Hawks will draft Podkolzin just to give everyone on message boards something to be upset about
- PatShart

And sign Jake Gardiner .I will be out for Stan head myself ,and I like Stan ...

And sign Jake Gardiner .I will be out for Stan head myself ,and I like Stan ...

- oldduffman

...then extend Gustafson 6yrs x 6mil

And sign Jake Gardiner .I will be out for Stan head myself ,and I like Stan ...

- oldduffman

Hell no!!!!! If Stan signs gardiner, I will throw up in my mouth...then order a Blues jersey and begin cheering for the "Blows"....

Ok....maybe not....but I will be upset.....

I was actually wondering about that. If Stan completely blows the first pick, but hits big on 3 or 4 later picks, is it considered a "good" draft, or is he still a turd for not getting the first one right?
- Chunk

If Stan hits on ALL of the picks - Dale will get the credit.

Hell no!!!!! If Stan signs gardiner, I will throw up in my mouth...then order a Blues jersey and begin cheering for the "Blows"....

Ok....maybe not....but I will be upset.....
- hawk35

Hawks will draft Podkolzin just to give everyone on message boards something to be upset about
- PatShart

It doesn't matter who the Hawks draft there will be a contingent of fans that will be upset about it.

Just like last year when Boqvist was selected when the obvious choices were Bouchard, Wahlstrom, Dobson, Dellandrea, Smith, Foudy and Merkley. Not to mention that Stan should have traded up to pick one of the top 7.

If Stan hits on ALL of the picks - Dale will get the credit.
- StLBravesFan

You say that like it's the wrong thing to do?

And sign Jake Gardiner .I will be out for Stan head myself ,and I like Stan ...

- oldduffman

Ek's latest blog says the Hawks and Montreal are the leading suitors for signing Gardiner. In other words, it ain't going to be happening.

Another question for Wiz, I didn’t get to see the last USA Worlds game, but it looks like Jack Hughs has yet to make the score sheet through four games. I’m curious if this has any real impact regarding the draft, or have the top three teams already slotted him wherever they’ve slotted him. It’s only one tournament I figure it probably doesn’t matter much, but wonder what your thoughts are on this.

Another question for Wiz, I didn’t get to see the last USA Worlds game, but it looks like Jack Hughs has yet to make the score sheet through four games. I’m curious if this has any real impact regarding the draft, or have the top three teams already slotted him wherever they’ve slotted him. It’s only one tournament I figure it probably doesn’t matter much, but wonder what your thoughts are on this.
- walleyeb1

Todd had a good article about this yesterday:
https://www.hockeybuzz.co...ing-Jack-Hughes/159/99471

It doesn't matter who the Hawks draft there will be a contingent of fans that will be upset about it.

Just like last year when Boqvist was selected when the obvious choices were Bouchard, Wahlstrom, Dobson, Dellandrea, Smith, Foudy and Merkley. Not to mention that Stan should have traded up to pick one of the top 7.
- DarthKane

Yet, it still looks like Stan was right (looking back a year later).

https://thehockeynews.com...how-would-it-unfold-today

Hawks will draft Podkolzin just to give everyone on message boards something to be upset about
- PatShart

And trade down to make that choice. Getting an additional 2nd rounder in the process.

I've been watching some of the USA games over the past few days and I have to say Kane has brought his half-ass defensive effort to Slovakia. He's been terrible. He often looks nonchalant so it's not necessarily that - but just a half heart effort unless he has the puck in the o-zone. He just had one of those plays that led to GBR scoring their second goal - he took a one-hand on stick swipe at the puck which actually pushed the puck into the slot were Perlini's brother took it and buried it. And he's wearing the "C" for USA. Very disappointing.

On the other hand DeBrincat looks great. He scored another goal today (4 goals in 4 games) and he's hustling all over the ice.
- EbonyRaptor

Yeah its a meaningless game.... I don't want Kane even playing. Are we back to ripping on Kane now? He's only been the Hawks best player the last 3 years.

Yet, it still looks like Stan was right (looking back a year later).

https://thehockeynews.com...how-would-it-unfold-today
- RedRevenge

Hmm, as I read it, Stan should have taken Grigori Denisenko at #7.
Boqvist is slotted 11th.

Yeah its a meaningless game.... I don't want Kane even playing. Are we back to ripping on Kane now? He's only been the Hawks best player the last 3 years.
- bhawks2241

15th of the month is trash Patty Kane day, 22nd of the month is Seabrook sucks day and the 29th is pick on StanBo day. Don't you have reminders set on your calendar?

I’m for trading #3, IF it’s for multiple players that make the Hawks a better team NEXT year (unless Hughes or Kakko fall to #3). Toews, KANE & Keith aren’t getting any younger. They need help next year, not 2 or 3 years from now. Here’s Sean McIndoe’s take from The Athletic. He discusses all 15 teams.

#3 – Chicago Blackhawks

The case for a trade: The Hawks are an aging and expensive team that lucked into a big jump up the draft order, so it will be tempting to take that as a hint from the hockey gods that it’s time to start building for the future.

And they probably should. But in a draft with two blue chips at the very top, the third-overall pick isn’t likely to be a difference-maker right away. Meanwhile, the Hawks have a championship core with a window that’s rapidly closing on them. This Toews/Kane/Keith group has already brought three titles to Chicago, and maybe that’s enough. But you only get so many shots, and flags fly forever. Stan Bowman could get plenty for this pick, and maybe even enough to move the Hawks back into short-term contention.

Is it convincing?: That depends on whether you think there’s still any kind of window open for a team that hasn’t won so much as a playoff game since 2016. If the handful of strong stretches from last season have you thinking there may be some magic left, maybe you’re tempted to chase one more big run. But if not, then you use the pick to kick off a mini-rebuild and hope you’re ready to contend again while the veteran core still has something in the tank. That second option makes way more sense to me, and unless Stan Bowman’s seat is hotter than we think, I’m betting he feels the same way.

