Wiz, has Nesbitt moved up or down your list throughout the yr? Big kid centerman that can skate draw attention after the late teens of rd 1, generally speaking.

You have the Hawks going Schaeffer if he's on the board? ... I haven't moved from maybe a couple months in. Even if the Hawks draft 1st I posted a couple months in, and still think, the Hawks will go Misa.

Much like taking Levshunov last yr over a lotta qualified Dmen they did the right thing taking a big, rangy, right shot kid with a high ceiling over a damn fine wing in Demidov and all those other Dmen.

I thought the Hawks needing centerman, top 6ers with size would convince themselves if there is any daylight between Schaefer and Misa it's small and they go with a bigger need in top 6 centerman.

And I'm ok with that just like taking Artie last yr. ...... I was blown away by Schaeffer last yr, much of the yr he was 16. Kid just ran the shift, period. Along with his elite skating the eyeball goes straight to the kid and doesn't leave. But he had 17 in 54ish. This yr before injury a bigger stronger Schaeffer went down 21 games in. He had just 17 points....... He hasn't really scored in the OHL.

Do I think it's a problem? Empathetically no. He has the brains, size, skating that check a lotta boxes Maker does and just might develop similarly but Misa convinced me he'll be a legit top 6 NHL centerman with the size and pace to play with any linemates.

Along with loads of legit NHL Dmen prospects, and Artie showing signs of being elite, and the possible concern of asset/cap allocation of having 2 Dmen that will have to be paid as #1's if you draft Schaeffer, I thought for awhile now they go Misa.

BUT, as long as they end up top 4, and that seemed to be after McQueen went down with his back for the 2nd yr in a row, they'll do just fine. Big fan of both Hagens and Martone but Misa is the prize for the Hawks.
- Mr Ricochet

I wonder if the Hawks win the lottery, what would the team with the 2nd pick pay in order to move up to the first pick. Looking at draft pick value charts, it could be worth discussing.

I know some were mocking that KD drafts guys who can skate fast, i just gotta say seeing Levshunov, Rinzel, Korchinski, Nazar and Moore out there is impressive.

Gotta feeling Nazar is going to work a lot on moves to beat the goalie on a breakaway, how many chances is that 7-8 where he didn't score this season.

Also now we will be at the end of 3 draft years for KD and all those top 100 prospect players drafted who needed longer to develop like a Lardis, Greene, Spellacy, Hayes who had a nice game for the hogs the other night, Prindham who dominated his game the other night in the playoffs, are going to be fighting for roster spots in the near future. Top 4 pick on the way, another first round pick, 2 more next year.

LA says most college coaches don't work out but man all that coach in Denver does is win, I'd have no problem with them hiring him as a head coach.

I know some were mocking that KD drafts guys who can skate fast, i just gotta say seeing Levshunov, Rinzel, Korchinski, Nazar and Moore out there is impressive.

Gotta feeling Nazar is going to work a lot on moves to beat the goalie on a breakaway, how many chances is that 7-8 where he didn't score this season.
- BetweenTheDots

He had a great forehand back hand top corner on the penalty shot a while back I believe. Idk what he’s been trying lately. Several break sways and he tries to go 5 hole or beat pad wide.

He also needs to stay on his feet. Lot Hawks forwards fall down far too often.

He had a great forehand back hand top corner on the penalty shot a while back I believe. Idk what he’s been trying lately. Several break sways and he tries to go 5 hole or beat pad wide.

He also needs to stay on his feet. Lot Hawks forwards fall down far too often.
- bhawks2241

Tell him he can't watch Bertuzzi play

Tell him he can't watch Bertuzzi play

- vabeachbear

I don't ever remember seeing Kane on his ass.

Also now we will be at the end of 3 draft years for KD and all those top 100 prospect players drafted who needed longer to develop like a Lardis, Greene, Spellacy, Hayes who had a nice game for the hogs the other night, Prindham who dominated his game the other night in the playoffs, are going to be fighting for roster spots in the near future. Top 4 pick on the way, another first round pick, 2 more next year.

LA says most college coaches don't work out but man all that coach in Denver does is win, I'd have no problem with them hiring him as a head coach.
- BetweenTheDots

Jim Montgomery has been great. Dave Hakstol has been awful. It really just depends on whether their ideas translate well between leagues and do they command the respect of a long time coach.
I’d be fine waiting until some playoff team overreacts and fires a good coach. Or if Sullivan became available. Odd that Gallant hasn’t found a job, although his shelf life appears to be a max of three years.

