Bouchard is almost a year older than Boqvist (Oct/99 - Aug/00) and this is Bouchard's 4th season playing for London, whereas this is only Boqvist's 1st season in North America. Bouchard should be ahead of Boqvist.

I would have been fine with either Bouchard or Boqvist at the draft. Time will tell who has a better NHL career but that assessment is too early to be made now.
- EbonyRaptor

You and Darth bring up a fair assessment of the situations for Bouchard and Boqvist as far as age and years of service in the OHL.

My gut is that Boqvist may end up being an elite offensive blueliner with okay defense while Bouchard may not be elite on either end of the ice but above average in both, at least based on potential. I'm no pro so fine to be wrong with my projections.

Spencer Knight is rising in the draft rankings and could end up in the mid-to-late teens once June rolls around. If the Hawks are drafting in that span, I would give him a long look as one of the top rated goalies in the draft.
- AEL_Fox

Hawks are going to sign Cale Morris. UFA goalie from Notre Dame. Or at least there seems some mutual interest.

There’s almost a year difference, at that age it’s a big difference. Plus Boqvist is living in a new country, for a kid that age that has to have an impact. I’m not trying to discount Bouchard or make excuses for Boqvist, but age and living away from home are a factor.

I think it’s just a tad earlier to just either kid.
- DarthKane

Ya though he was older ,and you are right makes a difference .Good point on his 1st year in a new country also.
I am not blaming Stan I like that he swings for the fences ,he new he had another 1st pick .And I think he did all right with that one as well . Time will tell ,Boqvist is in a great hockey environment for becoming a real pro ..

Hawks are going to sign Cale Morris. UFA goalie from Notre Dame. Or at least there seems some mutual interest.
- Elbows15

Good to hear. Thank you for sharing that news. Can never have enough goalie prospects in the system. Checked out his stats and he started out 2 years with the Chicago Steel, then 2 more with Waterloo before the NCAA.

Generally agree with your breakdown of what the Hawks need going in to next season:

Top 4 defender to stabilize the blueline corps. If Jokiharju isn't ready, then the quantity goes up to 2, i.e. one to pair with Keith and another to pair with Murphy. Seabrook pairs up with Gustafsson.

3rd line center but not necessarily a shutdown one as they have one in Kampf to anchor the 4th line. The 3C should be a 200-foot player who can chip in 15 goals and 40 points, give or take.

Another bottom 6 forward to play a physical, grinding style all while being defensively responsible. Not sold on Hayden still but he shows glimpses.

Experienced backup goalie especially if neither Delia nor Forsberg is the answer yet. I know a lot of posters here don't want anything to do with him, but I have a feeling Ward will be in the mix because there aren't going to be many goalies who may be willing to sign for one year on the cheap. Possibly vets like Johnson or Kinkaid?
- AEL_Fox

Agree with pretty much all of this.

Rakell scored 2 goals to help the Ducks beat San Jose tonight.

Wonder how Cagguila felt aboot that as he continues healing from the concussion that he gave him.

Read the Philly blog to get a fair view of the big loss for us and the big win for them. They won a game the way we should have tried to win. But under Colliton it was decided back when he took the helm, that we would try to outscore the opponent. This I am sure came after Biwman consulted with his team in front office then explained to Colliton this was the game plan. With him part of the transition too as head coach.

Here' hoping Bowman drafts trades signs f/a wrll and Colliton can effectively change the defensive effort starting in training camp.

Hey Scott.....Kudos to your most recent posts as I have been in agreement with you on just about everything.

As for changes at year's end ?

I don't think we'll see ANY movement in management and coaching. I think they all think so highly of themselves that the last 4 years of FAILURES are not anybody fault but merely bad "puck luck" and Corey Crawford injury excuses.....therefore....more of the same next year and they'll give total faith in Stan Bowman re-tooling this team. Especially now that he's made a couple of nice trades in Strome, Perlini, and Caggiula. This summer is absolutely critical in how this team will evolve in the next 5 years. Good moves and they'll be a playoff team next year. Great moves and they will go DEEP next year. Mediocre to poor moves and they'll miss again next year and lose another year of the Kane and Toews window.

If that happens, their Season Reservation Holders and wait list will dissolve immediately. That's a guarantee.
So.....this may be the most important sumner in Blackhawk
Hockey history since Patrick Kane was drafted #1.

Good luck Stan Bowman. This is his make or break summer.
- Hawkytalk

Bowman has known for two years his defense is a mess and he's done nothing to fix it. His big move last offseason was Brandon Manning. The Seabrook deal continues to be a boat anchor. And while they've drafted heavy defensively we still have no idea whether any of those kids is going to pan out. Bowman's track record the last two offseasons is spotty at best.

Stan should be credited for the Strome move absolutely, can you imagine if he'd given Schmaltz his golden boy a big deal with a full NMC. But this is the same guy that handed Danault to the Habs and Panarin to the Jackets. The same guy who' s first move after the cup win in 15 was to give his pet Rundblad a new deal when he knew he needed a #4 dman the following season.

