Interesting part of article on TheAthletic on why you draft a forward early:
I went back and looked at the top 10 picks in each of the last 15 drafts, and how long it took for them to become NHL regulars. The numbers are striking. Of the 102 forwards taken in the top 10, 36 percent made the jump immediately, 66 percent within one season, and 79 percent within two seasons. Only 5 percent were total busts, with seven recent draftees still to be determined.
Of the 46 defensemen taken in the top 10 over the last 15 years, only 17 percent (eight of them) made the jump immediately, only 54 percent within one season, and only 70 percent within two seasons. Nine percent were busts, with three still to be determined.
Narrow it down to just top-five picks, and the numbers are similar. Fifty-two percent of the forwards taken in the top five jumped straight to the NHL, while just 36 percent of the defensemen did. Eighty-one percent of the forwards taken in the top five were NHL regulars within one season, compared to 68 percent of defensemen.
- wiz1901

So you’re advocating drafting Caufield. I agree.

So you’re advocating drafting Caufield. I agree.
- DarthKane

Caufield would be a good pick if you want to have Tampa Bay or Nashville success. He would be great in the regular season. But watching these playoffs, you need to be able to pound the body, shift after shift. The team that does that the best wins.

Caufield would be a good pick if you want to have Tampa Bay or Nashville success. He would be great in the regular season. But watching these playoffs, you need to be able to pound the body, shift after shift. The team that does that the best wins.
- powerenforcer

Agree plus hawks already have a Caulfield dcat hawks can get back to contending if this offseason is successful. Need top 4 and bottom pairing d men that are phyiscal good on the boards protect the net and can skate. 3rd line shutdown center 2 or 3 bangers and crashers that create hell in opposition o zone are good penalty killer and have speed size and chip in with the scoring. and last the Crawford situation need a vet backup another year in Rockford for delia is not the worst thing. Hawks need to hit a home run with the 3rd pick whether its bryam or Cozens or turcotte cannot be a bust.

I just saw on Twitter that the Canes will be buying out Darling. I wonder if Stan will step in with an NHL minimum (or close) deal?

I just saw on Twitter that the Canes will be buying out Darling. I wonder if Stan will step in with an NHL minimum (or close) deal?
- DarthKane

5x6 with NMC is my guess.

5x6 with NMC is my guess.
- breadbag

Anything less than $8 million won’t cut it.

Anything less than $8 million won’t cut it.
- DarthKane

Anything less than $12.45M or 15% of the cap I would consider an insult.

I just saw on Twitter that the Canes will be buying out Darling. I wonder if Stan will step in with an NHL minimum (or close) deal?
- DarthKane

Why?

With all due respect for his battle with his demons - and I certainly hope they haven’t returned - what has he done that says he could return to his good numbers as a backup when he was here before?

That Uber has passed us bye.

Anything less than $12.45M or 15% of the cap I would consider an insult.
- Beaver-Warrior

You know McMeddler wants this signing to happen because it will be a big PR boost for the brand, so if Blowman doesn't give him the $12.45M McMeddler will step in and ensure a $12.45M 7 year contract, complete with NMC is signed.

Why?

With all due respect for his battle with his demons - and I certainly hope they haven’t returned - what has he done that says he could return to his good numbers as a backup when he was here before?

That Uber has passed us bye.
- StLBravesFan

I hear Marty Turco is available?

You know McMeddler wants this signing to happen because it will be a big PR boost for the brand, so if Blowman doesn't give him the $12.45M McMeddler will step in and ensure a $12.45M 7 year contract, complete with NMC is signed.
- paulr

No way. The Hawks will use the opportunity to acquire the great Garrett Sparks to drive Darling's price down.

Re: Darling

Carolina general manager Don Waddell confirmed Sunday that the team granted the leave of absence.

“Since he’s been down there he’s had some good games and some bad games,” Waddell told the News & Observer. “He had a tough game the other night and his agent called me and said he would like to take a personal leave of absence and would we allow that to get his mind back together. That night he got rocked for about five (goals) and before he had a shutout (in regulation) before we lost in overtime 1-0. So we gave him the leave of absence.”

