They don’t, get over it.
- paulr

Exactly. My preference was Levshunov and Eiserman, but I'm not about to think that I know better than the Hawks' scout team. My only issue with the draft is that I think KD should not have made the trade for 18 until he saw who was still on the board at 18. I don't understand trading for that pick weeks before the draft.

It wasn't such a bad thing over paying Foligno, he acted as an agent for the Blackhawks. I guess Bertuzzi was tired of getting 1 year deals and bouncing around the league, he rather have stability instead of chasing the cup.

It wasn't such a bad thing over paying Foligno, he acted as an agent for the Blackhawks. I guess Bertuzzi was tired of getting 1 year deals and bouncing around the league, he rather have stability instead of chasing the cup.
- BetweenTheDots

He may be chasing the Cup in his last year here.

From what i saw, Silayev would of been my choice. I believed they were going to select Demidov, but am happy they drafted Levshunov.

I hear comparisons to Pietro, Doughty even Hedman? If so that would be incredible, if true that would give us an experienced player in Seth Jones and 2 to 3 years Levshunov becomes the number 1 and reduces Jones minutes with Rinzel entering the picture

Levshunov, S Jones, Rinzel

Vlasic, Korchinski and so many competing for the LD position

We may have one of the best, if not the best blue line in the NHL.

Bedard is Bedard

Then you have all these scrappy excellent skating forwards competing not only for a spot on the team but against opponents. This is shaping up very nice.

We need to keep in mind there have been teams to win a Cup without having a point per game player on them, or having just one. Bedard is at least that one.
- BetweenTheDots

I’m drinking the Kool-Aid as well Dots, and they will get another top ten pick in next years draft as well as Toronto’s #1. Hopefully they find their eventual or in the Hawks case, elusive 2nd line center with their first pick.
Edit- Bedard needs his Robin, that’s the next step.

I’m drinking the Kool-Aid as well Dots, and they will get another top ten pick in next years draft as well as Toronto’s #1. Hopefully they find their eventual or in the Hawks case, elusive 2nd line center with their first pick.
Edit- Bedard needs his Robin, that’s the next step.
- Angotti

It would be nice but that's the thing even though they tried to stop him he just kept making plays, but you are right, if they get their Robin it could be as good as the the Oilers dynamic duo.

I know many are disappointed with Boisvert, but here's a guy who at the minor league level is giving consistent effort play after play, which includes checking when it's there. I'm really curious to see what he becomes once he gets stronger, i imagine getting stronger especially the lower half he'll become an even better skater and it sounds like he has that most important work ethic to have a chance to be an NHL player.

Ohhh-yeaaaahhhh

Kind of cool i read in Pope's article how Lardis and Vanacker were texting back and forth and hoping he'd be drafted by the Blackhawks.

Bedard, Nazar, Moore, Boisvert, Vanacker, that's crazy to me 5 forward picks in the 1st round in 3 years, don't know what they'll become and that's not including the dmen we drafted.

I love the drafting of the speed demons in the 3rd round, oh yea and a bunch of 2nd round picks, well not this year, but i appreciate KDs aggressiveness in moving up and in FA.

Supposedly KD said 25 is the year to draft a goalie?

https://twitter.com/BenPo...4dG7Qkomx6KNp2rdJynA&s=19

Here's Pope's article

He may be chasing the Cup in his last year here.
- tvetter

Music to my ears T

From what i saw, Silayev would of been my choice. I believed they were going to select Demidov, but am happy they drafted Levshunov.

I hear comparisons to Pietro, Doughty even Hedman? If so that would be incredible, if true that would give us an experienced player in Seth Jones and 2 to 3 years Levshunov becomes the number 1 and reduces Jones minutes with Rinzel entering the picture

Levshunov, S Jones, Rinzel

Vlasic, Korchinski and so many competing for the LD position

We may have one of the best, if not the best blue line in the NHL.

Bedard is Bedard

Then you have all these scrappy excellent skating forwards competing not only for a spot on the team but against opponents. This is shaping up very nice.

