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

Have you seen any Team Canada games? If so, how has Strome looked?

Kimelman and Morreale had John Wroblewski (coach of team USA under 18) on their podcast. He said both Zegras and Turcotte were about 75% for the latest tournament. Zegras was dealing with an upper body injury, where Turcotte was coming back from mono. Just goes to show you can't entirely judge these kids off their play in one tournament since you don't know exactly what's going on with them.

Thanks for making it fun.
- BlackhawkMike

They were playing England .
- oldduffman

I think my point is not understood or not shared by others ... slowly backing away and feeling shame for making the comment.

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.
- HawkintheD

Uncle Dale never whiffed. It was Blowman.

Have you seen any Team Canada games? If so, how has Strome looked?
- LAHawk

I've only seen one Canada game and Strome wasn't entirely invisible but didn't stand out either.

Uncle Dale never whiffed. It was Blowman.
- paulr

There we go! The narrative paul-ice (police). Keep up the great work.

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

There's only one way this should be read - Stan failed.

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.
- HawkintheD

That was Stan's fault.

They were playing England .
- oldduffman

Was he playing on the left wing (you know, as they drive on the wrong side!)

Their d is a disaster, draft Bryram and it will be a force in a few years, d always wins in the end..

Their d is a disaster, draft Bryram and it will be a force in a few years, d always wins in the end..
- Butcherboy66

Tell that to Nashville

Tell that to Nashville
- JohnnyHockey19

anyone notice the Blues D in 3rd period Game 2 vs San Jose - TEAM D was suffocating.

I have a question: What's up with extending offers to RFA's? It's rarely even talked about as an option.

I've been reading some articles lately about possible moves during the off-season, and the players on D being discussed are either going all in on Erik Karlsson or signing guys like Edler, Stralman or Jordie Benn which is fine if you can get them on a 2 (maybe 3) year deal to bridge the gap to the prospects coming up.

But if they won't sign for anything less than 4 years, why not just go big on Jacob Trouba? I'd rather have someone like Trouba on a 6-7 year contract at 25 years old than Karlsson at 29 or a 32-33 year old on a 4 year deal.

There seems to be a taboo around offer sheeting someone else's RFA. Is it bad form? Do teams shy away from it because they don't want other teams doing it to them? Do they not want to give up the draft pick compensation?

There are a good amount of RFAs that seem to profile as top 4 defensemen this off season that would fit really well (to varying degrees) with the "make over on the fly" the Hawks are going through right now. Trouba, Ryan Murray, Zach Werenski, Nathan Beaulieu, etc.

Help me understand why additions like these don't even get discussed.

Thanks!

Todd had a good article about this yesterday:
https://www.hockeybuzz.co...ing-Jack-Hughes/159/99471
- resqmed99

Thanks, good write up/blog. My takeaway from this is, Kakko will probably not be as good a player as Hughs, five years from now. Kakko on the other hand is probably much closer to NHL ready, conceivably could make a team in the 2019/20 season. Hughs on the other hand is probably two to threes years away from being NHL ready.

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.
- jhawk59

I don't how how good Hughes would be, being undersized.

How good was Kane when he was in the playoffs his second year in? Did his size hinder him?

If Hughes by miracle were there, Bowman should run to the microphone with chips in hand to pick him

I don't how how good Hughes would be, being undersized.

How good was Kane when he was in the playoffs his second year in? Did his size hinder him?

If Hughes by miracle were there, Bowman should run to the microphone with chips in hand to pick him
- PatShart

If Hughes is available at #3 the Hawks should draft him, but I would export the option of exploiting the Canucks in a trade.

If Hughes is available at #3 the Hawks should draft him, but I would export the option of exploiting the Canucks in a trade.
- DarthKane

To get Quinn here, sure. But not to move Jack

But he's going 1 or 2 so it's about as useful of a discussion as one of EKs rumors like the Hawks trading for Malkin a few years ago

I have a question: What's up with extending offers to RFA's? It's rarely even talked about as an option.

I've been reading some articles lately about possible moves during the off-season, and the players on D being discussed are either going all in on Erik Karlsson or signing guys like Edler, Stralman or Jordie Benn which is fine if you can get them on a 2 (maybe 3) year deal to bridge the gap to the prospects coming up.

But if they won't sign for anything less than 4 years, why not just go big on Jacob Trouba? I'd rather have someone like Trouba on a 6-7 year contract at 25 years old than Karlsson at 29 or a 32-33 year old on a 4 year deal.

There seems to be a taboo around offer sheeting someone else's RFA. Is it bad form? Do teams shy away from it because they don't want other teams doing it to them? Do they not want to give up the draft pick compensation?

There are a good amount of RFAs that seem to profile as top 4 defensemen this off season that would fit really well (to varying degrees) with the "make over on the fly" the Hawks are going through right now. Trouba, Ryan Murray, Zach Werenski, Nathan Beaulieu, etc.

Help me understand why additions like these don't even get discussed.

Thanks!
- 4_in_7

And what would you offer Trouba for 6-7 years, $7 mil. per season? Forget about the fact if the Hawks could afford it, you are giving up a 1st, second, and third round pick that must be yours. So if the Hawks do not have the picks, you aren't even eligible to offer that amount, let alone if you think that getting Trouba is worth the cost of losing the draft picks. Second, if you offer Trouba $7 mil., what is D-Cat and Strome going to want when they become UFA's? And with the cap, you won't be able to afford to keep them.

That is not even considering that if you target Trouba, that when the Hawks have desirable RFA's that Winnepeg or some other team does the same to you.

Yesterday I read through the Hockey News edition on the draft. They were projecting Turcotte as a 2 nd line center. They also have two awesome articles, one about Cozens and one comparing Cozens vs Dach. After reading these plus Wiz's scouting report there is no way I pass on Cozens. If you get a chance, get this special edition of the Hockey News! It is awesome!
- FourOrr

Awesome. Thanks! I'll pick that up.

Great piece, TC. When I was on break, I always made time to read when you had new stuff come out. I always appreciate what you do. I like Turcotte a lot, and this has me excited for him. But, as the guys have said, there are equally other great options to select. I'll just patiently wait, discuss, and be happy with whoever's name is announced.
- I Am The Breadman

Thanks pal! Hope you had a good break. Now we need you back on the board!

If Hughes is available at #3 the Hawks should draft him, but I would export the option of exploiting the Canucks in a trade.
- DarthKane

Red font? Not Cole Caufield?

And what would you offer Trouba for 6-7 years, $7 mil. per season? Forget about the fact if the Hawks could afford it, you are giving up a 1st, second, and third round pick that must be yours. So if the Hawks do not have the picks, you aren't even eligible to offer that amount, let alone if you think that getting Trouba is worth the cost of losing the draft picks. Second, if you offer Trouba $7 mil., what is D-Cat and Strome going to want when they become UFA's? And with the cap, you won't be able to afford to keep them.

That is not even considering that if you target Trouba, that when the Hawks have desirable RFA's that Winnepeg or some other team does the same to you.
- LAHawk

Strome and Cat aren't UFA's for awhile. They havent even reached 1st year RFA What will the cap be when the hit UFA?

Would a trade for #3 for #8 and something enthuse any of you? What would you require that plus be? I've seen mention of a Dman; what level of Dman?

Would a trade for #3 for #8 and something enthuse any of you? What would you require that plus be? I've seen mention of a Dman; what level of Dman?
- MaximumBone

Depends on what the something else is!