West is a long shot. Most kids fully commit to hockey at a much earlier age, 10 to 12. He only committed this year. He’s playing in a very low league so he’s not seeing really good competition. And watching him in videos he’s pretty raw. All that said he’s an exceptional athlete who will be extraordinarily strong. Being a quarterback he’s probably going to have great awareness. KD took a big chance but if West makes it he could wind up with a really high ceiling but he has an awful lot of work ahead of him. I have a feeling he can do it.
- paulr

For sure but i believe a few said why did they trade up? I like the fact that they are tuned into what other teams are doing if this story is true. Holland thought he was clever trading back and got burned for it.

As i said before there's maybe 3 to 12 top 6 forwards in any draft and like Rinzel he's got a lot of skill even if it's raw. But 6'6' 215 pound guys who can skate are rare as hell.

West is a long shot. Most kids fully commit to hockey at a much earlier age, 10 to 12. He only committed this year. He’s playing in a very low league so he’s not seeing really good competition. And watching him in videos he’s pretty raw. All that said he’s an exceptional athlete who will be extraordinarily strong. Being a quarterback he’s probably going to have great awareness. KD took a big chance but if West makes it he could wind up with a really high ceiling but he has an awful lot of work ahead of him. I have a feeling he can do it.
- paulr

I don't think MSU would take him if he wasn't at a certain level.

West is a long shot. Most kids fully commit to hockey at a much earlier age, 10 to 12. He only committed this year. He’s playing in a very low league so he’s not seeing really good competition. And watching him in videos he’s pretty raw. All that said he’s an exceptional athlete who will be extraordinarily strong. Being a quarterback he’s probably going to have great awareness. KD took a big chance but if West makes it he could wind up with a really high ceiling but he has an awful lot of work ahead of him. I have a feeling he can do it.
- paulr

After the 20th pick, they’re all pretty much a long shot, I understand some more than others. He did or is attending a good program, Edina HS in Minnesota has always been a powerhouse, there’s been a few NHL players that came out of there. I’m getting old so I can’t remember them all, but I do recall that Leddy went there.

I just read some piece out of San Jose sports writer, who thought the addition of Nick Leddy log jammed the Shark's backline and the Blackhawks would be interested LD Mario Ferraro. Ferraro has been a favorite would-be trade target by their sports writers to be unloaded for awhile now.


I guess my opinion is the consensus that the only type veteran they would be a bargain basement enforcer.

So I looked at his "fights" as he did answer when it seemed to take liberties on his teammates...he didn't win any, just showed up.
- wiz1901

Here is how Larry Brooks started his article about July 1 today:

"Of course the Blackhawks did as little as possible around July 1 because of course the Blackhawks are going to tank for Gavin McKenna two years after they tanked for Connor Bedard, aren’t they? And when they go down that path again, they will perpetuate their identity as the most disreputable major market operation in pro sports."

Gosh, Larry has hurt my feelings. In fact I pay an inordinate amount of attention to what every single guy writing anywhere on the internet thinks and spouts.

Unfortunately the actual truth of the matter is - who the hell would want to play for a nearly last place team in the coming season when you have a fair chance at playoffs (given actual past performance), and ... the fact that teams have a fair bit more flexibility with the cap compared to 10-15 years ago.

Now ... I'm just ... inconsolable ...

Ok .. I got over the "inconsolability" - and ... am good again.

Golly, that didn't seem to take that long at all.

Here is how Larry Brooks started his article about July 1 today:

"Of course the Blackhawks did as little as possible around July 1 because of course the Blackhawks are going to tank for Gavin McKenna two years after they tanked for Connor Bedard, aren’t they? And when they go down that path again, they will perpetuate their identity as the most disreputable major market operation in pro sports."
- stevefrmglencoe

I guess covering the Rangers Larry doesn't know what a rebuild looks like. You guys have a lot in common.

If there is a team doing less than the Blackhawks it's the Sharks. Grier isn't as aggressive as KD but he's definitely getting his fair share of 1st and 2nd round picks in the past 3 drafts and set up nicely for next year.

If there is a team doing less than the Blackhawks it's the Sharks. Grier isn't as aggressive as KD but he's definitely getting his fair share of 1st and 2nd round picks in the past 3 drafts and set up nicely for next year.
- BetweenTheDots

And Grier is doing one helluva job too fyi. That roster is loaded with blue chip prospects and dare I say a much better pipeline than what Kyle's built.

Forwards: Misa, McKinney, Chernyshov, Svoboda, Musty, Haltunnen, Bystedt
Defensemen: Richardinson, Wallenius, Wang, Havelid (Djurgarden)
Goalie: Ravensbergen, Askarov

Of this list, I'd expect Misa, Chernyshov and possibly McKinney to join the Top 6 With Celebrini, Smith, and Eklund. Richardinson is a lock top pairing d-man, Wang might be 1st or 2nd pairing, and Wallenius could be 3rd pairing type. Plus two stud goalies and hope one takes the reins and trade the other to fill a void.

