After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there

After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there
- LaheysBRandy

Interesting! From all the comments about him hockey smarts and vision seem to be his biggest strengths. There are also comments about his stickhandling and passing ability.

Looks like Markov has had some NHL offers.

Wiz you hear that the Hawks are in on him? I haven't heard any connection but would be interesting.
- Tyler Cameron

It just seems logical after his interest to come back on a short contract to me.

I did a Rinkcast with the cast of The-Rink where I dominate two hours of their lives passionately wailing on about the draft, and my head just synced Markov as a possible upgrade...while doing so. He was paid fairly big $ in his last Montreal contract...maybe a 7 mil deal, so I can't imagine that high of a dollar commitment.

It just seems logical after his interest to come back on a short contract to me.

I did a Rinkcast with the cast of The-Rink where I dominate two hours of their lives passionately wailing on about the draft, and my head just synced Markov as a possible upgrade...while doing so. He was paid fairly big $ in his last Montreal contract...maybe a 7 mil deal, so I can't imagine that high of a dollar commitment.
- wiz1901

Would you take a one or two year deal with a 2-2.5 mil aav on him?

It just seems logical after his interest to come back on a short contract to me.

I did a Rinkcast with the cast of The-Rink where I dominate two hours of their lives passionately wailing on about the draft, and my head just synced Markov as a possible upgrade...while doing so. He was paid fairly big $ in his last Montreal contract...maybe a 7 mil deal, so I can't imagine that high of a dollar commitment.
- wiz1901

Eklund saying Montreal plans to be aggressive and potentially move up in the draft. Does this mean Montreal thinks they are closer to contention? One would assume that they would have to give up a bit to move up substantially.. which doesn't help them in the short term..

I know the Eklund is the kiss of death for "rumors", but what does everyone think of a deal where MTL and we swap picks with Danault or Drouin as a sweetener? Is this a pipe dream? Would you do it if you're Stan?

After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there
- LaheysBRandy

Heard Zegras is very much in the mix.

After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there
- LaheysBRandy

Interesting! From all the comments about him hockey smarts and vision seem to be his biggest strengths. There are also comments about his stickhandling and passing ability.
- paulr

He has to get stronger and by going to Boston University he will get in a couple years of seasoning and that will be paramount in if his high water make rises.

(It looks like NEITHER of you guys read the profile by clicking on his name on DraftSite.)

I always like reading the Mack Kelley transcripts of the draft, but this is the first time in a long time when the hawks have the luxury of picking high, and I find his answer and descriptions as curious when they are "so" glowing.

I know he wants to be honest without giving out any indications of what is possibly going to play out at the microphone when the Blackhawks go up, but I just thought it was rather interesting when the GMs and head scouts prematurely ejacualte in interviews.
Was it Detroit's Yzerman on Caufiled the other day, and Kelley using a coparison to Paul Coffey on a certain top prospect on defense?

I just don't think you do that unless, you are trying to get the tea, above you re-think things, or you want one a slot or two below you to flip and give up the store in the trade up.

I am on record that I think it is highly unlikely ANY of the teams in the first round trade OUT, maybe move a bit on the board could happen, and I don't advise trading out of slot three, but Paul Coffey comparisons seem ok if you are trying to make each early pick appear as new food gold, but very curious nonetheless.

It just seems logical after his interest to come back on a short contract to me.

I did a Rinkcast with the cast of The-Rink where I dominate two hours of their lives passionately wailing on about the draft, and my head just synced Markov as a possible upgrade...while doing so. He was paid fairly big $ in his last Montreal contract...maybe a 7 mil deal, so I can't imagine that high of a dollar commitment.
- wiz1901

Listening to the podcast as I type. Great job!

After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there
- LaheysBRandy



He has to get stronger and by going to Boston University he will get in a couple years of seasoning and that will be paramount in if his high water make rises.

(It looks like NEITHER of you guys read the profile by clicking on his name on DraftSite.)

I always like reading the Mack Kelley transcripts of the draft, but this is the first time in a long time when the hawks have the luxury of picking high, and I find his answer and descriptions as curious when they are "so" glowing.

