Andrei Markov? Really? He's 40 and will be 41 before the end of the year. I can't imagine he's moving any better than Seabrook.

If Stan does make a play to sign Markov - I hope it's because Colliton wants it to happen. We don't need Stan to acquire players that don't mesh well with the system Colliton wants to install.

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

I had the same though on him, but worried he is out of the Hawks price range....still a heck of a useful player.

I am going with "No" for both Markov and Edler mentioned in previous posts/speculations.
Markov had me going until I looked up his age -turning 41 in December.
Edler has continuously stated his preference to remain in Vancouver -it would take an overpay to get him to come here.

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

Thanks for the reminder on Edler. Was thinking of him, too, when talking about Stralman as a UFA option. Nemeth as well just as Darth and Breadbag have both suggested. All 3 are Swedish if that somehow fits a theme that Colliton may be leaning towards.

Regardless of which of those 3 the Hawks may pursue, a 2-year deal would be the max term I would go. As for salary, ideally no more than $4.5M and hopefully lower. The $3-4M range would be nice but not sure if they could command more elsewhere.

Thanks for the reminder on Edler. Was thinking of him, too, when talking about Stralman as a UFA option. Nemeth as well just as Darth and Breadbag have both suggested. All 3 are Swedish if that somehow fits a theme that Colliton may be leaning towards.

Regardless of which of those 3 the Hawks may pursue, a 2-year deal would be the max term I would go. As for salary, ideally no more than $4.5M and hopefully lower. The $3-4M range would be nice but not sure if they could command more elsewhere.
- AEL_Fox

What do you think about Jordie Benn? Another guy who isn't a clear typical top 4 type, but he can handle himself and can kill penalties. He lead all Montreal dmen in PK minutes and didn't do too badly by my eyes.

What do you think about Jordie Benn? Another guy who isn't a clear typical top 4 type, but he can handle himself and can kill penalties. He lead all Montreal dmen in PK minutes and didn't do too badly by my eyes.
- breadbag

Yes, yes and yes but the length of term is crucial.

What do you think about Jordie Benn? Another guy who isn't a clear typical top 4 type, but he can handle himself and can kill penalties. He lead all Montreal dmen in PK minutes and didn't do too badly by my eyes.
- breadbag

Yes, Benn is on my short list of UFA defenders to pursue. Would be good on the 3rd pair possibly paired with Jokiharju to give him some protection so the youngster can do his thing.

Pretend Gustafsson is traded say for another 1st rounder + other assets, then go after Benn and one of Stralman, Edler, or Nemeth in free agency to net 2 veteran blueliners who play reliable D.

Take the best center available.
- ger68

Cole Caufield plays centre.

What do you think about Jordie Benn? Another guy who isn't a clear typical top 4 type, but he can handle himself and can kill penalties. He lead all Montreal dmen in PK minutes and didn't do too badly by my eyes.
- breadbag

Benn would be vey affordable based on what he has been paid in the past.

Benn would be vey affordable based on what he has been paid in the past.
- 67hawks

Do you think he would ask for more $ to play on a team in the central since Jamie is playing in Dallas?

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.
- wiz1901

Yep, I’m thinking the thing, even if the Kings want to move up two spots to be able to take a guy they really want it’ll take a lot more than that to do it.

Actually, for almost the entire game. I love the Hawks, but the Blues are a hell of a team that is playing old school, take-no-prisoners tough hockey, just like Berube did when he played. I wish the Hawks had the players, and philosophy, to play their style. Fun to be the hitter instead of the hittee !
- BMWChiFan

I understand what you’re trying to say, this is a very entertaining series, and most finals are, when the Hawks won their cups they had some of that element in their game. This current roster as it stands today, understanding there will be changes by mid July, is not constructed to play their brand of hockey. I’m sure they will mix in a little bit by the start of training camp. I had said before that my thinking was that Stan Bowman is trying to rebuild his dad’s Detroit redwings of the 90s with the influx of European talent. Let’s hope they find another Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Datsyuk, Nick Lidstrom,Franzen etc. in his plethora of signings.

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.
- wiz1901

All the better for the Hawks if they can get more than a mid-round pick AND get the guy they want. I wouldn't go lower than Detroit at #6 though so from Detroit's perspective they would have to like someone a whole lot who they think won't be there at #6.

