Levshunov is as far back as 8 on some lists.
- LFS

Actually 12th according to the Tribune yesterday.

Wonder if LA is going to use that 2nd round pick they traded for to package it with Kuemper.

Tomorrow I’d like to see the Hawks draft Sam O’Reilly. He could be a solid 2nd or 3rd line centre for Chicago in the future.

Laz is a click bait kinda writer but he makes a fine argument for drafting the Cossack. His point is he's talked to many collecting an NHL paycheck, especially in Vegas, and those who back Levshunov like him very much but those who back Demidov are passionate about and absolutelylove the kid.

Demidov evokes strong emotion that Levshunov does not. I fall exactly into that category. Kid is a rare dynamic game changer but Levshunov is more like a left tackle on a Super Bowl champ. Not real sexy but a foundational piece.

Glad this will soon be over for KD and Crew. This has got to be a miserable exercise over the 7-8 weeks since the lottery for those who have to call the final shot.
- Mr Ricochet

It's the 2 spot. You draft for ceiling not to be safe. I think the Russian has a way higher ceiling but can certainly back fire if he has injury problems or doesn't adjust his skating.

The kid seems like not a moron so I think he'll adjust reasonably well. He passes the euro test of attacking the middle of the ice which is what you want to see there. Def not perimeter player.

Not sure that the MSU kid is in the Pronger, Hedman, Doughty arena.

Looks like he'll be a solid player but getting more than solid would be ideal there.

@PatMcAfeeShow
"The belief is that Jake Guentzel had an ask for Carolina which I believe is 8x8..

I think the Hurricanes have indicated that they will do that contract and now we're waiting to see if it gets hammered out" ~ @FriedgeHNIC

Seems like too much term,but in 3-4 years if the cap continues to go up, it might not look so bad.
- captainserious

8x8 seems excessive. He's probably an 8 million dollar player for 4 of those years. Six I think is a reasonable compromise where the player obviously wins but 8 is kinda dumb.

Maybe you consider 8 x 5.5 there but woof thats a big chunk for a lotta term.

Demigod, as I’ve read him being called, is intriguing but if two guys are equal in ability then you choose a defenseman over a winger every day of the week, especially if you need one.
- paulr

Well said. It's a cliche but many times it's as simple as that for the War Room. The Hawks, if it is between the two Soviets, have to decide if the winger is that head and shoulders above the Dman and if not they go with the old tried and true draft the premium position.

I didn’t take you for a jumper.
- paulr

I'm not was offering it to another poster

My prediction:
KD is seen using multiple burner phones:
Trades #2 to Canadiens for #5 #21, and Owen Beck.
#2 - Canadiens pick Demidov
#3 - Ducks pick Lindstrom
#4 - Blue Jackets pick Silayev
#5 - Hawks still able to get their guy Levshunov
Utah trade #6 for Seth Jones 50% retained (Plus other fillers)
#6 - Hawks take Iginla
Hawks trade #18 & 2025 2nd Round #42 (from Dallas) for #14
#14 - Hawks take Eiserman
#21 - Hawks take Solberg
Hawks trade #34 plus I. Phillips to Winnipeg for Rutger McGroarty
Hawks end up with Levshunov, Iginla, Eiserman, Solberg, Owen Beck, and Rutger McGroarty.

Realistically....Nothing happens and the Hawks stand pat
#2 - Levshunov
#18 Hage
- spudrock512

GM of the year

If I remember, the kid was homesick after a few days at his first training camp with the Bears.
- boilermaker100

Never a good sign for a potential NFL player...............

Laz is a click bait kinda writer but he makes a fine argument for drafting the Cossack. His point is he's talked to many collecting an NHL paycheck, especially in Vegas, and those who back Levshunov like him very much but those who back Demidov are passionate about and absolutelylove the kid.

Demidov evokes strong emotion that Levshunov does not. I fall exactly into that category. Kid is a rare dynamic game changer but Levshunov is more like a left tackle on a Super Bowl champ. Not real sexy but a foundational piece.

Glad this will soon be over for KD and Crew. This has got to be a miserable exercise over the 7-8 weeks since the lottery for those who have to call the final shot.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't know, I don't hate my job, but I'd rather be doing what they do. Who knows after a few years, might even get good at it

Usually don't care for Button, but love his analysis on CHGO yesterday.

I'm a fan until he aggravates me again.

It's the 2 spot. You draft for ceiling not to be safe. I think the Russian has a way higher ceiling but can certainly back fire if he has injury problems or doesn't adjust his skating.

The kid seems like not a moron so I think he'll adjust reasonably well. He passes the euro test of attacking the middle of the ice which is what you want to see there. Def not perimeter player.

Not sure that the MSU kid is in the Pronger, Hedman, Doughty arena.

Looks like he'll be a solid player but getting more than solid would be ideal there.
- fattybeef

That is the argument in a nutshell, fatty. Is drafting Levshunov the safe pick cuz to some, if not many, Demidov has the higher ceiling. ....... But, besides Lev playing a premium position the Hawks very well may think he has the higher ceiling. IMO of the top 8 on my board Lev takes the most projection. To the eye the 7 others show better today but that does not mean they'll be better in 3-4-5 yrs. The Hawks seemingly think so.

