You know

S Jones Vlasic
UFA/Murphy Korchinski
UFA/Levshunov Kaiser

Our blue line is really beginning to take shape. If they end up signing a quality UFA we can be one of the better blue lines in the NHL.

Couple of prospects at the Rock.

We were so weak in this position for years

At #72 Hawks take AJ Spellacy (wiz had him at 195!).

There's the reach.
- boilermaker100

Fast, good character two way player great athlete. This may be a way to find the diamonds in the rough?

Making room for Stamkos.
- LAHawk

Apparently they're gonna take a run at Guentzal

Regarding Spellacy from Elite Prospects. He's a RW, 6-3, 200 lbs.

It only takes a couple of strides or a crossover burst for Spellacy to separate from defenders. Many of his rushes are dynamic, pressing the dot lane to get defenders moving in the wrong direction before he finds another gear to drive the net. The effort matches the speed. Spellacy easily catches opponents, even from massive disadvantages, to steal pucks off their sticks. He’s a proactive down-low defender, bolstered by his constant desire to make contact.

Fast, good character two way player great athlete. This may be a way to find the diamonds in the rough?
- paulr

Elite Prospects has him at 64. Very raw, but big, fast, and physical. Had a chance to go D1 football but chose hockey.

Nice bit on Spellacy. Had 5 NCAA scholarship offers to play football and opted for hockey. Excelled in fitness testing at combine.

https://thehockeynews.com...per-in-the-2024-nhl-draft

From Dobber prospects re Spellacy.

Massive, speedy forward who lives for net drives and hard back-checks. Projects better as a winger. Needs to work on his delay game, reads and habits, but has middle-six upside as a power forward.

Fast, good character two way player great athlete. This may be a way to find the diamonds in the rough?
- paulr

I believe KD values what you keep talking about, he wants his forwards to compete. I feel it's an important trait for sure and KD just keeps drafting forwards with this trait so this is going to be a lot of fun to see these kids come up and compete against one another for roster spots.

Update from capfriendly

https://www.capfriendly.c...aff/kyle-davidson/drafted

A total of 21 picks in the first 3 rounds the past 3 years

16 North Americans
2 Czechs
1 Slovak
1 Russian
1 Belarussian

17 forwards
3 defensemen (all in the 1st round)
1 goalie

As others have noted all the Euros except Kantserov have played on NA ice.

Hawks trade for #92 and take Jack Pridham. Hawks traded their own 2025 3rd for this pick.

Pridham is a nuanced north-to-south attacker who leverages speed, edge work, and a high-end motor to create advantages. On-puck, Pridham ramps up proactively, pushes defenders on their heels, blends delay elements opening up lanes to attack inside, and executed quick, but simple tap-by handles to slip pressure off the entry. -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

Hawks trade for #92 and take Jack Pridham. Hawks traded their own 2025 3rd for this pick.

Pridham is a nuanced north-to-south attacker who leverages speed, edge work, and a high-end motor to create advantages. On-puck, Pridham ramps up proactively, pushes defenders on their heels, blends delay elements opening up lanes to attack inside, and executed quick, but simple tap-by handles to slip pressure off the entry. -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide
- boilermaker100

It sure seems like KD is being aggressive the last 2 days, wonder if this will continue through free agency.

Sorry i am falling behind

Jack Pridham
Combines size, speed, and skill that will get attention from NHL scouts. His offensive toolkit is varied enough that he is not a one trick pony off the rush with enough passing vision to take advantage of better options when he isn’t in a high value shooting position. He is very disciplined in his passing options, targeting quick passes, where other puck carriers might force the play. Will need to improve his defensive pace, but certainly has the physical tools to move the needle when his team is not in possession. Projects as a modern power forward in the making.

Geez is there going to be a lot of competition for spots in a few years. Guys will really have to up their game.

Moore, Hayes, Lardis, Kantserov, Ludwinski, Savoie, Greene, Boisvert, Vanacker, Mustard, Spellacy, Pridham.

I can see Marcel, Misiak and James falling out of the mix.

Hawks trade for #92 and take Jack Pridham. Hawks traded their own 2025 3rd for this pick.

Pridham is a nuanced north-to-south attacker who leverages speed, edge work, and a high-end motor to create advantages. On-puck, Pridham ramps up proactively, pushes defenders on their heels, blends delay elements opening up lanes to attack inside, and executed quick, but simple tap-by handles to slip pressure off the entry. -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide
- boilermaker100

Strange journey for the kid. He’s from a town 20 miles north west of where I live. How the helldid he wind up playing in a tier 2 Jr. A team in British Columbia? If he wanted to keep his College options open there are plenty of non Major Junior A teams in Ontario or the USHL?

