Desnoyers played the season with two injured wrists yet finished fifth in scoring, played a strong two way game and was 64% on faceoffs.

I really want the Hawks to take matone if Misa is gone. Frondell hagens and Desnoyers I would be ok with also but imo matone is at the top over them.
- Scott1977

Scott, are you from the Boston area?

How about that big goof Seth Jones. He might eat a lot of minutes, but sooner or later....

How about that big goof Seth Jones. He might eat a lot of minutes, but sooner or later....
- 6628

the suck comes out.

you can say it. we saw it enough.

Desnoyers played the season with two injured wrists yet finished fifth in scoring, played a strong two way game and was 64% on faceoffs.
- paulr

He is a guy who I think would really benefit from taking the NCAA route. If the Hawks draft him, I hope they get him set up in a good spot for him. There are some good program in the NE if he wanted to be closer to home.

He is a guy who I think would really benefit from taking the NCAA route. If the Hawks draft him, I hope they get him set up in a good spot for him. There are some good program in the NE if he wanted to be closer to home.
- Elbows15

Apparently he’s talking about leaving Moncton, hopefully it’s to go the NCAA route.

Scott, are you from the Boston area?
- Assman22

No Chicago

No Chicago
- Scott1977

You consistently type “matone” as if you’re from Boston. His name is Martone.

He is a guy who I think would really benefit from taking the NCAA route. If the Hawks draft him, I hope they get him set up in a good spot for him. There are some good program in the NE if he wanted to be closer to home.
- Elbows15

This new rule scares the heck out of me...You drfat a kid top 3 and he can go to college develop and sell the package to a contender.

This new rule scares the heck out of me...You drfat a kid top 3 and he can go to college develop and sell the package to a contender.
- wiz1901

The CHL is hoping the kids that move to the NCAA will get bored and annoyed at having to keep up marks that they will return.

CHL is more games based with relaxed school demands vs NCAA which is more practice based with more school demands.

You consistently type “matone” as if you’re from Boston. His name is Martone.
- Assman22

Oh poop my bad

Oh poop my bad
- Scott1977

Let's paak the caa in the yaad and go paaty!

Let's paak the caa in the yaad and go paaty!
- bjphawkfan

The Boston "Irish" dialect.

More profiles:

Draft Prospect Profile:
KRISTIAN EPPERSON - LW
Height: 5-11
Weight: 183
DOB: 05-16-06 Age: 19 (Undrafted 2024)

2024-25 SAGINAW OHL 58-27-53-80 (PO: 5-3-1-4) PPG: 1.38 PIM: 78
2025-26 DENVER NCAA --

I wasn't aware of Epperson before seeing him in the Central Scouting list. He is from Wisconsin and played on the USNDTP team before spending this year at Saginaw; he will go to Denver in the NCAA for 2025-26. From the scouting reports he is always engaged and around the puck. Scored at a high rate this year, some of that is due to playing with Misa. Sounds like there are questions about his skating, so he would be a middle 6 forward if he pans out. Highlights show carrying and passing ability, opportunistic in the offensive zone with good puck control when shooting.

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 47 (NA)
Wiz: 40

Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospect.../694561/kristian-epperson
"A forechecking machine, Epperson hunts the puck at every turn, displaying relentless energy and landing some resounding hits. He lifts sticks, steals possession, protects it, and funnels pucks to the slot, setting up shots all around it."

The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters....ft-prospect-profile-2025/
"...The first thing that sticks out about his game is his non-stop motor. He is all over the ice, trying to make plays and set himself and his teammates up for scoring chances in the offensive zone, and he has become a solid defensive player.
...His numbers this season jump off the screen, thanks to being paired up on the top forward line for the Spirit alongside Michael Misa for most of the season. His overall offensive game is lacking and is tied to his skating. His skating mechanics are a bit unorthodox, as he stands a bit more straight up, and it limits his explosiveness at times to make a quick move or to keep himself protected against being knocked off the puck.
...Defensively, he has shown to be a responsible player in his end of the ice, not leaving the zone too early and staying engaged with his match up, mainly coming in the form of a defenseman. His skating once again does limit him at times to make a quick enough move to close out on opponents if they go to make a move around him, but overall, he has proven to be a sound defensive forward. "

Game Highlights 2024-25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfntXmZPk70

Draft Prospect Profile:
BRYCE PICKFORD - RD
Height: 6-0
Weight: 183
DOB: 02-04-06 Age: 19 (Undrafted 2024)

2024-25 MEDICINE HAT WHL 48-20-27-47 (PO: 18-13-11-24) PPG: 0.98 PIM: 34
2025-26 MEDICINE HAT WHL --

Pickford played two years in Seattle and was an agile and responsible defenseman. He is instinctive and able to break up plays and move the puck up ice. Playing on a rebuilding Seattle team, his scoring did not stand out. This seems to have changed with Medicine Hat this year as he is at a point per game, and better in the playoffs. Had an excellent game against Rimouski in the Memorial Cup with 2 goals and some good defensive plays; but a not-so-good final with a -3 against London. Liked Pickford's game when I saw him in Seattle, think he might be a good value pick for refilling the defense pipeline.

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 100 (NA)
Wiz: 133

Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospect...yer/733570/bryce-pickford
"Pickford breezes through his minutes. He’s a risk- mitigating defender who keeps attacks to the outside, wins battles for retrievals, and eliminates off-puck threats. From the point, he manages space by stepping in or laterally to pressure before passing or faking and shooting. He flashes some puck carrying and vision on breakouts, too."

