you take Levshunov with the second pick and he plays first pairing for the Hawks for the next 10 to 15 years.
You pass on the russian winger unless he has grown be 6' 2" tall.
Bedard is likely to end up on the wing due to his size so yu dont draft the same thing you already have

Mr Richochet

When I see a prospect seemingly finally break through and I offer Broberg as a case in.point,
You hope he continues or excels at a higher level next season
You hope after enough trial and tribulations
Maybe Phillips will arrive

And just to be sure, not going to say Broberg is oh so good,
But he has learned how to play well enough to say in the lineup
His strengths fit well for what the Oilers need
- jhawk59

Broberg and Phillips are in a different class of hockey players.. Broberg is 22 and it seems he's in the part of his development process where things are starting to happen, he's making plays not just surviving an NHL shift.

A big kid who is a ++skater, went 8th overall, 4 WJCs and the Hlinka for SWE, 225ish pro games outside of the NHL. A nice prospect with lotsa back class and traits.

Phillips is a 4th rd pick, but I get your point, JHawk..... Not sure if you know but I'm the guy who posts Phillips will have an NHL career of some kind. Kid is solid on his skates with quickish feet and hands and you know his good size... I see his puck skills as at least average which is nice on a big man and I like his decisiveness on his reads.. He's also shown he can be a bit dynamic.

There is stuff there that when he's matured thru age and reps I see enough traits to be an NHLer of some type although it might be with another club......... Depending on how active KD is I can see clubs wanting Phillips as part of a deal.

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.


- wiz1901

The writer did a great job citing just SOME of the intricacies of dealing with a Russian and especially so with a one as talented as Demidov. And I'm reading SKA ican be a real problem for NHL clubs.... Acknowledging the clubs know more about these intricacies than fans do there is a lotta funk, a lot. Dealing with that funk with the 5-7-10 pick is much different than with the #2 pick.

This is why I had the Hawks going with Levshunov from Day 1. A legit prospect at a premium position with no risk about when and if he'll suit up for the NHL organIzation.

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

Didn't Capfriendly replace another public site that did the same thing? ... The free market will fill the void again, no?

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

Right, this isn't even a rumor just what Friedman thinks is a fit. Not like he was fed some info like he usually gets but instead is simply connecting speculation dots.

Curious your thoughts on this, Paul, since you've seen Lardis live a few times. Watching Guentzel with CAR I see a lot of Lardis in Guentzel's game if he hits. Both very mobile, quick, dynamic and fast, both can finish/score, both dart in and out of dangerous areas and seem to have the IQ that gets them into those spots at the right time.

Guentzel is a legit NHL top 6 40 goal man so a Lardis would have a long long way to go but if he hits I think he'd look something like Guentzel.

The writer did a great job citing just SOME of the intricacies of dealing with a Russian and especially so with a one as talented as Demidov. And I'm reading SKA ican be a real problem for NHL clubs.... Acknowledging the clubs know more about these intricacies than fans do there is a lotta funk, a lot. Dealing with that funk with the 5-7-10 pick is much different than with the #2 pick.

This is why I had the Hawks going with Levshunov from Day 1. A legit prospect at a premium position with no risk about when and if he'll suit up for the NHL organIzation.
- Mr Ricochet

The lengthy explanation regarding Demidov situation helps to discern how NHL teams are going to decide whether to draft him. He may very well play for a couple or more seasons but eventually Demidov probably will shun his current environment for the NHL. So I expect him to slide mid to late first round. How amazing would it be if KD selected him at #18? This kid very well may feel it is in his family’s best interest- including two hockey playing brothers- if he plays even one or two seasons in Russia. The one year escape clause where he would be demoted, could mean it would be three years before he comes over. And more grind vis a vis games played and wear and tear on his leg(knee?) issue

I really want to draft a forward and I lean toward Lindstrom yet we can only surmise that KD does diligence checking on his health. My big hope was a forward with #2 and if we get a top ten pick through trade either Caton but preferably a dman. I like several of the dmen as dynamic second or third pair ceiling with Yakemchuk my favorite. I figure he may last with other more acclaimed or highly rated choosen first.

The Blackhawks really do need to keep S Jones for another year and I do not believe Mrzak should go just yet. Beside needing him in goal for at least one more season, he is not exactly what New Jersey or reportedly even what Buffalo is looking for. Not worthy such a high premium # 10 or # 11 overall anyway (if you are a rival GM this is your belief).

