Looking back through the Blackhawks drafts, I’ll give Stan credit for the 2020 draft. 6 of the 8 guys he picked have played at least one NHL game. The drafts before are simply awful, entire years where nobody from that draft is even in the NHL that Stan picked.

No separation gear or foot speed? If thats the case KD won't have any interest.

So he wanted to turn pro and have the Jets insert him into their lineup immediately during a playoff race so he could burn a year off his ELC. Screw him - let him go back and play in the 35 game a year league with his college buddies. What would anybody in the NHL be missing anyway - a clone of Jimmy Vesey?
- RickJ

Wasn't that the knock on Boeser too?

He has the size they are missing. With all the whinging about size and board battles and no more Smurfs it kinda confuses me as to why people are gonna get picky about a kid who probably doesn't want to play in Winnipeg.

Taking a flier on him is probably more valuable than a second and fourth or third.

Yes and no. It's probably the favorable path, but Vegas and FLA have won the last two years with a majority of their cores not drafted. Let's be honest, goalie play has a lot to do with team success - especially in the playoffs.

Looks like FLA only had Barkov, Lundell, and Ekblad as drafted players that played in the playoffs. Obviously Barkov and Ekblad are two key pieces, but those were literally the only drafted players on their team.
- Chunk

Ekblad is also the third best player on the blue line for them so thats a thing.

No opinions here, just fact regarding older opinions...
I just went back an accessed my close to the draft mock rankings on July 6, 2022 and I had:

I had Korchinski going to at #10 to the ducks,
Nazar going to Columbus at #12,
and
Rutger McGroarty to St. Louis at #23.


sam Rinzel was a #59 in the second,
The other Blackhawk picks were in my THIRD round.

just the facts.

Last thought before I go swimming in my pool:

I was bringing up Liam Greentree becasue he is a really excellent prosepct and doesn't fit the plays with pace as far as it being with speedier blades.

I think he will play and be a good pro.

Toronto 2025 probably, 18 probably not unless it's part of bigger package.

They'll allegedly settle for a 2nd and 3rd as well. I think a second and 4th is more reasonable but what do I know.
- fattybeef

I would give the later of the Hawks picks in the 2nd (islanders) and 3rd round (senators) this year IF they could sign him or have an oral agreement before the trade is finalized.

Ekblad is also the third best player on the blue line for them so thats a thing.
- fattybeef

Yeah, I'm not against building through the draft initially, but I don't see the point in strict adherence to it. The Hawks have tons of capital (cap space, prospects, and draft picks). If there is a really good piece out there and all it costs is a realistic combination of those, there really isn't an issue in my book. I think the draft should be used to maintain quality depth going forward. There are other means to acquire talent

Looking back through the Blackhawks drafts, I’ll give Stan credit for the 2020 draft. 6 of the 8 guys he picked have played at least one NHL game. The drafts before are simply awful, entire years where nobody from that draft is even in the NHL that Stan picked.
- ObeseOprah

Hmmm...not true. There is only one year you can say that for...2015. Every other year there is a guy still playing:

2010 - K. Hayes
2011 - Danault and Saad. Not playing anymore but Shaw was pretty good.
2012 - Teuvo
2013 - Ryan Hartman
2014 - Chicken Fat
2015 - ???
2016 - DeBrincat
2017 - Jokiharju
2018 - Boqvist (sort of) and Kurashev
2019 - Dach, Vlasic
2020 - Reichel, Slaggert, Kaiser
2021 - Jury still out

Not saying his drafting was great but they're not quite as epically awful as has been characterized either. I'd say they actually did better picking players outside the top 10 than when they had a pick in it.

Yeah, I'm not against building through the draft initially, but I don't see the point in strict adherence to it. The Hawks have tons of capital (cap space, prospects, and draft picks). If there is a really good piece out there and all it costs is a realistic combination of those, there really isn't an issue in my book. I think the draft should be used to maintain quality depth going forward. There are other means to acquire talent
- Chunk

Sure but both Tkachuk and Eichel wanted out of their situation? I don't want to rely on a malcontent to be my last piece of the puzzle to win a cup.

Sure but both Tkachuk and Eichel wanted out of their situation? I don't want to rely on a malcontent to be my last piece of the puzzle to win a cup.
- BetweenTheDots

but weren't both of the two you mentioned "malcontents" that played massive roles on cup winning teams?

And who cares if theyre malcontents if you win and are constantly a threat to win again?

but weren't both of the two you mentioned "malcontents" that played massive roles on cup winning teams?

