Other than Levshunov, I wonder who else the Hawks wined and dined.
- wizardofi

And did Levshunov get chummy with any other team's media??

Yeah I was curious if the Ducks and next in line took to dinner....

It is not like the hawks have to cameoflaged their intentions from the team ahead of them b/c the already know where that player is earmarked...moo...

Levshunov is different than most others in the draft b/c he is physcially developed, and not a guy you wait long to road test.
- wiz1901

I read in Bamford's column that Levshunov said the Hawks were the only team that took him to dinner. Also, per Roumelitis, he's undecided about returning to MSU next year. After the draft he'll have a discussion with the team that picks him.

https://x.com/CRoumelioti...tatus/1799491321612136785

Did anybody else hear the play-by-play guy say that Nurse was a minus 15?

Did anybody else hear the play-by-play guy say that Nurse was a minus 15?
- bjphawkfan

He’s indeed -15 in these playoffs and was a +3 during the regular season. For those that complain about Jones, I’ll take him over Nurse everyday of the week.

He’s indeed -15 in these playoffs and was a +3 during the regular season. For those that complain about Jones, I’ll take him over Nurse everyday of the week.
- Angotti

Are you trying to get banned from this site?

It’s hard to pass on a Bedard/Demidov combo. But they are not big, and there will be other opportunities to draft or sign a bigger player. Demidov in a very weak MHL is a little scary but his ceiling is insane.

I just don’t think you can pass on Levshunov at 2. He’s a beast, he’s physical, provides offense and he’s quite the character from what I’ve seen in interviews.

Yeah I was curious if the Ducks and next in line took to dinner....

It is not like the hawks have to cameoflaged their intentions from the team ahead of them b/c the already know where that player is earmarked...moo...

Levshunov is different than most others in the draft b/c he is physcially developed, and ynot a guy you wait long to road test.
- wiz1901

I watched an interview of levshunov on youtube. That guy is 23-24. There is no way hes 18. [/img]

It’s hard to pass on a Bedard/Demidov combo. But they are not big, and there will be other opportunities to draft or sign a bigger player. Demidov in a very weak MHL is a little scary but his ceiling is insane.

I just don’t think you can pass on Levshunov at 2. He’s a beast, he’s physical, provides offense and he’s quite the character from what I’ve seen in interviews.
- QuickSCF

And hes no 18 year old

If the hawks pass on demidov they will regret it for a long time. Just my opinion.

Montreal NHL Athletic:
It seems at least somewhat probable that Russian phenom Ivan Demidov could be available for the Canadiens at No. 5, but if that happens, there is some question as to whether they would take him there, depending on who else is available, namely Medicine Hat Tigers centre Cayden Lindstrom.

In the unlikely event both of them survive through the first four picks, I would guess (and it is just that, a guess) that the Canadiens would lean toward taking Lindstrom (more on that in a bit). If just one of Lindstrom or Demidov is available at No. 5, that makes the decision somewhat easier for the Canadiens.
There is a lot to like about Lindstrom, and I do believe the Canadiens like him a lot. The athleticism, the size, the power, the speed, the hands — it’s all there. There is some concern over his health, but if that checks out, I don’t think the Canadiens have too many questions.

There are a lot of questions about Demidov, though.

From a strictly hockey standpoint, the Canadiens recognize Demidov has game-breaking qualities they lack in the organization. But there is some doubt about whether his style would translate well to playoff hockey in the NHL. We were given the comparisons of David Pastrnak and Mitch Marner having some difficulty in the playoffs this year. Demidov is also not a perfect skater and does not have ideal size — though there is a belief he is bigger than his listed 5-foot-11 — but his compete and the consistency in his production are seen as pluses. And the fact that production came in the MHL is not ideal, but Demidov played in the top division of the MHL and maintained his production against both strong and weak opponents, on top of exploding in the playoffs.

But more than the strict hockey questions are the ones surrounding his status in Russia.

