Does anyone see Hughes dropping to 3?????
- Sn1362

Did McDavid drop--not a chance

Agreed. Once the signing bonus is paid I'd say 80% change AA is gone to a budget team like Ottawa, Carolina or NJ. I wouldn't expect much in return, maybe a 3rd and 5th.
- DarthKane

Maybe Columbus will want him back after all their ufa's walk away.

Maybe Columbus will want him back after all their ufa's walk away.
- GPHawksfan

That’s possible. But they don’t have any draft picks to trade away. They’d have to part with a prospect.

That prospect would be Nathan Gerbe.

Kubalick, Kahun, Saad has the potential for a beast of a third line.
- LAHawk

Agreed, especially since they wouldn’t be facing top defensive pairings most of the time - those guys could do some damage.

That’s possible. But they don’t have any draft picks to trade away. They’d have to part with a prospect.

That prospect would be Nathan Gerbe.
- DarthKane

Hard pass, too tall.

That’s possible. But they don’t have any draft picks to trade away. They’d have to part with a prospect.

That prospect would be Nathan Gerbe.
- DarthKane

Send Forsberg with him and get Kinkaid and something else back. Or even just Kinkaid

Still leaves Cozens at #3
- vabeachbear[/quote

Fixed!

Generally speaking, I agree. But they used to have Stahlberg. Just saying. They need someone with lateral speed (who gains speed as he crosses over) who knows where he needs to go as well as straight ahead speed. Speed without IQ is wasted.
- 6628

100% agree. Just seemed last year there were too many guys who had slow feet and were slow in quick area plays. It’s a lot easier to shut down a team if you don’t fear their speed in transition and aren’t worried about their forwards getting behind D on the dump and chase (something the Hawks used to be really good at when they actually dumped it in)

Now you’re talking!
- DarthKane

Hawks pick cozens or bryam at 3 thats my perdiction. Sorry darth Caulfield goes 8 -10

Hawks pick cozens or bryam at 3 thats my perdiction. Sorry darth Caulfield goes 8 -10
- Scott1977

I could live with Byram. I’m at the Giants game tonight.

100% agree. Just seemed last year there were too many guys who had slow feet and were slow in quick area plays. It’s a lot easier to shut down a team if you don’t fear their speed in transition and aren’t worried about their forwards getting behind D on the dump and chase (something the Hawks used to be really good at when they actually dumped it in)
- bhawks2241

Eager, Madden, and Rubbish made a hell of a 4th line. Eager with 1st round speed was a forechecking nightmare

I could live with Byram. I’m at the Giants game tonight.
- DarthKane

Cool. Please give us a report and your takeaways when you get the chance.

That’s possible. But they don’t have any draft picks to trade away. They’d have to part with a prospect.

That prospect would be Nathan Gerbe.
- DarthKane

Isn't he not much bigger than Caufield? Well i think he has speed to burn but never has made it. I see you just want to get rid of AA for anything. You are being sarcastic. But yeah i know we don't get much for AA. Although he could help a playoff team. He is a solid pro and his skating is not a big issue as a deph and fill in player. I do not doubt that he would put up points if he played with a top player like Kane. Most likely for stretch of games, not all season. As long as they complement each other. Until AA goes on the DL - a regular occurance once or more each season.

Agreed, especially since they wouldn’t be facing top defensive pairings most of the time - those guys could do some damage.
- Chief4Feathers

Kahun is not proven at the dot, small sample size but I think he was around 40% at the dot

Exciting Friday Nights: I've spent a good amount of time tonight watching Bowen Byram tape.

I'm sold folks.

I wasn't necessarily "pro" Byram, but I was an advocate of whoever Mark Kelley and Co. felt was BPA at 3, even if it was another d-man.

I now firmly believe that player is Byram.

His defense definitely needs work, and there's no way he's ready to play next season, but my goodness is he smooth with great vision and skating ability, and what impresses me is his ability to keep his head up as he's dancing around defenders and finding the soft spots of goalies (as he keeps his head up the entire time, which many players, especially younger kids, don't do because they're worried about losing control of the puck).

