Wow, Loafs took guy Wiz had at 123

I get that, but compared to the other comparable trades, a 3rd could’ve been used instead of the 50 OA
- rwilliams88

He’s a hard forechecking winger who gets in people’s faces. He’s always around the net. He skates well and he’s a pest. Boisvert and Vanacker sound like character guys who skate well, have some skill and are hard to play against.

Omigosh, Paul the LEAVES REACH on Danford b/c the must like the way he has to look down at the puck in his carries...
- wiz1901

Yeah I’m not seeing it, but I didn’t see it last year with Easton Cowen and he sure looked good this season.

They are teenage boys. I mean look how far that Russian kid fell and he was supposed to be rumored for #2.

Have to trust the scouts......if any of us were that good at this, we sure as hell wouldn't be posting on a chat board but instead at 1 of those tables OR in the field watching kids.
- SteveRain

Yep, we get who we get and we just enjoy the ride!

Maybe Hemming should have been the pick, he was there for the taking. We won't know who's better for years.

I recall thinking Jordan Greenway was a steal for the Wild at pick 50 six or 7 years ago because of size and heavy shot.
Didn't take them long to dump him to Buffalo and his career has just been meh.
- RickJ

that's fair. i respect McKenzie and he had Hemming ranked higher. Who the hell knows.

Zero issues with the trade. Why? Quality.

They have 2 1sts and 2 2nds next year
THey have a 1st and 3 2nds in 2026

that's before they possibly dump an asset this year like Hall to a contender or even Murphy.....

So to take a swing at a kid vs taking 2 more kids who may not have as a high of a ceiling....perfectly OK with.

He’s a hard forechecking winger who gets in people’s faces. He’s always around the net. He skates well and he’s a pest. Boisvert and Vanacker sound like character guys who skate well, have some skill and are hard to play against.
- paulr

We can use that

Interesting all the trades entirely involved draft picks, no players.

Wow, Loafs took guy Wiz had at 123
- vabeachbear

See, it always could be worse, hahaha

He played all season with a shoulder injury and put up good numbers. He lives in farm country and works his family farm. I wasn’t really paying allot of attention but noticed he was always involved in the play.
- paulr

Has Vanacker's shoulder injury been known for awhile? Not sure I remember that being reported but indeed it is now....... Couple things I didn't realize. He's listed at 6ft and I took him for 6ft 2ish. Kid played for Canada in this yrs U-18 WJC and last yr for their WHC U-17 squad. Also really good to see the banged up kid put up 7 pts in 6 playoff games this yr. https://www.eliteprospect...yer/679706/marek-vanacker

The fuuck you going on about? Is this about Korbumski?

Rick called him a big farm boy and maybe he WILL be but there isn't much difference between 160 and 175 lbs at this point.

My comment regarding Vanacker was at least they saw him a lot. Which they did because he is on the same team as Lardis.

If you don't like my opinion, don't read it.
- Elbows15

Paul doesn't know that you didn't see the Sportsnet photo of Vanacker helping his father plant and pick watermelons on the family farm. And he had to lift watermelons instead of tobacco because nobody smokes anymore.

My amateur 2 cent opinion.

Hawks must feel comfortable with the ypung defenseman in the system or on the team - Levshunov, EDM, Kaiser, Allen, Rinzel, KK and Vlasic. And you have to figure they'll get some vets in the future to augment them and to eventually replace Murphy and Jones. So no need for the Charlie Elicks or EJ Emerys of the world.

Don't know much about Boisvert or Vanacker, but from reading Wiz' reports they could add some physicality to the lineup. Which is needed by the way if you look at the past 2 years picks consisting of the smaller speedy type forwards.
- boilermaker100

Sounds like Boisvert is kind of a red ass too.

He’s a hard forechecking winger who gets in people’s faces. He’s always around the net. He skates well and he’s a pest. Boisvert and Vanacker sound like character guys who skate well, have some skill and are hard to play against.
- paulr

I don’t disagree with the pick, just the compensation. Others ahead making trades received less in compensation compared to position in the 1st round. Don’t hate the pick, just seemed odd

Has Vanacker's shoulder injury been known for awhile? Not sure I remember that being reported but indeed it is now....... Couple things I didn't realize. He's listed at 6ft and I took him for 6ft 2ish. Kid played for Canada in this yrs U-18 WJC and last yr for their WHC U-17 squad. Also really good to see the banged up kid put up 7 pts in 6 playoff games this yr. https://www.eliteprospect...yer/679706/marek-vanacker
- Mr Ricochet

At the end of the day he’s a prospect and like all prospects may never make the team. But he’s a gamer, he skates well, he play in tough areas, and apparently did it all playing most of the season with a torn labrum. These are the guys that find ways to make it.