Demidov has one year left on his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, which sounds like good news. But it complicates Demidov’s situation in several ways.

First off, if Demidov doesn’t sign an extension with Saint Petersburg, some see it as unlikely they would keep him with their KHL club next season, and you are not allowed to loan out players with one year left on their contract to other KHL teams. So, Demidov might be forced to play another season in the junior MHL, which would be a complete waste of time at this point and could stunt his development for a year.

But at least under that scenario, he would be in North America next year.

Except there is a real sense, and not just from the Canadiens, that SKA likes Demidov and would like him to play for them. And when they feel that way, SKA tends to be persistent, and there are certain pressure valves they can access.

Numerous conversations with scouts and team officials at the combine confirmed the Demidov situation is a total wild card. He has two brothers playing in the SKA organization, his family lives there, his own development as a player — all of it represents ways Demidov could be pressured into signing an extension in Russia.

It’s a potential factor here that seems quite real, and if it were to come down to Lindstrom or Demidov for the Canadiens, this would definitely be a big part of that conversation.

Last year, the Canadiens didn’t take any prospects out for dinner at the combine, a time-honoured tradition they apparently decided was not worth the trouble.

That changed this year. The Canadiens took Lindstrom out for dinner and Iginla as well, at the very least. Not sure what led to the change of heart, but dinners at the combine are not always an indicator of who a team favours. Remember, the Canadiens did not take Slafkovský out for dinner two years ago, and obviously did not take Reinbacher out for dinner last year.

There is the infamous story of the Canadiens taking Cole Caufield to dinner in 2019, being told not to bother because he won’t be available at No. 15, and then drafting him at No. 15 in Vancouver.

The decision to take someone out for dinner is one teams make at the combine, so they can’t be completely ignored. But more often than not, they don’t mean a whole lot.

And hes no 18 year old
- LFS

That was also what I thought at the Chicago Public HS match the high school I taught at, Lincoln Park H.S. was playing Farragut Career Academy who had high schooler, Kevin Garnett.
Before the game a colleague and I wnet courtside while he was practicing shots and told him that he must have stayed home fom school a year before moving up to stay with his sister in Chicago.
He basically (softly) told us, "No, I am just 17...."

I do not understand KD´s statement (or supposed stance) on Kane. We have plenty of cap space to accommodate Kane on a 2 year deal (for likely more than most contenders can offer). We need offensive support and there are not a lot of UFA´s out there that can offer that.
If this club intends to compete next year as some have stated, then no doors should be shut. It would be foolish to not consider all avenues. Hopefully KD is only making these kinds of statements to avoid being charged with tampering.

I do not understand KD´s statement (or supposed stance) on Kane. We have plenty of cap space to accommodate Kane on a 2 year deal (for likely more than most contenders can offer). We need offensive support and there are not a lot of UFA´s out there that can offer that.
If this club intends to compete next year as some have stated, then no doors should be shut. It would be foolish to not consider all avenues. Hopefully KD is only making these kinds of statements to avoid being charged with tampering.
- 67hawks

I don't think the Blackhawk organization wants a press person going intoi the lockerroom and a Toews or kane is there.

The chances they get asked about their part on the Kyle Beach incident and it wouldn't take much for the simple reality actually comes out-that they knew and in loyalty to the employer shelling out 10.5 mil for each when they said, they had no idea was false.

I don't think the Blackhawk organization wants a press person going intoi the lockerroom and a Toews or kane is there.

The chances they get asked about their part on the Kyle Beach incident and it wouldn't take much for the simple reality actually comes out-that they knew and in loyalty to the employer shelling out 10.5 mil for each when they said, they had no idea was false.
- wiz1901

Wiz any word on Lindstrom medicals and how they came back, red flags or no concerns. I m still taking Lindstrom at 2 imo I can see levashov discussion also by solidifying the d core for years to come.

