I'm eager to see Johns in training camp after all the hype.

I am sorry I am getting pulled into this one, but Johns knew the Hawks style allowed activating defenders with regularity, so he basically added it to his repertoire.

In college, Johns was very aggressive with his lumber, and tried to make you know he was around.

Seabrook is a really good skater for his size especially going backwards.
I am not sure that Johns can skate that well.
- wiz1901

From the little I saw from him in Rockford at the end of last season, Johns skates pretty well for a big man. He's got some jump and speed.

ESPN had a nice write up on Mark McNeill and how he really progressed as the season went on. Guess he has really taken to being a solid PK guy. Also said he is projected to be a RW after starting the season at C. Guess question for EK is Mark better in the middle or on the wing? Article also stated the Hawks are very high on him. Nice to see that we have a legit big W in the system close to coming up to the NHL.
- z1990z

The Scott Powers article just states where they lined him up...he saw wing in International play too, as it adds better chances to use his size adeqautely without skating 20% more and being gassed and not being physical.

You will see McNeill be the guy in front on the PP, and the ahwks can revisit Centre when and if he gets the stamina and jump in his development.

If it was Corey Prohman's "nice write" ---his open ended each teams "draft strategy" section?...well chalk it up to him not knowing stuff.
(notice how most teams should just take the best player available....and not needs?
and then he mentions player prospects for the low end teams that are either reaches or guys that will be gone.)

Corey just plain doesn't KNOW Mcneill played RW at Rockford.

My favorite Corey Prohman was how prior to the 2013 draft he was on Sirius NHL almost crying about Barkov could never be considered as part of the firat tier...(he was always in mine---I didn't know if he would get picked by Florida, but he wasn't a second teir prospect by virtue of his performance & size).
It was as if when the host suggested it, he would let it go.

Sometimes I think we all get to serious with this...but some prognosticators refuse to move off their opinions and list.

Me I think LW Kirkland and all the defenders even Honka and DeAngelo could find teams that like them - this year you go get what you really want QUICKLY...
because the dropin talent by your next pick might get you fired, the same as a bad first rounder might.

ESPN had a nice write up on Mark McNeill and how he really progressed as the season went on. Guess he has really taken to being a solid PK guy. Also said he is projected to be a RW after starting the season at C. Guess question for EK is Mark better in the middle or on the wing? Article also stated the Hawks are very high on him. Nice to see that we have a legit big W in the system close to coming up to the NHL. Here is the link to the story in case anyone is interested...



http://espn.go.com/blog/c...inishes-first-year-strong
- z1990z

It's not so much of a question of where he would be better suited playing, but what the organization has in store for him. That means the organization is primarily looking at developing McNeill into more of a power forward type at wing at this point.

FWIW, he appeared to be pretty strong at the dot taking face-offs, which means he could slide over and do that. As for playing at center in the NHL, I don't know enough about that because he lined up at center pretty sparingly in Rockford this season.

Could he line up and play center? I guess it's conceivable.

There are actually a lot of good long range goalie prospects this year.

(if you go abck and look at the final round of drafts of yore, you will see NHL more than one nhl goalie has gotten picked that late.)

When your on the Draftsite, there is a undrafted section that lets you see SOME of the others I didn't plug in to the 210 ... There is easentially 425 players in this class that are there...

http://www.draftsite.com/...ock-draft/2014/undrafted/

It will show some pretty good goalies I left out.
(I really feel handcuufed with the goalies...I alway feel like I shouldn't have even as many as I already do! Or that the ones on my extar list might go first...just don't know about the goalies...)

the most interesting of which is Linus Söderström with Djurgården

He has Asperger's Syndrome
- wiz1901

Just curious - is your mock draft pretty well set now? Or are you thinking about making changes during the week?

It's not so much of a question of where he would be better suited playing, but what the organization has in store for him. That means the organization is primarily looking at developing McNeill into more of a power forward type at wing at this point.

FWIW, he appeared to be pretty strong at the dot taking face-offs, which means he could slide over and do that. As for playing at center in the NHL, I don't know enough about that because he lined up at center pretty sparingly in Rockford this season.

Could he line up and play center? I guess it's conceivable.
- EKolb13

Top six maybe in 2015-16?

It's not so much of a question of where he would be better suited playing, but what the organization has in store for him. That means the organization is primarily looking at developing McNeill into more of a power forward type at wing at this point.

FWIW, he appeared to be pretty strong at the dot taking face-offs, which means he could slide over and do that. As for playing at center in the NHL, I don't know enough about that because he lined up at center pretty sparingly in Rockford this season.

Could he line up and play center? I guess it's conceivable.
- EKolb13

Prolly better to keep him at W. With his size just cut him loose to hammer the D and get after the puck. Seem to hear more about McNeill then Danault lately.

Top six maybe in 2015-16?
- StLBravesFan

I was thinking he might get a shot on the lower lines in '15-'16. A shot in the top six MIGHT come down the road after that, if ever.

I was thinking he might get a shot on the lower lines in '15-'16. A shot in the top six MIGHT come down the road after that, if ever.
- EKolb13

If he's at RW: I'm thinking that by 15-16 (or 16-17) they're going to want to be resting Hossa during the season - maybe McNeil would be a nice sub for 20-30 games.

