing risky to him. He is definitely looking pretty well and recovering.

I wanted to post this the other day, but my gut has been telling me they might let him practice more seriously after the all-star break. I've heard the quotes from LR on the timetable and I have no science to back this up, but my random guess is that he will wear down the training staff/coaches enough to get back in the lineup for the Feb 13 game, just under a week ahead of schedule. I could be wrong, but I think he misses 2 more games or maybe they make him wait one more week and he comes back Feb 19 (missing 5 more).

I don't think they hold him out the full 8 weeks unless there is some lingering concern. He is still a really young guy, presumably he eats pretty decent nutritionally, so he should be in my non-medical opinion, on the quicker end of the recovery estimate.

Wiz on your opinion if the draft hsppen today and the Hawks got the 2nd overall pick who are you drafting not based on need or position and why?
- Scott1977

I never am able to separate a lot of the prospects in mocks from the idea I am wanting them as future Blackhawks to the idea at the initial start of the mock, that this are a reflection of where I think Team Wiz would take them. An then as we get closer I tweak some of the NHL team's needs into. I also for whatever reason start having my draft full of goalie runs, and later tier defenseman runs. And the other thing is size, it is back as a true preference at various players in the draft.

My list has Cayden Lindstrom as the guy to be selected second overall.
You notice from past practices, that if a team picking early takes a foreign league player,(Juraj Slafkovsky) usually makes the transition over to North American the next season.
So, I am gonna see that not changing horses to a giant Russian or good scoring winger Russian.
If you take Cayden Lindstrom for the Hawks you see him as your future 2nd line center who plays against the opposition's top line in home games.
If don't think there is evidence that he fails as a top six forward, and falls into to your team's third line centre, he goes off the board quickly.
You see him as kid who plays with Bedard on the power play, a necessary big body the good teams have.
If you see him as a first line winger to play with Bedsy, you probably understand whether playing centre not that his goal scoring is probably capped, that is except Austin Matthews the centres drafted early are more playmakers than shooters, and Bedard needs some one who can finish on his line so the the opposition has a concern elsewhere and not exclusively on Bedard.
My point is I see Hischer, Hughes, Berniers, Cooley, as past first players and it is not that they cannot fill the net, but in my opinion, they project as nice 35 goal guys too go along with their passing.
So I see a projected plateau for Cayden, not some some out ion the park home run hitter. They don need fast big man with his rub.
But, (frank) it, I am taking Eiserman. Eiserman is a player who you can play any position up front and at any of your top lines. There is no doubt in my mind he is an NHL scorer, because the years of doing it at every level is proof in the pudding.
He is the guy that Bedard can get the puck to, and the chances of him scoring is the most likely, and not from one place. Just like Bedard it leaves his stick powerful and on target and simply give us an opportunity to score. He can get Bedsy the puck too. All the negativity I have written in my profile of him exists but I think we have the coaching staff that helps him become the all around player.

Been away for a bit, so lots of catch up reading I had to do.

One thing i feel very strongly about, the Hawks aren't in a position at this point to be trading away draft picks at this point, or are they in a position to trade down and get more picks.

Take the best available player, regardless of position, at the position you are in. If you do that, you will not be sorry.

Don't chase ghosts, and don't make it complicated. Trust your scouting, trust your process.

If you can trade some Tyler Johnson type, that's OK, make the trade, but don't make the team worse than it is now. Losing this much can drag development down.

Been away for a bit, so lots of catch up reading I had to do.

One thing i feel very strongly about, the Hawks aren't in a position at this point to be trading away draft picks at this point, or are they in a position to trade down and get more picks.

Take the best available player, regardless of position, at the position you are in. If you do that, you will not be sorry.

Don't chase ghosts, and don't make it complicated. Trust your scouting, trust your process.

If you can trade some Tyler Johnson type, that's OK, make the trade, but don't make the team worse than it is now. Losing this much can drag development down.
- vabeachbear

I don’t have a problem trading a pick for a good young player, not their own first pick, but any other pick. Boldy on the Wild is 6’2” and 200 lbs, he’s 22 years old and pockets 30 goals annually, I would trade Tampa’s #1 and more for him in a NY minute. Those are the kind of trades that I’d make, the return has to be a good young asset. That would still leave them with their #1 and two firsts for next year, and you just added a 22 year old power forward. JMHO. I’d also trade a #2 and say Phillips for the Oiler’s Holloway, another young forward with size, but not as proven as Boldy at this time. I would not give up a valuable asset for anyone over 24 at this time, unless you’re getting a McDavid back.

