I agree .Saw a interview with Martone yesterday at the Worlds . Man I think this kid really gets it ,wish Bedard had gone great experience for the players .
- oldduffman

Duff, after the lottery was drawn I thought, and posted, over the next 6ish weeks up until draft day I'm gonna enjoy the thought that Martone might be a Hawk.... Like any fan or franchise I'm on the lookout for a legit NHL power forward and Martone has that chance.

But there has never been an amateur or pro evaluator that doesn't have their miss column chalk full of big skilled guys who profile as NHL power forwards. There is a reason there are so few legit difference making power forwards in the NHL. They are rare and most don't make it.

I don't want the Hawks to draft Martone cuz I think they should. But if they do take him I know a group that has drafted well for 3 yrs thinks Martone will be what we all hope/think he'll be. ... Then I'll get really excited.

But, as of today I still think they draft Hagens. IMO to one degree or another he'll be some version of Jack Hughes.

Duff, after the lottery was drawn I thought, and posted, over the next 6ish weeks up until draft day I'm gonna enjoy the thought that Martone might be a Hawk.... Like any fan or franchise I'm on the lookout for a legit NHL power forward and Martone has that chance.

But there has never been an amateur or pro evaluator that doesn't have their miss column chalk full of big skilled guys who profile as NHL power forwards. There is a reason there are so few legit difference making power forwards in the NHL. They are rare and most don't make it.

I don't want the Hawks to draft Martone cuz I think they should. But if they do take him I know a group that has drafted well for 3 yrs thinks Martone will be what we all hope/think he'll be. ... Then I'll get really excited.

But, as of today I still think they draft Hagens. IMO to one degree or another he'll be some version of Jack Hughes.
- Mr Ricochet

I agree with you Rico if they think Martone is the real deal they will draft him otherwise it'll be Hagens

Would really like to see Dallas vs Florida for the Cup. two heavyweights just teeing off and Rantanen putting Jonesy or Marchand over the boards and into the Dallas bench

I thought we determined that Boisvert was a bust because he can't skate
- vabeachbear

No, not at all.
He CAN shoot!
I personnaly do not think he has even mobility to hold a 2nd line centre position as a pro, but galdly have him n the bumper on the power play,or the top wings.

I think Sacha is going to be good Blackhawk player.

I just would like a 200 foot centre with feet, stick and shot with the early pick.

And if they decide Martone, you'll get no argument or complaints from me...or Hagens either!

No, not at all.
He CAN shoot!
I personnaly do not think he has even mobility to hold a 2nd line centre position as a pro, but galdly have him n the bumper on the power play,or the top wings.

I think Sacha is going to be good Blackhawk player.

I just would like a 200 foot centre with feet, stick and shot with the early pick.

And if they decide Martone, you'll get no argument or complaints from me...
- wiz1901

I’m waiting to see Desnoyers in the Mem Cup. He’s been compared to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews a two way warrior who probably won’t put up big regular season numbers but will be there when the team needs him most. He’s got decent size, he’s a good skater and he has skill to go with his two way game. My concern with Desnoyers is, does playing in a weak junior league inflate his value?

Duff, after the lottery was drawn I thought, and posted, over the next 6ish weeks up until draft day I'm gonna enjoy the thought that Martone might be a Hawk.... Like any fan or franchise I'm on the lookout for a legit NHL power forward and Martone has that chance.

But there has never been an amateur or pro evaluator that doesn't have their miss column chalk full of big skilled guys who profile as NHL power forwards. There is a reason there are so few legit difference making power forwards in the NHL. They are rare and most don't make it.

I don't want the Hawks to draft Martone cuz I think they should. But if they do take him I know a group that has drafted well for 3 yrs thinks Martone will be what we all hope/think he'll be. ... Then I'll get really excited.

But, as of today I still think they draft Hagens. IMO to one degree or another he'll be some version of Jack Hughes.
- Mr Ricochet

Wise sentiment Rico. Best to leave it to the professionals .Dare to think of getting the next Al Secord or Bob Probert Tom Wilson. .
Maybe the NYI will get all sentimental and take Hagens 1st !! .And we get Misa or Martone

No, not at all.
He CAN shoot!
I personnaly do not think he has even mobility to hold a 2nd line centre position as a pro, but galdly have him n the bumper on the power play,or the top wings.

