I really like the idea of drafting BB with #3 and the trading Gus to get another #1 and then picking up a forward or goalie. I’m all in for Cozens @ #3 but if you can get a top flight D man and parlay Gus for another #1 sounds like a top move for me.

I really like the idea of drafting BB with #3 and the trading Gus to get another #1 and then picking up a forward or goalie. I’m all in for Cozens @ #3 but if you can get a top flight D man and parlay Gus for another #1 sounds like a top move for me.
- gifman

If we see - and get completely frustrated by - Gus' lack of defensive prowess - why do we think that the player evaluation teams from other franchises can't / won't see it too?

In addition: looking at Gus' stats from before last season in Chicago - he never came close to averaging 1/2 point per game - either in Chicago, or in Sweden. Is a "reverting to the mean" possibly coming? Do other teams question that too?

I don't think they can get another first for Gus without additional assets going out.

The Hawks have 0 elite forward prospects. Maybe a few that could be borderline top 6. If there is a forward that projects to be a #1 center take him.

They need help on D yes but they spent a lot of draft capital on Joki, Beaudin, Mitchell, and Boqvist. 2/4 should be top pairing guys if all goes well. That is the entire point of drafting them.

If Bryam is a sure fire #1 guy in a year then yes consider taking him...but I have not read anything that says he is that good. If he was that good then there would be more talk of him going ahead of Hughes and/or Kakko.
- bhawks2241

Agree, that is my biggest reason, especially in a draft of strong forwards. There are also possibilities of trading a d prospect for forward help.

If we see - and get completely frustrated by - Gus' lack of defensive prowess - why do we think that the player evaluation teams from other franchises can't / won't see it too?

In addition: looking at Gus' stats from before last season in Chicago - he never came close to averaging 1/2 point per game - either in Chicago, or in Sweden. Is a "reverting to the mean" possibly coming? Do other teams question that too?

I don't think they can get another first for Gus without additional assets going out.
- StLBravesFan

Well one aspect of Gus’s year is no Q. JC let him off of the leash.

[quote=walleyeb1]Pronman’s latest 2019 NHL Draft Board: Top 107 prospects is out on The Athletic. I cut it off where he shifted to High-end/very good bubble. Some surprises in there for me.

There shouldn't be many surprises go back and look how poorly his rankings need up selection-wise, especialy Blue Bokk, who he had listed in the second tier or Matt Tkachuk who was NOT a true good player in the high teens...

as much as I think Corey is joke, he at least throws up is opinions...
- wiz1901

Nice to have praise for the guy but he's a complete swing and miss guy, I want to see his rankings, to see how ridiculous they are but I don't have a need for other content on the website to pay for it.

https://www.google.com/am...6njkXJqdNc6esQWOioSoDQ4:0

Consider them finished, if you didn't already.

I like the idea of adding Eakin, but I wonder if Vegas would prefer to get players back that they could immediately plug into their lineup as opposed to prospects/picks. If that is the case, who could we send them?
Any thoughts on going after Cedric Paquette? Might he project as a 3C or is he better suited on the 4th line?
- Ron Swanson

Vegas would only be able to take back cheap contracts (ie. Sikura, Hayden) and/or prospects/picks.

Beat me to it
- LAHawk

Double beat me too it.

Keep an eye on Vegas heading into the draft. Guaranteed they make move or two.

Double beat me too it.

Keep an eye on Vegas heading into the draft. Guaranteed they make move or two.
- Tyler Cameron

It’s a bit of a reach but Tuch would be an excellent addition.

Well one aspect of Gus’s year is no Q. JC let him off of the leash.
- gifman

With Gus it is all about what can you do for us (team) going forward. The past is the past. His production last season is not an aberation. He is capable. Now if you wantbto ask if his shot wad always thst good, i don't know. But do not discount what he did and MIGHT be able to produce in the future.

What is a likely point production? Could he become a better, consistent performer both defensively and.offensively.

i saw signs of elite thinking and play making which could be sudden strikes when he hooks up with a Kane or anyone. Not that i expect this to be happening all the time. But he is capable. Put him in a system and see how much better he becomes. Maybe fewer brain farts or he doesn't stand around and miss coverage.