Prolly better to keep him at W. With his size just cut him loose to hammer the D and get after the puck. Seem to hear more about McNeill then Danault lately.
- z1990z

I didn't get to watch either guy play at Rockford but Danualt's state line wasn't as impressive as McNeill's numbers. 36 points vs 27 or something, but Danualt was a +12 I think vs a -11 or something for McNeill.

Any thoughts on Thatcher Demko?
- goaler11

I'd like Demko or Schmaltz with the 27th pick (if they don't trade it away)!!

Schedule is out.

Circus Trip is part of a 10 road games in 12 games in November-December.

Ice Capades trip in January - 7 road games precede 8 in a row at home.
- StLBravesFan

The issue almost as much as 7 in a row on road is 8 in a row at home is too many..

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Please please get a legitimate Center Stan......
- mrpaulish

Didn't you hear, we're going to war with Kane, Shaw, and Saad. We don't need to roll 4 lines because the Hawks are already awesome and don't need any upgrades.

Didn't you hear, we're going to war with Kane, Shaw, and Saad. We don't need to roll 4 lines because the Hawks are already awesome and don't need any upgrades.
- Lido_Shuffle

Lolololololololololol



ThE Hawks know....... Will a real center show up in a week or not ?

God (frank)ing dammit.......


2014 has sucked from a sports point of view.....(frank)...

Hawks choke.....

USA soccer super choke, don't put a "well we at least got a point" ... BS because there are no points to be had against the Germans..... Better hope Portigual wins by 1.... (frank)


I wish my parents made me a nerd that hated sports....

God (frank)ing dammit.......


2014 has sucked from a sports point of view.....(frank)...

Hawks choke.....

USA soccer super choke, don't put a "well we at least got a point" ... BS because there are no points to be had against the Germans..... Better hope Portigual wins by 1.... (frank)


I wish my parents made me a nerd that hated sports....
- mrpaulish

Crawford has to have that with 30 seconds left.

Just curious - is your mock draft pretty well set now? Or are you thinking about making changes during the week?
- EKolb13

I am now looking ove rthe last two rounds and starting to get antsy to drop many of the Dub dee-men with the flashy Euros and "safe" North American forwards I have in lareg supply in my other 214 player bull pen.

The truth is every Fracking year do mental gymastics lining them up moving them and then I finally get the first round sort of fitting for teams / needs...

and

then all it takes is ONE goofy read (like that Corey Prohman one....it makes me want to elevate a defender to a team HE thinks will take one)
or
Me watching Bob Mckenzies' Monday show, or reading the hockey new list...

I suddenly doubt myself.
Then I change thinks and elevate guys AND the ones I pulled OUT get picked!!!!


I did it last year with dropping Mirco Müller to the early second at 31, and then I figured Steve Santini would go in the first (just like I predicted the two US defenseman, Jack Glover & Jack Dougherty to go early this year...) and Madison Bowey would go anywhere from 30 to 50, but had the hawks taking him because he fit the Hawk mold.

Both went in the second....

So since this is gonna be a wide open affair, NO draft prognosticator, or media guy OR TEAM is going to be locked on the same list....never seen a draft where any team could REALLY say that we are "shocked that he was still there when we picked.." b/c there are warts on so many of them.
In the first,
If you like Honka, you take him
I think if you like Kirkland you take him...
If you like Schmaltz you take him,
If you like Sanheim, you take him
If you like Damko, you take him.

Crawford has to have that with 30 seconds left.
- StLBravesFan

Lol

and you know If the hawks are trading it happens at the Draft.

So that 27th pick might go elsewhere.

Ottawa has few picks so expect them to add some with the Spezza trade.

Lol
- mrpaulish

Seriously, how can the Brazilian be so wide open so close to the net?

I know nothing about soccer, but seems to me the defender has to be in front of him at all costs.

Seriously, how can the Brazilian be so wide open so close to the net?

I know nothing about soccer, but seems to me the defender has to be in front of him at all costs.
- StLBravesFan

Even though you self proclaim to know nothing about soccer your instincts of that being a fatal play for the Americans is true... It's very bad since basically the Americans now need a point (tie or better) against the best team in the group .

Even though you self proclaim to know nothing about soccer your instincts of that being a fatal play for the Americans is true... It's very bad since basically the Americans now need a point (tie or better) against the best team in the group .
- mrpaulish

(frank)kkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Crawford has to have that with 30 seconds left.
- StLBravesFan

No reason for that give away at midfield under 1 minute to play, and the best player on the field did the rest.

Still the best World Cup game I have ever seen the US play.

No reason for that give away at midfield under 1 minute to play, and the best player on the field did the rest.

Still the best World Cup game I have ever seen the US play.
- Al

The depression is lingering....


Or is it the fear of needing a point against the Germans ?


Or should it be a F U attitude and "All We need is appoint against the German s , phuck the Germans... " type of attitude....?
S

Even though you self proclaim to know nothing about soccer your instincts of that being a fatal play for the Americans is true... It's very bad since basically the Americans now need a point (tie or better) against the best team in the group .
- mrpaulish

Soccer sucks.