There's no way I can phrase this without sounding like a homer, but I think Byram-Boqvist absolutely have the ability to absolutely terrorize opposing teams together, which could transcend the sport the way the Warriors did the NBA with their shooting prowess. My hot take here is that I could easily envision him and Boqvist having the kind of chemistry that the Sedins had where they are always aware of where the other is on the ice.

Elite speed = just signed Soderlund. And as a checker maybe one day Fortin

Also Carlsson skates really well and Boqvist. Uncertain how well Beaudin. Gilbert ok. One day we might have a very mobile defence would like to see if they can handle puck control like some of our Cup teams did at times. If Kyrs pans out he has elite speed or good skater for third pair

Until further notice we have Gus and he skates well
- jhawk59

Not sure if necessarily elite speed but Soderlund is a fast skater who gravitates to the dirty areas, size be damned, and plays a relentless style. He may be a good candidate for a future role as an agitating bottom 6 winger. He's not going to get under the other teams' skin by playing rough and tumble but more so by being an annoying fly like Kruger.

As far as D prospects, you are correct that Boqvist, Carlsson, and Krys are plus skaters, if not excellent ones in the case of Boqvist and Krys. Beaudin is a solid skater, too. Gilbert may be a decent, functional skater similar to Seabrook in his prime years. Hillman and Tuulola as well.

Exciting Friday Nights: I've spent a good amount of time tonight watching Bowen Byram tape.

I'm sold folks.

I wasn't necessarily "pro" Byram, but I was an advocate of whoever Mark Kelley and Co. felt was BPA at 3, even if it was another d-man.

I now firmly believe that player is Byram.

His defense definitely needs work, and there's no way he's ready to play next season, but my goodness is he smooth with great vision and skating ability, and what impresses me is his ability to keep his head up as he's dancing around defenders and finding the soft spots of goalies (as he keeps his head up the entire time, which many players, especially younger kids, don't do because they're worried about losing control of the puck).

There's no way I can phrase this without sounding like a homer, but I think Byram-Boqvist absolutely have the ability to absolutely terrorize opposing teams together, which could transcend the sport the way the Warriors did the NBA with their shooting prowess. My hot take here is that I could easily envision him and Boqvist having the kind of chemistry that the Sedins had where they are always aware of where the other is on the ice.
- TommyHawk

I’m watching him live tonight. Despite having two points (goal and assist) it’s been his defensive play that has stood out. He makes smart and simple plays to get the puck out every time.

Eager, Madden, and Rubbish made a hell of a 4th line. Eager with 1st round speed was a forechecking nightmare
- 6628

Fraser fit well on that 4th line, too. Pretty decent center and fiery energy.

One prospect to keep an eye on is Reese Johnson. He is tailor-made for a 4th line agitating role. Excellent in faceoffs, skates well, defensive mindset, loves to hit, and willing to drop the mitts.

Coincidentally, Fraser and Johnson are both products of the Red Deer Rebels.

I’m watching him live tonight. Despite having two points (goal and assist) it’s been his defensive play that has stood out. He makes smart and simple plays to get the puck out every time.
- DarthKane

That’s awesome man, hope you’re enjoying what you’re seeing.

I’m watching him live tonight. Despite having two points (goal and assist) it’s been his defensive play that has stood out. He makes smart and simple plays to get the puck out every time.
- DarthKane

That scouting report is what I observed of Jokiharju in his Rockford games. Although I can't speak for what you've seen out of Byram but another thing I liked about Jokiharju was his ability to engage the puck carrier early.

Fraser fit well on that 4th line, too. Pretty decent center and fiery energy.

One prospect to keep an eye on is Reese Johnson. He is tailor-made for a 4th line agitating role. Excellent in faceoffs, skates well, defensive mindset, loves to hit, and willing to drop the mitts.

Coincidentally, Fraser and Johnson are both products of the Red Deer Rebels.
- AEL_Fox

I am not going to put the carriage in front of the horse, but a couple more good drafts and on maybec two years late season this youth dominated team could sneak up and beat teams.

I see some bottom line guys who can play roles like 6628 blogger just mentioned. Calling Burrish "rubbish" intentional or a typo.