And wortheCup blogger: you have no evidence that Colliton cannot be successful. You don't have proof his system will not work. You judge harshly because he apoears too green, too unproven. He could do just fine even without a better longer coaching background ....plenty of coaches have. Colliton is a bright guy and the players like him. There are going to be new players whom will want to stick and will do what the coach says. Believe it!

Colliton molded that Rockford playoff team that had a long run two seasons back. Yes he has a lot to prove at NHLlevel.. You see a glass half empty or worse. I see it as half full. That was Bowman imprint on how to coach/style most out of last season. You know that. From the get go things will be different next fall. We shall see.

With Gus it is all about what can you do for us (team) going forward. The past is the past. His production last season is not an aberation. He is capable. Now if you wantbto ask if his shot wad always thst good, i don't know. But do not discount what he did and MIGHT be able to produce in the future.

What is a likely point production? Could he become a better, consistent performer both defensively and.offensively.

i saw signs of elite thinking and play making which could be sudden strikes when he hooks up with a Kane or anyone. Not that i expect this to be happening all the time. But he is capable. Put him in a system and see how much better he becomes. Maybe fewer brain farts or he doesn't stand around and miss coverage.

And wortheCup blogger: you have no evidence that Colliton cannot be successful. You don't have proof his system will not work. You judge harshly because he apoears too green, too unproven. He could do just fine even without a better longer coaching background ....plenty of coaches have. Colliton is a bright guy and the players like him. There are going to be new players whom will want to stick and will do what the coach says. Believe it!

Colliton molded that Rockford playoff team that had a long run two seasons back. Yes he has a lot to prove at NHLlevel.. You see a glass half empty or worse. I see it as half full. That was Bowman imprint on how to coach/style most out of last season. You know that. From the get go things will be different next fall. We shall see

You make some very good points, my worries are that you have a team with some veterans that are just off three Stanley cups with in the last three or four years, and this coach is as old as some of those key players, and the coach they played for was like their daddy. My worries are that if Stan Bowman does not add complementary pieces and if this thing goes south with these players done tune him out. I will be the first to admit I think the flyers made a big mistake with Craig Berube, and that probably cost Ron Hextall his job, trying to turn the flyers into something they weren’t. They are always known as a Smash Mouth in your face type team. And that was the right coach for that style.
I hope Colleton does OK but a personal preference for me has always been the “foot in your ass “type coaches ,Like Coach Q , Keenan, both Sutters ,Hitchcock, and newer guys like John Tortorella and Craig Berube, they basically laid out who the bosses from day one. I hope Jeremy Colleton establishes that from the first day of training camp.
And maybe some guys know more than me but so far the type of free agency has signed from overseas I don’t see them playing that kind of style. I could be wrong, and besides probably 3/4 of these guys probably will go no further than Rockford ever. This is just my opinion only.
- jhawk59[img][/img]

It’s a bit of a reach but Tuch would be an excellent addition.
- DarthKane

so would McNabb

Chabot is an untouchable. The Hawks don't have the assets to acquire a player like him in trade. But it sure would be nice seeing him on the blueline.
- RickJ

I disagree on both counts.
First of all, I said Chabot type, and if Bowman wants a stud defenceman he's going to have to trade for one. As for Chabot himself, he's young and a top pair guy, but not Bobby Orr. Ottawa is absolutely terrible and they would be crazy to not listen to healthy offers for him. I'm thinking a Saad, Bovquist + scenario might get their attention. Face it, its going to take 3 players to acquire somebody like him, maybe more.

Secondly. ..Bowman has never had the depth in quality and quantity of young forwards that he has now, along with some nice D youngsters in the pipeline. Ottawa could help their rebuild faster by acquiring 3 top players.

The question remains....do the Blackhawks want to contend for another CUP run NOW with Kane, Toews, Keith and Crawford in their 30's, or build strictly for the future. I guess we'll know immediately with his first trade...and what he does at #3.

