I've seen a couple of Rangers games this year, he is just like Skjei, they didn't lose one step they've lost 2 steps. I bet Trouba is slower than Murphy and that's really saying something.

And thinking about Trotz giving that contract to Skjei makes me smile
- BetweenTheDots

Of all the players I've seen live Skjei is the most beautiful skater of them all. That's when he was with the NTDP.

I see you been diggin My Guy Cuylle. If I was GM I'd have 10 Cuylles. I'm hoping that is Spellacy's floor. Hopin he's closer to Wilson outa WSH though......... And, I've been on Chytil a long time now. One that I hit on but it seems the poor kid might be an injury concern.

HF is okay. Pretty good place for prospect info in easy to find threads.

From what I have seen, the advice is to stay off the main board. Much like here, its a cesspool.

And a GM makes his job even harder by taking on a huge risk. Not only is Zegras a huge risk health wise his production is terrible based on his contract. People complain Jones isn’t worth his contract, Zegras may be worse as he brings nothing if he isn’t putting up points. Of the three only Pinto’s contract isn’t terrible.
- paulr

Managing risk is so so important. Always gonna be risk and every GM will get bitten but if he manages risk properly, or puts a lotta value on managing risk, he's covered his bases.

I agree. I watched Zegras live at The Program for 2 yrs so I was aware of his top 20ish NHL talent but when he became an NHLer scoring 61 and 65 points as a 20 and 21 yr old it was fair to question his off the puck play but it was 20 times better than Bedard's so he wasn't outright pathetic acknowledging Bedard was 18 and Zegras was 20.

And yea, I could see the value in not having a player like that, could you win in the playoffs with a softish kid like him many wondered........ Then I stumbled onto his fancies a few days ago, Paul, and I'm not gonna outa hand dismiss the idea of Zegras anymore. The fancies don't lie, Paul, and his were eons better than what the eye saw. He has/had great possession and HDCF fancies .....

Powers article with 10 possible coaches for the Hocks

Woodcroft
McLellan
Hakstol(mentioned McIver was with him in Seattle)
Gerard Gallant
Dave Quinn
Jeff Blashill
Don Granato(coached with Q )
Todd Nelson
Jay Leach
Bruce Boudreau

No mention of Cooper,probably because he is Tampa's coach still.
Not sure I'd want Woodcroft,never understood what happened that season with McDavid and the Oilers.
- captainserious

Do any of those retreads tickle anyone's fancy? I would rather they find a up and comer for this team. Carle would a decent choice, imo

And a GM makes his job even harder by taking on a huge risk. Not only is Zegras a huge risk health wise his production is terrible based on his contract. People complain Jones isn’t worth his contract, Zegras may be worse as he brings nothing if he isn’t putting up points. Of the three only Pinto’s contract isn’t terrible.
- paulr

Hey Paul, if you can would you give me a quick rudimentary compare and contrast between Zegras and Marner? If nothing else they're similar players, no?

Do any of those retreads tickle anyone's fancy? I would rather they find a up and comer for this team. Carle would a decent choice, imo
- Elbows15

Mark Hunter, although he’d probably want the GM role along with a vice presidency.

Hey Paul, if you can would you give me a quick rudimentary compare and contrast between Zegras and Marner? If nothing else they're similar players, no?
- Mr Ricochet

Marner is a solid two way player whose defensive game is excellent. He’s probably playmaker first but he’s capable of putting the puck in the net. Problem is he’s always MIA in the playoffs.

Zegras should be a top end point producer, but he’s not, at least yet. Could it be he lacks the teammates? He’s also injured allot. And while he gets lots of penalties they aren’t good ones. I haven’t seen much of a defensive game from him. He’s chippy but he’s not physical.

Except for his inability to excel in the playoffs Marner has lived up to all regular season expectations. Zegras, so far, hasn’t really shown anything.

BOS has been in the playoffs 49 of the last 56 yrs!!!!

Marner is a solid two way player whose defensive game is excellent. He’s probably playmaker first but he’s capable of putting the puck in the net. Problem is he’s always MIA in the playoffs.

Zegras should be a top end point producer, but he’s not, at least yet. Could it be he lacks the teammates? He’s also injured allot. And while he gets lots of penalties they aren’t good ones. I haven’t seen much of a defensive game from him. He’s chippy but he’s not physical.

Except for his inability to excel in the playoffs Marner has lived up to all regular season expectations. Zegras, so far, hasn’t really shown anything.
- paulr

Seems a fair evaluation. And yea, I've seen Zegras chippy in the NHL but like a punk and I think that's the perception of him. Generally, I pass on these types unless they produce, really produce. Remember though, Marner went 3rd(?) overall and Zegras went 9th IIRC so Marner has bigger shoes to fill so to speak.

I'm not advocating for Zegras at all only that I don't dismiss the idea of him anymore since seeing his fancies.

Mark Hunter, although he’d probably want the GM role along with a vice presidency.
- paulr

Seems no one has given him a shot. Maybe he is happy where he is at the moment or no one wants to give him that control.

Changing GMs at this point would be foolish if you ask me. Its how you end up in a perpetual rebuild.