Paul doesn't know that you didn't see the Sportsnet photo of Vanacker helping his father plant and pick watermelons on the family farm. And he had to lift watermelons instead of tobacco because nobody smokes anymore.
- RickJ

BTW if you ever find yourself in Delhi Ontario don’t pronounce it Del-ee, I did and was very aggressively corrected …. It’s Del-HI.

Sounds like a taller future version of Shaw with his farming history and willingness to play injured and get in peoples business.

Looks like we drafted some players who can skate, have skill and play with an edge (BOD keeps crying about sandpaper)

Wheeler’s assessment Boisvert

It’s not easy to score 30 goals in the USHL in your draft year, let alone 35-plus, and this year’s Muskegon team has had two players do that in Boisvert and Matvei Gridin. It’s even harder to do as a center who is counted upon and keyed in on. But as one rival USHL coach put it to me: "Sacha Boisvert is a really good player.” Boisvert, a top prospect in Quebec growing up who was a first-round pick into the QMJHL even after he’d gone to the U.S. for the final two years of his minor hockey, is a North Dakota commit who was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team last year after he finished third on the Lumberjacks in scoring as a 16-year-old. As a 17-year-old, he was named an alternate captain for Muskegon and has played big minutes, often playing 20-24 in the second half of the season before finishing fifth in the league in goals (36) and 11th in points (68 in 61).

Boisvert’s got desired height and position on his side, room to fill out his once-wiry frame (which he already added a bunch of muscle to last summer; he still looks lean with further growth to come), and NHL skill and competitiveness. Intangibles come up a lot when you speak to people about him (he even dropped the gloves a few times this year, including in the playoffs). The skill includes a quick and accurate NHL-level release, good instincts on and off the puck, above-average feet (he's a decent skater, even if a little upright in his stance), a developing power game and great feel with the puck on his stick both at speed and in slowing the game down (though a high grip and long stick can occasionally limit him with the puck so far out in front of his body). Add in his impressive work ethic and a two-way commitment and there’s a lot to like. He’s got to put some more weight on and improve in the faceoff circle (which will come with more strength) but there’s a projectable game there with the right development/refinement and I’m confident the staff at North Dakota will do a good job with him. He’s got middle-six upside and there was some top-15 chatter about him late in the year, but after struggling to be a game-changer in tighter playoff games, I wonder if that has softened.

Wheeler’s assessment of Vanaker
Vanacker is a player who, after he impressed me in an early season live viewing, I immediately made time for on tape and asked around about. Since then, I've become more and more of a fan. After a good showing in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game's combine testing, he found another level in the second half to finish as Bulldogs’ leading scorer after Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis went down with an injury in January, with 36 goals and 82 points in 68 games at season’s end (while playing through a shoulder injury that he has now had surgery on). I’m not reading too much into a quiet U18s, as he was really banged up by then, too.

Vanacker showed real confidence on the attack this season with the puck in his hands, building on his strong foundation of tools and habits to really develop his game offensively. There's a lot to like. He's got size, he's a really strong skater, he'll take pucks to the net, he protects and shields the puck well, he knows where to be and go on the ice, he's got a solid two-way game and he works to get the most out of his above-average skill. He's got the makings of a complementary winger and he knows who he is and what he's going to have to be up levels. He’s just a good hockey player who will be a good pro. He was my final cut at forward for this list.

At the end of the day he’s a prospect and like all prospects may never make the team. But he’s a gamer, he skates well, he play in tough areas, and apparently did it all playing most of the season with a torn labrum. These are the guys that find ways to make it.
- paulr

You know when i was rewatching the frozen four there was several players who stood out to me. At one point i was like who's this number 7 for Denver, Low and behold its a Blackhawks draft pick Aiden Thompson. Kid has his nose in everything and just a pain in the ass to play against. In a few years i see him competing for a roster spot. I love these kind of kids and am totally on board of KD keeps drafting these kinds of players who compete.

Only three of my mock first rounders weren't chose which didn't do much to improve their picking IF they choose at #34

Igor Chernyshov

Ryder Ritchie

Andrew Basha

undersized LD Wallenus

To traded back into the third, imo, was masterful.

BTW if you ever find yourself in Delhi Ontario don’t pronounce it Del-ee, I did and was very aggressively corrected …. It’s Del-HI.
- paulr

Been there many times and all those little farm towns near there - Aylmer, Tillsonburg, St. Marys, Burford.

And yes dont pronounce Delhi Delhee.

Paul doesn't know that you didn't see the Sportsnet photo of Vanacker helping his father plant and pick watermelons on the family farm. And he had to lift watermelons instead of tobacco because nobody smokes anymore.
- RickJ

If he makes the hawks roster in the future, and he scores, do they play the song "Watermelon man?"

Was hoping for Emery or Elick.

KD has only taken one player (Kantserov) from outside NA in his 3 drafts in picks #1-90
- Assman22

Did not know this.