I disagree on both counts.
First of all, I said Chabot type, and if Bowman wants a stud defenceman he's going to have to trade for one. As for Chabot himself, he's young and a top pair guy, but not Bobby Orr. Ottawa is absolutely terrible and they would be crazy to not listen to healthy offers for him. I'm thinking a Saad, Bovquist + scenario might get their attention. Face it, its going to take 3 players to acquire somebody like him, maybe more.

Secondly. ..Bowman has never had the depth in quality and quantity of young forwards that he has now, along with some nice D youngsters in the pipeline. Ottawa could help their rebuild faster by acquiring 3 top players.

The question remains....do the Blackhawks want to contend for another CUP run NOW with Kane, Toews, Keith and Crawford in their 30's, or build strictly for the future. I guess we'll know immediately with his first trade...and what he does at #3.
- Hawkytalk

I don’t think trading Saad helps the team at this point. They need more 200’ players, with size and speed, not fewer.

I here the Jaws music ..

It depends on what you are looking for and how hands on you want to be and how much stuff you want to cook at once.

Pellet Smokers like the Traegers are easy to set up, and very easy to use. Set and forget them, they maintain temps and the only thing you need to worry about is making sure the pellets don't run out. Downside is that they can get expensive and the models on the cheaper end of the scale have somewhat limited cook space.

A "bullet" smoker like the Weber Smoky Mountain, takes a little longer to master the use of and how to maintain temps on it, but once you do it produces amazing results for things like briskets, chicken, turkeys and fish. Depending on which size you get (18" or 22") will determine how many racks of ribs you can effectively do at once. These are strictly charcoal/wood burning so getting them at a consistent temp takes practice and patience. A bullet smoker will cost less than the smaller and lower end Traegers.

Offset smokers, which are what many competition cookers use are considered by many to be the "best". they come in many sizes and price ranges. Most are charcoal/wood based but many have added features to be hybrids of pellet and charcoal. There is also a learning curve with these as the heat source is to one side, so one side of the smoker box is much hotter than then other and must be compensated for.
- TheTrob

Agree with everything you say.

I’m a purist, so I like wood\charcoal. In my mind anything that maintains its own set temperature feels like cheating, but that’s just me.

Best bang for the buck is definitely bullet style, but there are some decent, reasonably priced offset models. The main advantage of these is the separate fire box makes it easier to tend to the coals.

With Gus it is all about what can you do for us (team) going forward. The past is the past. His production last season is not an aberation. He is capable. Now if you wantbto ask if his shot wad always thst good, i don't know. But do not discount what he did and MIGHT be able to produce in the future.

What is a likely point production? Could he become a better, consistent performer both defensively and.offensively.

i saw signs of elite thinking and play making which could be sudden strikes when he hooks up with a Kane or anyone. Not that i expect this to be happening all the time. But he is capable. Put him in a system and see how much better he becomes. Maybe fewer brain farts or he doesn't stand around and miss coverage.

And wortheCup blogger: you have no evidence that Colliton cannot be successful. You don't have proof his system will not work. You judge harshly because he apoears too green, too unproven. He could do just fine even without a better longer coaching background ....plenty of coaches have. Colliton is a bright guy and the players like him. There are going to be new players whom will want to stick and will do what the coach says. Believe it!

Colliton molded that Rockford playoff team that had a long run two seasons back. Yes he has a lot to prove at NHLlevel.. You see a glass half empty or worse. I see it as half full. That was Bowman imprint on how to coach/style most out of last season. You know that. From the get go things will be different next fall. We shall see.
- jhawk59

The Hogs finished 4th in the Division under JC, with a defense that ranked 22nd in the AHL that year. Then the Hawks sent down some NHL vets after the big club season was in tatters, and JC rode the vets and some hot goaltending.

JC’s only season with a winning record in his 6 years as a HC is finishing 1st in his 4th season in Sweden’s Tier 2 league.

So, 1 winning year in 6, and that inspires confidence in his coaching ability?