I definitely would like to see the # 18 packaged with ? (Another draft pick) so we could move up. With Hayes in pipeline and possibly Lindstrom drafted, I want to draft a dynamic dman

It comes down to whether KD goes with Leveshunov or Lindstrom and I can live with either choice. However of Lindstrom then I really would like to see KD try to get another top ten pick

Right, this isn't even a rumor just what Friedman thinks is a fit. Not like he was fed some info like he usually gets but instead is simply connecting speculation dots.

Curious your thoughts on this, Paul, since you've seen Lardis live a few times. Watching Guentzel with CAR I see a lot of Lardis in Guentzel's game if he hits. Both very mobile, quick, dynamic and fast, both can finish/score, both dart in and out of dangerous areas and seem to have the IQ that gets them into those spots at the right time.

Guentzel is a legit NHL top 6 40 goal man so a Lardis would have a long long way to go but if he hits I think he'd look something like Guentzel.
- Mr Ricochet

I hate to cop out, but I’m thinking Lardis’ next season in Brantford will show us what he will be like if he one day makes the Hawks. Lardis played on a line with Florian Xhekaj who handled the heavy lifting allowing Lardis to play a more finesse (perimeter) game. That said Lardis has no problem getting involved in traffic and tougher areas on the ice but he didn’t always have to. As you said, great wheels speed and agility, a Bedard lite shot and release and very good awareness.

I’ve said it before but if KD can find a way to make a deal for Xhekaj I’d love to see it. This past season he’s taken his game from a tough decent enough player to a point a game guy who is a wrecking ball on the ice. He would need to be reined in but if his skill game can improve some more and translate to the NHL, he’d be as close to Tom Wilson as you can get.

you take Levshunov with the second pick and he plays first pairing for the Hawks for the next 10 to 15 years.
You pass on the russian winger unless he has grown be 6' 2" tall.
Bedard is likely to end up on the wing due to his size so yu dont draft the same thing you already have
- molly2522

I guess you would have passed on orr and kane and savard ad infinitum. Levshunov is not 18… just look at the guy. You take the bpa and that is demidov. Levshunov is not even the best defenseman available.

The writer did a great job citing just SOME of the intricacies of dealing with a Russian and especially so with a one as talented as Demidov. And I'm reading SKA ican be a real problem for NHL clubs.... Acknowledging the clubs know more about these intricacies than fans do there is a lotta funk, a lot. Dealing with that funk with the 5-7-10 pick is much different than with the #2 pick.

This is why I had the Hawks going with Levshunov from Day 1. A legit prospect at a premium position with no risk about when and if he'll suit up for the NHL organIzation.
- Mr Ricochet

If demidov is there at #5 the canadians will grab him. Foeget the talk, demidov is their choice.

The lengthy explanation regarding Demidov situation helps to discern how NHL teams are going to decide whether to draft him. He may very well play for a couple or more seasons but eventually Demidov probably will shun his current environment for the NHL. So I expect him to slide mid to late first round. How amazing would it be if KD selected him at #18? This kid very well may feel it is in his family’s best interest- including two hockey playing brothers- if he plays even one or two seasons in Russia. The one year escape clause where he would be demoted, could mean it would be three years before he comes over. And more grind vis a vis games played and wear and tear on his leg(knee?) issue

I really want to draft a forward and I lean toward Lindstrom yet we can only surmise that KD does diligence checking on his health. My big hope was a forward with #2 and if we get a top ten pick through trade either Caton but preferably a dman. I like several of the dmen as dynamic second or third pair ceiling with Yakemchuk my favorite. I figure he may last with other more acclaimed or highly rated choosen first.

The Blackhawks really do need to keep S Jones for another year and I do not believe Mrzak should go just yet. Beside needing him in goal for at least one more season, he is not exactly what New Jersey or reportedly even what Buffalo is looking for. Not worthy such a high premium # 10 or # 11 overall anyway (if you are a rival GM this is your belief).

I definitely would like to see the # 18 packaged with ? (Another draft pick) so we could move up. With Hayes in pipeline and possibly Lindstrom drafted, I want to draft a dynamic dman

It comes down to whether KD goes with Leveshunov or Lindstrom and I can live with either choice. However of Lindstrom then I really would like to see KD try to get another top ten pick
- jhawk59

Demidov wont last past 5, habs will grab him in a second.

I guess you would have passed on orr and kane and savard ad infinitum. Levshunov is not 18… just look at the guy. You take the bpa and that is demidov. Levshunov is not even the best defenseman available.
- LFS

And earth is flat! Stop pretending like you know because obliviously you don´t. Some think Levshunov is the best defenseman available, some don´t. Who is right? We´ll see soon enough what Hawks think about that.

