You'll saw this?

The Carolina Hurricanes have heard from nearly every team in the league on forward Martin Necas and, from the sound of it, have narrowed the market to five to seven potential matches.

That doesn’t necessarily mean things will end up in a trade. The Hurricanes, with interim GM Eric Tulsky leading the conversations, have set a high price on what they feel is a star-caliber player.

I don’t believe those five to seven teams have yet to produce an offer that would get it done, but the Canes will keep working on it because they also don’t feel there’s a time crunch on any of this.

The Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins are among the teams who have shown general interest. Whether they are among the five to seven Carolina sees as matches, I’m not sure.

Nah defense starts with good quick feet. Paul doesn't think Silayev is good defensively but i disagree, 17 playing against men in the KHL he more than held his own. I think they play on the big ice as well in Russia.
- BetweenTheDots

If you’re talking about me I never said or alluded to that. I have no clue how he plays? I’ve seen a few clips as I have with Demidov. I can tell you Parekh is weak defensively because I’ve seen him live and on TV multiple times but I can’t speak to Silayev at all.

Wiz, I remember the first time I saw Korab. It was Boston in town and there was a bench clearing brawl. Korab stayed on the bench until Billy Reay nodded and he walked down to the end of the hawks bench where Ray Mckay was going with Turk Sanderson. Korab picked up Sanderson by the hair so Spider Man McKay could get some licks in for a bit. Foley was like sasquatch huge. Quite a pair when they came up from the Portland Buckaroos (I think that was the name). Long time ago, but I'll never forget a guy getting lifted up by the hair. And I was real close to the action.
- 6628

Yeah, the Portland Buckaroos...

So the pick will obviously be Silayev.
- rpeters01

My sources tell me that the Blackhawks will reveal their first 2 selections in the 2024 NHL entry draft on June 28th.

My sources tell me that the Blackhawks will reveal their first 2 selections in the 2024 NHL entry draft on June 28th.
- DarthKane

Hey! We must have the same sources.

If you’re talking about me I never said or alluded to that. I have no clue how he plays? I’ve seen a few clips as I have with Demidov. I can tell you Parekh is weak defensively because I’ve seen him live and on TV multiple times but I can’t speak to Silayev at all.
- paulr

My mistake i thought you said he wasn't very good defensively?

You'll saw this?

The Carolina Hurricanes have heard from nearly every team in the league on forward Martin Necas and, from the sound of it, have narrowed the market to five to seven potential matches.

That doesn’t necessarily mean things will end up in a trade. The Hurricanes, with interim GM Eric Tulsky leading the conversations, have set a high price on what they feel is a star-caliber player.

I don’t believe those five to seven teams have yet to produce an offer that would get it done, but the Canes will keep working on it because they also don’t feel there’s a time crunch on any of this.

The Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins are among the teams who have shown general interest. Whether they are among the five to seven Carolina sees as matches, I’m not sure.
- wiz1901

I really don't think the Blackhawks will be giving up much for Necas

Hey! We must have the same sources.
- paulr

Don’t try to take credit for my work. That’s very unprofessional of you.

I really don't think the Blackhawks will be giving up much for Necas
- BetweenTheDots

I don’t know if the Hawks have what the Canes are looking for - immediate help.

The Canes can do better than Murphy (they would have to add a lot) and I doubt the Hawks will part with Vlasic. Kurashev could go the other way in a deal, but the Canes could probably do better.

My mistake i thought you said he wasn't very good defensively?
- BetweenTheDots

Not me, I haven’t said anything about him, Demidov or anyone I haven’t seen live including NCAA players. Lots of things guys do, especially defensively, aren’t always caught on camera. The reports say Silayev is a great skater, if he isn’t great defensively now, great skating will get him there if he works hard at it.

I really don't think the Blackhawks will be giving up much for Necas
- BetweenTheDots

I dunno.
They have no much space and Necas want more than a raise,he wantas be in the top forward corps.

I just don't think the Hawks will offee much draft capital (especially first rounders) to pay him handsomely.

Now if they helped the Hurricanes Dee corps vancancies and 3rd round picks I see it as they could compete with other bidding teams.

I think the Hawks know where they ARE in a Necas deal and the Huuricanes know what they would love to pull in trade-wise.

Thing would have tio match up better for rthe Hawks than their trade competitors...

I don't know about the rest of you but I really like Necas as an available addition.

The 18th pick isn't sniffing the NHL for at least 2 seasons,more likely even 3.
As for the Hayes,Greene,Savioe,Dach,Lardis,Misiak etc.. group - the Blackhawks will be lucky if 2 of those guys turn into 3rd liners.

I still think if they believe Lindstrom or Demidov are the bpa - they should draft them. Don't want them to draft Levshunov because he is a RHD, they had 3LHD in their top 4 during the Cup years and did just fine.
- captainserious

You may be right two of them make it as third line forwards……among the three mentioned last. Actually if Lardis makes it expect a second line spot and the first three you mentioned probably each makes it. But not expecting stardom rather solid players first three players you mentioned. Would like to add Ludwinski so we’ll see how he progresses

I’d like Necas, but not for anything involving a first round pick.