And any golfers, he lived close to a golf course Wooden Sticks owned by a few ex NHL players that has each hole dedicated and copied to resemble a famous course’s iconic hole … St. Andrew’s , the water hole at Sawgrass etc …

https://search.app/QrpbK3ZQLFoo13kW7

Luck of the draw we were in section 109 last night night, stage left, where the players went for interviews and team pictures. There was a couch 10 feet in front of us where Leah Hextall was interviewing the players and their parents after they were picked. When the Eisermans sat down I said to them, "Every team in the league is going to regret passing on you." They smiled and waved. We ran into them later. the kid is amazing and the parents asked if I was the guy who yelled to them on the couch. "Yeah I wanted him for the Hawks." The dad said, "We thought it was great and I told my wife I wanted to give you a hug for saying that to us." He opened his arms and hugged me. Then 3 girls in dresses that looked like black tube socks asked it they could take a picture with him. He has a big smile. "Have to go to the after party. Thanks again." They took off.
- stevefrmglencoe

Can you believe the league has seen fit to end a centralized draft that fills arenas and gives fans of all ages access and memories you can't get anywhere else? A damn shame.

Sounds like you and your boy soaked in all there was for a fan to bond with the sport. ..... As always, thanks for sharing.

Geez is there going to be a lot of competition for spots in a few years. Guys will really have to up their game.

Moore, Hayes, Lardis, Kantserov, Ludwinski, Savoie, Greene, Boisvert, Vanacker, Mustard, Spellacy, Pridham.

I can see Marcel, Misiak and James falling out of the mix.
- boilermaker100

Thats part of it though right? You draft 10 guys and if 3 make it that is considered really successful.

Strange journey for the kid. He’s from a town 20 miles north west of where I live. How the helldid he wind up playing in a tier 2 Jr. A team in British Columbia? If he wanted to keep his College options open there are plenty of non Major Junior A teams in Ontario or the USHL?

And any golfers, he lived close to a golf course Wooden Sticks owned by a few ex NHL players that has each hole dedicated and copied to resemble a famous course’s iconic hole … St. Andrew’s , the water hole at Sawgrass etc …

https://search.app/QrpbK3ZQLFoo13kW7
- paulr

He's going to Boston U.

Thats part of it though right? You draft 10 guys and if 3 make it that is considered really successful.
- fattybeef

True, but they are running out of AHL spots to develop them all. ROC is already filling up with young guys.

I agree with previous posts from LA and Lou regarding UFA additions, a top 6 and a middle 6 forward and a veteran RD. 4 year contracts max.

Some candidates below. Contract projections from AFP Analytics. Maybe the term could be adjusted.

Forwards
Teouvo 5 x $6.3M
DeBrusk 5 x $6M
Monahan 3 x $2.9M
Duclair 3 x $3.25M
Sprong 3 x $3.8M

Defense
Roy 4 x $5.5M
Carrier 3 x $2.7M
Walker 4 x $4.8M
- boilermaker100

Henrique?

Thats part of it though right? You draft 10 guys and if 3 make it that is considered really successful.
- fattybeef

Yep. Not all will make it due to lack of skill and injuries.

We'll see what KD does with the stockpiled future picks. (Although he traded a 2025 3rd for todays #92.) Keep them to continue filing the pipeline, so he'll have waves of kids coming up making others expendable if they become too expensive. Or trade picks to fill in gaps and acquire needed veterans. Probably a little of both.

True, but they are running out of AHL spots to develop them all. ROC is already filling up with young guys.
- totem

The five forwards they drafted today are still 2 years away from Rockford. There should be a lot of openings at the Rock by then.

Strange journey for the kid. He’s from a town 20 miles north west of where I live. How the helldid he wind up playing in a tier 2 Jr. A team in British Columbia? If he wanted to keep his College options open there are plenty of non Major Junior A teams in Ontario or the USHL?

And any golfers, he lived close to a golf course Wooden Sticks owned by a few ex NHL players that has each hole dedicated and copied to resemble a famous course’s iconic hole … St. Andrew’s , the water hole at Sawgrass etc …

https://search.app/QrpbK3ZQLFoo13kW7
- paulr

Simple answer - his father works in the front office of the Leafs. He wanted to get as far away as he could from those losers. Surprised he didn't move to China.

Not sure if they still own it, but Wooden Sticks was owned by Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.

Simple answer - his father works in the front office of the Leafs. He wanted to get as far away as he could from those losers. Surprised he didn't move to China.

Not sure if they still own it, but Wooden Sticks was owned by Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.
- RickJ

As far as I know Joe Nieuwendyk is still part of the ownership group. When I was there last year I saw Alex Lifeson from Rush in the restaurant and apparently Ryan O’Reilly had teed off earlier in the day.

True, but they are running out of AHL spots to develop them all. ROC is already filling up with young guys.
- totem

Not really they got about 10 players who are 25 or older in the Rock. Plenty of room for a bunch of recently drafted 18, 19 year olds.

Simple answer - his father works in the front office of the Leafs. He wanted to get as far away as he could from those losers. Surprised he didn't move to China.

Not sure if they still own it, but Wooden Sticks was owned by Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.
- RickJ

That’s hilarious, his Dad does work for the Leafs!!