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

The most important skill for a defenseman. Is his play making you rethink Caufield?

Damn does that ice look big at the Worlds.

Could you imagine if they played the NHL on that ice.

Games would be 8-6 finals all season long.

Guys like McDavid and Matthews would have 200pts.

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

With the guys I used to work with we would have names for all the players. And his name was Rubbish.

Hughes ain´t McDavid but no.
- MjulQvist

Agree

Damn does that ice look big at the Worlds.

Could you imagine if they played the NHL on that ice.

Games would be 8-6 finals all season long.

Guys like McDavid and Matthews would have 200pts.
- vabeachbear

Goalies would adjust to the bigger angles, defensemen would adjust and keep opponents wide of the circles....

As long as they wouldn’t go to a “3-point line” kind of situation, the name of the game would still be getting inside, into the slot and home plate area, players to the net blinding the goalie....a wide open long shot is still a long shot.

I think NHL defenses would adjust.

Reading these daily comments re trading Gus and trading AA (many of those for peanuts) makes me wonder if there is another fan base that drives down the value of its players more than Hawk fans. When you read other teams' blogs, the value that their fans attach to their players is ridiculous.
Gus was one of the top scoring defencemen in the league last year. He absolutely has value.
AA has had a decent career, is still relatively young enough, is contributing for Russia at the Worlds, and is owed only $5m (for 2 years) after July 1. He absolutely has value and you certainly do not send assets the other way in a deal involving him.

Goalies would adjust to the bigger angles, defensemen would adjust and keep opponents wide of the circles....

As long as they wouldn’t go to a “3-point line” kind of situation, the name of the game would still be getting inside, into the slot and home plate area, players to the net blinding the goalie....a wide open long shot is still a long shot.

I think NHL defenses would adjust.
- StLBravesFan

Pylons like Chara would go the way of the Dodo bird.

Reading these daily comments re trading Gus and trading AA (many of those for peanuts) makes me wonder if there is another fan base that drives down the value of its players more than Hawk fans. When you read other teams' blogs, the value that their fans attach to their players is ridiculous.
Gus was one of the top scoring defencemen in the league last year. He absolutely has value.
AA has had a decent career, is still relatively young enough, is contributing for Russia at the Worlds, and is owed only $5m (for 2 years) after July 1. He absolutely has value and you certainly do not send assets the other way in a deal involving him.
- 67hawks

I have not been a proponent of trading Anisimov because I don't believe he is overpaid for a decent 3C, but I'm not against it either if it makes sense to make other moves.

I am a proponent of trading Gus but that is based on guessing that he will want more on his next contract than the Hawks should pay a d-man who isn't good at playing defense given all the up and coming d-men in the system. If Gus can be re-signed for around $3M AAV - then I would be OK with re-signing him, else trade him while he can bring value back in a trade rather than he walks and the Hawks get nothing. The rationale there is that next season will be another stepping stone season so Gus would be a luxury more than a necessity.

I have not been a proponent of trading Anisimov because I don't believe he is overpaid for a decent 3C, but I'm not against it either if it makes sense to make other moves.

I am a proponent of trading Gus but that is based on guessing that he will want more on his next contract than the Hawks should pay a d-man who isn't good at playing defense given all the up and coming d-men in the system. If Gus can be re-signed for around $3M AAV - then I would be OK with re-signing him, else trade him while he can bring value back in a trade rather than he walks and the Hawks get nothing. The rationale there is that next season will be another stepping stone season so Gus would be a luxury more than a necessity.
- EbonyRaptor

I did not watch Sweden's game in the World's yesterday, but reading comments about the game, Gus was apparently Sweden's best defenceman in the game (and it wasn't even close). That caught my attention because there are some big names on that D. Gus will get paid -if not by us, then by someone else.

I did not watch Sweden's game in the World's yesterday, but reading comments about the game, Gus was apparently Sweden's best defenceman in the game (and it wasn't even close). That caught my attention because there are some big names on that D. Gus will get paid -if not by us, then by someone else.
- 67hawks

Kubahlik looked good, a goal and an apple

I’m watching Bowen Byram 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

The Giants dug deep, I just finished watching it this morning.
So the first star but he wasn't a plus, just a zero (even).


I guess he didn't stand out on the two even strength goals he was on the ice for? Did his defensive play not come into the way the play afterSt. Albert entry was "handled" by the Giants?


All I am saying, it keep watching and try and place the final product in the nHl at a different level of compete/skill/quickness before we get a final consensus that this kid serves the Chicago franchise more than any forward.

Kubahlik looked good, a goal and an apple

- gazza53

Yeah, when Stan sees results like his play and worlds, it sort of puts blinders on hawks looking for much June 1st free agency except a face-off man upgrade, and (if possibly via trade) and different type heavy defender, but no giant swings for the fences...

The most important skill for a defenseman. Is his play making you rethink Caufield?
- paulr

Re-think Caufield? No way!

If the Hawks drafted Byram I would certainly be happy though. I think it’s more of a 1A and 1B situation with Caufield and Byram now.

Pylons like Chara would go the way of the Dodo bird.
- Beaver-Warrior

I disagree.

Defensemen wouldn’t necessarily have to chase forwards to the boards - just keep them farther outside. I think you’d see more “drop back”zones, perimeters set up around the dangerous areas, with offenses more content to wait outside cycling the puck looking for an opening.