I think some are going to walk away from this draft saying this was the first time we saw KD's MO, his inclination, his being risk averse or not. Bedard was a slam dunk pick but this #2 is a choice between a crazy high ceiling with some risk or the kid with the higher floor that plays a premium position. ....... That it will show his eversion for risk, or not. A take the swing kinda guy or not.

That may or may not be true but I think that will be the narrative once the draft is completed.

I don't know, I don't hate my job, but I'd rather be doing what they do. Who knows after a few years, might even get good at it
- vabeachbear

Even assuming a person is smart enough to be a GM some aren't cut out for the pressure that comes with it. A few days after deciphering/projecting what a handful of 17/18 yr olds will be on and off the ice when they're 25 they go into free agency where they walk a field full of landmines.

GMing ain't easy.

The Blues have acquired Alex Texier from CBJ for a 4th round pick.

That is the argument in a nutshell, fatty. Is drafting Levshunov the safe pick cuz to some, if not many, Demidov has the higher ceiling. ....... But, besides Lev playing a premium position the Hawks very well may think he has the higher ceiling. IMO of the top 8 on my board Lev takes the most projection. To the eye the 7 others show better today but that does not mean they'll be better in 3-4-5 yrs. The Hawks seemingly think so.

I think some are going to walk away from this draft saying this was the first time we saw KD's MO, his inclination, his being risk averse or not. Bedard was a slam dunk pick but this #2 is a choice between a crazy high ceiling with some risk or the kid with the higher floor that plays a premium position. ....... That it will show his eversion for risk, or not. A take the swing kinda guy or not.

That may or may not be true but I think that will be the narrative once the draft is completed.
- Mr Ricochet

I think that'll be an interesting thing to see play out today and the rest of the off season

The Blues have acquired Alex Texier from CBJ for a 4th round pick.
- DarthKane

I got to see him play for ZSC in Zurich (funnily, their coach was Marc Crawford at the time). Kind of night and day difference in talent. He and Sven Andrighetto, and to a lesser extent Yannick Weber were notably better than most others on the ice, but still a fun watch.

this website is like a political poll of polls and takes many polls and comes up with "consensus" rankings.

They have Demidov as #2, but what intrigues me is they have Liam Greentree as the #18 pick, ahead of what I read on this blog as who is liked at #18 Connelly, Hage, Boisvert.

I guess his skating needs work, but for those that see a lot of the OHL, what don't you like about him?

https://www.hockeypipeline.com/consensus-rankings
- LAHawk

Thanks for posting, LA...... Don't forget about the Jet Luchanko kid. The pundits are correct when they say this kid fits the profile of what KD and Crew have drafted.
He's undersized, plays center, can really skate and his compete/work rate is very high.

The Greentree kid is really a poor skater. That's the knock and is spot on. But he's a power player and does his damage from 15 ft in. .... I like the Fin winger, Hemming. Not a great skater but much better than Greentree and gets around just fine. A power player who has a ++shot.

KD should just do what nobody expects and pick Demidov and Levshunov. I think if he just calls both names, and they both come up, the NHL will be too stunned to stop them. Just be like, we couldn't decide, so we take both guys.
- breadbag

Thoughts on the Hawks Weaponizing there cap space today? Hello Vegas? Philly?

I'm beginning to hear Levshunov has a Duncan Keith type of work ethic.

I'm beginning to hear Levshunov has a Duncan Keith type of work ethic.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm sure we'll hear everything from he's the second coming of Hedman, to he kicks puppies for fun in the next 3-4 hours.

Just madness with random news coming out around the draft.

I'm sure we'll hear everything from he's the second coming of Hedman, to he kicks puppies for fun in the next 3-4 hours.

Just madness with random news coming out around the draft.
- Chunk

Poor LFS will have a conniption if Levshunov is chosen.

Poor LFS will have a conniption if Levshunov is chosen.
- paulr

If I ever run for office, my first call will be to LFS. Stays on message no matter what.

I don't blame him. Demidov could potentially be a monster. If he hits his ceiling you have two all-world talents in your forward ranks and a ton of "go-get-'em" forwards to fill out the rest of the roster. D looks promising as well.

There are just so many variables that go into the success of any individual player, that I'm basically at the point where I just want to see how the draft unfolds then I'll react.

The more important thing from my point of view is what KD is able to do to put some talent around Bedard so that the team more competitive/watchable this season. Joshua signed with VAN, so I'm on to DeBrusk.

I'm sure we'll hear everything from he's the second coming of Hedman, to he kicks puppies for fun in the next 3-4 hours.

Just madness with random news coming out around the draft.
- Chunk

Actually when i was looking at all the top prospects, it's what many of the analysts were saying about him back then. You know how much KD loves a guy who is willing to work his ass off to be a better player. Funny how him and Ryan Poles are drawn to that kind of athlete which i think is a great thing

Two and a half hours folks

This is great.

Lots of action the past couple days already.