I think Sacha is going to be good Blackhawk player.

I just would like a 200 foot centre with feet, stick and shot with the early pick.

And if they decide Martone, you'll get no argument or complaints from me...or Hagens either!
- wiz1901

Can Boisvert end up being what many expect from Martone? You can always move a center to wing, it’s more difficult to go from wing to center. If Misa is available at two, I’d like to see KD move up and get him, as long as the cost is reasonable.

I haven't read much about Blashill but this is the best one I've found. Hunting down a beat writer who's reported on the Wings for going on 40 yrs is a very good resource.

Blashill sure might me a guy who gets a club to point B then hands over the reins to a guy who gets you to the promised land. But, for this team, with this roster, at this point in a total tear down you've got to love the resume and his reported strengths.

25 yrs of coaching, as an assistant and head coach, Jrs, college, AHL and Bigs seems to fit like a glove for a franchise entering a win now mode. A no short cuts play the game right kinda coach who connects with the kids this day and age.

I don't have The Athletic anymore but I haven't read what this hire will do for Bedard. The kid went home last summer and came back understanding his rookie yr ain't gonna cut it in the Bigs. That he knew he had to become a more complete player and his team wasn't gonna win with him outside his own blueline lookin to get sprung.

A novice could see he tried to pay attention to his own zone, become more complete, but he had no coaching/foundation to do so. .... The reports on Blashill seem to fit what Bedard needs. We'll see.

Dude has coached 25 yrs and was a goalie. https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=21964
- Mr Ricochet

Has anyone seen an announcement on Rockford's coach? There will be more prospects in Rockford over the next 3 years than ever. Would like another former NHL head coach who can teach NHL details there. Not sure handing them to Eaton, Klinghammer, and MacNevin is the best idea.

Has anyone seen an announcement on Rockford's coach? There will be more prospects in Rockford over the next 3 years than ever. Would like another former NHL head coach who can teach NHL details there. Not sure handing them to Eaton, Klinghammer, and MacNevin is the best idea.
- stevefrmglencoe

I thought I remember them saying Eaton was only temprorary, and would be back in his normal job after the season, but maybe i'm misremembering

I haven't seen or heard anything yet. Didn't really see anything on King, could he go back there?

No, not at all.
He CAN shoot!
I personnaly do not think he has even mobility to hold a 2nd line centre position as a pro, but galdly have him n the bumper on the power play,or the top wings.

I think Sacha is going to be good Blackhawk player.

I just would like a 200 foot centre with feet, stick and shot with the early pick.

And if they decide Martone, you'll get no argument or complaints from me...or Hagens either!
- wiz1901

I should've put that in a red font. Was going to ask the same as someone already asked, can he move to wing? I've never seen him play, so really have no idea what he can do, just heard he's a boxer, so maybe has some fight in him.

Last night was a great example of what you can do if you can forecheck and hit. Make it impossible for your opponent. The thing that goes along with that with Florida though is their big, tougher guys can skate. And guys like Verhege who aren't huge, skate and hit also.

Don't know which guys in the pipeline are those kind of guys.

I’m waiting to see Desnoyers in the Mem Cup. He’s been compared to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews a two way warrior who probably won’t put up big regular season numbers but will be there when the team needs him most. He’s got decent size, he’s a good skater and he has skill to go with his two way game. My concern with Desnoyers is, does playing in a weak junior league inflate his value?
- paulr

Memorial Cup is one hell of a tournament full of draft picks and interesting draft eligibles. As a group the QMJHL, WHL and OHL provide the vast majority of NHLers and this tournament is the best on best of them. Starts tonight and it's for America it's on NHL Network. ..... Here's the schedule. 4 teams play a round robin with 1 game every night for 9 straight nights. https://chl.ca/schedule/

Big big stage for Desyorners (love reading some compare him to Bergeron). A legit top 5 prospect on a big stage. Great for the fan...... Phenom McKenna, who put up 129 pts this yr, isn't draft eligible until 2026!..... Just as fun to see kids drafted last yr and the yr before. Love watching D!ckinson and Lidstrom's quick twitch game.