Hawks need s pure scorer… if they dont draft #1 then i take eiserman. Cayden is tempting too but he isnt the scorer that bedard needs on his line. They can draft a bigger center with later pick(s) or a defenseman. We have holes to fill but we cant do it all at one time.

Hawks need s pure scorer… if they dont draft #1 then i take eiserman. Cayden is tempting too but he isnt the scorer that bedard needs on his line. They can draft a bigger center with later pick(s) or a defenseman. We have holes to fill but we cant do it all at one time.
- LFS

Chicago needs “best available “. My only concern would be if the best available is Russian.

"Κάρολος" lol - 6 AM and Cyrillic - yes well played there -I actually do check in there - partly because of the entertainment factor (unfortunately -I don't know if they thought they were going for comedy -although they nail it well) ... it's amazing someone pays for that - but I guess have hope guys, show you can write here - and bone up on expressing your hockey knowledge to selection panels that probably are entirely unfamiliar with the sport ... and you never know your luck - you might get paid for it some day.
------

Ok - aside from that I am pretty sure the Hawks would have known and agreed to it - because I am sure I saw some of those post game press conference blurb videos where LR was referencing (vaguely) about the possibility of the league finding something for Bedard to be involved with there.

After seeing Roenick smash up his face a few times, and his overall look of a face like a bass that got hooked in a bad place, and then fought like hell to get off of the hook, I didn't expect Bedsie to not look like anything really happened - apart from maybe rocking a starter mullet -and joking around with guys on their version of a bench. I'd probably expect him to be ready closer to the earliest projected date as opposed to the later one.

Chicago needs “best available “. My only concern would be if the best available is Russian.
- paulr

Available also means - being available, so maybe it might not. As has been pointed out, there is a risk factor with availability that applies to certain regions. Making the best available skillset, not necessarily really available.

1-1-2-1-3
- 35Tony0

3-3-1-3-3

Hawks need s pure scorer… if they dont draft #1 then i take eiserman. Cayden is tempting too but he isnt the scorer that bedard needs on his line. They can draft a bigger center with later pick(s) or a defenseman. We have holes to fill but we cant do it all at one time.
- LFS

This year’s draft is a bit different. After #1 the next 4-5 picks could go in multiple different ways.

Agree that the Hawks need a goal scorer, if they’re not drafting #1 I think they’ll take Eiserman or Demidov (if Eiserman is off the board). The Hawks also are in desperate need of a RHD in the pipeline. Maybe they take Levshunov but I suspect they’ll wait until Tampa’s pick and take a RHD then. Yakemchuk would be a nice option, as would Jiricek.

I never am able to separate a lot of the prospects in mocks from the idea I am wanting them as future Blackhawks to the idea at the initial start of the mock, that this are a reflection of where I think Team Wiz would take them. An then as we get closer I tweak some of the NHL team's needs into. I also for whatever reason start having my draft full of goalie runs, and later tier defenseman runs. And the other thing is size, it is back as a true preference at various players in the draft.

My list has Cayden Lindstrom as the guy to be selected second overall.
You notice from past practices, that if a team picking early takes a foreign league player,(Juraj Slafkovsky) usually makes the transition over to North American the next season.
So, I am gonna see that not changing horses to a giant Russian or good scoring winger Russian.
If you take Cayden Lindstrom for the Hawks you see him as your future 2nd line center who plays against the opposition's top line in home games.
If don't think there is evidence that he fails as a top six forward, and falls into to your team's third line centre, he goes off the board quickly.
You see him as kid who plays with Bedard on the power play, a necessary big body the good teams have.
If you see him as a first line winger to play with Bedsy, you probably understand whether playing centre not that his goal scoring is probably capped, that is except Austin Matthews the centres drafted early are more playmakers than shooters, and Bedard needs some one who can finish on his line so the the opposition has a concern elsewhere and not exclusively on Bedard.
My point is I see Hischer, Hughes, Berniers, Cooley, as past first players and it is not that they cannot fill the net, but in my opinion, they project as nice 35 goal guys too go along with their passing.
So I see a projected plateau for Cayden, not some some out ion the park home run hitter. They don need fast big man with his rub.
But, (frank) it, I am taking Eiserman. Eiserman is a player who you can play any position up front and at any of your top lines. There is no doubt in my mind he is an NHL scorer, because the years of doing it at every level is proof in the pudding.
He is the guy that Bedard can get the puck to, and the chances of him scoring is the most likely, and not from one place. Just like Bedard it leaves his stick powerful and on target and simply give us an opportunity to score. He can get Bedsy the puck too. All the negativity I have written in my profile of him exists but I think we have the coaching staff that helps him become the all around player.
- wiz1901

Wiz, this is very layered reasoning that connects.... Really good post and enjoyed reading it.