I do not understand KD´s statement (or supposed stance) on Kane. We have plenty of cap space to accommodate Kane on a 2 year deal (for likely more than most contenders can offer). We need offensive support and there are not a lot of UFA´s out there that can offer that.
If this club intends to compete next year as some have stated, then no doors should be shut. It would be foolish to not consider all avenues. Hopefully KD is only making these kinds of statements to avoid being charged with tampering.
- 67hawks

Or, it could just be typical GM posturing at this time of year. Let’s see what he’s able to put together before judging hypotheticals.

Elliotte Friedman pulls a rumour out of his ass, that he thinks the Hawks will sign Guentzel, he up front said he has no insider info on this, it’s just a thought and now I’m reading about it or seeing it on YouTube. It’s crazy how bullpoop takes on a life of its own.

Elliotte Friedman pulls a rumour out of his ass, that he thinks the Hawks will sign Guentzel, he up front said he has no insider info on this, it’s just a thought and now I’m reading about it or seeing it on YouTube. It’s crazy how bullpoop takes on a life of its own.
- paulr

This is what happens when people get paid base on how many clicks or how mich interaction they can get on their content. Less actual news and more “entertainment” or speculation.

Elliotte Friedman pulls a rumour out of his ass, that he thinks the Hawks will sign Guentzel, he up front said he has no insider info on this, it’s just a thought and now I’m reading about it or seeing it on YouTube. It’s crazy how bullpoop takes on a life of its own.
- paulr

And the latest rumour is that Carolina is offering Guentzel around for trade for a draft pick(s) ahead of July 1 because he has told them he is going to check out the market.

Hawks won't be giving away draft picks for a 30 yr old UFA.

That was also what I thought at the Chicago Public HS match the high school I taught at, Lincoln Park H.S. was playing Farragut Career Academy who had high schooler, Kevin Garnett.
Before the game a colleague and I wnet courtside while he was practicing shots and told him that he must have stayed home fom school a year before moving up to stay with his sister in Chicago.
He basically (softly) told us, "No, I am just 17...."
- wiz1901

Garnett actually grew a couple inches after he entered the NBA.

Washington Capitals buy the capfriendly.com site and will use its tools for in house hockey operations. The site will go dark in early July.

I do not understand KD´s statement (or supposed stance) on Kane. We have plenty of cap space to accommodate Kane on a 2 year deal (for likely more than most contenders can offer). We need offensive support and there are not a lot of UFA´s out there that can offer that.
If this club intends to compete next year as some have stated, then no doors should be shut. It would be foolish to not consider all avenues. Hopefully KD is only making these kinds of statements to avoid being charged with tampering.
- 67hawks

Agreed. We’ve seen he can still play. No reason not to. I’d like to think he’s done chasing cups and wants to be home. It really won’t matter though. Want levshunov at 2- should have a solid 1st and 2nd d-pairing with fingers crossed solid goaltending coming up here in the next two years or so

Agreed. We’ve seen he can still play. No reason not to. I’d like to think he’s done chasing cups and wants to be home. It really won’t matter though. Want levshunov at 2- should have a solid 1st and 2nd d-pairing with fingers crossed solid goaltending coming up here in the next two years or so
- bigfly46

I'm hoping it's just a smoke screen and they've already got a deal worked out. Just waiting for 1 Jul unveiling!

Washington Capitals buy the capfriendly.com site and will use its tools for in house hockey operations. The site will go dark in early July.
- boilermaker100

Guess it was cheaper to buy something and modify it than it was to build from scratch.

I'm hoping it's just a smoke screen and they've already got a deal worked out. Just waiting for 1 Jul unveiling!
- Matt_Foleys_bro

Imo Lindstrom is needed more on this Hawks team than Levshunov. Don't get me wrong both are need but big center who the upside he has plus I think the medicals are getting overblown. If there was something serious with his back he not doing bench presses and pull-ups and other physical stuff. Whoever the Hawks pick at two they getting area of need that will be filled.

I willl like the hawks to pick the forward.