I'll be disappointed if they don't draft Demidov, if they don't and I'm disappointed, hopefully I'm wrong, and then i get a warm feeling in my belly later when they take that no skating, no edge using, goal machine Eiserman at 18
- vabeachbear

Lotta risk in the #2 slot, VABear. I'm all for being bold but they just can't miss at #2. Tough though cuz I see a kid with 100+ pt NHL skills.

And no surprises if Eiserman challenges 40 goals most yrs. Kid will figure it out, get past his shortcomings and his goal scoring IQ/shot will translate.

Capn, as far as Demidov is concerned he may come over in 10 months, 2 yrs or 5 yrs. He may get conscripted into the army. Add a maniac is runnin the joint and they're at war... This is Russia with corruption mandatory as a citizen. Assume nothing, zero, jack and you won't be disappointed.

This is why they're drafting Levshunov who just might be available after for the tail end of the season.
- Mr Ricochet

I get what you are saying,but I also think a lot of the Putin/Russia stuff gets a bit overblown.
I'm pretty sure his agent is letting teams know whether he'll be able to make it to the NHL next season or not.

I think KD passes. NY is looking to buy out Goodrow, he's not worth his cap hit (at least to the Rangers). If Chicago didn't have Foligno or D!ckinson then Goodrow may be worth a show. KD should set his sights higher than Goodrow.
- DarthKane

Why sign Goodrow when Reese Johnson was as effective offensively as Goodrow was last year.

Lotta risk in the #2 slot, VABear. I'm all for being bold but they just can't miss at #2. Tough though cuz I see a kid with 100+ pt NHL skills.

And no surprises if Eiserman challenges 40 goals most yrs. Kid will figure it out, get past his shortcomings and his goal scoring IQ/shot will translate.
- Mr Ricochet

I think Eiserman flirts with 50 goals this fall.

Lotta risk in the #2 slot, VABear. I'm all for being bold but they just can't miss at #2. Tough though cuz I see a kid with 100+ pt NHL skills.

And no surprises if Eiserman challenges 40 goals most yrs. Kid will figure it out, get past his shortcomings and his goal scoring IQ/shot will translate.
- Mr Ricochet

Quite frankly how many points a prospect gets in the regular season is irrelevant. The only question before putting guys on the top of the draft list is, does he have the jam to play in the playoffs. Can he play against Florida or Las Vegas? If the answer is no, then 100 points or 40 goals is meaningless. We saw what 69 goals a season did. Build the team to compete. And my point isn’t to suggest anyone can or cannot play in the tough going, because I have no real idea. And I’m not referring to size, lots of smaller guys will show up and lots of bigger guys don’t.

So, does KFC want to win, or just stroke his ego? Who among the veteran free agents is better than what Kane would bring to the line-up? I am not saying sign him to whatever he wants; just have the conversation. Chances are he wants to play where he has a shot at the cup because he lives for the playoffs. To be honest, it would be more enjoyable if Patty Kane told him to F off.
- bjphawkfan

Why would Kane want to come back? It doesn't matter anyway because he isn't being offered a contract by the Hawks.

I think Eiserman flirts with 50 goals this fall.
- fattybeef

He gives off Arthur Kaliyev vibes.

I gotta say D!ickinson getting picked at #2 wouldn't disappoint me after seeing this

https://x.com/Tiekv1004/s...ThEWUbWuq0w5ADflkQfQ&s=19

Hmmm...
- mohel

You're over thinking it.

Sean Shapiro on today’s CHGO podcast:

“Dan Millstein basically said he’s going to play in the KHL next year. He’s got one more year on the deal but I honestly would be stunned if he doesn’t play NHL games for an NHL team at the end of next season.”


I'll go ahead and assume if they draft Levshunov or Demidov,we'll see them probably for the last 10 games(give or take) of next year's season?
- captainserious

I am more curious as to IF Dedimove was here during the PROSPECT CAMP THE AGENT DIDN'T LET HIM ATTEND...HE'S has BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR AWHILE . (Start of June)

He gives off Arthur Kaliyev vibes.
- GPHawksfan

He is a far better player right niw than +Kailyev is right now.

Vancouver has re-signed Hronek for 8 years $7.25 million. Not a bad deal.

I think Eiserman flirts with 50 goals this fall.
- fattybeef

Michigan is always loaded but IIRC they will lose a good bit of players this season but yea, Eiserman will be firing the thing. 50 is a lotta goals in a 35-40 NCAA schedule.

Quite frankly how many points a prospect gets in the regular season is irrelevant. The only question before putting guys on the top of the draft list is, does he have the jam to play in the playoffs. Can he play against Florida or Las Vegas? If the answer is no, then 100 points or 40 goals is meaningless. We saw what 69 goals a season did. Build the team to compete. And my point isn’t to suggest anyone can or cannot play in the tough going, because I have no real idea. And I’m not referring to size, lots of smaller guys will show up and lots of bigger guys don’t.
- paulr

I've always bought into the phrase; talent beats hard work unless talent works hard. .... Indeed, and is the reason I love 3rd liners and is a blind spot for me..

Fine line but this is the reason big players who can skate get chance after chance after chance and are over-drafted. Why any hockey guy is drawn to Lindstrom cuz there ain't many like that. But history tells us power players come with risks.

Big boys come to play in Springtime and you better have some grit or you're bounced. Better have skill though too or you won't make the playoffs or go far if you do. ......... KD had very little in the cupboard and my guess is they just took as much talent on the board in his 2 drafts regardless of anything else to infuse the pipeline, and I agree.

Let's see how he tackles Draft #3.

I've always bought into the phrase; talent beats hard work unless talent works hard. .... Indeed, and is the reason I love 3rd liners and is a blind spot for me..

