We complain about Bickell and TT….. would’ve cleaned house if I was the oilers owner. You can’t let that kind of young talent go for a 2nd and 3rd. At least keep one of them. That Bowman move is worse than any while he was with the Hawks.
- bhawks2241

Bowman had just been hired and I doubt it was entirely his call on what to do with the situation. I'm confident Jeff Jackson had a lot of say on the decision.

Bowman had just been hired and I doubt it was entirely his call on what to do with the situation. I'm confident Jeff Jackson had a lot of say on the decision.
- breadbag

Do NOT let that get in the way of “the Narrative”

Do NOT let that get in the way of “the Narrative”
- Chunk

lol what narrative? I assume the GM is making the calls. Maybe it’s true it wasn’t his call. I’ve only read a few articles where Bowman talks about the decision and why he made it.

This is why I'm glad the Hawks have been drafting a lot of C options into the system. Good centers and defense are the hardest parts to find outside of the draft.
- breadbag

But will most of the centers they drafted end up being wingers. Boisvert is probably a true center.

lol what narrative? I assume the GM is making the calls. Maybe it’s true it wasn’t his call. I’ve only read a few articles where Bowman talks about the decision and why he made it.
- bhawks2241

Bowman wasn't hired yet when the Oilers signed Arvidsson and Skinner, which tied the hands of Bowman regarding matching Holloway and Broberg once Draisaitl got signed.

Bowman wasn't hired yet when the Oilers signed Arvidsson and Skinner, which tied the hands of Bowman regarding matching Holloway and Broberg once Draisaitl got signed.
- LAHawk

Yup
Still think the collective front office should have tried to find a way to keep 1 of them.
These guys were 1st round picks, and now they get a 2nd and a 3rd for them? Yikes!

lol what narrative? I assume the GM is making the calls. Maybe it’s true it wasn’t his call. I’ve only read a few articles where Bowman talks about the decision and why he made it.
- bhawks2241

Kinda comes down the reality of a cap league.

He did a good job coming off Ceci but that Nurse deal is really going to bite them in the ass.

I was wrong about the jones deal it is another 5 years. That could be a problem the last year or two. I think if there is a deal to be made - maybe sooner would be better.

But will most of the centers they drafted end up being wingers. Boisvert is probably a true center.
- Ztra

Well that can be the case and just adds to why I'm glad they draft a lot of Centers lately.

Yeah good point. They represent the exceotion

Talk about good fortune and timing: What a huge gain Forsling has been. Wiz liked him in Chicago saw the ability to play at speed but he needed time and experience. Remember both Queeeneville and Bowman liked his ability
- jhawk59

I'm being somewhat of a pain in the ass but there's different ways to do it. At some point they'll have to add a player or two of significance.

Carolina also passed and they have a pretty good track record developing players. I think it was Q in Florida who told Dale and his guys to pick up Forsling?

It's true that it would be better for them to develop another star forward internally. It is also true that they'll probably have to get a guy.

Well that can be the case and just adds to why I'm glad they draft a lot of Centers lately.
- breadbag

Do they see nazar or Moore as second line centers or wingers in the NHL. Hawks are going to get a top 10 pick in this upcoming draft more likely 5 to 8 range. McQueen most likely be in thar range and do they view Boisvert 2nd line center or 3rd line shutdown center ala bolland

But will most of the centers they drafted end up being wingers. Boisvert is probably a true center.
- Ztra

I think what matters more is the overall talent. 2nd line has 3 guys who are meh, Bertuzzi net front presence not a great stick, speed or defensively. Hall is showing his age in his hands, his inability to complete passes or even handle the puck sometimes is very evident, bad defensively, and Kurashev put in the center position who's a player i can see playing up and down the lineup but really needs more talent around him. If a deal falls into your lap like Eichel in Vegas or Tkachuck in Florida great, if not no need to go chasing something that really isn't going to make things that much better

We literally are a full 2nd line away from being actually a fringe playoff team.

Bowman wasn't hired yet when the Oilers signed Arvidsson and Skinner, which tied the hands of Bowman regarding matching Holloway and Broberg once Draisaitl got signed.
- LAHawk

Whoever made those decisions should be fired. Arvidsson stinking it up so far too.

For those who can't get CHSN, don't sweat it tonight. The game will be shown exclusively on ESPN+.

They have been drafting centers. Nazar, Boisvert, Green, Moore, and Spellacy is now playing center for Windsor. Too early to tell who will stay at center, but hoping that Boisvert does and becomes part of their core as a 2C.

Yup
Still think the collective front office should have tried to find a way to keep 1 of them.
These guys were 1st round picks, and now they get a 2nd and a 3rd for them? Yikes!
- captainserious

Not just 1st round picks, but fairly high 1st round picks. Broberg was pick #8 and Holloway was pick #14. That’s like taking Korchinski and Nazar off the Hawks. Broberg looked good last night and Holloway who brings size and speed potted two goals. The Blues are a dangerous team and the Leafs are, well, the Leafs are soft as a babies butt.

Do they see nazar or Moore as second line centers or wingers in the NHL. Hawks are going to get a top 10 pick in this upcoming draft more likely 5 to 8 range. McQueen most likely be in thar range and do they view Boisvert 2nd line center or 3rd line shutdown center ala bolland
- Scott1977

It's tough to say what they see, probably those guys are going to get the chance to land a spot like that. Just observation here, but Nazar is playing C right now, so is Ludwinski in Rockford. Boisvert, Greene and Moore I think are playing C in college. I think it's a pretty fine line between a guy who can play 2C and 3C, I think a lot of it is deployment and wingers they play with. Role on the team.

As long as we have guys who are responsible on both sides of the puck that can hang in the top 6, I think it won't matter too greatly how much of a natural/true C they are, if they can defend and win draws and find chemistry with the wingers. I do like drafting lots of C and giving them experience, and setting them up to succeed.

For me, Bedard is still finding his way as a C at the NHL level (i.e. winning draws covering defensively.) I think that makes 2C more important because I don't like the idea of two top 6 C who are finding their way to a complete game.

New blog!