But I haven’t watched enough European games to know how that all plays out.

I have not been a proponent of trading Anisimov because I don't believe he is overpaid for a decent 3C, but I'm not against it either if it makes sense to make other moves..
- EbonyRaptor

We agree, that the much maligned anisimov IS a good NHL player, but his future may be tired to whether the Hawks find a UFA who is decides in advance he wants to play in Chicago, and is a better face-off guy and can "fill" or close to fill AA role.

I think the days of singing a face off specialist are gone, so Anisimov's future may be tied to any new centre acquisition.

And gus, well, I don't see a guy ready to replace him, easy Cap hit, os he stays regardless of the way the new game allows defenders to be unbalanced in their own end.

The Giants dug deep, I just finished watching it this morning.
So the first star but he wasn't a plus, just a zero (even).


I guess he didn't stand out on the two even strength goals he was on the ice for? Did his defensive play not come into the way the play afterSt. Albert entry was "handled" by the Giants?


All I am saying, it keep watching and try and place the final product in the nHl at a different level of compete/skill/quickness before we get a final consensus that this kid serves the Chicago franchise more than any forward.
- wiz1901

None of the PA goals were his fault nor could he have done anything about them. Two of the goals were as a result of a giveaway, the one by Tendeck was bad. He can’t play the puck well but he was doing it all night, especially the first half. Most of the other Giants d-men struggled, but not Byram. Kannok Leipert turned the puck over consistently and there were others.

You can argue that Chicago should draft a forward over a defenseman, I understand that but don’t agree with it. However, that doesn’t mean there are issues with Byram’s Game. He was the best player on the ice for both teams by a wide margin. PA was targeting him, either physically (which didn’t phase him) or trying to keep the puck away from him.

None of the PA goals were his fault nor could he have done anything about them. Two of the goals were as a result of a giveaway, the one by Tendeck was bad. He can’t play the puck well but he was doing it all night, especially the first half. Most of the other Giants d-men struggled, but not Byram. Kannok Leipert turned the puck over consistently and there were others.

You can argue that Chicago should draft a forward over a defenseman, I understand that but don’t agree with it. However, that doesn’t mean there are issues with Byram’s Game. He was the best player on the ice for both teams by a wide margin. PA was targeting him, either physically (which didn’t phase him) or trying to keep the puck away from him.
- DarthKane

Sounds like it's all set for the Rangers to take him at #2.

Have you seen enough of Byram to make a comparison with Cale Makar of the Avs? I love that kid as a player.

I disagree.

Defensemen wouldn’t necessarily have to chase forwards to the boards - just keep them farther outside. I think you’d see more “drop back”zones, perimeters set up around the dangerous areas, with offenses more content to wait outside cycling the puck looking for an opening.

But I haven’t watched enough European games to know how that all plays out.
- StLBravesFan

Playing on big Olympic size ice makes for boring hockey. Watch it enough and you will need to take No-Doze to stay awake for a complete game.

None of the PA goals were his fault nor could he have done anything about them. Two of the goals were as a result of a giveaway, the one by Tendeck was bad. He can’t play the puck well but he was doing it all night, especially the first half. Most of the other Giants d-men struggled, but not Byram. Kannok Leipert turned the puck over consistently and there were others.

You can argue that Chicago should draft a forward over a defenseman, I understand that but don’t agree with it. However, that doesn’t mean there are issues with Byram’s Game. He was the best player on the ice for both teams by a wide margin. PA was targeting him, either physically (which didn’t phase him) or trying to keep the puck away from him.
- DarthKane

I have been a big Cozens fan for the pick, Byran has really been coming on and I would have no problem with the HAWKS taking him,they are both good Canadian kid so that a plus .I do believe that the HAWKS will take Turcotte with his Chicago connections .Thing is they are all good players we did not think we would have a chance to get .

Playing on big Olympic size ice makes for boring hockey. Watch it enough and you will need to take No-Doze to stay awake for a complete game.
- RickJ

Played on it years ago in Denmark ,lot of fun with all that room

Playing on big Olympic size ice makes for boring hockey. Watch it enough and you will need to take No-Doze to stay awake for a complete game.
- RickJ

The best ice surface to set up the trap. Keep everything outside and there is no action.

Played on it years ago in Denmark ,lot of fun with all that room
- oldduffman

Q was probably watching and killed your career right then and there.

Q was probably watching and killed your career right then and there.
- RickJ

Ya that must of been it .Think it was more my skating shooting and drinking that did that . Lot of great bars in Denmark for a 15 year old I must say ,no age of majority over there

Sounds like it's all set for the Rangers to take him at #2.

Have you seen enough of Byram to make a comparison with Cale Makar of the Avs? I love that kid as a player.
- RickJ

I haven’t seen Makar play so I can’t make the comparison.

I hate to make this comparison but he play reminded me of Keith. Not exactly the same, but similar.

I have been a big Cozens fan for the pick, Byran has really been coming on and I would have no problem with the HAWKS taking him,they are both good Canadian kid so that a plus .I do believe that the HAWKS will take Turcotte with his Chicago connections .Thing is they are all good players we did not think we would have a chance to get .
- oldduffman

Caufield, Byram, Turcotte or Cozens - the Hawks will get a solid prospect.