We need to keep in mind there have been teams to win a Cup without having a point per game player on them, or having just one. Bedard is at least that one.
- BetweenTheDots

Based on size and the way he moves and gets involved in the ozone I think Josi is maybe closer. Bill's comment about him and Korch running rampant together (assuming we see some more consistent flashes of that this year) would be a lot of fun.

It would be nice but that's the thing even though they tried to stop him he just kept making plays, but you are right, if they get their Robin it could be as good as the the Oilers dynamic duo.

I know many are disappointed with Boisvert, but here's a guy who at the minor league level is giving consistent effort play after play, which includes checking when it's there. I'm really curious to see what he becomes once he gets stronger, i imagine getting stronger especially the lower half he'll become an even better skater and it sounds like he has that most important work ethic to have a chance to be an NHL player.

Ohhh-yeaaaahhhh
- BetweenTheDots

Theyre throwing darts at that spot. They've drafted Nazar, Moore and now Boisvert as projectable 2nd line centers.

Maybe we shouldn't be sleeping on someone like Spellacy. Apparently he went on a tear once they moved him to center and should be able to really find his game in the OHL this next year especially with how physically dominant he can be.

An athlete like that could make some considerable progress the next few years and maybe his ceiling is higher than big fast energy guy.

I think thats why you pick em and you try to pick a lot.

Should be interesting to see where someone like Luypen ends up if anywhere.

Hawks could have had demidov and eiserman.
- LFS

Seeing how McDavid and Draisaitl have yet to win I'll defer to KD.

Theyre throwing darts at that spot. They've drafted Nazar, Moore and now Boisvert as projectable 2nd line centers.

Maybe we shouldn't be sleeping on someone like Spellacy. Apparently he went on a tear once they moved him to center and should be able to really find his game in the OHL this next year especially with how physically dominant he can be.

An athlete like that could make some considerable progress the next few years and maybe his ceiling is higher than big fast energy guy.

I think thats why you pick em and you try to pick a lot.

Should be interesting to see where someone like Luypen ends up if anywhere.
- fattybeef

I really don't think they are trying to find a second line center because that would limit who they draft, i believe they are trying to pick who they believe will be the most effective pro with their pick and my money says they had a tough time picking between Vanacker and Boisvert and maybe chose Boisvert thinking Vanacker would fall to them because KD had a big poop eating grin on his face when he traded up and was able to draft Vanacker. I bet the Blackhawks board had both of them in the top 20.

Love the Spellacy pick, that's why it's so advantageous to have all these early picks, you can draft guys like this in the 3rd round who need a lot of work, growth physically, but can skate like the wind and have a chance to really become something, that's why i loved the Rinzel pick.

Seeing how McDavid and Draisaitl have yet to win I'll defer to KD.
- rpeters01

Drafting Demidov would have likely been the most entertaining result for the next 10 years. That said, I'm going to keep on my soapbox that quality depth is far more important than having outstanding 2-3 players at the top. You obviously need really good players to win, but I just continue to look at EDM and Toronto and think if they had one extra line that could actually be effective they would really have something. I have very few doubts about the quality of the Hawks blueline.

By sheer volume of picks they will very likely be able to fill out a very impressive top 9. Getting them all to play together is going to be he key. Maybe there is something to SFG's doubts about Richardson, but I'm more than willing to give him some runway with a better roster to see what he can achieve. If he pulls a rabbit out of his hat and ends up like Philly did last year, I think that would be an amazing result. I'm expecting less though.

Seeing how McDavid and Draisaitl have yet to win I'll defer to KD.
- rpeters01

Changing the old golf adage, drive for show, putt for dough to offense in the regular season, defense in the playoffs. Traditionally defense comes through when it matters. In fact in the last 30 or 40 years it’s defence that has decided the cup champion. The only team I ever saw where defense was an afterthought were the 80s Edmonton Oilers. Yes lots of teams have strong offensive teams but they all relied on strong defensive players. Of course it would have been nice to see Demidov and Eiserman fill the net but six strong defensemen who can defend, move the puck up ice and chip in offensively will prove to be more important.

Then add in speed and high motor guys on offense and you have the potential to be strong defensively in all areas of the ice. Moore, Boisvert, Vanacker, Savoie, Ludwinski and others have the ability to get in on the forecheck, disrupt the defenders and force bad outlet passes. And there’s potential to score with quick hard shooting forwards like Bedard, Nazar, Lardis and whoever they draft next.