Guess who had more points last season, Necas or Kurashev?

I’d like Necas, but not for anything involving a first round pick.

Guess who had more points last season, Necas or Kurashev?
- ObeseOprah

I’d give up Tampa’s #1 in 2024 or Toronto’s #1 in 2025.

I wouldn’t want to part with Kurashev if KD is also including a #1 pick. I wouldn’t be opposed to dealing Kurashev, KD would be selling high.

Pronman article: how a draft of the top 20 would look comparing

Connor Bedard, C, 2023 draft
Bedard tops this list due to his dynamic offensive traits. He has special offensive skills and goal-scoring ability and was a special prospect going into his draft. I don’t think he’s light years better than the next best guy, though, and could imagine a world though where one of Celebrini, Carlsson or Fantilli becomes the better NHL player in 10 years’ time.
In fact as pure hockey talents going into their drafts, I would say he’s neck and neck with Celebrini. Bedard has more skill and natural finishing ability, but Celebrini is excellent in those areas, while being bigger, faster and better off the puck.
2. Macklin Celebrini, C, 2024 draft
3. Adam Fantilli, C, 2023 draft
4. Leo Carlsson, C, 2023 draft
I’m a huge Adam Fantilli fan. I think he has tremendous skill to go with size, speed and tenacity and I see a very bright NHL future for him. Celebrini and Carlsson have better hockey sense, though, and plenty of skill as well. I think all three of them project as star No. 1 centers.
5. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, 2024 draft
6. Matvei Michkov, RW, 2023 draft
Levshunov vs. Michkov is razor-tight for me. Levshunov looks like a potential No. 1 defenseman in the NHL who is big, mobile and can provide a lot of offense. Michkov is a small winger, but he has special hands and offensive sense and he has played very well versus men and looks like a potential impact winger.
7. Anton Silayev, LHD, 2024 draft
8. Zeev Buium, LHD, 2024 draft
9. Will Smith, C, 2023 draft
10. Ivan Demidov, RW, 2024 draft
Colleague Max Bultman once asked me how I would rate Demidov versus Smith, and I think it would be a fascinating debate. Smith is super-skilled, but Demidov is arguably more skilled. Smith is a little taller and a little faster and plays the middle. It would be a tight call.
11. Nate Danielson, C, 2023 draft
12. Zayne Parekh, RHD, 2023 draft
13. Cayden Lindstrom, C, 2024 draft
14. Sam Richardinson, LHD, 2024 draft
Readers know I’m a big fan of Nate Danielson. His start to this season was a bit concerning in Brandon, but after he got moved to Portland, he looked a lot like the player I thought he was coming up as a draft-eligible. He’s a big center who can skate, has very good offensive skills and can play both ways. That should make for an excellent NHL center, even if I don’t see this massive point-production as a pro. I would lean to him over a super-skilled, albeit at times limited, defensively player in Parekh, or elite athletes in Richardinson and Lindstrom, about whom I have some offensive upside questions.
15. Tij Iginla, LW, 2024 draft
16. Ryan Leonard, RW, 2023 draft
Iginla versus Leonard would be a great debate. They are both highly competitive wingers who play hard and can score goals. If I had to find some differences, I would say Iginla is a bit more of a natural scorer, whereas Leonard has more physicality in his game. Their pure skill level, frames and skating are rather similar, though. I marginally lean to Iginla because of the extra offensive touch, but it’s a true coin flip.
17. Dmitri Simashev, LHD, 2023 draft
Richardinson versus Simashev or Reinbacher would be a tough call for me. Richardinson is a premium skater, and while Reinbacher and Simashev both skate very well, Richardinson’s feet are a grade higher in my book. Simashev and especially Reinbacher move the puck smoother and both will probably have a bit more offense in the NHL, although I don’t see as big a gap there as I do with the feet.
18. Konsta Helenius, C, 2024 draft
19. David Reinbacher, RHD, 2023 draft
20. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, 2023 draft
Dvorsky versus Helenius is the last debate point I see in this group. Helenius is faster than Dvorsky and makes more plays, but Dvorsky is a way more of a natural goal-scorer and is bigger. Dvorsky will likely be better on an NHL power play, but I like the way Helenius plays more at even strength.
(Photos of Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard: Richard T Gagnon, Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

So last year Bedard was a "can't miss" "generational" bla bla bla..and now Celebrini is gonna be better than him?
I wonder how serious I can take these guys and their analysis of prospects

Laine looks like he is available.
Why not trade a prospect/pick/ + a player (though not sure who) and take him. The Blackhawks can easily afford him this year + next year(then his contract expires).

Laine looks like he is available.
Why not trade a prospect/pick/ + a player (though not sure who) and take him. The Blackhawks can easily afford him this year + next year(then his contract expires).
- captainserious

Probably because he’s got some issues (player assistance program last year, and he doesn’t really play the game the KD/LR like.