Stan won the power war with Q, and it's now all on him. Perlini and Cag have been nice pieces, but can they do it again next season? I'm hopeful Bowman can work some magic here with the defense, but it remains to be seen. Now that's he's not butting heads with Q what does he do with the offseason? Is he going to be able to significantly upgrade the defense? Because the Hawks are still 2nd in goals allowed in the league right now. Should be interesting.

Rakell scored 2 goals to help the Ducks beat San Jose tonight.

Wonder how Cagguila felt aboot that as he continues healing from the concussion that he gave him.
- Logan Reilly

Rackell says Drake is fine. So does Bettman.

I agree with you on everything except the moving of Gustafsson.

He can only get better defensively with proper coaching, but his offensive skills are a major plus to this team on the PP for next year at least. The easiest way for this team to get playoff bound next season is to have a PP unit that gets to a 20 % efficiency at minimum....and that has to include Gus until somebody else can step forward from the back end.

The other way is too obvious....fixing the D philosophy and personnel. That is what will be the biggest challenge.
- Hawkytalk

I'm not so sure. When he rushes the puck and gains the line and then loses the puck he takes his time getting back. He just doesn't get it, that's when he needs to bust balls to get back. But he never does. Sometimes he even goes around behind the opposition net before he starts back. Doesn't seem to me he has the IQ to anticipate on the go. At least the puck comes to him when he plays D. If the coach moves him up to F he won't see the puck much at all because he has to put himself in position to be able to get it in the first place. And I see nothing that suggests he's able to do that. With a strong stay at home D partner and a Selke level forward to cover for him then sure, keep him. But that's not the case right now. I see Gus as a luxury that the hawks can't afford who you know is going to want a raise. If there is not a trade for a 1 or 2 D man this summer then I'd use him as bait to get one.

I'm not so sure. When he rushes the puck and gains the line and then loses the puck he takes his time getting back. He just doesn't get it, that's when he needs to bust balls to get back. But he never does. Sometimes he even goes around behind the opposition net before he starts back. Doesn't seem to me he has the IQ to anticipate on the go. At least the puck comes to him when he plays D. If the coach moves him up to F he won't see the puck much at all because he has to put himself in position to be able to get it in the first place. And I see nothing that suggests he's able to do that. With a strong stay at home D partner and a Selke level forward to cover for him then sure, keep him. But that's not the case right now. I see Gus as a luxury that the hawks can't afford who you know is going to want a raise. If there is not a trade for a 1 or 2 D man this summer then I'd use him as bait to get one.
- 6628

The sad thing is defense is just effort and positioning. Gus does things offensively most players can't, but a part of the game anyone of any skill level can do he either isn't interested in, couldn't be bothered or won't do. Sad really because he could make himself invaluable to a team and command a huge salary the Hawks would happily provide.

Rackell says Drake is fine. So does Bettman.
- powerenforcer

Thank you PE, I don't think a day would be complete without the daily PE Conspiracy.

Thank you PE, I don't think a day would be complete without the daily PE consPEracy.
- paulr

Fixed

Bowman has known for two years his defense is a mess and he's done nothing to fix it. His big move last offseason was Brandon Manning. The Seabrook deal continues to be a boat anchor. And while they've drafted heavy defensively we still have no idea whether any of those kids is going to pan out. Bowman's track record the last two offseasons is spotty at best.

Stan should be credited for the Strome move absolutely, can you imagine if he'd given Schmaltz his golden boy a big deal with a full NMC. But this is the same guy that handed Danault to the Habs and Panarin to the Jackets. The same guy who' s first move after the cup win in 15 was to give his pet Rundblad a new deal when he knew he needed a #4 dman the following season.

Stan won the power war with Q, and it's now all on him. Perlini and Cag have been nice pieces, but can they do it again next season? I'm hopeful Bowman can work some magic here with the defense, but it remains to be seen. Now that's he's not butting heads with Q what does he do with the offseason? Is he going to be able to significantly upgrade the defense? Because the Hawks are still 2nd in goals allowed in the league right now. Should be interesting.
- DK002

I'm curious why the narrative about Schmaltz being Bowman's "Golden Boy" when he was traded. Do you think a "Golden Boy" would be traded?

I'm curious why the narrative about Schmaltz being Bowman's "Golden Boy" when he was traded. Do you think a "Golden Boy" would be traded?
- paulr

ARI made him an offer he couldn’t refuse?

What have Bowman and McDonaugh done to deserve their job?

Been key figures in an extremely successful organization that has won 3 Stanley cups over the last 10 years. I think they have pretty impressive resumes, moreso than almost any other front office in the league.