Can Boisvert end up being what many expect from Martone? You can always move a center to wing, it’s more difficult to go from wing to center. If Misa is available at two, I’d like to see KD move up and get him, as long as the cost is reasonable.
- Angotti

While not quite as slow, I think Boisvert can/will end up being like Handzus. Just a big smart player who knows how to get into the right position. I doubt he'll ever drive his own line, but he can be a very effective forward. Just watching what he did this year, was pretty impressive as a freshman.

Also, don't sleep on Vanacker as a guy who could end up like a power forward "lite". He's a hound on the puck and already plays a strong pro-like game. He was coming back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of approximately half the year and still came close to 1PPG.

Spellacy will be the wild card. He could end up anywhere from Wilson to Rempe to John Scott.

MEMORIAL CUP PROSPECTS

Here are the players in the Memorial Cup that ended up on the Central Scouting final rankings. Rank from CS is the first column. Rimouski did not have any players ranked.

7 Moncton Caleb Desnoyers 6-1 178 LC 56-35-59-84
115 Moncton Julius Sumpf 6-1 190 LC 58-26-39-65

Caught a couple of Moncton games this year. Think Sumpf was around the puck a lot; remember hearing his name in the broadcast, don't remember anything specific about him though. CHI has 2 4ths, he might be in consideration there.

19 London Henry Brzustewicz 6-2 203 RD 67-10-32-42
157 London Noah Read 6-0 170 LC 45-10-16-26
193 London Evan VanGorp 5-10 162 LW 64-19-22-41

Brzustewicz is highly ranked, probably too early for CHI to go defense with some interesting forwards still on the board.

100 Medicine Hat Bryce Pickford 6-0 183 RD 48-20-27-47
116 Medicine Hat Kadon McCann 6-3 200 LC 64-11-7-18
156 Medicine Hat Jonas Woo 5-9 165 RD 57-11-23-43

Pickford spent a couple of years in Seattle and I liked his game from what I saw. Seemed like he was agile and had good positioning in his own zone. Looks like he has added some offense this season as he is nearly a PPG. Would expect this to be the area in the draft where KFC adds a couple of defensemen to restock the pipeline. Pickford might also be a good pick in the 4th.

While not quite as slow, I think Boisvert can/will end up being like Handzus. Just a big smart player who knows how to get into the right position. I doubt he'll ever drive his own line, but he can be a very effective forward. Just watching what he did this year, was pretty impressive as a freshman.

Also, don't sleep on Vanacker as a guy who could end up like a power forward "lite". He's a hound on the puck and already plays a strong pro-like game. He was coming back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of approximately half the year and still came close to 1PPG.

Spellacy will be the wild card. He could end up anywhere from Wilson to Rempe to John Scott.
- Chunk

I’m dying to see if Nick Lardis can bring his skilled finesse game to the Hawks in the future. His 82 goals (71 regular season and 11 postseason) this past season is absolutely crazy. I read he will be working out at Gary Roberts Performance Academy this summer. He needs to get physically stronger and he needs to be able to be defensively reliable to move forward. You can’t teach skating, shooting and most importantly knowing where to be and when to get there. Lardis has shown all three. Defense can be taught if the player is willing to listen and apply the hard work.

Vanacker was one of my favorite prospects to follow this past season. Great skater, tough without being stupid, he has some skill but he was a pretty solid two way forward.

Has anyone seen an announcement on Rockford's coach? There will be more prospects in Rockford over the next 3 years than ever. Would like another former NHL head coach who can teach NHL details there. Not sure handing them to Eaton, Klinghammer, and MacNevin is the best idea.
- stevefrmglencoe

Always good to see you posting, Steve............ If you were to tell me on May 23rd 2025 that the Hogs hire was more critical than the Hawks hire I'd listen.

Blashill may not get em to the promised land but what the RKF coach will be doing in the next 2-3-4 yrs developing the majority of prospects in the pipeline, with many more to follow, might make a bigger difference big picture.

I'd love it to be Sorensen as Hogs coach. Really like what he did with all the Dmen and kids like Slaggert and Nazar, especially, down on the farm...... Curious your thoughts on that Hog's vacancy, Steve.