Zach Jarom: What To Do At Number Two

Would any side be willing for a trade? Hawks going down to maybe 5-6 while picking up another higher end pick? Depends on if they already know that who they want would be gone at 2 or 3.

Would any side be willing for a trade? Hawks going down to maybe 5-6 while picking up another higher end pick? Depends on if they already know that who they want would be gone at 2 or 3.
- RaleighHawk

It all depends who they want, as you said. If KD feels he can get his guy later in the draft them why not. Trade #2 for #7 and #15 (Ottawa), then the Hawks have 3 picks in the top 20. Or maybe 2 for #5 and #26 (Montreal) if KD doesn't want to move down too much?

I'm sure I will change my mind 152 times between now and June 28th. But if it were me, I would draft Demidov at #2 and call it a day.

Maybe Ottawa would take #20 and #54 (or a 2026 2nd) for #15?

It all depends who they want, as you said. If KD feels he can get his guy later in the draft them why not. Trade #2 for #7 and #15 (Ottawa), then the Hawks have 3 picks in the top 20. Or maybe 2 for #5 and #26 (Montreal) if KD doesn't want to move down too much?

I'm sure I will change my mind 152 times between now and June 28th. But if it were me, I would draft Demidov at #2 and call it a day.

Maybe Ottawa would take #20 and #54 (or a 2026 2nd) for #15?
- DarthKane

But! Don’t make that trade until San Jose have chosen on the off chance they don’t select Celebrini.

But! Don’t make that trade until San Jose have chosen on the off chance they don’t select Celebrini.
- paulr

KD should be able to acquire the #1 overall pick from San Jose for #20, #151 and Raddysh.

KD should be able to acquire the #1 overall pick from San Jose for #20, #151 and Raddysh.
- DarthKane

An inside source I know says KD is locking Raddysh up today for that very purpose.

But! Don’t make that trade until San Jose have chosen on the off chance they don’t select Celebrini.

Don't want to burst your bubble, but Grier already said he was drafting Celebrini

Don't want to burst your bubble, but Grier already said he was drafting Celebrini
- Hawkeynation

You sure it was actual Grier and not AI Grier?

Can't be too mad at the result of the lottery, especially considering what happened last year. My one complaint is it seems like the Hawks shouldn't lose access to the lottery for the next five years since they didn't actually move up.

But, hopefully, we'll be much better going forward (especially looking 2 years down the road) and we won't be at the bottom of the standings anyway

You sure it was actual Grier and not AI Grier?
- HawkintheD

I thought these were the same things?

This one is easy. Ivan Demidov all the way.

Don't want to burst your bubble, but Grier already said he was drafting Celebrini
- Hawkeynation

How would that “burst my bubble”?

This one is easy. Ivan Demidov all the way.
- MjulQvist

There has been talk of the Russian government withholding passports and there’s the KHL issue. If Demidov is the guy, Davidson must have a few assurances before he makes that pick.

Levshunov. Add to the defensive corps. IMO team is still 2-3 years away from playoff contention. Lev and Rinzel would be RD's going forward. Within the next few years trade surplus D including everyone else not named Vlasic for some top forwards. That includes Jonesy who may be tired enough at the length of the rebuild to want out. There's also free agency down the road to get forward help.

Levshunov. The Hawks have a pretty good history of drafting defensemen from Michigan State. Plus, the Russian thing.

Would any side be willing for a trade? Hawks going down to maybe 5-6 while picking up another higher end pick? Depends on if they already know that who they want would be gone at 2 or 3.
- RaleighHawk

KD has shown he's a wheeler-dealer on draft day. I don't think he'll trade down from #2, but will try to move up from 20. I wouldn't be surprised if he packages a pick, roster player or prospect with #20 to move higher IF there is someone on the board he desperately wants.

It all depends who they want, as you said. If KD feels he can get his guy later in the draft them why not. Trade #2 for #7 and #15 (Ottawa), then the Hawks have 3 picks in the top 20. Or maybe 2 for #5 and #26 (Montreal) if KD doesn't want to move down too much?

I'm sure I will change my mind 152 times between now and June 28th. But if it were me, I would draft Demidov at #2 and call it a day.