GMing ain't easy, man.... If Lidstrom and Eiserman hit their ceiling you have a legit NHL 2C with size that looks to be a 2 way guy that can reach 75ish pts and the other a winger, with 2 way issues, to skate with Bedard and challenge 50 goals, and or more, every single season and unlock the stranglehold defenses have on Bedard.

And if you argued because of Lidstrom's explosive feet at his size he might be a legit NHL 1C or that Eiserman can challenge 70 goals I'd listen. ........

"Κάρολος" lol - 6 AM and Cyrillic - yes well played there -I actually do check in there - partly because of the entertainment factor (unfortunately -I don't know if they thought they were going for comedy -although they nail it well) ... it's amazing someone pays for that - but I guess have hope guys, show you can write here - and bone up on expressing your hockey knowledge to selection panels that probably are entirely unfamiliar with the sport ... and you never know your luck - you might get paid for it some day.
------

Ok - aside from that I am pretty sure the Hawks would have known and agreed to it - because I am sure I saw some of those post game press conference blurb videos where LR was referencing (vaguely) about the possibility of the league finding something for Bedard to be involved with there.

After seeing Roenick smash up his face a few times, and his overall look of a face like a bass that got hooked in a bad place, and then fought like hell to get off of the hook, I didn't expect Bedsie to not look like anything really happened - apart from maybe rocking a starter mullet -and joking around with guys on their version of a bench. I'd probably expect him to be ready closer to the earliest projected date as opposed to the later one.
- SC116

Must be Greek.... Re maga

Must be Greek...
- BGKarras

Yes- sorry- that's correct - Greek alphabet - not Cyrillic... it was too early...

This year’s draft is a bit different. After #1 the next 4-5 picks could go in multiple different ways.

Agree that the Hawks need a goal scorer, if they’re not drafting #1 I think they’ll take Eiserman or Demidov (if Eiserman is off the board). The Hawks also are in desperate need of a RHD in the pipeline. Maybe they take Levshunov but I suspect they’ll wait until Tampa’s pick and take a RHD then. Yakemchuk would be a nice option, as would Jiricek.
- DarthKane

Glad my post seems to have pleased all. The fact that I had it almost finished and wanted so correct info update, and instead of opening another search, it went kaput into oblivion when I tried to backspace to it, got the empty space to re-type it on.

I am not hoping for a hockey writing spot, or a job on the radio, but if I WAS on the radio, my mike a minute stream of consciousness is easier to understand than my slow fingers trying to translate. I really am loving life, and the hawks will always be a huge preoccupation and talking point.

And the fact that the kids return the Mzarek re-birth and the team play that seems to have every guy on the team buying in, well, we very well may not be in the position to draft top and with two long shot Lottery wins (NO, not Montreal and Minnesota!), and I am constantly thinking about a pick later in that 4-6 range.

Constantly running likely and unlikely scenarios.
If they are selecting there I bet they pray the Belarusian RD defenseman is there, but that looks doubtful right now.

I bet if that is around where they pick, 4-6 they are also praying the two Russian are gone by 4.

I could easily see them taking RD Carter Yakemchuk based on his pure dynamic interest in attacking.
I am certain Yakemchuk isn't there when the Lightning pick is next up.
I do not have to go and refresh my mock draft feel there big forward to is worthy a top six selection.
Maybe they will seem boxed in, and know Helenius upside better than I project, or they take a chance with a Russian defenseman Anton Silayev or the winger Demidov, but I think you will hear Kyle from Chicago spouting the company line on .
position not an issue with the first pick they own.
That was why a few days back I was trying to gauge everyone's thoughts on who has to be gone for LD to get taken by them.
I am not even sure if I consider Zayne Parekh as on outlier by 5 or 6...his team will see both playoffs and Memorial Cup action so there is plenty of chances for viewing him and deciding just how good, and how valuable he turns into in the NHL.
And besides any improvement they are seeing in University of Minnesota's Sam Rinzel (24 points in 27 games)- it is not like there isn't room for another right hander as much as I wish there were FIVE Cayden Linstom types at the top end of this year's apple dunk.
Not sure even with his high production in Windsor,
I think Liam Greentree has a branch with an apple to pluck that early. (that profile is not there, I dunno I was sure it was. I thought I had the entire first round profiles in place....FIXED...Liam Greentree Lines.com)

And sure the second first rounder might be a good slot to take a linger developmental RD, but I got my eyes on Michael Hage, 'cause I thin k he is gone in the first and we might as well plant the tentpole in the 20's then regret he is gone in the early second. That early second also is nice luxury to develop a defender.

I just keep think more forwards, more forwards, more forwards for them.