I think KFC’s vision of building around fast, skilled good shooting players who all have high compete levels is the best way to build a team. Time will tell if Davidson’s vision was correct, but I’m liking the direction the Hawks are going.

I'm just going to throw this out there

Blackhawks the year before and after they drafted Bedard, including Bedard
1st 2nd 3rd round picks
8. 5. 9

Oilers McDavid
3. 1. 3

Barkov
3. 2. 2

The Blackhawks have had more first round picks than total picks between those 2 teams. Like i said a potential monster in the making.

Trading one of the bolded what do you think you're getting back?

Trading one of them and the Toronto pick, what do you think you are getting back?

Is this really how you think KD is handling the rebuild, or should?

Again, just don't see it.

I should add, I don't have a problem trading any of those 4, just don't think you're getting back anything that you would need now.
- vabeachbear

Agree, don't see a need to move any of the Dmen this year, give them another year to develop. Make those decisions in a year or two.

CHI: Vlasic, Jones, Korbustski, Murphy, Martinez, Brodie, vet Dman for 7th
ROC: Del Mastro, Kaiser, Allan, Levshunov, Phillips, Crevier

Next year Kaiser, Phillips and Crevier are RFAs. Rinzel might make the jump next year. No one else looks to be coming in for a while. Could always use them to even up a trade, but no hurry. If they play well, they will be adding to their own value.

It would be nice but that's the thing even though they tried to stop him he just kept making plays, but you are right, if they get their Robin it could be as good as the the Oilers dynamic duo.

I know many are disappointed with Boisvert, but here's a guy who at the minor league level is giving consistent effort play after play, which includes checking when it's there. I'm really curious to see what he becomes once he gets stronger, i imagine getting stronger especially the lower half he'll become an even better skater and it sounds like he has that most important work ethic to have a chance to be an NHL player.
- BetweenTheDots

Bo vare has a GUN. It is not like they took a kid who can't shoot, they just didn't take the guy (Eiserman) with developed gun who lacks "some" of the areas Bo has...
His vision has to improve.
His North south speed is good, strong strides.
He is tough, physical.
They wanted more scoring and the brass thinks Bo can score.

You need to win a spot, so who is he taking one away from?

1 Bedard
2. Foligno
3. Richarderson
4. Teravainen
5 Hall
6. Bertuzzi
7. Kurashev
8. Athanasiou
9 Donato
10 Mikheyev
11 Maroon
12 C. Smith

13 J Anderson
- wiz1901

And Reichel would have to go through waivers to be sent down.

I think Donato could get traded, maybe near opening night. One of the young guys could take his spot, otherwise have to wait until the trade deadline. If Reichel slumps again, could see him being moved in a change-of-scenery type trade.

And Reichel would have to go through waivers to be sent down.

I think Donato could get traded, maybe near opening night. One of the young guys could take his spot, otherwise have to wait until the trade deadline. If Reichel slumps again, could see him being moved in a change-of-scenery type trade.
- totem

I see more of Craig Smith being released (or put on waivers) before Donato. Donato is perfect for a 4th line role, opening the season on Bedard's line last year was malpractice.

Drafting Demidov would have likely been the most entertaining result for the next 10 years.
- Chunk

Well, we will et to see the Montreal fans get entertained/teased/ or gifted with a real NHL scorer, but we have to see in a year what Demidov is as a newly arrived North American hockey prospect.

Will they be Cole Caufield entertained?

Do the fans there see more upside with him?

Let's watch the time involved, maybe paralleling Arty and his eventual arrivals and their trajectories as guys who improve their clubs.

If one makes a quicker impact, and the other stalls through his first deral, well, that send contract going to be "problem" for the parties involved iF the development is slower?

I agree it will be a chance to be entertained.
The kid did want to also go to Chicago, because of Bedsy, so maybe as the rebuild reached the eventaul stage where many pieces are in place, and they go hunting for one of those additiona, final pieces, Demidov ends up getting traded to chicago. You just don't know, but the Hawks organization is giving good vides in their draft interviews and conversations.

