The Hjalmarsson for Murphy trade continues to be a head scratcher. I don't blame Q for being pissed about it. I can maybe go along with the Danault trade, because Stan was attempting to load up for the playoffs. He missed, but at least he was trying. But trading Hammer was giving up a heart and intangibles player that every team needs to be successful.
- scottak

It was a move to get younger and some cap flexibility. Hjalamarsson had been terrible the previous two seasons prior to his trade. I would also argue that Murphy is a heart and soul player. He just hasn't been a part of winning in Chicago.

But then. I like Murphy so I could be biased. FTR, a Hammer sweater is one of only two I have ever owned in my adult life.

Think that's a solid recommendation. Wouldn't be averse to placing Sikura out there with him either. Assuming, of course, he isn't ever going to be a top six forward.
- gabriel

Throw Sikura on the 4th line and turn him loose as a PK/energy type. Kid plays hard.

Tyler Ennis!
- paulr

No.

Throw Sikura on the 4th line and turn him loose as a PK/energy type. Kid plays hard.
- z1990z

IMO, It wouldn't be the best usage for Sikura. He has offensive skills and I honestly believe us fans will see them next season. He can be a useful cog to a bum slaying 3rd line.

I wonder how much that plays into the decision at that stage of development. I get what you mean about wanting some defensively responsible players. What sticks in my mind is often hearing teams talk about drafting players with good fundamentals with the expectation that they will learn the defensive game at a pro level. I'm not saying there aren't aspects of it in the scouting, but it doesn't seem to be often what they focus on.

I agree with you on how it would be nice to find some guys who are good away from the puck. I think that is where some of the guys from Sweden tend to shine and I bet we'll see more of the same from the Hawks taking 1 or 2 guys from there.
- breadbag

I'm sure the scouts are looking at a long list of skills that would be great to have including both offensive skills and defensive skills. Ideally you would want a player who is solid in all zones but that's often not the case so those prospects who are attractive to the team seem to be coveted because of a superior skill set in offense primarily or defense primarily.

That's not to say a prospect cannot learn what and develop where they are deficient. Many can while some struggle to get there. All I'm saying is that if a prospect is out there who checks a lot of boxes on offense and defense, then they need a long look as a favored draft choice.

PK and the Preds. Perfect match. I am sure the Preds would love to have Shea Weber back. PK is all about PK.
- z1990z

Bet they'd love Seth Jones back. We're not the only organIzation who doesn't screw up.

No.
- Elbows15

Darth would appreciate the joke.

Can’t remember where I read it, but I read somewhere that team’s individual interviews at the combine and throughout the lead up to the draft with prospects play a critical role in team’s decisions on picks.

https://www.yardbarker.co...combine/s1_14825_28852331
- walleyeb1

The combine can also be an opportunity for a prospect to learn where they really need to get stronger at. Although this has been a humorous story for many, a good example of this is how Sam Bennett couldn't do a single pull up during his combine. I'm sure he was thoroughly embarrassed but took that experience as a way to hone in on his strength.

Although he has not hit his offensive potential as a 1st rounder, today Bennett is a very strong, physical, tough as nails bottom 6 forward. He hits hard, engages physically against the opponent, and often comes out on top whenever he does drop the gloves (or at least hangs in there start to end).

Barratt, Entwhistle, Hagel, Kurashev, and Reese Johnson are all in that mold to some extent no?

No 100% on Kurashev but the rest are high energy guys with some skill. I know Hagel is older but I think Bowman is looking to find those bottom 6 energy guys that can also score a bit.
- bhawks2241

I agree, the Hawks do have some prospects in the pipeline who can play a physically engaging game with some of them able to be abrasive and gritty (i.e. Barratt, R Johnson) and some of them being strong across all zones (i.e. Kurashev, Entwistle, Hagel).

Hagel especially was praised for really working hard on his defense this past season at Red Deer. That will help him get a leg up in the system. I have high hopes for him as well as those other 4 you listed.

If they hit potential, I see Kurashev and Hagel as middle 6 forwards. Possibly Entwistle, too, but at least an outstanding bottom 6 forward. Barratt as an all-terrain rugged forward in the mold of Shaw and Caggiula. R Johnson could be a perfect 4C candidate down the road.

It was a move to get younger and some cap flexibility. Hjalamarsson had been terrible the previous two seasons prior to his trade. I would also argue that Murphy is a heart and soul player. He just hasn't been a part of winning in Chicago.

But then. I like Murphy so I could be biased. FTR, a Hammer sweater is one of only two I have ever owned in my adult life.
- Elbows15

While I respect your opinion, Hammer is still better than Murphy, and will be next season too.