From Powers today in the media mock (after picking Levshunov at 2):

“I believe the Blackhawks are largely deciding between Levshunov and Ivan Demidov. This could change in the next month, but as of today, I think they’d select Levshunov. Since taking over as general manager, Kyle Davidson has prioritized building a defense. It’s what crumbled first under the last regime and held the Blackhawks back from extending their Cup window. Although the Blackhawks have a lot of promising defensemen in the pipeline, what Levshunov brings would likely bolster and complete the group. Davidson could then turn his focus to bolstering the offense around Connor Bedard.”

The last sentence was particularly interesting to me. You’ve got - in this hypothetical - your top-4 set for the foreseeable future in Jones, Vlasic, KK, Levshunov. Then whatever comes of Del Mastro, Rinzel, Phillips, Allan, etc. is gravy, sprinkled in with veterans at the bottom pair (Murphy or outside cheap adds).

Then the only thing KD needs to do is to shore up the roster by finalizing the top-six. He’ll have a full look at Nazar this year, Moore on his heels next year, another forward added with pick 18 this year, a likely top-6 addition this off-season to play with Bedard, and then next offseason you’ll again have buckets of cap space and high draft picks again (likely top-10 pick) to bring in yet another forward.

I know Demidov is the want for most, but if the Hawks get that elusive top-pair RHD now, it’s full speed ahead with focusing on forwards afterwards.
- TommyHawk

I don't care who he picks as long it turns out to be the correct pick

The 18th pick isn't sniffing the NHL for at least 2 seasons,more likely even 3.
As for the Hayes,Greene,Savioe,Dach,Lardis,Misiak etc.. group - the Blackhawks will be lucky if 2 of those guys turn into 3rd liners.

I still think if they believe Lindstrom or Demidov are the bpa - they should draft them. Don't want them to draft Levshunov because he is a RHD, they had 3LHD in their top 4 during the Cup years and did just fine.
- captainserious

Lot of faith the Misiak will be the 3C for a the team when they are good.

I dunno.
They have no much space and Necas want more than a raise,he wantas be in the top forward corps.

I just don't think the Hawks will offee much draft capital (especially first rounders) to pay him handsomely.

Now if they helped the Hurricanes Dee corps vancancies and 3rd round picks I see it as they could compete with other bidding teams.

I think the Hawks know where they ARE in a Necas deal and the Huuricanes know what they would love to pull in trade-wise.

Thing would have tio match up better for rthe Hawks than their trade competitors...

I don't know about the rest of you but I really like Necas as an available addition.
- wiz1901

I'd give up 18 in a heartbeat for him and extend him, place him next to Bedard for the next decade.

I'd give up 18 in a heartbeat for him and extend him, place him next to Bedard for the next decade.
- vabeachbear

If you could turn the 18 pick into Necas I'd be up for that as well. This was in The Athletic under NHL Rumblings from LeBrun this am...

Chicago GM Kyle Davidson continues to make his calls around the league, and it’s clear from what we’re hearing from other front offices that he’s looking around for a top-six forward and perhaps a middle-six forward, too.

There’s a desire to upgrade the group and give Connor Bedard more offensive support.

There was a rumor floating around that the Hawks were considering taking a look at suspended star forward Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche, but I’m told they’re not interested. Just too much unknown and risk for their liking.

But as mentioned above, Necas is among the many possibilities on the trade market. The Hawks have also targeted some UFAs on the July 1 market. They’ve got the salary-cap room to be aggressive, but at the same time, I think they want to be careful they don’t do something that gets in the way of having room to take care of their younger core in a few years. So, similar to Utah and all its cap room, the Chicago plan seems to be more geared toward shorter-term contracts for UFAs with perhaps the allure of a higher AAV than most teams can afford under the cap.

Laine looks like he is available.
Why not trade a prospect/pick/ + a player (though not sure who) and take him. The Blackhawks can easily afford him this year + next year(then his contract expires).
- captainserious

NOOOO.... he's a douchebag and KD will be wise to avoid him

If you could turn the 18 pick into Necas I'd be up for that as well. This was in The Athletic under NHL Rumblings from LeBrun this am...

Chicago GM Kyle Davidson continues to make his calls around the league, and it’s clear from what we’re hearing from other front offices that he’s looking around for a top-six forward and perhaps a middle-six forward, too.

There’s a desire to upgrade the group and give Connor Bedard more offensive support.

There was a rumor floating around that the Hawks were considering taking a look at suspended star forward Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche, but I’m told they’re not interested. Just too much unknown and risk for their liking.

But as mentioned above, Necas is among the many possibilities on the trade market. The Hawks have also targeted some UFAs on the July 1 market. They’ve got the salary-cap room to be aggressive, but at the same time, I think they want to be careful they don’t do something that gets in the way of having room to take care of their younger core in a few years. So, similar to Utah and all its cap room, the Chicago plan seems to be more geared toward shorter-term contracts for UFAs with perhaps the allure of a higher AAV than most teams can afford under the cap.
- HawkintheD

Matt Duchene

Matt Duchene


- Chunk

I was thinking he may be a good signing too, so long as the term isn’t too long.

I was thinking he may be a good signing too, so long as the term isn’t too long.
- paulr

He's 33. I'd say 3 years max, but maybe can get it done for two with a slight overpay?