If they don’t pick first then Lindstrom is the choice. Anyone else is a bust!
- paulr

If KFC picks him he's a bust too!

His first contract and KD included a trade clause. It took five contracts before Stan handed out his first one. KFC has the bug now, he’ll be handing them out like candy.
- paulr

I didn't know what to expect from Vlasic, what a nice surprise, for me it's an excellent way to start the rebuild a shut down defenseman and maybe more.

If they deem Korchinski should play in the rock this up coming season I'm all for it. Seems like the year prior helped Vlasic, even Kaiser and Reichel looked much better after they spent a stint in the Rock.

I didn't know what to expect from Vlasic, what a nice surprise, for me it's an excellent way to start the rebuild a shut down defenseman and maybe more.

If they deem Korchinski should play in the rock this up coming season I'm all for it. Seems like the year prior helped Vlasic, even Kaiser and Reichel looked much better after they spent a stint in the Rock.
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree. When Pronman did his top prospects in the Hawk org, he had Vlasic as a guy who "might play NHL games".

Pretty sure he's broken through that wall. It's a reminder that maybe some of these lottery tickets in the second round or later can far exceed the projection and slot they were drafted.

Totally agree. When Pronman did his top prospects in the Hawk org, he had Vlasic as a guy who "might play NHL games".

Pretty sure he's broken through that wall. It's a reminder that maybe some of these lottery tickets in the second round or later can far exceed the projection and slot they were drafted.
- HawkintheD

Shaw 6th round hjlmarsson 4th round Kruger 5th round Keith 2nd round Saad debricant all 2nd rounders big buff 7th round etc.. and just the Hawks other teams have found impactful players in later rounds.

I didn't know what to expect from Vlasic, what a nice surprise, for me it's an excellent way to start the rebuild a shut down defenseman and maybe more.

If they deem Korchinski should play in the rock this up coming season I'm all for it. Seems like the year prior helped Vlasic, even Kaiser and Reichel looked much better after they spent a stint in the Rock.
- BetweenTheDots

Maybe more just might well be the case. Most good outlet or ozone passes by any of the defensemen are going nowhere. Once some decent forwards are on the roster I’m hoping to see Vlasic, Korbustsky, Kaiser and other young defenders get rewarded for their efforts.

I’m hoping Korchinski puts some time in the gym this summer. I think allot of his shortcomings, especially defensively, are directly a result of a lack of strength. I think a stronger Korchinski who’s more confident physically will have great chance at making the Hawks out of camp. It also won’t hurt if there’s complement of better forwards on the roster.

Totally agree. When Pronman did his top prospects in the Hawk org, he had Vlasic as a guy who "might play NHL games".

Pretty sure he's broken through that wall. It's a reminder that maybe some of these lottery tickets in the second round or later can far exceed the projection and slot they were drafted.
- HawkintheD

You at the draft tonight? My 2 favorite teams are building something.

Shaw 6th round hjlmarsson 4th round Kruger 5th round Keith 2nd round Saad debricant all 2nd rounders big buff 7th round etc.. and just the Hawks other teams have found impactful players in later rounds.
- Scott1977

Buff alway boggles my mind. What happened to him before and after the draft?

Going to be a long hot summer you Chicago (frank)heads. Ha ha. Have to get my digs in. Blues are not much better than you guys. Be a while before Blues are in the playoffs it seems.

I have Tampa winning at home tonight and the hurricanes winning on the road.

You at the draft tonight? My 2 favorite teams are building something.
- BetweenTheDots

I considered going but felt the comfort of my own home would be better. Looking forward to the proceedings in an hour. Agree, I think they are both building something good but time will tell.

I considered going but felt the comfort of my own home would be better. Looking forward to the proceedings in an hour. Agree, I think they are both building something good but time will tell.
- HawkintheD

I’m calling Bullpoop on that! Your wife said you couldn’t go!

Maybe more just might well be the case. Most good outlet or ozone passes by any of the defensemen are going nowhere. Once some decent forwards are on the roster I’m hoping to see Vlasic, Korbustsky, Kaiser and other young defenders get rewarded for their efforts.

I’m hoping Korchinski puts some time in the gym this summer. I think allot of his shortcomings, especially defensively, are directly a result of a lack of strength. I think a stronger Korchinski who’s more confident physically will have great chance at making the Hawks out of camp. It also won’t hurt if there’s complement of better forwards on the roster.
- paulr

I mean, there is a probably a pretty low chance Korchinski doesn't make the roster out of camp. After a rookie season that saw him playing ~20 minutes a night, the coaching staff obviously like what they were getting out of him.

I’m calling Bullpoop on that! Your wife said you couldn’t go!
- paulr

It was more of a look than anything she said.

I wonder if the Hawks are contemplating selecting D!ckinson if they draft 2-4. If they don't pick #1, I still think Demidov or Eiserman is the best choice as they need to fill that goal scoring void.

However, D!ckinson would be a good balance between defense and creating offense (from the defense). He may not be my first choice, but I wouldn't be upset if the Hawks drafted D!ckinson.
- DarthKane

Keep your eye in Buium. The true freshman was outstanding as NCAA champ Denver's #1 Dman. Have to believe he really jumped up a lotta boards with his NCAA tournament play..... Kid controlled play as an 18 yr o;d vs 2-22-23 yr olds!!