And who cares if theyre malcontents if you win and are constantly a threat to win again?
- fattybeef

The point is they had to rely on those 2 players being unhappy where they were.

but weren't both of the two you mentioned "malcontents" that played massive roles on cup winning teams?

And who cares if theyre malcontents if you win and are constantly a threat to win again?
- fattybeef

I think you have to look at each situation separately and in it’s own context. Obviously something isn’t right in Calgary, I suspect that’s why Tkachuk and Gaudreau wanted out. The Buffalo club seems to have problems too, that’s why Eichel wanted out. I’d be concerned about players wanting to be traded because they feel they “deserve“ a spot on a certain line or special team like Necas. Or that McGoarty is owed a shot in the NHL. At the end of the day both guys may prove to be fine but I’d be concerned it’s an easier out asking for a trade then it is to roll up their sleeves and prove they are the best guy for the job.

The point is they had to rely on those 2 players being unhappy where they were.
- BetweenTheDots

I think it’s more about taking advantage when good players are available. Reinhart, Montour, Fiala, Guentzel, Hanifin, etc. are all guys that became available without being disgruntled. There are situations every year where good players are available due to contracts/cap/team situation.

I think it’s more about taking advantage when good players are available. Reinhart, Montour, Fiala, Guentzel, Hanifin, etc. are all guys that became available without being disgruntled. There are situations every year where good players are available due to contracts/cap/team situation.
- Chunk

The Hawks are seemingly linked to every player available but I think it's pretty decent odds with all the CAR players available we end up with at least one of them.

I'm thinking maybe Guentzel. I was leaning Teuvo til Eklund linked us to him.

I think it’s more about taking advantage when good players are available. Reinhart, Montour, Fiala, Guentzel, Hanifin, etc. are all guys that became available without being disgruntled. There are situations every year where good players are available due to contracts/cap/team situation.
- Chunk

Okay so let me think about this
McDavid drafted 6 seasons before they made the playoffs consistently

Barkov 8 seasons before they made the playoffs consistently

So 9 seasons in the league gets to SC final for McD and 10 for Barkov

So as I've stated before, i have no problem with them signing or making deals for impactful FA or RFAs but let's see what we got before we jump the gun, this is all based on Bedards time line imo.

The Hawks are seemingly linked to every player available but I think it's pretty decent odds with all the CAR players available we end up with at least one of them.

I'm thinking maybe Guentzel. I was leaning Teuvo til Eklund linked us to him.
- HawkintheD

KD has an air tight staff. No leaks or even hints about who’s getting drafted. No clue about what UFAs they may be interested in. No leaks about trades, nothing. It’s all media and fan speculation. I think we can expect a few surprises in the next few days.

https://twitter.com/WallM..._an1w6DGnnbehEWLM4Kg&s=19

Here's an interesting rumor, Lafferty and Mikheyev to the Blackhawks

Russian, ehhh?

https://twitter.com/WallMaz35/status/1806111173424664668?t=fb_an1w6DGnnbehEWLM4Kg&s=19

Here's an interesting rumor, Lafferty and Mikheyev to the Blackhawks

Russian, ehhh?
- BetweenTheDots

If Chicago trades for Micheyev, there has to be a sweetener. Not much production for two years at $4.7M

KD has an air tight staff. No leaks or even hints about who’s getting drafted. No clue about what UFAs they may be interested in. No leaks about trades, nothing. It’s all media and fan speculation. I think we can expect a few surprises in the next few days.
- paulr

So you're saying we are in fact getting Draisaitl?

So you're saying we are in fact getting Draisaitl?
- HawkintheD

I talked to “Bob” this afternoon.

If Chicago trades for Micheyev, there has to be a sweetener. Not much production for two years at $4.7M
- paulr

Lafferty and a 2nd

If Chicago trades for Micheyev, there has to be a sweetener. Not much production for two years at $4.7M
- paulr

Lafferty is a UFA.

Hearing Chicago and Vancouver working on a deal that will create cap room for the Canucks — potentially involving Ilya Mikheyev and rights to Sam Lafferty, with a second-round pick as a sweetener

- Elliotte Friedman just now

If Chicago trades for Micheyev, there has to be a sweetener. Not much production for two years at $4.7M
- paulr

Lafferty is better than a lot of last year's bottom 6'ers but hoping Kyle has his sights set on a couple players that are legit top/middle 6 to push some other guys down in the lineup.

I think Dots was trying to imply the Russian buddy angle for Demidov which I doubt was lost on you, I hope...

Anyway, they do have Kurashev as someone pointed out speaks fluent Russian.

Lafferty and a 2nd
- DarthKane

I missed the 2nd.

Do you think a second is enough to take on that contract?