Here’s my take on the draft and on Reichel. Take BPA, much easier to trade defensemen for forwards than vise versa, however I’d stay away from the Russians. On Reichel, I do believe that it’s all upstairs, once Hall went down there was pressure on him to produce, both from himself and the team. The team lacks NHL talent, and him being a first round pick, well, production was expected. I don't believe that he’ll ever carry a line, so he needs more talent to play with, he’s not the type of forward to be playing on the fourth line, which he was on many occasions. The kid is 21, and he has many tools, I would not trade him, the Hawks need more darts upfront, not less.
- Angotti

I don't think he was ever seen as a guy who was supposed to. I think people get caught up in "he was a first round pick" and "Mercer was still on the board". Lafreniere was the first overall pick that year and he isn't driving his own line either. You might be able to make the case for Byfield and Stutzle, but that's about it for this draft class. Mercer's had his own struggles this year.

Ideally, Reichel takes the time he needs to get his game back to useful and comes back to the Hawks willing to do the things we saw at the end of last year. Ultimately, I think his ceiling will be a good complimentary 2nd line piece, and that's perfectly acceptable (in my eyes). He's an easy to qualify player that won't cost anything to keep around and try to get the best out of.

I am back just to add this because I didn't:
In the recent 5 Nations Tourney in Michigan, Cole Eiserman again displayed why he is the best goal scorer in the crop. The criticisms of not doing more, and rounding out his game, he is going to score a poop ton of goals in the nHL, and again display his abilities: touch that can hit the tiniest openings on the goalie/net, bull-like power in his carries, game breaker scoring, that elite catch and release, so if any team selecting a Russian or two, or Levshunov, Parekh or another defense for player in the top three, Christmas arrives in July at slot#4
- wiz1901

I'm not so worried about Eiserman as much as Lindstrom. If we do pick Lindstrom i really hope they've done their homework because size in other leagues don't always translate into the NHL.

I'm not so worried about Eiserman as much as Lindstrom. If we do pick Lindstrom i really hope they've done their homework because size in other leagues don't always translate into the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

A little buyer's remorse after Dach, Dots?

A little buyer's remorse after Dach, Dots?
- Chunk

Not so much Dach just history in general

I am back just to add this because I didn't:
In the recent 5 Nations Tourney in Michigan, Cole Eiserman again displayed why he is the best goal scorer in the crop. The criticisms of not doing more, and rounding out his game, he is going to score a poop ton of goals in the nHL, and again display his abilities: touch that can hit the tiniest openings on the goalie/net, bull-like power in his carries, game breaker scoring, that elite catch and release, so if any team selecting a Russian or two, or Levshunov, Parekh or another defense for player in the top three, Christmas arrives in July at slot#4
- wiz1901

I've not seen a minute of Eiserman play, but every time someone describes him, all I see in my head is Laine. Not a bad thing, but don't know if people are wanting more (well rounded) out of a top 5 pick.

I've not seen a minute of Eiserman play, but every time someone describes him, all I see in my head is Laine. Not a bad thing, but don't know if people are wanting more (well rounded) out of a top 5 pick.
- Chunk

I think more like Debrincat that's what i hear.

I think more like Debrincat that's what i hear.
- BetweenTheDots

Difference without a distinction? Both good goal scorers, both not known for the rest of their game? One's just bigger.

Difference without a distinction? Both good goal scorers, both not known for the rest of their game? One's just bigger.
- Chunk

Aren’t there some concerns about Eiserman’s skating?

Aren’t there some concerns about Eiserman’s skating?
- paulr

I don't know, but Wiz scouting says his skating his high end and sounds like he's a bit of a bull on his skates.

Like last year hopefully they will get the pick of the litter.

I don't know, but Wiz scouting says his skating his high end and sounds like he's a bit of a bull on his skates.
- BetweenTheDots

David Saad - Dobber Prospects - November 18th: "However, when you zoom away from his core strength, Eiserman carries with him a few key flaws. Particularly, he’s got a lot of work to do in his skating. While effective off the rush and in odd-man opportunities, he lacks the edgework and explosiveness to create separation from defenders who focus on him."