The Manning and Kunitz signings to me were influence by Q now Bowman made the final call on those signings. The signing of Seabrook was not only Bowman's mistake but Rocky and McEgo mistake as well they had to sign off on it, they made the mistake of paying for pass performance. Seabrook is still a good defense man but in a 3rd paring role and on the PP 15 to 18 minutes a game he could be good plus his leadership in the locker room on the ice and off the ice will help the d coming up in the future. I stated before I am not a bowman fan at all he made some really bad trades and moves but not every GM is perfect but it seems he is learning and with Q out of the picture and JC and Bowman seemingly on the same page hopefully this could be a quick turnaround. IMO Hawks have 4 year window with Towes and Kane to win another cup. I am a Hayden fan understand why he not playing but he brings something Hawks need and lack size and physical play he needs to more consistent but playing a game here and there is hard to evaluate what he can do.


Here are my possible lines next year:


Saad Towes Perlini

Dcat Strome Kane

Ferland Eakin Kahun

Caggulia Kampf Hayden


Extra forward to be name later


Keith Joki

Mcnabb Murphy


KoKo Seabrook

Veteran D man to be named later

Crawford

Delia or Veteran backup


AA is traded for pick and prospect then hawks use a 2020 2nd draft pick and prospect to vegas or mcnabb and eakin. Hawks sign Ferland to 4 years at 5 million per. Thoughts or your possible lines next year and trades and signings.

The sad thing is defense is just effort and positioning. Gus does things offensively most players can't, but a part of the game anyone of any skill level can do he either isn't interested in, couldn't be bothered or won't do. Sad really because he could make himself invaluable to a team and command a huge salary the Hawks would happily provide.
- paulr

Where is Sami Lepisto when you need a defensive Dman? He could stand on the Hawks blueline and be back in position when Gus turns the puck over.

Thank you PE, I don't think a day would be complete without the daily PE Conspiracy.
- paulr

You and I both know that if that play involved Cindy Crosby there would have been a suspension. Bettman plays favorites, that is all I am pointing out.

Well his Marketing isn't going to keep this season ticket holder for another year if this team fails again next year. It's season long intensity and teamwork with a dedication to dominate at United Center with a playoff run, or this STH and hoards of others will vacate the premises. That's a certainty. FAILURE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AGAIN NEXT SEASON WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES !!
- Hawkytalk

I'm not advocating to keep Mcego.! If this team struggles again next season both Mcego and Blowman should get kicked in their arse out the door. I think Mcego has way too much say in a sport he has no clue about.

IMO Hawks have 4 year window with Towes and Kane to win another cup.
- Scott1977

I realize that this forum is overly optimistic on team chances, given survivorship bias after pathetic results last few years, but I did not think anyone still has illusions of another cup next few years. Team has too many holes from goaltending to defense to forward depth. And the code, including 19, 99, 2 and 7 getting older so each year will regress, while there are only middling prospects in the pipeline and prospect development is mediocre, and coaching suspicious.
The longer fans pay for season tickets saying "This is last year, they better get their act together next year" and then rinse and repeat next year the longer we will be subject to that mediocrity. Either way I think Hawks have very little chance on cup next 10 years till all contracts run out, management swept out, and new management gets a chance to draft and build again clear slate. We have seen this situation from mid nineties to mid 2000, so here comes another decade courtesy of our GM.

4th row off the glass in the corner of Avs zone where Hawks shoot twice. Right next to where the ice girls come out. Red Hawks jersey, short blonde hair and a large beard.

LETS GO HAWKS!

Justin Lowe: Missed Opportunity

The Hawks lost 3-1 to the Flyers last night that was a huge wasted opportunity to keep this Cinderella story continuing.

Arizona lost in regulation earlier in the night and with a win, the Hawks could have jumped within 2 points of the last Wild Card spot.
- Justin Lowe

Interesting how these games have become more important and the kiddies are having a harder time scoring. Classic case of trying to hard. Good experience but hurts you in actual game standings.

The defense has gotten tighter not so many great point blank scoring chances as earlier in the season. Can't believe they lost on a seeing eye back hand bull poop shot by JVR. I agree with Rick's statement, like to see more physical play, don't misinterpret that statement with meat head hockey.

4th row off the glass in the corner of Avs zone where Hawks shoot twice. Right next to where the ice girls come out. Red Hawks jersey, short blonde hair and a large beard.

LETS GO HAWKS!
- EnzoD

Awesome how is a aves game live

Missed Opportunity?

I am probably in the minority, but every time I see the London Knights play, Bouchard looks better to me than Boqvist. He has the size that we need on D and plays in all situations.
I think about us passing on him in favor of Boqvist. Maybe I am watching the wrong games and missing something here?
- 67hawks

No you're spot on 67. This org has a hard on for Euro ice dancers and Boqvist is the latest. Good young prospect no doubt, but watched that London/Windsor game last night. Bouchard was dominant. 2 goals, 2 assists, played in all situations. Hawks passed on him at 8 to take Boqvist and the Oilers snapped up Butch at 10.

P.S. Boqvist was M.I.A. late in a close game, Dale Hunter not trusting him one iota to be out there in a thrilling opening playoff game. Telling omission.