No way. The Hawks will use the opportunity to acquire the great Garrett Sparks to drive Darling's price down.
- RickJ

That's not the narrative Rick. Stan just hands out big contracts and NMC's like candy with no thought to the cap.

I hear Marty Turco is available?
- Ogilthorpe2

I hear he’s shrunk as he’s aged....

That's not the narrative Rick. Stan just hands out big contracts and NMC's like candy with no thought to the cap.
- paulr

#Stanblowman

For developing pros I'm a big believer in playing a lot of games against the toughest competition possible. For obvious reasons the NCAA can't provide that, but I agree the talent level is improving which is great for quality of competition.

BTW - the starting goalie for Guelph today in the Memorial Cup is making his 77th start of the season. And he let in a sh$tty goal in the first 3 minutes.
- RickJ

Sorry RickJ Thought it said 7th start . Geez he did get better ..

5x6 with NMC is my guess.
- breadbag

That's 500K for 6 !!! Lol

Sorry RickJ Thought it said 7th start . Geez he did get better ..
- oldduffman

Halifax vs Guelph tonight. Should be a good one. Some Hawks prospects to see in this game.

Halifax vs Guelph tonight. Should be a good one. Some Hawks prospects to see in this game.
- RickJ

Montreal have themselves a good one in Suzuki. Entwhistle is a solid smart two way player. Toropchenko looked great yesterday, unfortunaetley he's a St. Louis prospect. And Philly have a beast in Ratcliffe.

Why?

With all due respect for his battle with his demons - and I certainly hope they haven’t returned - what has he done that says he could return to his good numbers as a backup when he was here before?

That Uber has passed us bye.
- StLBravesFan

Rockford

Montreal have themselves a good one in Suzuki. Entwhistle is a solid smart two way player. Toropchenko looked great yesterday, unfortunaetley he's a St. Louis prospect. And Philly have a beast in Ratcliffe.
- paulr

Stan took Tim Soderlund one pick before Toropchenko and he took some Russian who will never be heard of again 43 spots before Toropchenko.

Oh well at least he recognized Entwhistle can play.

Rockford
- DarthKane

Darling is an example of an ex-Hawk whose play has declined steeply since leaving the team so bringing him back isn't the best thing to do. Yet, I could still see management look to sign him on a low risk deal. I prefer another veteran, though.

Rockford and Indy may need another goalie in the system if Forsberg decides to resign elsewhere. The Hogs and Fuel would be left with these options in goal (assuming Delia is the Hawks backup): Lankinen, Tomkins, and Marchand. That's pretty thin.

Nalimov could sign as he stated last August that 2018-19 was his last in the KHL and wanted to finally come over after then. Gravel could be an option as well but he's only 19 so another year at Halifax may be better for him. Crawford didn't transition from the QMJHL to the AHL until he was 21.

Rockford
- DarthKane

Maybe they convince Darling to sign a 2-way deal if they don't resign Forsberg.

CHI:
Crawford
Delia

RFD:
Lankinen
Darling


... #randomSundaythoughts

Halifax vs Guelph tonight. Should be a good one. Some Hawks prospects to see in this game.
- RickJ

Yes will be watching Thanks

Darling is an example of an ex-Hawk whose play has declined steeply since leaving the team so bringing him back isn't the best thing to do. Yet, I could still see management look to sign him on a low risk deal. I prefer another veteran, though.

Rockford and Indy may need another goalie in the system if Forsberg decides to resign elsewhere. The Hogs and Fuel would be left with these options in goal (assuming Delia is the Hawks backup): Lankinen, Tomkins, and Marchand. That's pretty thin.

Nalimov could sign as he stated last August that 2018-19 was his last in the KHL and wanted to finally come over after then. Gravel could be an option as well but he's only 19 so another year at Halifax may be better for him. Crawford didn't transition from the QMJHL to the AHL until he was 21.
- AEL_Fox

Gravel has a shot at becoming an NHLer, but that’s likely a few years away. I’m not holding out much hope for Nalimov. Hopefully I’m wrong, but something doesn’t seem right with that situation.

I think Forsberg will sign in Europe, I don’t see him wanted to share the net in Rockford. The Hawks need to sign a veteran goalie for the #2 or #3 slot. I’m not sold that Delia is ready yet.