I am going with "No" for both Markov and Edler mentioned in previous posts/speculations.
Markov had me going until I looked up his age -turning 41 in December.
Edler has continuously stated his preference to remain in Vancouver -it would take an overpay to get him to come here.
- 67hawks

I am neutral on Markov. But I do not think the Hawks will sign him. Chelios played 71 games playing 18 minutes a night when he was 45 with a Wings team that lost in the conference finals. So there are exceptions to the rule.

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

I get your point here Wiz, and I agree.l with what your are saying, that Kelley has to be very measured in how he speaks about these guys so as to not tip their hand. I have similar thoughts, which is why making a comparison between Coffey and Byram in my mind made me feel like there’s no way he’s the pick. I dont think that comparison gets made if he truly is the highest rated prospect by the hawks, it just gives too much away, but maybe there is some reverse psychology at play?

With Zegras, I dont necessarily think Kelley was more complimentary, but the thinks that he complimented were what I believe the hawks care most about in their drafting, which is why I feel like he is an option at the 3rd spot.

Benn would be vey affordable based on what he has been paid in the past.
- 67hawks

Benn blocks a ton of shots too.. something we've lacked since the Cup teams. I'd love to see him signed alongside another vet defenseman like Stralman.

Benn blocks a ton of shots too.. something we've lacked since the Cup teams. I'd love to see him signed alongside another vet defenseman like Stralman.
- Q-stache

That is a lot of bodies on D with Keith and Seabrook still here.

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

I thought or heard if elder does not sign with Vancouver he will retire i could be wrong just like most of the time.

I am neutral on Markov. But I do not think the Hawks will sign him. Chelios played 71 games playing 18 minutes a night when he was 45 with a Wings team that lost in the conference finals. So there are exceptions to the rule.
- -Doh-

Hard pass on markov to old the point is to get younger more physical and faster markov doesn't meet those attributes

Actually, for almost the entire game. I love the Hawks, but the Blues are a hell of a team that is playing old school, take-no-prisoners tough hockey, just like Berube did when he played. I wish the Hawks had the players, and philosophy, to play their style. Fun to be the hitter instead of the hittee !
- BMWChiFan

Evidently those 148 lb puck moving defenceman are vulnerable when the big boys come out to play for real. I hope Stanbo has noticed that some size and nasty is a requirement on the blueline.

And I don't think Berube is telling his boys to start taking it easy on Tory Krug and Charlie MacAvoy. If anything he wants to rev up the punishment on Boston's D. I can see the Bruins running short on defenceman by Game 5.

Benn blocks a ton of shots too.. something we've lacked since the Cup teams. I'd love to see him signed alongside another vet defenseman like Stralman.
- Q-stache

I’d recommend you check out the Bolts blog and it’s recent analysis on Stralman (along with the rest of their UFA dmen) - his numbers aren’t that encouraging. I think we’d all eventually be disappointed if he made it over to the Hawks.

I’d recommend you check out the Bolts blog and it’s recent analysis on Stralman (along with the rest of their UFA dmen) - his numbers aren’t that encouraging. I think we’d all eventually be disappointed if he made it over to the Hawks.
- Chief4Feathers

i read that also - it was a good write up

I do think it is a bit of a challenge for the development of each of their deep pool of defensemen if you draft him Bertram. You would agree that the hope is for threesome of Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell to ascend into top two pairings. Carlsson and Gilbert ticketed for complimentary partners in bottom pair(s). Jokiharju though might be the leader as a possible top pair guy. Alright then you cannot dress so many young dmen as a group..Add or subtract whomever but you need a veteran or two minimum. The veterans are RL shots and the kids are RL handed? What side does your Bertram fire away?

So adding another dman eh?!
- jhawk59

Who the F is Bertram?

SteveRain is off his meds again, and I don’t have the time or energy combat him point by point. Suffice to say, Saad’s game is built for the playoffs. Replacing him next season with Phil (frank)ing Kessel will probably work out fine in the regular season, but come game 83 next season prepare to be one and done.
- Ogilthorpe2

HAHAHAHA

Have to make the playoffs first and Saad offers very limited upside over a course of 82 games.....and yeah, Phil Kessel blows in the playoffs...87 games, 33 goals, 77 points....and wait for it.....a +22......so yeah, Im off my meds....I just hope you aren't losing cabin pressure up there with your inability to get off the Saad love train.

Their was a reason Bowman passed on the 6 million to sign Saad after 2015......hes not worth it. Period.

Tray tables up...……...

I’m surrounded by morons.
- Ogilthorpe2

Plus 22 in the playoffs......I guess he just doesn't play....

Careful about name calling, you may be the leader and need to go back to unnamed source and rub one out to Joakim Nordstrom.