Maybe Ottawa would take #20 and #54 (or a 2026 2nd) for #15?
- DarthKane

I’m pretty sure Detroit has #16

Levshunov. Add to the defensive corps. IMO team is still 2-3 years away from playoff contention. Lev and Rinzel would be RD's going forward. Within the next few years trade surplus D including everyone else not named Vlasic for some top forwards. That includes Jonesy who may be tired enough at the length of the rebuild to want out. There's also free agency down the road to get forward help.
- boilermaker100

Agree Boiler, Levshunov seems like a very safe pick(if there is such a thing), and they cannot miss with their first pick. They can be more aggressive and reach with Tampa’s pick, but not with the #2 pick. Keep building the defense, then use free agency, trades, Tampa pick, and 2nd round picks for offense. Beef touched on some of this on the last blog. They already have Bedard, Nazar, Kurashev. Reichel, and Moore as youngsters up front, that’s a really good start.

Can't be too mad at the result of the lottery, especially considering what happened last year. My one complaint is it seems like the Hawks shouldn't lose access to the lottery for the next five years since they didn't actually move up.

But, hopefully, we'll be much better going forward (especially looking 2 years down the road) and we won't be at the bottom of the standings anyway
- Hawkeynation

They don't lose the chance to move up next year, they didn't move up, theoretically, this was the best turnout if you believe you could win the lottery next year.

OK, so Zach and Scott Powers both are pretty sure that it is between Levshunov and Demidov. Is this just projection, or is this based on any actual information? From what I've seen there is a ton of difference of opinion on the 2-10 players.

Levshunov. Add to the defensive corps. IMO team is still 2-3 years away from playoff contention. Lev and Rinzel would be RD's going forward. Within the next few years trade surplus D including everyone else not named Vlasic for some top forwards. That includes Jonesy who may be tired enough at the length of the rebuild to want out. There's also free agency down the road to get forward help.
- boilermaker100

I'm with you on this. Build it from the defense out.

We've just spent an entire season b!tching about Jones, Murphy in his 7 seasons with the Hawks has played only 2 over 76 games. And it can be argued that both are slotted a pair too high.

The Hawks history with drafting Russians (outside of Panarin who was a FA) isn't exactly good either.

I'm with you on this. Build it from the defense out.

We've just spent an entire season b!tching about Jones, Murphy in his 7 seasons with the Hawks has played only 2 over 76 games. And it can be argued that both are slotted a pair too high.

The Hawks history with drafting Russians (outside of Panarin who was a FA) isn't exactly good either.
- Rota's Rooter

I think you just have to trust your scouting staff. History is with the former Blackhawks regime not the current one. From what it looks like Kantserov is trending in the right direction so I have to imagine this is a difficult choice or maybe not, maybe in their eyes they know who exactly they are drafting.

OK, so Zach and Scott Powers both are pretty sure that it is between Levshunov and Demidov. Is this just projection, or is this based on any actual information? From what I've seen there is a ton of difference of opinion on the 2-10 players.
- Chunk

In a recent Powers article, he wrote "I don’t think Scott Wheeler’s top three draft prospects in his latest rankings are far off the Blackhawks’ thinking."

Those three are Celebrini, Demidov, Levshunov. A lot of other writers are running with that thought.

But notice the ambiguity in Powers' statement. "I don't think", "not far off".

Who really knows what KD and staff are thinking? Could be someone else. 7 weeks or so until we find out.

Levshunov. The Hawks have a pretty good history of drafting defensemen from Michigan State. Plus, the Russian thing.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah I'm feeling this way too about Leyshunov. Nice Michigan State connection!!!

If not Leyshunov, dare I dream about trading up for #1? Bedard and Celebrini are on the same Canada team...

Wonder if our #2 plus next year's Blackhawks' 1st, our 25-26 2nd round pick, one of our promising D Men prospects and one of our forward prospects (Moore) would do it.

Imagine that Carolina gave up 2 Firsts, a Second and Moore for Bryce Young and we could do the same for Celebrini.

In a recent Powers article, he wrote "I don’t think Scott Wheeler’s top three draft prospects in his latest rankings are far off the Blackhawks’ thinking."

Those three are Celebrini, Demidov, Levshunov. A lot of other writers are running with that thought.

But notice the ambiguity in Powers' statement. "I don't think", "not far off".

But who really knows what KD and staff are thinking? Could be someone else. 7 weeks or so until we find out.
- boilermaker100

We’re going to get as much sleep as KD and his scouting staff.