Tell him he can't watch Bertuzzi play

- vabeachbear

Ha ha. Bertuzzi is what he is. When he’s on the third line next year or the year after, that will mean that the Hawks have a competitive team.

All 12 should play in Rockford next season. Why does the NHL allow players not old enough for college to be drafted? It boggles my mind. Not even the NBA allows such young drafting. Same for MLB.
- rpeters01

Moreover, why is there a higher age limit in a minor league than the parent league?

Ha ha. Bertuzzi is what he is. When he’s on the third line next year or the year after, that will mean that the Hawks have a competitive team.
- Angotti

Everyone is so concerned about Donato's AAV being too high if Kyle brings him back but no one seems to be talking about Bertuzzi being the highest paid active NHL player and is likely bottom 6 the rest of his Hawks/NHL career.

Everyone is so concerned about Donato's AAV being too high if Kyle brings him back but no one seems to be talking about Bertuzzi being the highest paid active NHL player and is likely bottom 6 the rest of his Hawks/NHL career.
- Assman22

I think with Donato it’s more about term. I believe that the offer on the table is for three years, and with the prospects that will be here by then, that term is about right. I like Donato, but let’s not forget that this is his 9th year and 5th team and he’s having a career year.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

PHI moves to #1, CLB jumps 10 spots to #3. CHI to #4 again.

5 Philadelphia
1 San Jose
13 Columbus
2 Chicago
3 Nashville
4 Seattle
6 Buffalo
7 Boston
8 Pittsburgh
9 Anaheim
10 NY Islanders
11 Detroit
12 NY Rangers
14 Utah
15 Vancouver
16 Calgary (to MON)

Moreover, why is there a higher age limit in a minor league than the parent league?
- Assman22

I think with Donato it’s more about term. I believe that the offer on the table is for three years, and with the prospects that will be here by then, that term is about right. I like Donato, but let’s not forget that this is his 9th year and 5th team and he’s having a career year.
- Angotti

Donato is the leading scorer on a lousy team. How good is he? Where would he fit on a good team and what is he worth? Is he a guy you can win with? That's what Hawks management gets paid to figure out.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

PHI moves to #1, CLB jumps 10 spots to #3. CHI to #4 again.

5 Philadelphia
1 San Jose
13 Columbus
2 Chicago
3 Nashville
4 Seattle
6 Buffalo
7 Boston
8 Pittsburgh
9 Anaheim
10 NY Islanders
11 Detroit
12 NY Rangers
14 Utah
15 Vancouver
16 Calgary (to MON)
- totem

Everybody spinning us #4 stop yourself!

I think with Donato it’s more about term. I believe that the offer on the table is for three years, and with the prospects that will be here by then, that term is about right. I like Donato, but let’s not forget that this is his 9th year and 5th team and he’s having a career year.
- Angotti

He's been a 30 point per season player over his career. How often does someone with that profile finally put up a 60 point career year at age 28? And how did this happen? Shooting percentage is his career best, but he also has 30 assists to go with that. And a lot of that happened while playing on a line with Maroon and Craig Smith, and no notable defender manning the point.

I don't ever remember seeing Kane on his ass.
- rpeters01

Not so much getting knocked down that will happen to younger smaller guys. It is losing an edge with no or minimal contact.

Dach Nazar and Bedard do it far too often. The lineup yesterday could skate though. A lot to be excited about next season. See how Rinzel looks the rest of this year but I am not so sure he 100% needs to spend next year in the AHL. He's NHL ready on the offensive side of things.

Panger actually had some useful insight yesterday he heard Sergachyov asking one of the Hawks players in the 2nd or 3rd ask about Rinzel. More or less was "who the f*** is that kid".

TODAY'S TANKATHON

PHI moves to #1, CLB jumps 10 spots to #3. CHI to #4 again.

5 Philadelphia
1 San Jose
13 Columbus
2 Chicago
3 Nashville
4 Seattle
6 Buffalo
7 Boston
8 Pittsburgh
9 Anaheim
10 NY Islanders
11 Detroit
12 NY Rangers
14 Utah
15 Vancouver
16 Calgary (to MON)
- totem

1-2-3-3

He's been a 30 point per season player over his career. How often does someone with that profile finally put up a 60 point career year at age 28? And how did this happen? Shooting percentage is his career best, but he also has 30 assists to go with that. And a lot of that happened while playing on a line with Maroon and Craig Smith, and no notable defender manning the point.
- 333inthe3rd

I think it comes down to considering 5 things for Donato.