That has to be the worst first round performance I’ve even seen considering you had 3 picks, including the #2.

I honestly didn’t watch any of these guys. But this was supposed to be a defense heavy draft, and 5 of the first 6 picks were forwards. Also, your 2nd overall wasn’t even the top defenseman on many lists.

I’d be pissed right now
- QuickSCF

Didn't watch them.. no vote. Why are Ottawa fans trying to troll us, your friggin Ottawa

Here's my three scouting reports

Artyom Levshunov
Michigan State
6’ 2” 208
With a North American season under his belt last year with Green Bay, he put his great size to use and show offensive skills. He has now started his college career at Michigan State where he started the season at a point per game pace. He has enough positive attributes to put him firmly in the discussion as the best prospect at his position for the 2024 Draft, and the one closest to NHL ready. He projects as a top four defender with the upside to be more. He is the third youngest player in college hockey and as of February 2024 he was producing at a point per game pace. Despite competition against older players, he has been playing big minutes and done nothing to suggest he is out-matched. He has excellent four direction skating ability, but doesn't much stray from letting the game come to him, efficiently relaying pucks and closing on attackers without overplay. That doesn't mean he won't calculate when it is time to attack, and can surprise goalers close in, or thread passes laterally to an open teammate in on the look. He gets his shots through and is well versed with his transition passes. He isn't necessarily an attacking defenseman, as an opportunistic one, so it may be difficult to gauge this part of his game as a pro, especially early on. There iss no denying he can transport very quickly in most situation, and has a strong backpedal that closes ice very fast and well. Raw in many phases but there is no denying that with development, he will gain first hand knowledge and his reads & follow through. He seeems to be a strong candidate as the first pair defensive guy in a pair. He'd be that guy who when his offensive pair partner takes off, he can anchor and close ground on opponents who will find out how solid he is. There are also indications he can continue improving his work defensively, and that might go a long way to cementing himself as a true early defensive selection with two-way prowess.


Sacha Boisvert. 6 2 178
Muskegon
Lanky long striding centre with breakaway ability, puck skills, and NHL shot. This smooth long strider can accelerate quickly and pull away from opponents in open ice and displays elusive quickness in tight spaces due to his good balance and agility. Can rip shots off the rush, and is excellent at finding rebounds in front. Finds rebounds out front. Has the room to add a lot of muscle mass and bulk to his tall skinny frame. Drives the front fearlessly, but needs to ramp up his pace and urgency in his overall efforts. I suspected that he should have lots of points for Muskegon in the2023-24 season, and that has come to past with over a point per game pace as February has commenced and he having 25 goals (42 points) in 39 games. He needs little space or time to let off dangerous drives and shots around the net. He is not overly physical, but tough. Needs to use his line mates a bit more on his offensive carries and attacks. He is a high end shooter who fire on the rush and also find rebounds out close in front. Not shy at playing a physical game and initiating contact in the corners. He does try to make an effort in the defensive zone on the back check,  but needs read and process his defensive assignments when he gats there. If he is going to continue to project as a decent NHL prospect, and he is going to have to make huge improvements in the faceoff circle.  Still, displays first round talent and and upside with lots of acceleration, physicality, scoring ability and a frame that has room to add a lot more muscle. as of the start of February, he has started to let the game come to him and is humming on all cylinders. He and Griffin drive the potent Muskegon offense.


Marek Vanacker 6’ 0” 178 LW,
Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
After a freshman year compilation of 4 goals and 16 points, Vanacker has emerged as one of the OHL top draft picks that has seen him pot 26 goals and 33 assist in 50 games so far, leading the team (although that is due to Chicago prospect Nick Lardis’ injury absence). He has been an offensive threat on most shifts, because he can really shoot the puck. He’s played primarily as a second line left winger. A strong forechecker who wins pucks. He has room on his frame for more weight and muscle and that will aid him progressing to be a power wing. He plays with an edge, has good on-ice vision and good hands an excellent straight line speed. Displays good balance and acceleration albeit not much lateral wiggle. Will drive play to the net or come inside to the front to receive opportunistic passes. Uses his body to shield pucks from defenders, and is able to find the open seam to the net, or use the perimeter to pass or shoot, but his hands in tight are gold. This kid can really shoot the puck, and his on-ice decisions are improving. There is more than a little seasoning that needs to be added, but he appears to be prospect who will eventually find some role in the pros, as his jump and opportunistic nose for the net prime him towards future success. He continues making better on ice decisions when he possesses the puck.

Didn't watch them.. no vote. Why are Ottawa fans trying to troll us, your friggin Ottawa
- wizardofi

You let that Habs take the Demigod!! who was 2 on most of the lists. But so did Anaheim and Columbus lol I can understand Columbus if Lindstrom is over his back issues though

If he makes the hawks roster in the future, and he scores, do they play the song "Watermelon man?"
- wiz1901

Fans will demand it