I don’t think trading Saad helps the team at this point. They need more 200’ players, with size and speed, not fewer.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed

Furthermore:
Trading a hot commodity like Chabot for what? I understand your premise. But Saad won't make that much difference helping them win. Teams need 200 foot players with size and strength. Saad though is not a reliable #2 line more a #3 line. He has never scored much......scores some but no big.threat. Boqvist is not near NHL ready and.you decimate Ottawa if you trade their.top young dman. At this point they should not trade Chabot no matter what is offered. They need him.

The Hogs finished 4th in the Division under JC, with a defense that ranked 22nd in the AHL that year. Then the Hawks sent down some NHL vets after the big club season was in tatters, and JC rode the vets and some hot goaltending.

JC’s only season with a winning record in his 6 years as a HC is finishing 1st in his 4th season in Sweden’s Tier 2 league.

So, 1 winning year in 6, and that inspires confidence in his coaching ability?
- scottak

He took Rockford without a very good .offense far in playoffs. Colliton is a bright guy who communicates and is liked by.his players. Though he doesn't have a great winning track record.

He took Rockford without a very good .offense far in playoffs. Colliton is a bright guy who communicates and is liked by.his players. Though he doesn't have a great winning track record.
- jhawk59

Also i do not know that he had good teams, enough good players those years in Swefen.

I disagree on both counts.
First of all, I said Chabot type, and if Bowman wants a stud defenceman he's going to have to trade for one. As for Chabot himself, he's young and a top pair guy, but not Bobby Orr. Ottawa is absolutely terrible and they would be crazy to not listen to healthy offers for him. I'm thinking a Saad, Bovquist + scenario might get their attention. Face it, its going to take 3 players to acquire somebody like him, maybe more.

Secondly. ..Bowman has never had the depth in quality and quantity of young forwards that he has now, along with some nice D youngsters in the pipeline. Ottawa could help their rebuild faster by acquiring 3 top players.

The question remains....do the Blackhawks want to contend for another CUP run NOW with Kane, Toews, Keith and Crawford in their 30's, or build strictly for the future. I guess we'll know immediately with his first trade...and what he does at #3.
- Hawkytalk

First, the only way the Sens are taking Saad and his $6M contract is if it is the way to unload Bobby Ryan's grotesque contract. Otherwise cheapskate Eugene Melnyk vetoes any deal involving big money. They are a cap minimum team forever with that owner in charge.

Second, despite his great potential the Sens don't need a skinny, small undeveloped Swedish kid like Bovquist when they just acquired Eric Brannstrom in the Mark Stone trade.

Thomas Chabot is their #1 Dman for the next 10-12 years unless they refuse to pay him down the road. And he looked pretty damn good playing big minutes today.

Nice to see Strome with the fourth best face-off percentage in the tourney at 67.7%.

I don’t think trading Saad helps the team at this point. They need more 200’ players, with size and speed, not fewer.
- Ogilthorpe2

I see your point. I guess I'm just not that much of a Saad fan. The trade was horrendous and in my eyes he's just not the player he was prior to his money deal, and I find him expendable. Especially if Bowman tries to get a top pairing guy from someone. There's no way I'd trade any of our top 4 forwards to get a top pair dman, but I guess that's what it would have to be.

I also wonder why Saad isn't playing at the World's ??? I would think it would be good for his experience and compete level, but maybe I'm wrong. He probably would rather have the time off than try to improve himself. Or maybe he wasn't invited ? Either way, if he's here this coming season, I hope he gives us all we need in his 200 foot game on the 3rd line. Lol.

He took Rockford without a very good .offense far in playoffs. Colliton is a bright guy who communicates and is liked by.his players. Though he doesn't have a great winning track record.
- jhawk59

Had the Boy's playing at 102 point clip the last 45 games .Team was buying in to what he was selling their at the end . He will be ok .Having a coach and FO on the same page is huge .

Congratulations to ST.L on winning the west ,SJ never gave up . ST.L vs Bruins should be fun .GO Blues bring it back West ...