Have to let it play out longer. Only 1 of KD's choices is playing in the NHL right now.

Seems a fair evaluation. And yea, I've seen Zegras chippy in the NHL but like a punk and I think that's the perception of him. Generally, I pass on these types unless they produce, really produce. Remember though, Marner went 3rd(?) overall and Zegras went 9th IIRC so Marner has bigger shoes to fill so to speak.

I'm not advocating for Zegras at all only that I don't dismiss the idea of him anymore since seeing his fancies.
- Mr Ricochet

Except for his contract and inability to play in the playoffs Marner would be the ideal line mate for Bedard. His stellar defensive game, his ability to get the puck to and receive passes and capitalize on them would improve Bedard’s game. Problem is two guys with zero physical presence.

I don’t see any upside taking Zegras, he isn’t worth his current contract and he’s always injured. And except offensively he couldn’t play with Bedard as there would be two below average defensive players.

If Zegras could be acquired for a later draft pick and a guy like Murphy it would be a low risk acquisition. But Anaheim will want allot more than that and I don’t see the value.

Seems no one has given him a shot. Maybe he is happy where he is at the moment or no one wants to give him that control.

Changing GMs at this point would be foolish if you ask me. Its how you end up in a perpetual rebuild.

Have to let it play out longer. Only 1 of KD's choices is playing in the NHL right now.
- Elbows15

I agree, so far I like KD’s approach. A guy like Rinzel was being dismissed as late as last season but by all accounts he’s come into his own, and then some this season. Nazar appears poised to start his career in a Hawk sweater. And while controversial his pick of guys, Boisvert and Vanacker who are more competitive and physical over pure goal scorers may be what the team identification is.

Powers article with 10 possible coaches for the Hocks

Woodcroft
McLellan
Hakstol(mentioned McIver was with him in Seattle)
Gerard Gallant
Dave Quinn
Jeff Blashill
Don Granato(coached with Q )
Todd Nelson
Jay Leach
Bruce Boudreau

No mention of Cooper,probably because he is Tampa's coach still.
Not sure I'd want Woodcroft,never understood what happened that season with McDavid and the Oilers.
- captainserious

pass

And a GM makes his job even harder by taking on a huge risk. Not only is Zegras a huge risk health wise his production is terrible based on his contract. People complain Jones isn’t worth his contract, Zegras may be worse as he brings nothing if he isn’t putting up points. Of the three only Pinto’s contract isn’t terrible.
- paulr

you could tag just about anyone with a "when healthy" knock.

Zegras is a good hockey player. He is positionally sound, drives play and has a high skill level. If you look at reddit threads on Zegras - most of their fan base has been impressed with his play and would prefer to see the coach go first aside from the old school grumpy people who don't like to see fun poop like Michigan goals.

He has one more year after this year on his deal so it's not like it's a huge commitment.

If he was the only young player struggling in Anaheim then sure maybe he sucks but since all of their young offensively gifted players are not playing like young offensively gifted players - I dunno that it is a player problem. (not dissimilar to the complaints about LR)

Norris - assuming he's over his shoulder issues - is a 200ft player who will score 30-40 goals every year. Those players have value. His contract term and history will drive that value down but a team like the Hawks, since they don't seem to have a lot of projectable centers, could find a player like that very useful.

For the price of middling prospects and mid round draft picks - which was very clear about - you probably take a WAG at either of those guys and assume a change of scenery unlocks something and that they aren't convinced that Nazar isn't a Brayden Point type player.

For first round picks or high end prospects, I wouldn't do it but the Hawks have quantity in those later rounds and that's probably going to be the price for either of these guys or they'd be gone by now.

I'm not a huge pinto fan which is why I didn't include him.

I agree, so far I like KD’s approach. A guy like Rinzel was being dismissed as late as last season but by all accounts he’s come into his , and then some this season. Nazar appears poised to start his career in a Hawk sweater. And while controversial his pick of guys, Boisvert and Vanacker who are more competitive and physical over pure goal scorers may be what the team identification is.
- paulr

Rinzel had a solid freshman season if I recall correctly,maybe started a bit slow but then turned it on toward the end of the season. I hope he signs with the piggies after his college season is complete,not sure how much playing a 3rd NCAA season would be better for him than playing in the AHL.

Vanacker and Boisvert bring some balance to the roster,skill+sand paper. Let's be real,you can't win a Cup without 3-4 of those types on a roster.
Slaggert seems like he might even end up being a solid 3rd liner.

Seems no one has given him a shot. Maybe he is happy where he is at the moment or no one wants to give him that control.

Changing GMs at this point would be foolish if you ask me. Its how you end up in a perpetual rebuild.

Have to let it play out longer. Only 1 of KD's choices is playing in the NHL right now.
- Elbows15

You’re correct. This is why KD needs to be careful on his future moves, there’s still a lot of darts to analyze, including the ‘25 picks. What if they draft Misa, and both him and Boisvert hit, then they are set at center. KD has no idea what this team will need in two-three years. I would not give out any long term contracts to 29 year old free agents, not yet anyway.