This made me wonder. I’ve read numerous scouting reports and two Wiz’s and this one touch on his skating and these are polar opposite.

http://www.mynhldraft.com...er-profiles/Cole-Eiserman

David Saad - Dobber Prospects - November 18th: "However, when you zoom away from his core strength, Eiserman carries with him a few key flaws. Particularly, he’s got a lot of work to do in his skating. While effective off the rush and in odd-man opportunities, he lacks the edgework and explosiveness to create separation from defenders who focus on him."

This made me wonder. I’ve read numerous scouting reports and two Wiz’s and this one touch on his skating and these are polar opposite.

http://www.mynhldraft.com...er-profiles/Cole-Eiserman
- paulr

How about we search for the nasty bastage that plays like a Tkachuk? That's what I'm looking for.

How about we search for the nasty bastage that plays like a Tkachuk? That's what I'm looking for.
- Chunk

Cayden Lindstrom may be that guy but the Hawks have to pick best available be it Eiserman, Lindstrom or if someone else is that guy. Hopefully the Hawks get the number one overall so the choice is obvious.

A little buyer's remorse after Dach, Dots?
- Chunk

I wouldn't want to draft a Quenville, Haydn, or McNeil.

Like last year hopefully they will get the pick of the litter.
- BetweenTheDots

Rocky needs to send Bettman a bigger check than last year.

Rocky needs to send Bettman a bigger check than last year.
- rpeters01

Might be tough to get him to do much of anything at this point. RIP.

I wouldn't want to draft a Quenville, Haydn, or McNeil.
- rpeters01

Sure. No one does, but how about Byfield, Tkachuk, or Tage Thompson?

How about we search for the nasty bastage that plays like a Tkachuk? That's what I'm looking for.
- Chunk

Tkachuk on one side of Bedard and Reichel on the other, I’d bet that Reichel would be fine then.

You have to be sure on your first round choices because they are who you are banking upon to be your core players and, moreover, the difference makers

So yes anyone you put with Bedard, he makes them better. To that end do you recall Gretzky had B Nicholson one year on wing and Nichols had 150 points - he never was anywhere close to that grand total any other time in his career.

I am not going to predict that Celebrini or Eiserman could score like that but who knows how well they might do?

On the other hand is the big rangy center Lindstrom who only began showing signs of making plays at speed and maybe could be a descent point producer.

Which is why I want to see more of Lindstrom. He is injured I guess out for the remainder or most of the season. Can he play and execute at speed? Is he going to turn more like a K Dach or a faster better skill version of Byfield. Or Lindrios when he was drafted is actually a more apt comparison

I wanted to make make sure just want to hit a home run no matter what position the player we select. Ideally Celebrini and Eiserman are gunners or point producers with a good compete edge meaning they can be abrasive and are going to be lights out competing to do whatever it takes to score. Maybe a big check too like Ovechkin is reknown

I just want at minimum a top five choice. Some very appealing players right after that for example the top dman would be solid picks. An asterisk though next Lindstrom name because while I like what I see in his review I want to see wiz puts him in top five right up to draft day

And Parekha maybe a couple others could become something special but we really ought to land in top four or too five with our pick
- jhawk59

There are no home runs you can bank. Probably Celebrini but after that it's kind of a toss up and difficult to predict.

Dach at 3 is probably fine most drafts. He's a 50-60 points you won't remember NHL regular on the wing and maybe some fewer points but same solid play at center. There's something to be said about a sure thing.

A nice thing about most of these forwards is their size for their youth.

Eiserman is 5'11 but just under 200lbs. Thats a solid kid for being just 17. Celebrini is listed as an inch shorted and a little lighter but his dad is apparently the head of sports medicine and performance for the golden state warriors so probably has a really good athletic base - and Lindstrom while being very tall at 6'5 is just shy of 220 which is man size.

These kids are 17 - with the exception of Lindstrom who just turned 18 this month - and are man sized so its less about physical maturity and more about mental toughness to be able to handle a NHL season.