And earth is flat! Stop pretending like you know because obliviously you don´t. Some think Levshunov is the best defenseman available, some don´t. Who is right? We´ll see soon enough what Hawks think about that.
- MjulQvist

Heer heer Mjul

Demidov wont last past 5, habs will grab him in a second.
- LFS

Maybe if they don't get cold feet

And earth is flat! Stop pretending like you know because obliviously you don´t. Some think Levshunov is the best defenseman available, some don´t. Who is right? We´ll see soon enough what Hawks think about that.
- MjulQvist

Excuse me for having an opinion. You of course have a right to yours.

Excuse me for having an opinion. You of course have a right to yours.
- LFS

You stated Levshunov wasn’t 18, unless you have proof he doctored his birth certificate, you were posting bullpoop.

And as far as who is the BPA that is determined by who KD chooses. That’s not opinion, that is fact!

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.
- wiz1901

Again, (I guess i have to ask the question once a week) Can you name me all the Russian top players, drafted in the NHL, that want to come over and play within a couple years of being drafted that can't?

I'm ok with the hockey criticisms about the flaws in his skating that will lead knee injuries, the Russian factor thing is straight BS and doesn't exist.

Sounds like Habs propaganda piece to help Demidov drop.

Ironic isn't it, Canadian and US press using propaganda............

Lets say the supposed doomsday scenario happened, and he did sign a 2 year extension. What's the % of players drafted in the first round that are making substantial contributions 2 years after they were drafted vs. 3 years after they were drafted?

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

Not happening!

you take Levshunov with the second pick and he plays first pairing for the Hawks for the next 10 to 15 years.
You pass on the russian winger unless he has grown be 6' 2" tall.
Bedard is likely to end up on the wing due to his size so you dont draft the same thing you already have
- molly2522

What you do is draft the best player available, no matter the position, period. Its a rebuild, by the time they are competing for a cup again, drafting a position at this point will have looked ridiculous.

Didn't Capfriendly replace another public site that did the same thing? ... The free market will fill the void again, no?
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe a business opportunity, No?

Wish i knew how to build that site, that said, how weak is the Capitals organization that they didn't already have a cap friendly type system, or honestly, something much better

Maybe a business opportunity, No?

Wish i knew how to build that site, that said, how weak is the Capitals organization that they didn't already have a cap friendly type system, or honestly, something much better

- vabeachbear

Puck Pedia is basically the same site.

You stated Levshunov wasn’t 18, unless you have proof he doctored his birth certificate, you were posting bullpoop.

And as far as who is the BPA that is determined by who KD chooses. That’s not opinion, that is fact!
- paulr[/quote
KFC’s choice will not make that person bpa. He is or he isnt. That’sHIS choice. As for the age discrepancy others in the know have stated it. Im just repeating. Im sorry but looking at the guy he looks older than 18. And russia was never known for doctoring birth certificates. I will accept whomever he choses and hope it works out. We all want the best for the hawks.

Maybe a business opportunity, No?

Wish i knew how to build that site, that said, how weak is the Capitals organization that they didn't already have a cap friendly type system, or honestly, something much better

- vabeachbear

I was thinking the same about the Capitals organization. And you’d think they already had something in place after over a decade since the salary cap was instituted.

[quote=paulr]You stated Levshunov wasn’t 18, unless you have proof he doctored his birth certificate, you were posting bullpoop.

And as far as who is the BPA that is determined by who KD chooses. That’s not opinion, that is fact!
- LFS[/quote
KFC’s choice will not make that person bpa. He is or he isnt. That’sHIS choice. As for the age discrepancy others in the know have stated it. Im just repeating. Im sorry but looking at the guy he looks older than 18. And russia was never known for doctoring birth certificates. I will accept whomever he choses and hope it works out. We all want the best for the hawks.

Absolutely KFC’s choice makes the player the best available…. For the Hawks.

[quote=paulr]You stated Levshunov wasn’t 18, unless you have proof he doctored his birth certificate, you were posting bullpoop.

And as far as who is the BPA that is determined by who KD chooses. That’s not opinion, that is fact!
- LFS[/quote
KFC’s choice will not make that person bpa. He is or he isnt. That’sHIS choice. As for the age discrepancy others in the know have stated it. Im just repeating. Im sorry but looking at the guy he looks older than 18. And russia was never known for doctoring birth certificates. I will accept whomever he choses and hope it works out. We all want the best for the hawks.

Sorry I´m looking at this guy and he looks like 30 year old veteran:
https://www.hockeydb.com/...s/pdisplay.php?pid=248686

Absolutely KFC’s choice makes the player the best available…. For the Hawks.

- paulr

Can’t wait to check this board after the Hawks first pick, the sky will be falling for some because they didn’t take the BPA, according to them.