The combine can also be an opportunity for a prospect to learn where they really need to get stronger at. Although this has been a humorous story for many, a good example of this is how Sam Bennett couldn't do a single pull up during his combine. I'm sure he was thoroughly embarrassed but took that experience as a way to hone in on his strength.

Although he has not hit his offensive potential as a 1st rounder, today Bennett is a very strong, physical, tough as nails bottom 6 forward. He hits hard, engages physically against the opponent, and often comes out on top whenever he does drop the gloves (or at least hangs in there start to end).
- AEL_Fox

Neither did Casey Mittlestat

Reimer is cash dump and I would probably send him to Rockford. his salary down there would be 1/2 offset by the savings on the other 2 trades. I would hope that Delia, Forsberg or Darling could man the fort. because after next year when Cat and strome are extended that is all we will be able to afford for a few years. Hubrdeau is a big upgrade over SAAD plus cost controlled. matheson is a slight downgrade from Keith but over time that will probably switch. Craw is a upgrade over reamer and he free's up cash for FL in 1 year.

it was a example. we get younger and cost controlled.
- kmw4631

James Reimer is the type of goalie that demoralizes any team he plays for - and that would include a team of 12 year olds playing ball hockey in your driveway.

He sucks big time - let Tallon and the analytics geniuses who decided he was good figure out what to do with the $10M+ owing on his contract because they know Q's first move will be to dump him into Biscayne Bay in September.

And Matheson sucks too.

I've often made this argument that the interviews are HUGE and we don't get to see that part of it from our vantage point. It probably varies team to team, but I can see it being a big part of those early picks.
- breadbag

As I'm sure is the case with many if not most teams, the Blackhawks dating back to when Tallon was GM put a premium on character. Interviews are a good way to dig deeper into a prospect's character since what is observed on the ice is only part of the equation.

With that said, it does make you scratch your head then why prospects like Beach and Aliu were drafted. Character issues was a leading reason why Merkley wasn't as high as he could have been in last year's draft.

I hear you and hope they draft some well rounded players who can play both ends. I just wonder how often those "defensive" and "away from the puck" scouting reports translate into reality. It is easy for us to take offensive numbers and analyze how often those translate into offensive numbers at the AHL/NHL level for these guys. It obviously becomes a lot more subjective with defensive play, both in how those are explained in a scouting report which can be hard to quantify and how to measure how that translates to pro level success.

I mean, if you take 10 different players and 10 different scouts and get 100 different scouting reports, you might get 50 different statements around how a player may need to improve defensively or away from the puck and it might not be clear how much the defensive aspects of each players game vary exactly. The stats that are easily tracked are just much more apparent.

I know what you mean though about wanting guys that are generally considered to be sound defensively, IMO the general feeling around the NHL is that many players develop that part of their game as they mature and it can be harder to really dissect the defensive aspects of the game.

I do hope we draft some gems.
- breadbag

All great points especially about the difficulty of quantifying defensive play. It's even tougher to quantify intangibles and how they would translate to the pro level.

While I respect your opinion, Hammer is still better than Murphy, and will be next season too.
- scottak

Just think Hammer was the patron saint of sacrificing the body. Unfair to anyone being compared to him, IMHO.

Not to mention Matheson is worse than Keith. Hayes for 6m? Trading Boqvist would be a huge mistake. Signing Perlini for 3 years? Oh hell no. I would sign Kampf for 3 years long before I even though of giving Perlini more than a one year deal.

Darling is broken. He is a great kid and I hope everything is okay with him but there is no way I would even consider signing him.
- Elbows15

matheson is worse but he is 25 and should get better over the next years at 1 mil less per season. Keith is going to get worse every year over the next 5 and you have Seabs who is also getting worse every year can we afford 2 old D men over the next 5 years? I say no.

Boquist I would be OK moving if his return was very good and we draft Bowen. We are loaded at RD were is Mitcell, murph, Joki, Seabs Boquist going to play?
Darling is broken but in Chicago with his support system in place he was great. Signing him for League Min that all can be buried in the AHL is a smart move. Delia is the starter in 2020 and 2021 right now.

I should have put an amount on perlini. something like 3 years at 1.5. Its kind of like Panik he showed some signs of life and we gave him a 1 year deal 1mil. like you want with Perlini. if Perlini scores 20+ goals (which I think will happen) you are going to have to pay him 3 mil per year the same year CAT and Strome will have new deals.

kampf is never going to put up points so doing 1 year deals has little upside or downside.