I know he wants to be honest without giving out any indications of what is possibly going to play out at the microphone when the Blackhawks go up, but I just thought it was rather interesting when the GMs and head scouts prematurely ejacualte in interviews.
Was it Detroit's Yzerman on Caufiled the other day, and Kelley using a coparison to Paul Coffey on a certain top prospect on defense?

I just don't think you do that unless, you are trying to get the tea, above you re-think things, or you want one a slot or two below you to flip and give up the store in the trade up.

I am on record that I think it is highly unlikely ANY of the teams in the first round trade OUT, maybe move a bit on the board could happen, and I don't advise trading out of slot three, but Paul Coffey comparisons seem ok if you are trying to make each early pick appear as new food gold, but very curious nonetheless.
- wiz1901

Oh don't get all butt sore Wiz, I read your analysis along with all the other analysis out there. You also refer to his hockey smarts and passing abilities.

Eklund saying Montreal plans to be aggressive and potentially move up in the draft. Does this mean Montreal thinks they are closer to contention? One would assume that they would have to give up a bit to move up substantially.. which doesn't help them in the short term..

I know the Eklund is the kiss of death for "rumors", but what does everyone think of a deal where MTL and we swap picks with Danault or Drouin as a sweetener? Is this a pipe dream? Would you do it if you're Stan?
- Q-stache

I wouldn't want to swap picks with Montreal unless they gave up something significant in return. Who is their top prospect, Nick Suzuki?

Eklund saying Montreal plans to be aggressive and potentially move up in the draft. Does this mean Montreal thinks they are closer to contention? One would assume that they would have to give up a bit to move up substantially.. which doesn't help them in the short term..

I know the Eklund is the kiss of death for "rumors", but what does everyone think of a deal where MTL and we swap picks with Danault or Drouin as a sweetener? Is this a pipe dream? Would you do it if you're Stan?
- Q-stache

I know I am not moving out of slot 3 to go to #15 (the area the HAWKS possibly would have been selecting before their fortunate luck)...unless they like Broberg like I do,or are going to aggressively select goalie Spencer Knight (if Florida doesn't take him at #13) and aren't in a rush and hate the big Centres, Turcotte, Zegras and Byram.

You didn't mention Alex Edler.

I hear the Hawks will kick the tires on him if he doesn't sign in Van.

A veteran 2-way (Swedish) dman.

The only sticking point will be $/term. Think Hawks could pay him in his range if he agress to a 2 year deal.
- Tyler Cameron

He would be a solid addition. I would prefer a 2 year deal, even if the AAV was a bit higher. He's been the Canucks best defenseman the past couple years. Granted, that's not saying much but he'd be my top choice for a short-term D solution. Nemeth would probably be my second.

Heard Zegras is very much in the mix.
- Tyler Cameron

I was just thinking this morning... we're all pondering over which selection the Hawks should make. In 2 months time we'll forget who most of these guys are.

I wouldn't want to swap picks with Montreal unless they gave up something significant in return. Who is their top prospect, Nick Suzuki?
- DarthKane

yeah, and I bet he isn't on the table...he had a nice year, vey nice.

60 goals 136 assists counting the playoffs.

After reading Kelley’s comments on the athletic, I feel like the pick could potentially be Zegras. I have t seen any of them play, but I feel like he has the qualities that the Blackhawks have shown they covet at the top of the draft - skill and hockey intelligence. Just another name to throw in there
- LaheysBRandy



He has to get stronger and by going to Boston University he will get in a couple years of seasoning and that will be paramount in if his high water make rises.

(It looks like NEITHER of you guys read the profile by clicking on his name on DraftSite.)

I always like reading the Mack Kelley transcripts of the draft, but this is the first time in a long time when the hawks have the luxury of picking high, and I find his answer and descriptions as curious when they are "so" glowing.

I know he wants to be honest without giving out any indications of what is possibly going to play out at the microphone when the Blackhawks go up, but I just thought it was rather interesting when the GMs and head scouts prematurely ejacualte in interviews.
Was it Detroit's Yzerman on Caufiled the other day, and Kelley using a coparison to Paul Coffey on a certain top prospect on defense?

I just don't think you do that unless, you are trying to get the tea, above you re-think things, or you want one a slot or two below you to flip and give up the store in the trade up.