Anyway, Reese Johnson, Barrett, Hagel may prove superior in their roles. Maybe Hagel and.Barrett begin on 4th line but are more truly third line and able to spot on second line. But that 3rd line with Kubalik/Kahun/Saad looks great and Perlini slots - where. And Caggiula?

In addition to the bottom lines OMG do you take Cozens or Bowen. Both have certain things they do well or skill which can really stand out when they play with other good players

I think we can hope that Carlsson and.Gilbert become steady dmen and my hope for them is based that neither is the sensational skill but just take care of business approach. Their success would make Mitchell or Beaudin an interesting dilemna. Because your hope is Boqvist will force his way on to the roster at one point in time. But neither Beaudin or Mitchell likely gets a lion share of games to prove themselves next year. But their games those two get in will really get this board hopping. Can the roster carty both of them?

I do not see fail in each of our prospects. I do think that after two seasons maybe Kyrs could challenge for a third pair. But whom knows how many of the current group and highly touted dmen prospects may be still wearing the Indian Head. Sure Keith is probably going to get traded if the right fit for him is found. Sure Gus will go too. But when and for what.

Tune in to Rockford Icehogs because part of the future starts with many new players skating there next two seasons.

Oh who will they draft at #3.

I am not going to put the carriage in front of the horse, but a couple more good drafts and on maybec two years late season this youth dominated team could sneak up and beat teams.

I see some bottom line guys who can play roles like 6628 blogger just mentioned. Calling Burrish "rubbish" intentional or a typo.

Anyway, Reese Johnson, Barrett, Hagel may prove superior in their roles. Maybe Hagel and.Barrett begin on 4th line but are more truly third line and able to spot on second line. But that 3rd line with Kubalik/Kahun/Saad looks great and Perlini slots - where. And Caggiula?

In addition to the bottom lines OMG do you take Cozens or Bowen. Both have certain things they do well or skill which can really stand out when they play with other good players

I think we can hope that Carlsson and.Gilbert become steady dmen and my hope for them is based that neither is the sensational skill but just take care of business approach. Their success would make Mitchell or Beaudin an interesting dilemna. Because your hope is Boqvist will force his way on to the roster at one point in time. But neither Beaudin or Mitchell likely gets a lion share of games to prove themselves next year. But their games those two get in will really get this board hopping. Can the roster carty both of them?

I do not see fail in each of our prospects. I do think that after two seasons maybe Kyrs could challenge for a third pair. But whom knows how many of the current group and highly touted dmen prospects may be still wearing the Indian Head. Sure Keith is probably going to get traded if the right fit for him is found. Sure Gus will go too. But when and for what.

Tune in to Rockford Icehogs because part of the future starts with many new players skating there next two seasons.

Oh who will they draft at #3.
- jhawk59

Good post Jhawk. You touched on a lot of interesting points.

I love analyzing the roster from more of a holistic organizational perspective because it's always enjoyable to me to see who the surprises are, and the fact of the matter is that a lot of fans often include only the big names as players that they envision as future lines/pairings, but in reality we'll hopefully see a lot of the lesser-known players come up through the system, as well as from overseas, in the same manner that the likes of Hammer, Bickell, Shaw, Kruger, Kampf, etc. all did even though they weren't exactly top prospects in the organization or slotted in future lineups in the first place.

I’m watching him live tonight. Despite having two points (goal and assist) it’s been his defensive play that has stood out. He makes smart and simple plays to get the puck out every time.
- DarthKane

I'll expect a written report on my desk in the morning.

Not sure if necessarily elite but Soderlund is a fast skater who gravitates to the dirty areas, size be damned, and plays a relentless style. He may be a good candidate for a future role as an agitating bottom 6 winger. He's not going to get under the other teams' skin by playing rough and tumble but more so by being an annoying fly like Kruger.

As far as D prospects, you are correct that Boqvist, Carlsson, and Krys are plus skaters, if not excellent ones in the case of Boqvist and Krys. Beaudin is a solid skater, too. Gilbert may be a decent, functional skater similar to Seabrook in his prime years. Hillman and Tuulola as well.
- AEL_Fox

I think Soderlund will turn some heads with his speed and gritty play . Smaller ice could work in his favor .4th or third liner and PK .

Did McDavid drop--not a chance
- RaleighHawk

Hughes ain´t McDavid but no.