Fine line but this is the reason big players who can skate get chance after chance after chance and are over-drafted. Why any hockey guy is drawn to Lindstrom cuz there ain't many like that. But history tells us power players come with risks.

Big boys come to play in Springtime and you better have some grit or you're bounced. Better have skill though too or you won't make the playoffs or go far if you do. ......... KD had very little in the cupboard and my guess is they just took as much talent on the board in his 2 drafts regardless of anything else to infuse the pipeline, and I agree.

Let's see how he tackles Draft #3.
- Mr Ricochet

This draft will be the real proof of how KFC and his team will do. The first year he trades for the guys he wants, last year the guys he wanted fell to him. This year he has some tough choices to make.

Vancouver has re-signed Hronek for 8 years $7.25 million. Not a bad deal.
- DarthKane

As Hronek would say to the media, what the hell does that mean, hahaha

Capn, as far as Demidov is concerned he may come over in 10 months, 2 yrs or 5 yrs. He may get conscripted into the army. Add a maniac is runnin the joint and they're at war... This is Russia with corruption mandatory as a citizen. Assume nothing, zero, jack and you won't be disappointed.

This is why they're drafting Levshunov who just might be available after for the tail end of the season.
- Mr Ricochet

This narrative is just not factual

Imo Hawks are taking Demidov and say Montreal wants Demidov so bad and are willing to send a massive package back to the Hawks for 2nd overall pick. What would have to be included, first for Davidson to consider and two to pull the trigger. I know as a panel have debated this but with the recent information on Demidov coming over next season and he is 6ft not 5-8ft and will play in the khl next season Montreal might be desperate enough to propose such package.

Yep, and Levshunov plays a premium position, is a right shot, has size and can skate. I think it really is this simple and near impossible to pass on.......This is why I thought all along they were going with the Belarusian although I have it ranked Celebrini, Demidov, Buium.

I have a feeling we're gonna see Buium go higher than most any thought. What this kid showed in the NCAA after coming outa The Program was simply spectacular in so many ways. .. Kid. Makes. Plays!!
- Mr Ricochet

In the last two games of the Frozen Four, Buium reminded me a lot of Makar.

And I'm probably not the only one who saw that as well.

The “Russian factor” literally makes no sense. In fact, I’d go so far to call it hysteria over unsubstantiated proof.

Historically, what first round picks actually never saw the light of day on this side of the pond? Do we even have a single example of a Russian player not coming over to the NHL since the Cold War ended? Has Russia/The KHL ever actually put their foot down and prevented a player from coming over?

The Rangers had a first round pick in the early 2000s that unfortunately passed away before he had a chance. Kaprizov came over like 5 years after he was drafted (but he was a mid round pick). Podkolzin has struggled with his transition but he eventually came over after being drafted in 2019.

We don’t have a single example this millennia of a Russian player failing to come over as a result of political tension.

As an American-born Russian myself, it paints an unfair picture and doesn’t accurately portray the reality of the situation, which is if a team invests in a player, that player - barring unforeseen circumstances like death - WILL be playing in the NHL should they have the requisite skillset to do so, ESPECIALLY if the team invested premium draft capital like a first round pick. Plenty of Russians came over, failed, and went back. It happens, but they DID come over. But I’m still looking for concrete evidence to WHY a Russian born elite talent SHOULDN’T be picked.

Demidov is the no-brainer as BPA. I won’t complain about Levshunov because he does fit a need the Hawks lack, but spare me the B.S. of the “Russian factor”. It’s much ado about nothing.

I am more curious as to IF Dedimove was here during the PROSPECT CAMP THE AGENT DIDN'T LET HIM ATTEND...HE'S AHS BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR AWHILKE
- wiz1901

Shapiro did talk to Demidov. Dealing g with an ankle injury should resume skating in about 2 weeks.

The “Russian factor” literally makes no sense. In fact, I’d go so far to call it hysteria over unsubstantiated proof.

Historically, what first round picks actually never saw the light of day on this side of the pond? Do we even have a single example of a Russian player not coming over to the NHL since the Cold War ended? Has Russia/The KHL ever actually put their foot down and prevented a player from coming over?

The Rangers had a first round pick in the early 2000s that unfortunately passed away before he had a chance. Kaprizov came over like 5 years after he was drafted (but he was a mid round pick). Podkolzin has struggled with his transition but he eventually came over after being drafted in 2019.

We don’t have a single example this millennia of a Russian player failing to come over as a result of political tension.

As an American-born Russian myself, it paints an unfair picture and doesn’t accurately portray the reality of the situation, which is if a team invests in a player, that player - barring unforeseen circumstances like death - WILL be playing in the NHL should they have the requisite skillset to do so, ESPECIALLY if the team invested premium draft capital like a first round pick. Plenty of Russians came over, failed, and went back. It happens, but they DID come over. But I’m still looking for concrete evidence to WHY a Russian born elite talent SHOULDN’T be picked.

Demidov is the no-brainer as BPA. I won’t complain about Levshunov because he does fit a need the Hawks lack, but spare me the B.S. of the “Russian factor”. It’s much ado about nothing.
- TommyHawk

Ironically, it is propaganda

Hmmm...
- mohel

He did another interview with Seravalli in which he said he is playing in Russia this season and coming over next.

Michigan is always loaded but IIRC they will lose a good bit of players this season but yea, Eiserman will be firing the thing. 50 is a lotta goals in a 35-40 NCAA schedule.
- Mr Ricochet

Eiserman is going to BU.

He did another interview with Seravalli in which he said he is playing in Russia this season and coming over next.
- Elbows15

I think the extra year on his contract factored into Mitchov falling last year. Guessing Demidov's Agent made sure that extra year wouldn't be a factor as from what it sounds like they refused to sign a KHL extention.