Here is how Larry Brooks started his article about July 1 today:

"Of course the Blackhawks did as little as possible around July 1 because of course the Blackhawks are going to tank for Gavin McKenna two years after they tanked for Connor Bedard, aren’t they? And when they go down that path again, they will perpetuate their identity as the most disreputable major market operation in pro sports."
- stevefrmglencoe

I had kind of heard of him, but really wasn't sure. Then i looked him up.

I could post the few thousand comments i've read that were a negative comment about him and how people are tired of his BS writing, how he makes things up just to get clicks and views and how most everything he ever writes, is baseless and ends up not being true, but i'll refrain from that.

I'm really starting to believe you don't like the path of KD's rebuild, but maybe i'm just assuming too much.

And Grier is doing one helluva job too fyi. That roster is loaded with blue chip prospects and dare I say a much better pipeline than what Kyle's built.
- Assman22

Probably a few years ahead of the Hawks on the complete rebuild? Or not. Seems like they were bad and trading off players ahead of the Hawks.

I had kind of heard of him, but really wasn't sure. Then i looked him up.

I could post the few thousand comments i've read that were a negative comment about him and how people are tired of his BS writing, how he makes things up just to get clicks and views and how most everything he ever writes, is baseless and ends up not being true, but i'll refrain from that.

I'm really starting to believe you don't like the path of KD's rebuild, but maybe i'm just assuming too much.
- vabeachbear

It was interesting angle for me to read for a couple of reasons. First, he's in the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Sunday Slapshots column is widely read throughout league executive. Second, he very close to league management and has been breaking stories and has had his pulse on how the league operates for decades.

Right or wrong, this has to a sentiment that he's hearing at a high level. With the Miller trade and Marner signing there has to be a reason he led with this.

The Chicago hockey media is a soft so I doubt anyone is going to ask KD to respond directly but if they do I will be interested to hear how he responds.

The summer is not over and I continue to believe there will be 3 additions to the roster for Game 1. A forward to play with Bedard, a veteran Dman, and and ICBM to stand up for his teammates.

A rebuild is drafting, trading, free agents, and developing prospects. All are equally important. What letter grade would you give KD for those 4 subjects?

Probably a few years ahead of the Hawks on the complete rebuild? Or not. Seems like they were bad and trading off players ahead of the Hawks.
- vabeachbear

But aren't they kind of doing it like the Maple Leafs, forward heavy first and now they have to wait for their dmen to develop, same is happening in Anaheim, same in Montreal that's most likely why they traded for Dobson. Very lucky he was available

But aren't they kind of doing it like the Maple Leafs, forward heavy first and now they have to wait for their dmen to develop, same is happening in Anaheim, same in Montreal that's most likely why they traded for Dobson. Very lucky he was available
- BetweenTheDots

Montreal traded for Dobson because they are trying to move forward. They have a few defensemen in their system but Dobson is an excellent acquisition, he’s a top four defenseman who has size, is young and who’s already shown he’s a capable defender. He and Hutson lead a strong defense corps. Montreal also have four or five very good forward prospects. I expect them to be a contender in the next few years.

What Montreal did in acquiring Dobson I was hoping Chicago did adding a young, top six forward to their roster.

And Grier is doing one helluva job too fyi. That roster is loaded with blue chip prospects and dare I say a much better pipeline than what Kyle's built.

Forwards: Misa, McKinney, Chernyshov, Svoboda, Musty, Haltunnen, Bystedt
Defensemen: Richardinson, Wallenius, Wang, Havelid (Djurgarden)
Goalie: Ravensbergen, Askarov

Of this list, I'd expect Misa, Chernyshov and possibly McKinney to join the Top 6 With Celebrini, Smith, and Eklund. Richardinson is a lock top pairing d-man, Wang might be 1st or 2nd pairing, and Wallenius could be 3rd pairing type. Plus two stud goalies and hope one takes the reins and trade the other to fill a void.
- Assman22

I agree to a point about the sharks pipeline but the one thing Hawks have advantage over sharks Montreal is that the Hawks have depth at every position and array of different kind of prospects. Imo I would take not to bias Hawks pipeline over sharks.. and it's only going to get deeper next draft.

I agree to a point about the sharks pipeline but the one thing Hawks have advantage over sharks Montreal is that the Hawks have depth at every position and array of different kind of prospects. Imo I would take not to bias Hawks pipeline over sharks.. and it's only going to get deeper next draft.
- Scott1977

I agree and it doesn't hurt they've had so many picks, quality picks in the top 100, one thing they were weak in they traded Jones for Knight and a first round pick was excellent.

The Jones for Knight and 1st is as good as the trade made by the Habs 2 firsts for Dobson, but the Habs are farther along in their rebuild. Suzuki and Caufield are 24 and 25, Bedard is going to be 20 big difference.