Hey Paul, if you can would you give me a quick rudimentary compare and contrast between Zegras and Marner? If nothing else they're similar players, no?
- Mr Ricochet

Zegras is a center who seems to have stalled point production wise but has a very high ceiling while Marner has been an elite point producer on the wing from year one, gotten Selke votes the past 6 years and put up 50 points in 57 playoff games. No question about his talent, play off the puck or whatever.

The people that knock him in the playoffs have the same silly reasons that people knocked Patrick Kane as a playoff performer and wanted to do goofy things like trade him for Rick Nash or Ryan Miller.

Except for his contract and inability to play in the playoffs Marner would be the ideal line mate for Bedard. His stellar defensive game, his ability to get the puck to and receive passes and capitalize on them would improve Bedard’s game. Problem is two guys with zero physical presence.

I don’t see any upside taking Zegras, he isn’t worth his current contract and he’s always injured. And except offensively he couldn’t play with Bedard as there would be two below average defensive players.

If Zegras could be acquired for a later draft pick and a guy like Murphy it would be a low risk acquisition. But Anaheim will want allot more than that and I don’t see the value.
- paulr

Since they got Trouba it probably means Murphy isn't of any interest to them.
I'd hand them the Tor1st + another later draft pick. I guess I'd send them a prospect too,but not sure any of the Hocks prospects would interest them. Greene hasn't signed,Kantserov is still in Russia, you don't send Rinzel because you don't know what you've got yet in Levshunov or Korch. They probably don't have the ammo for something like that prospect wise,unless Anaheim is looking for another 1dt/2nd rd pick

I agree, so far I like KD’s approach. A guy like Rinzel was being dismissed as late as last season but by all accounts he’s come into his own, and then some this season. Nazar appears poised to start his career in a Hawk sweater. And while controversial his pick of guys, Boisvert and Vanacker who are more competitive and physical over pure goal scorers may be what the team identification is.
- paulr

I don't think Boisvert was controversial. I think general consensus was it would be Hage or Boisvert at that 18 spot.

NHL.com had the Stars picking Vanacker at 29 so I dunno. Pretty close to where they were predicted to go.

Rinzel had a solid freshman season if I recall correctly,maybe started a bit slow but then turned it on toward the end of the season. I hope he signs with the piggies after his college season is complete,not sure how much playing a 3rd NCAA season would be better for him than playing in the AHL.

Vanacker and Boisvert bring some balance to the roster,skill+sand paper. Let's be real,you can't win a Cup without 3-4 of those types on a roster.
Slaggert seems like he might even end up being a solid 3rd liner.
- captainserious

Depends on how skinny he is. I think he needs to be closer to 200 than 190 but it may be arbitrary at that point.

Typically after two dominant seasons you see a guy like him in the NHL rather than Rockford.

Rinzel and Buium aren't that far apart points wise. I think if he finishes out the year around 40 that would put him on track to skip the AHL like Fox or Makar did.

Whether or not you liked the LR firing this is a new set of eyes, who coached all the young ones, behind the bench calling the shots. The pairing, lines, PP, PK, TOI can and will change for some players. ..... Will be interesting and hopefully fun with some results.

Watching Hogs games I never thought one way or the other about Sorenson. .....

I don't think Boisvert was controversial. I think general consensus was it would be Hage or Boisvert at that 18 spot.

NHL.com had the Stars picking Vanacker at 29 so I dunno. Pretty close to where they were predicted to go.
- fattybeef

Selecting Vanacker and Boisvert was in fact controversial to some on this site and to others in the media and such. Many thought the Hawks should have selected Hage or Eiserman. Personally I agree with both selections. And I think Vanacker is going to be a real gem, he just has to get up to playing speed after being out for most of the season.

Depends on how skinny he is. I think he needs to be closer to 200 than 190 but it may be arbitrary at that point.

Typically after two dominant seasons you see a guy like him in the NHL rather than Rockford.

Rinzel and Buium aren't that far apart points wise. I think if he finishes out the year around 40 that would put him on track to skip the AHL like Fox or Makar did.
- fattybeef

You are consistent, fatty. That's for sure........ I watched the 1st period of the Hogs game last night and have some thoughts, mostly good.

Depends on how skinny he is. I think he needs to be closer to 200 than 190 but it may be arbitrary at that point.

Typically after two dominant seasons you see a guy like him in the NHL rather than Rockford.

Rinzel and Buium aren't that far apart points wise. I think if he finishes out the year around 40 that would put him on track to skip the AHL like Fox or Makar did.
- fattybeef

Points isn’t nor should be the criteria for promotion to the AHL or NHL. The AHL is for the development of a player’s overall game as well as an opportunity for a player to get introduced to the pro game including the physical aspect of playing against men.

Selecting Vanacker and Boisvert was in fact controversial to some on this site and to others in the media and such. Many thought the Hawks should have selected Hage or Eiserman. Personally I agree with both selections. And I think Vanacker is going to be a real gem, he just has to get up to playing speed after being out for most of the season.
- paulr

Even Wiz had Vanacker going to Calagary at some point at 28. My point is they weren't outlandish random picks on guys that no one thought would end up there.

Sennecke going 3rd was controversial since who the heck saw that coming.