Hayes for 6 mil is because if we go Bowen and Trade AA who do we have to play 3rd line center. he would make only 1.45 mil more then AA is 3-4 years younger and is better at the DOT.

James Reimer is the type of goalie that demoralizes any team he plays for - and that would include a team of 12 year olds playing ball hockey in your driveway.

He sucks big time - let Tallon and the analytics geniuses who decided he was good figure out what to do with the $10M+ owing on his contract because they know Q's first move will be to dump him into Biscayne Bay in September.

And Matheson sucks too.
- RickJ

Wonder if Crawford would enjoy playing in Florida to round out his career? That would open the old Pandora's box, wouldn't it?

James Reimer is the type of goalie that demoralizes any team he plays for - and that would include a team of 12 year olds playing ball hockey in your driveway.

He sucks big time - let Tallon and the analytics geniuses who decided he was good figure out what to do with the $10M+ owing on his contract because they know Q's first move will be to dump him into Biscayne Bay in September.

And Matheson sucks too.
- RickJ

Reimer would make some of the money work FLa is taking on 3.5 mil more in salary I n the deal. Also no one mentioned that I was trading SAAD a 50 pt guy for HUderdeau who is a 75 pt guy who is younger, signed for less $$ and 4 more years. do you know what 75 pts guys make in the NHL look at mark stone.

Darth would appreciate the joke.
- paulr

Correct me if I'm wrong but a passive system means you have players both forwards and defenseman who are willing to block pucks and I don't recall any hawks player maybe other than murphy whom is willing to commit.

I agree, the Hawks do have some prospects in the pipeline who can play a physically engaging game with some of them able to be abrasive and gritty (i.e. Barratt, R Johnson) and some of them being strong across all zones (i.e. Kurashev, Entwistle, Hagel).

Hagel especially was praised for really working hard on his defense this past season at Red Deer. That will help him get a leg up in the system. I have high hopes for him as well as those other 4 you listed.

If they hit potential, I see Kurashev and Hagel as middle 6 forwards. Possibly Entwistle, too, but at least an outstanding bottom 6 forward. Barratt as an all-terrain rugged forward in the mold of Shaw and Caggiula. R Johnson could be a perfect 4C candidate down the road.
- AEL_Fox

I think the draft will give us a idea of what direction Stan might go July 1st.

I wouldn't mind seeing Stan go after Brock Nelson, young big quick center with solid numbers and his price tag wouldn't break the bank.

Then maybe a trade to improve the defense

Just get me Josh Manson and now that they got knocked out in the first round they may be able to Pry Tom Wilson out of Washington. And then sign Matthew Tkachuk to an offer sheet...... and you guys can have all the little pygmies you want. 😂😂😂😂😂😂


PS. I forgot Lucic If he is still even in the league.

He better not waste their first round pick on that small kid. If COZENS is there thats who they take assuming Hughes and Kakko are 1&2

Not to mention Matheson is worse than Keith. Hayes for 6m? Trading Boqvist would be a huge mistake. Signing Perlini for 3 years? Oh hell no. I would sign Kampf for 3 years long before I even though of giving Perlini more than a one year deal.

Darling is broken. He is a great kid and I hope everything is okay with him but there is no way I would even consider signing him.
- Elbows15

Darling is not necessarily broken. He is what he has always been. He's a backup, who once given a full-time starting role wilts under the pressure. The league is littered with goalies who have earned contracts based off of short hot-streaks and/opr playing time when a starter goes down.

Darling had a great run as a backup for the Hawks but he has always had the hot/cold of a backup and not the steadiness of a starter. Same with guys line Talbot, Hutton, Elliot, etc.

Darling was a great story, local kid, local team, overcame issues to make it, etc. I would have taken him as a backup over Ward, but he is just a backup.

Correct me if I'm wrong but a passive system means you have players both forwards and defenseman who are willing to block pucks and I don't recall any hawks player maybe other than murphy whom is willing to commit.
- Taylorst1

Plenty of hawk players block pucks. Murphy blocked 91 shots, Toews 44, Keith 144 and Seabs 180.

Just get me Josh Manson and now that they got knocked out in the first round they may be able to Pry Tom Wilson out of Washington. And then sign Matthew Tkachuk to an offer sheet...... and you guys can have all the little pygmies you want. 😂😂😂😂😂😂


PS. I forgot Lucic If he is still even in the league.

He better not waste their first round pick on that small kid. If COZENS is there thats who they take assuming Hughes and Kakko are 1&2
- wonthecup10

The Hawks HAVE to take the best available player regardless of size. If that happens to be Cozens great! If it happenes to be Caufield, great! If two players are considered to be equal then you can possibly go for the bigger player.