I know I'm the koolaid man lately but i believe if things keep progressing the way they are for the Blackhawks their blue line in 2 to 3 years will be considered one of the best in the league

On another site there’s a post about Mason McTavish possibly being shopped. One suggestion was Korchinski straight up for McTavish but I doubt that would be enough. KK and Dach may possibly do it? Verbeek likes bigger guys and his defense is getting long in the tooth.

It was interesting angle for me to read for a couple of reasons. First, he's in the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Sunday Slapshots column is widely read throughout league executive. Second, he very close to league management and has been breaking stories and has had his pulse on how the league operates for decades.

Right or wrong, this has to a sentiment that he's hearing at a high level. With the Miller trade and Marner signing there has to be a reason he led with this.

The Chicago hockey media is a soft so I doubt anyone is going to ask KD to respond directly but if they do I will be interested to hear how he responds.

The summer is not over and I continue to believe there will be 3 additions to the roster for Game 1. A forward to play with Bedard, a veteran Dman, and and ICBM to stand up for his teammates.

A rebuild is drafting, trading, free agents, and developing prospects. All are equally important. What letter grade would you give KD for those 4 subjects?
- stevefrmglencoe

I think he's done an excellent job at drafting and developing prospects, a good job with trades, and a poor job with signing FAs

It was interesting angle for me to read for a couple of reasons. First, he's in the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Sunday Slapshots column is widely read throughout league executive. Second, he very close to league management and has been breaking stories and has had his pulse on how the league operates for decades.

Right or wrong, this has to a sentiment that he's hearing at a high level. With the Miller trade and Marner signing there has to be a reason he led with this.

The Chicago hockey media is a soft so I doubt anyone is going to ask KD to respond directly but if they do I will be interested to hear how he responds.

The summer is not over and I continue to believe there will be 3 additions to the roster for Game 1. A forward to play with Bedard, a veteran Dman, and and ICBM to stand up for his teammates.

A rebuild is drafting, trading, free agents, and developing prospects. All are equally important. What letter grade would you give KD for those 4 subjects?
- stevefrmglencoe

A for Drafting

To be determined on the other 2.

I can't judge those other two as I don't believe they are quite to the spot of the other two.

I will concede that i would have signed Marner where many here might not of yet, but I don't think that was a possiblity, and don't know that they didn't try.

No one else would i have paid in FA.

We can all critisize for not making big trades, you just don't know what the facts are around those type of situations, so i have a hard time coming down hard on them.

I agree and it doesn't hurt they've had so many picks, quality picks in the top 100, one thing they were weak in they traded Jones for Knight and a first round pick was excellent.

The Jones for Knight and 1st is as good as the trade made by the Habs 2 firsts for Dobson, but the Habs are farther along in their rebuild. Suzuki and Caufield are 24 and 25, Bedard is going to be 20 big difference.

I know I'm the koolaid man lately but i believe if things keep progressing the way they are for the Blackhawks their blue line in 2 to 3 years will be considered one of the best in the league
- BetweenTheDots

Vlasic levashov
Delmastro rinzel
Kk Allen ( yes he can play the right side so can edm)
Not to mention they draft another more dman in next years draft in the early rounds imo. Plus could always get a bottom pairing solid d man in free agency. Future does looked good

On another site there’s a post about Mason McTavish possibly being shopped. One suggestion was Korchinski straight up for McTavish but I doubt that would be enough. KK and Dach may possibly do it? Verbeek likes bigger guys and his defense is getting long in the tooth.
- paulr

Kk dach and 2026 Florida's 1st for mctavish 2nd in 2027 and 4th in 2026. I highly doubt McTavish is being shopped unless he requests a trade out of Anaheim. And who knows what a trade would look like only can speculate. For Chicago it starts with a 2 1st round picks 2026 Florida and 2027 dach and lundwiski unprotected in return McTavish and ?

Kk dach and 2026 Florida's 1st for mctavish 2nd in 2027 and 4th in 2026
- Scott1977

Why does everyone propose trades with Anahiem for Mason MacTavish.

Does anyone really think with their rebuild that they want to dump him???

Kk dach and 2026 Florida's 1st for mctavish 2nd in 2027 and 4th in 2026. I highly doubt McTavish is being shopped unless he requests a trade out of Anaheim. And who knows what a trade would look like only can speculate. For Chicago it starts with a 2 1st round picks 2026 Florida and 2027 dach and lundwiski unprotected in return McTavish and ?
- Scott1977

Why does it start for Chicago this complicated?

Why does it start for Chicago this complicated?
- rpeters01

If it were me I'd offer Allan and Florida’s first.

Why does everyone propose trades with Anahiem for Mason MacTavish.

Does anyone really think with their rebuild that they want to dump him???
- vabeachbear

Only if he wants out of Anaheim