The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters....l-draft-prospect-profile/
"Pickford’s ability to break pucks out of the defensive zone is one of his best assets. He transitions play quickly, makes smart passes under pressure, and creates space for his teammates. Despite his offensive nature, he plays a responsible defensive game too, knowing when to step up and when to hold back for the most part.

He went undrafted in 2024, but it surely shouldn’t happen this time around. His production and ability to perform in big moments all make him an intriguing prospect for NHL teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman who can control the game, especially in the offensive zone and on the power play."

You consistently type “matone” as if you’re from Boston. His name is Martone.
- Assman22

Wouldn’t it be Mah-tone then?

Edit - See a few gave it the double a treatment which works too…Maa-tone

Some good stuff from the Powers piece this am from his interview with KFC…

Does Davidson feel he has to make a big move this offseason, as many others assume he does?

“I feel like that’s been the consensus every single year I’ve been GM, other than the first. I feel like every summer, it’s like, ‘Well, they’ve got to go do something now.’ Look, we’re always open to exploring these things, but it’s got to be right. It’s got to make sense. We can’t do something that’s going to be counter to the path that we’ve set out on. If there is a big move that presents itself, that makes sense, then I’m all for exploring that and pursuing something that does make sense. But to say we’re going to do something just to say we did something, and then it doesn’t make sense with where we’re at or where we’re going, then I don’t think we can do that. That would be irresponsible.

Some good stuff from the Powers piece this am from his interview with KFC…

Does Davidson feel he has to make a big move this offseason, as many others assume he does?

“I feel like that’s been the consensus every single year I’ve been GM, other than the first. I feel like every summer, it’s like, ‘Well, they’ve got to go do something now.’ Look, we’re always open to exploring these things, but it’s got to be right. It’s got to make sense. We can’t do something that’s going to be counter to the path that we’ve set out on. If there is a big move that presents itself, that makes sense, then I’m all for exploring that and pursuing something that does make sense. But to say we’re going to do something just to say we did something, and then it doesn’t make sense with where we’re at or where we’re going, then I don’t think we can do that. That would be irresponsible.
- HawkintheD

The problem is you can't simply flip a switch. I really don't think they can just keep losing with good intentions. The kids need to learn how to win games in different situations, not just "play the right way". If they just hope that the kids elevate the team, the most likely result is that the experiment will fail.

You also can't just hope or expect that good players will be available. How many times do you see real impact players become available? With the cap going up, it will be even fewer. I'm not expecting much on the FA front as they have more say in where they go. I'm really hoping that KD makes a solid trade or two.

The problem is you can't simply flip a switch. I really don't think they can just keep losing with good intentions. The kids need to learn how to win games in different situations, not just "play the right way". If they just hope that the kids elevate the team, the most likely result is that the experiment will fail.

You also can't just hope or expect that good players will be available. How many times do you see real impact players become available? With the cap going up, it will be even fewer. I'm not expecting much on the FA front as they have more say in where they go. I'm really hoping that KD makes a solid trade or two.
- Chunk

In the article KFC pretty much mentions everything you do and says he’s willing to trade draft capital for an NHL ready player.

I’d rather they go that route where maybe it’s a D prospect and draft capital for a good top 6 fwd on the right side of say 25 or 26.

The problem is you can't simply flip a switch. I really don't think they can just keep losing with good intentions. The kids need to learn how to win games in different situations, not just "play the right way". If they just hope that the kids elevate the team, the most likely result is that the experiment will fail.

You also can't just hope or expect that good players will be available. How many times do you see real impact players become available? With the cap going up, it will be even fewer. I'm not expecting much on the FA front as they have more say in where they go. I'm really hoping that KD makes a solid trade or two.
- Chunk

I think they’ll add someone but the team at the end of the season (albeit with nothing to really play for) was dramatically different than what they started the season with and that team was winning games.

Granted development isn’t always linear but I wouldn’t be surprised to see breakout seasons from both Bustard and Frankie.

Wouldn’t it be Mah-tone then?

Edit - See a few gave it the double a treatment which works too…Maa-tone
- HawkintheD

Scott's too lazy to give it much thought

In the article KFC pretty much mentions everything you do and says he’s willing to trade draft capital for an NHL ready player.

I’d rather they go that route where maybe it’s a D prospect and draft capital for a good top 6 fwd on the right side of say 25 or 26.
- HawkintheD

Every NHL team is willing to trade draft capital for a young NHL ready player though. Kyle should be looking to deal RFA rights (looking at you here Crevier)

DeBoer out in Dallas.

Every NHL team is willing to trade draft capital for a young NHL ready player though. Kyle should be looking to deal RFA rights (looking at you here Crevier)
- Assman22

I don’t know that he’s opposed to trading either RFA rights or even prospects…that wasn’t specifically said one way or another in the interview.

I would suspect RFA rights and prospect/s are probably part of the equation if there’s a player they like.

I don’t know that he’s opposed to trading either RFA rights or even prospects…that wasn’t specifically said one way or another in the interview.

I would suspect RFA rights and prospect/s are probably part of the equation if there’s a player they like.
- HawkintheD

Hate to say it because I really like Kaiser, but he might be the one to go if Kyle was to do an RFA swap for a forward like Peterka, Voronkov (Chunk's fav), Cuyelle, etc. I would absolutely do that swap for Peterka and probably Voronkov but not Cuyelle (at least straight up).