I see more of Craig Smith being released (or put on waivers) before Donato. Donato is perfect for a 4th line role, opening the season on Bedard's line last year was malpractice.
- LAHawk

Yeah, if C Smith CANNOT add scores, imo, he is the first release, demotion, release, b/c JHawk59 wants Slaggert up here.
I wouldn't doubt that a newbie UFA discussed the upcoming season's deadline before signing, b/c I see how the could launch one of their new toys if they fill they want to open a roster spot for the 2025-26 season.

I would like one of our BOD experts to project the Icehog starting lineup. Assume only Bedard, Reichel, Vlasic and one other young defender make the Hawks roster on opening night.

Slaggert, Nazar, Soderblom and the rest start in Rockford.
- Ztra

No expert, and no clue how they will do the lines and pairings, but just the volume of prospects makes it interesting to speculate. Here's a guess:

Dach - Slaggert - Nazar
Savoie - Ludwinski - Hayes
Luypen - Guttman - Rolston
Misiak - Saarela - J. Anderson

Extras: Sanford, Seney, Marcel

Allan - Levshunov
Del Mastro - Kaiser
Phillips - Crevier

Comesso - Soderblom

Well, we will et to see the Montreal fans get entertained/teased/ or gifted with a real NHL scorer, but we have to see in a year what Demidov is as a newly arrived North American hockey prospect.

Will they be Cole Caufield entertained?

Do the fans there see more upside with him?

Let's watch the time involved, maybe paralleling Arty and his eventual arrivals and their trajectories as guys who improve their clubs.

If one makes a quicker impact, and the other stalls through his first deral, well, that send contract going to be "problem" for the parties involved iF the development is slower?

I agree it will be a chance to be entertained.
The kid did want to also go to Chicago, because of Bedsy, so maybe as the rebuild reached the eventaul stage where many pieces are in place, and they go hunting for one of those additiona, final pieces, Demidov ends up getting traded to chicago. You just don't know, but the Hawks organization is giving good vides in their draft interviews and conversations.
- wiz1901

Montreal has some really good young NHL players and some really nice prospects. They needed a star player and got it with Demidov. I think Montreal, San Jose and Anaheim along with Chicago will be the top teams in a few years.

I see more of Craig Smith being released (or put on waivers) before Donato. Donato is perfect for a 4th line role, opening the season on Bedard's line last year was malpractice.
- LAHawk

I was just thinking that Donato would have some value, maybe for a team that had injuries and lost some depth, and so might get a decent return at the start of the season. Waiving someone to open up a spot is certainly a possibility too.

I was just thinking that Donato would have some value, maybe for a team that had injuries and lost some depth, and so might get a decent return at the start of the season. Waiving someone to open up a spot is certainly a possibility too.
- totem

I see Donato as more of a TDL deal, teams are always looking for a Donato type for depth for the playoffs, especially since his contract ends after the season.

Based on size and the way he moves and gets involved in the ozone I think Josi is maybe closer. Bill's comment about him and Korch running rampant together (assuming we see some more consistent flashes of that this year) would be a lot of fun.
- fattybeef

Fatty, wonder what you think about how the pairings look defensively as we know the young players today, conceding/hoping/praying they will develop at least to some extent defensively. 3 yrs from now:

KK-Lev .... Both offensive minded taking the most minutes and top opponents.
Vlasic-Jones...... Vlasic could anchor any pairing defensively.
Kaiser-Rinzel....... Seems Kaiser would be the defensive guy.

With all the chirping, everywhere you read, about KK and Artie being paired I've been thinking about this a bit. .... If Lev is indeed taking 25 minutes if paired with KK how may minutes would/could KK take? 22-23 minutes? Or would you rather see Lev and Vlasic paired where both could take 25 minutes and the opponents top lines and indeed Lev is free to skate like a 4th forward with Vlasic to cover.

Can KK take the opponents top lines as it would seem he'd have to paired with Levshunov? He'd have to if paired with Lev while neither yet to show defensive prowess.......... Long long way to go but today I'd wanna see Vlasic paired with The Soviet as both are built to take heavy minutes and top competition and you'd move KK away from those toughest matchups lightening his load in his zone and freeing him up to play some rover.

You have a thought, Fatty?