1) Opportunity - Is he getting increased opportunity with Chicago? Not really. He has received significant ice time at Even Strength and the PP before. He has gotten only a little bit more this year in Chicago, but it has been 100% deserved.

2) Line mates - He has gotten it done with pretty much everyone this year, so it's not so much about who he is playing with. He has played with talented players before.

3) Drive the net/Shoot first mentality - His strategy on the ice has been very direct this year. He isn't doing anything very fancy or extremely "high skill". He driving the puck to the net into dirty areas or putting pucks on net from everywhere. He doesn't hesitate, everything is towards the net.

4) Motivation - This is a big contract year for him, probably his best chance at the biggest contract he will ever get in his career. I think this is the biggest factor, he has been showing up game after game from the pre-season onward. (I remember many comments about how he was solid in effort right from camp)

5) Luck - With his shooting % some of it is luck/chance, but with his effort and focus this year he is also kind of making his own luck. I think it's not fully sustainable.

The Hawks should reward Donato with a new contract within limits. If he is asking for larger than $4M, then make it 1-2 year max so that he can demonstrate that he will continue his level of play into next year. If he is looking for more term, then the price has to be at most near that $4M range. The Hawks have to expect some regression in his production until he proves otherwise or they have to go short term while they have the cap space available.

Nazar and breakaways - leastwise yesterday's - looking like he is addicted to going for the 5 hole, and goalies have been able to shut that down regularly at the NHL level.

I think it comes down to considering 5 things for Donato.

1) Opportunity - Is he getting increased opportunity with Chicago? Not really. He has received significant ice time at Even Strength and the PP before. He has gotten only a little bit more this year in Chicago, but it has been 100% deserved.

2) Line mates - He has gotten it done with pretty much everyone this year, so it's not so much about who he is playing with. He has played with talented players before.

3) Drive the net/Shoot first mentality - His strategy on the ice has been very direct this year. He isn't doing anything very fancy or extremely "high skill". He driving the puck to the net into dirty areas or putting pucks on net from everywhere. He doesn't hesitate, everything is towards the net.

4) Motivation - This is a big contract year for him, probably his best chance at the biggest contract he will ever get in his career. I think this is the biggest factor, he has been showing up game after game from the pre-season onward. (I remember many comments about how he was solid in effort right from camp)

5) Luck - With his shooting % some of it is luck/chance, but with his effort and focus this year he is also kind of making his own luck. I think it's not fully sustainable.

The Hawks should reward Donato with a new contract within limits. If he is asking for larger than $4M, then make it 1-2 year max so that he can demonstrate that he will continue his level of play into next year. If he is looking for more term, then the price has to be at most near that $4M range. The Hawks have to expect some regression in his production until he proves otherwise or they have to go short term while they have the cap space available.
- breadbag

I know that he’s a different player, however in the last three years the Hawks had Raddysh, Kurashev, D!clkinson, and now Donato score over 20 goals for the first time in their career, not one of the first three has accomplished that again, not sure Donato will either. This is the most TOI he’s had in his career, well deserved by the way, and he’s had a great year, but I would not go over three years on term, and I’d be careful on salary as well. JMHO

Hawks and Avs on TNT on Wednesday at 8:30 central.

Nazar and breakaways - leastwise yesterday's - looking like he is addicted to going for the 5 hole, and goalies have been able to shut that down regularly at the NHL level.
- SC116

When a player is going fast it becomes more difficult to go laterally as he approaches the net. If he has the space to slow down a bit he would have more dexterity.

Hawks and Avs on TNT on Wednesday at 8:30 central.
- bjphawkfan

Yay, I get to see them on the tv.
It is good they are getting faster as a team.

On the point about Boisvert transferring.

Be interesting to see what he is offered in NIL money to play at a BC or BU, schools with lots of money.

I brought this subject up a year or two ago, though it was about Canadians playing in the NCAA because of the money they could make vs. playing in the CHL leagues.

Basketball guys at BYU are getting 7 mil per year this upcoming year.

Morez Johnson leaving the Illini cause he got a 2 mil offer.

Crazy money being thrown around, just a matter of time before it creeps into NCAA hockey also.
- vabeachbear

I'd have to guess that North Dakota, U of MN have as much hockey dough as any school out there. I do know U of ND has fired their coach and hired a new one and my guess is if Boisvert transfers outa U of ND it will be mostly based on if he likes the new coaching staff there.

I'd rather see him stay all things being equal cuz next yr will probably be his last in the NCAA and he turns pro.