From a physical standpoint and skill standpoint I don't think they can go wrong. If they pick 2 or 3 and it's between Lindstrom and Eiserman I think you take the guy you think can handle the ups and downs of the NHL best.

It sounds like Eiserman is an animal and should be able to adapt to the rigors of the pro game sooner. He could end up putting up more points than Celebrini did this year in the NCAA next year.

But Lindstrom is that mix of size and speed where if he had some nasty you get dreams of a game changing dominating big man.

Kyle and co will have an interesting decision to make.

I'm not so worried about Eiserman as much as Lindstrom. If we do pick Lindstrom i really hope they've done their homework because size in other leagues don't always translate into the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

Very understandable concern, and as Fatty said, probably Dacher remorse.
I think he definitely plays and is another powerfully quick moose with an excellent so as long as you don't think you drafted the third Tkachuk brother, we might get a pleasant surprise.

I don't think he was ever seen as a guy who was supposed to. I think people get caught up in "he was a first round pick" and "Mercer was still on the board". Lafreniere was the first overall pick that year and he isn't driving his own line either. You might be able to make the case for Byfield and Stutzle, but that's about it for this draft class. Mercer's had his own struggles this year.

Ideally, Reichel takes the time he needs to get his game back to useful and comes back to the Hawks willing to do the things we saw at the end of last year. Ultimately, I think his ceiling will be a good complimentary 2nd line piece, and that's perfectly acceptable (in my eyes). He's an easy to qualify player that won't cost anything to keep around and try to get the best out of.
- Chunk

Biggest critique from me is it doesn't look like he has very good positional awareness or understanding of what to do with the puck.

Fast yes, skilled yes, athletic yes but doesn't seem to think the game very well or power through adversity.

He'll probably go back to torching guys in the AHL because he's that much faster but I dunno. I guess we'll see what happens.

Aren’t there some concerns about Eiserman’s skating?
- paulr

I just etched the Five Nations in Michigan the last international viewing of Eiserman, so here and now I am calling BULLpoop on"David Saad - Dobber Prospects" and his assessment months ago that the kid doesn't separate from his defenders.

I implore you all to pull up some viewings on you tube taht are more than goals.

Sure, there IS a tendency to shoot over better options but that will be coachable fix.
His decision making looks selfish.

Same on the his edgework. He already creates space to shoot the puck. No flash and dash like a Hughes brother. Yeah, he probably needs a responsible centre because he sometimes quits on offering help defensively and he needs an F-1 like Nazar, because you are NOT going to see him barreling into the corners, usually on the outskirts waiting for the biscuit his way. He is strong on boards and wins pucks. He is not adverse to board battles at all or jumping in to retrieve pucks that he might convert to chances.

These are coachable and this isn't Ollie Moore, it is way more...

Like Bedard this is a guy you don't necessarily wander deep in the defense zone, bu will fly deep in the attack zone. .and riddle me this? Does Bedsy separate from defenders or play into some, to make short and quick plays.

I am far too old to try and argue my opinions, especially when I need to work on players I am less sure are NHL picks late in the 2ne 3rd and 4th but this time I stand by my opinion over anybody, but make your mind up yourself all but rinse and repeat all I have suggested here. Later.

Biggest critique from me is it doesn't look like he has very good positional awareness or understanding of what to do with the puck.

Fast yes, skilled yes, athletic yes but doesn't seem to think the game very well or power through adversity.

He'll probably go back to torching guys in the AHL because he's that much faster but I dunno. I guess we'll see what happens.
- fattybeef

That's the weird thing to me. At the end of last year, I thought he actually was thinking the game quite well, and was smart about how and when he got into battles. He'll never be mistaken for a guy like Entwistle in that area, but I thought he was certainly much better.


I was wathcing games at about 2:00am last year though...

Don't look now, but Savoie has been on a tear since coming back from injury. 8 pts in 7 games. Good on the kid. Excited to see what his ceiling is.

Might be tough to get him to do much of anything at this point. RIP.
- Chunk

Duh, my bad.