Yeah its a meaningless game.... I don't want Kane even playing. Are we back to ripping on Kane now? He's only been the Hawks best player the last 3 years.
- bhawks2241

I'm not ripping on Kane just to complain or rip on him - I like to see effort or I question why the guy is on the ice. Yes he's the Hawks best player and I love the guy but playing for USA is voluntary and since he made the decision to play - he should give a better effort than what I've seen from him. Just my 2 cents.

Actually you learned Canadian English whilst we learned American English. I threw in that British English word just for the fun of it.
- Beaver-Warrior

Thanks for making it fun.

Hmm, as I read it, Stan should have taken Grigori Denisenko at #7.
Boqvist is slotted 11th.
- scottak

Dobson / Denisenko / Kravtsov were drafted after Boqvist.

1 Defensemen and 2 LW. I think the Defensemen draft was the better choice imo.

I've been watching some of the USA games over the past few days and I have to say Kane has brought his half-ass defensive effort to Slovakia. He's been terrible. He often looks nonchalant so it's not necessarily that - but just a half heart effort unless he has the puck in the o-zone. He just had one of those plays that led to GBR scoring their second goal - he took a one-hand on stick swipe at the puck which actually pushed the puck into the slot were Perlini's brother took it and buried it. And he's wearing the "C" for USA. Very disappointing.

On the other hand DeBrincat looks great. He scored another goal today (4 goals in 4 games) and he's hustling all over the ice.
- EbonyRaptor

He does it all season long so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise

I'm not ripping on Kane just to complain or rip on him - I like to see effort or I question why the guy is on the ice. Yes he's the Hawks best player and I love the guy but playing for USA is voluntary and since he made the decision to play - he should give a better effort than what I've seen from him. Just my 2 cents.
- EbonyRaptor

They were playing England .

Hawks will draft Podkolzin just to give everyone on message boards something to be upset about
- PatShart

That is my darkhorse being the type of player well rounded and a scorer too. But it would not be a surprise if Kelly and organizational consensus is to draft for a need. That is ok when such a player is so close on rating the #3-6 players. Although i would be dissppointed but not upset with the dman taken third overall, Cozens is whom Bowman should select.

Going into the draft the only sure thing is that Kakko goes top two. I hope that Bowman doesn't have to choose between Hughes and Cozens. Because many will clambor for Hughes. But how great is Hughes compared to Cozens in a playoff series with teams pounding away like Boston? Any playoff opponent is going to play a tougher heavier brand of hockey and Cozens is a big first step in combat response.

I’m for trading #3, IF it’s for multiple players that make the Hawks a better team NEXT year (unless Hughes or Kakko fall to #3). Toews, KANE & Keith aren’t getting any younger. They need help next year, not 2 or 3 years from now. Here’s Sean McIndoe’s take from The Athletic. He discusses all 15 teams.

#3 – Chicago Blackhawks

The case for a trade: The Hawks are an aging and expensive team that lucked into a big jump up the draft order, so it will be tempting to take that as a hint from the hockey gods that it’s time to start building for the future.

And they probably should. But in a draft with two blue chips at the very top, the third-overall pick isn’t likely to be a difference-maker right away. Meanwhile, the Hawks have a championship core with a window that’s rapidly closing on them. This Toews/Kane/Keith group has already brought three titles to Chicago, and maybe that’s enough. But you only get so many shots, and flags fly forever. Stan Bowman could get plenty for this pick, and maybe even enough to move the Hawks back into short-term contention.

Is it convincing?: That depends on whether you think there’s still any kind of window open for a team that hasn’t won so much as a playoff game since 2016. If the handful of strong stretches from last season have you thinking there may be some magic left, maybe you’re tempted to chase one more big run. But if not, then you use the pick to kick off a mini-rebuild and hope you’re ready to contend again while the veteran core still has something in the tank. That second option makes way more sense to me, and unless Stan Bowman’s seat is hotter than we think, I’m betting he feels the same way.
- scottak

I am not convinced at all to trade down for multiple picks.

How long until the roster has enough grit enough compete in heavy hard hitting all the time playiff hockey. The team doesn't get tough enough through trading down. But one tough enough player WHOM FIGURES TO BE TOP SIX is where to start. We have a bevy of players whom in the next 2-3 years slot (project) in nicely lines #3 & #4.

The top prospects you never should trade down from choosing.

I was actually wondering about that. If Stan completely blows the first pick, but hits big on 3 or 4 later picks, is it considered a "good" draft, or is he still a turd for not getting the first one right?
- Chunk

Uncle Dale has been Sainted here by some and he did that in the '04 draft, whiffing on the 3 overall and getting Barker, but hit on Bickell, Holland, Dowell and Brouwer with 4 of his other 16 picks (Hawks had 17 picks in '04).

In '05 the Hawks whiffed on Skille and hit on Hammer in the 4th drafting the only dman to make it to the big club under Uncle Dale. They had 11 picks that year.

I am not convinced at all to trade down for multiple picks.

How long until the roster has enough grit enough compete in heavy hard hitting all the time playiff hockey. The team doesn't get tough enough through trading down. But one tough enough player WHOM FIGURES TO BE TOP SIX is where to start. We have a bevy of players whom in the next 2-3 years slot (project) in nicely lines #3 & #4.

The top prospects you never should trade down from choosing.
- jhawk59

I’m not advocating for trading #3 down for multiple picks. I am for trading #3 for player(s) that are playing in the NHL right now.

Anyone not named Hughes or Kakko is at least a year away, probably at least 2 years realistically. Hawks need help in 2019-20.