Near elite skater, excellent in his end and has a Josi look to him with the puck Really high IQ, great reads in all 3 zones and the feet hands to make those reads pay... Not a peep outs me if they draft Levshunov, D!ckson, Buium, Parekh, Eiserman or Lindstrom.

But, unless they see Lindstrom or Eiserman as near can't misses IMO they go with a premium position and a probable #1 Dman at that.

I mean, there is a probably a pretty low chance Korchinski doesn't make the roster out of camp. After a rookie season that saw him playing ~20 minutes a night, the coaching staff obviously like what they were getting out of him.
- breadbag

If I had to bet a buck I'm guessing the Hawks didn't think they'd keep KK around after 9 games this yr. Not only does he stick but doesn't regress and that's with Megna types as a partner for 1/2 the yr.

I'd say the Hawks were surprised at KK this yr, in a good way.

If I had to bet a buck I'm guessing the Hawks didn't think they'd keep KK around after 9 games this yr. Not only does he stick but doesn't regress and that's with Megna types as a partner for 1/2 the yr.

I'd say the Hawks were surprised at KK this yr, in a good way.
- Mr Ricochet

The only thing that could throw a wrench into that is the fact KD has stated publicly that they need to be better this year. If KK struggles, I could see him going down to get some “all situations” work in Rockford.

That just IMO is a big IF.

I am not a pro scout, but I don't think we've seen the same level of offensive ability in Vlasic that Seabrook brought to the table. I don't think Vlasic has had the offensive numbers at any level yet to suggest he will hit that level.

I'll be happy to be wrong if he proves otherwise, but to my eyes he lands some where between Seabrook and Hjalmarsson on the offensive side.

I don't see the same instincts to join the play and find soft areas that Seabrook demonstrated and I don't see quite the same shot that Seabrook had.
- breadbag

Count me as elated by the Vlasic signing/contract. Him signing this early shows me he wasn't interested in squeezing every last dime outa the deal. Combine that with him staying an extra yr in school, 3 full yrs, not complaining about going back down to RKF and taking the instruction and top minutes and developing....... Everything shows the kid is a mature patient person going back a few levels. Simply said it seems "he gets it".

I watch this kid skate the puck up, picks his spots. When he does nobody is taking the puck away. He's too big, his reach is crazy, skating too balanced, his top speed is damn fast, you can't take the puck from him. ... I see his supreme balance on the blueline as he straddles looking for an option with good enough hands to keep the thing on his blade. When he does shoot he takes 1/4 or 1/2 slappers to control the shot. He keeps those shots low. He sees the traffic and doesn't shoot into bodies and will instead shoot wide for tips or bounces.

Those are some IQ things the kid shows. Tells me maybe, maybe there is some offense in there. 40 pt offense outa Vlasic with his crazy size/skating/reach/Dzone dominance and you have a difference maker.

I watched the kid live with the NTDP. Caufield, Boldy, Zegras, Jack Hughes were his mates. He was glued to the blueline but still put up some pts, not many and with those mates he's bound to get pts. .......... Didn't remember Faber was on that squad but he didn't get the minutes Vlasic did. Vlasic was a 1st pairing guy.

Anyway, check out the similarities between Vlasic and Faber in paths and pts at jrs and the NCAA!!!........ Maybe, just maybe.

Vlasic: https://www.eliteprospect...player/315969/alex-vlasic

Faber: https://www.eliteprospect...player/558598/brock-faber

The only thing that could throw a wrench into that is the fact KD has stated publicly that they need to be better this year. If KK struggles, I could see him going down to get some “all situations” work in Rockford.
- Chunk

Chunk, it's rare, if ever, you see me saying a kid shouldn't stay another yr in jrs, another yr in the NCAA, another yr in the AHL, another yr in Europe. .... It never hurt a prospect staying another yr but many many times it hurt to come a yr early.

I'll defer to the Hawks whether they send KK down or keep him up. Personally would love to see what he could do in RKF with 1st pairing minutes/matchups and what that would look like come Springtime as far as development.

please caleb, we need this.

and MHJ going before Nabers.

Would love to see the Bears help out their phenom. Give him a 1st rate tackle! If not a line wrecker at D tackle or an edge guy.......

Although that Odunze kid is the real deal.

If KFC picks him he's a bust too!
- HawkintheD

I’d be ok with Lindstrom (assuming the Hawks don’t select first overall), but I would go with Demidov, Eiserman, Levshunov, or D!ckinson first.

Would love to see the Bears help out their phenom. Give him a 1st rate tackle! If not a line wrecker at D tackle or an edge guy.......

Although that Odunze kid is the real deal.
- Mr Ricochet

Really happy with the Bears picks tonight.

What a great night, Williams, Odunze, and Tampa loses!

What a great night, Williams, Odunze, and Tampa loses!
- vabeachbear

Florida up 3-0 in the series now and has the opportunity to close it out Saturday. Should Florida win the series the Hawks will select 19th with Tampa’s pick (again).

Florida up 3-0 in the series now and has the opportunity to close it out Saturday. Should Florida win the series the Hawks will select 19th with Tampa’s pick (again).
- DarthKane

I read somewhere 20th worst case scenario