I am on record that I think it is highly unlikely ANY of the teams in the first round trade OUT, maybe move a bit on the board could happen, and I don't advise trading out of slot three, but Paul Coffey comparisons seem ok if you are trying to make each early pick appear as new food gold, but very curious nonetheless.
- wiz1901

Wiz,
Do you like Cozens much more than Zegras or are they fairly close in your estimation? I also thought Kelley's comments about Zegras were interesting.

for every Q...there are 10 fails

lets name a few over the last 10 years: carlyle, yeo, mclenan, boudreau, tippet, hitchcock, vigneualt, toterella, deboer...on it goes..

I get it teams are looking for that match between their rosters and a coach...

but for the most part coaches are pawns and pay the price for the failure of management or the players or both
- bogiedoc

How do you determine fails? Not making it to Stanley Cups? Then Trotz must have been a failure till last year.

Most of these coaches have above 500 winning percentages and that include Tippet who had crap teams the last 4 years in Arizona.

I was just thinking this morning... we're all pondering over which selection the Hawks should make. In 2 months time we'll forget who most of these guys are.


- DarthKane

Until - a couple of years later - they are having better careers than the one the Hawks wound up selecting.

I'd like to see him turn his career around like Strome. He was a fairly sought after junior prospect who's career hasn't gained traction. He has some of the tools, he skates well, he has a big shot, he's willing to get involved physically does he have the hockey smarts to take the next step? He has to know this is the best chance for him to be a regular NHLer if he can put it all together.
- paulr

Not sure why so many are writing this guy off so soon (not you Paul). I'm with you here. Best wheels/speed of ALL Hawk D-men at this point, seems to see the ice well, good passer and definitely a big hitter for his size. Your question is exactly right. Plus, what is KoekKoek doing in the off-season to enhance his chances of making/sticking with the big club in an expanded role?

Looking past the draft to training camp and preseason to see how things shake out.

Would you take a one or two year deal with a 2-2.5 mil aav on him?
- Jason Millen

4 sure!

Take the best center available.

Not sure why so many are writing this guy off so soon (not you Paul). I'm with you here. Best wheels/speed of ALL Hawk D-men at this point, seems to see the ice well, good passer and definitely a big hitter for his size. Your question is exactly right. Plus, what is KoekKoek doing in the off-season to enhance his chances of making/sticking with the big club in an expanded role?

Looking past the draft to training camp and preseason to see how things shake out.
- savvyone-1

I can't figure out why so many posters are so quick to want to get rid of young players/prospects? Some posters want Perlini, KK and for a while Strome to be shipped out. Strome managed to win most posters over. Perlini had a stretch where he was the best Blackhawk before he reverted back to how he played when he first joined the Hawks. KK showed some flashes along with some lacklustre play. Give these guys at least a full season before they get tossed aside after all they came up with promise, they are inexpensive, in all cases they have some obvious skill and the talent thin Blackhawks cannot afford to give up on young talent before they are fully assessed.

Take the best Player available.
- ger68

Fixed

Heard Zegras is very much in the mix.
- Tyler Cameron

If the Hawks want Zegras - it would seem they could trade down to #5 or #6 to get him. They probably couldn't get much from LA or Detroit to move up only 2-3 spots but maybe a mid-round draft pick would work.

Wiz,
Do you like Cozens much more than Zegras or are they fairly close in your estimation? I also thought Kelley's comments about Zegras were interesting.
- PitMartin7

I honestly like the idea of an all around responsible scoring center who is big and fast.

Zegras has high end attributes and he goes in the top 10 , top and sure i was forced to create 3rd pick tier I see four forwards that all COULD grade out close and then add Caufield, and you have to make sure the one you get serves the best long term needs for your organization. That said, I think they will whittle it down to THE ONE best guys, and not going in torn...if they are maybe they drop a spot or two but not FAR...

If the Hawks want Zegras - it would seem they could trade down to #5 or #6 to get him. They probably couldn't get much from LA or Detroit to move up only 2-3 spots but maybe a mid-round draft pick would work.
- EbonyRaptor

I am quite sure it would take FAR MORE than a MID ROUND to move up a few spots THAT HIGH in the first round order, despite the thick grouping, or you would see more scenarios were it happened.