Bovquist is also an exceptional skater with a bomb of a shot and pretty stupid on his edges. Probably close to Panarin in terms of his ability to move laterally. I really think he is going to be a game breaking player.

They can only have so many run around defenders.

Depth up the middle has historically been more valuable in the NHL. The Hawks won with depth up the middle and Keith being all world with some reliables filling out the other spots (crow for sure the last two). Boston, and STL aren't spectacular but solid up the middle. LA when they won good up the middle, Detroit good up the middle, Pitt good to spectacular up the middle.

Draft Cozens or Chicago native Alex and call it a day.

He's on my bard at #28

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2019/
https://www.draftsite.com...r/connor-mcmichael/32499/

I have him as my 8th ranked player in this draft.

After seeing Thomas, Horvat, Domi, Tkachuk, Marner out play their draft slots.

Bovquist is also an exceptional skater with a bomb of a shot and pretty stupid on his edges. Probably close to Panarin in terms of his ability to move laterally. I really think he is going to be a game breaking player.

They can only have so many run around defenders.

Depth up the middle has historically been more valuable in the NHL. The Hawks won with depth up the middle and Keith being all world with some reliables filling out the other spots (crow for sure the last two). Boston, and STL aren't spectacular but solid up the middle. LA when they won good up the middle, Detroit good up the middle, Pitt good to spectacular up the middle.

Draft Cozens or Chicago native Alex and call it a day.
- fattybeef

Must be nice to be able to pick from a possible future 1C or 1D. Van never gets that chance FFS

Must be nice to be able to pick from a possible future 1C or 1D. Van never gets that chance FFS
- manvanfan

Hughes will likely be your #1D He was impressive during this brief cup of coffee with the Canucks at the end of last season.

This year's draft is a bit more tricky to navigate than previoud years. After Hughes, Kakko and Caufield the field is wide open. Picks 4 - 10 are almost interchangeable.

Nice piece, Ty.

Wiz and Gate and I discussed this at length on RinkCast 53. Especially where does he fit in terms of all the prospects the Hawks have on D.

Something to consider: Boqvist and Mitchell are (I believe) more right-side guys. On the left, Beaudin appears to be the best and only reasonably predictable NHL prospect. Beaudin is a nice prospect, but not in the same conversation as Byram.

The other thing is, on tape anyway, Byram appears to have a bit of nastiness, and ability (if not consistency) in covering back and maintaining gaps that may make him better (at least) defensively than Boqvist—at least in terms of what we've seen to this point.

Point is, he could potentially complement Boqvist very well on a top pair, if you want that pair to be a constant threat to rapidly push the play up the ice and "good enough" defensively in their end.

Not either/or, but both . . .
- John Jaeckel

Charlie Roumeliotis on Twitter back on May 1st.

“Looks like Nicolas Beaudin is turning pro next season. Likely to start season with @goicehogs if he doesn't make #Blackhawks out of camp.”

I also remember reading somewhere that Beaudin is closer to NHL/AHL ready than Boqvist even though Boqvist has a much higher ceiling.

Drafting for need kills teams. If Byram is the BPA at #3? Then draft him. We have Joki, Boqvist, Beaudin and Mitchell in the pipe line. Odds say 2 of those 4 will be able to play in the NHL. How many will be impact top 4 D? Draft BB and go hard after some Centers in FA.
- z1990z

I think that is a false statement. I think based on draft pedigree, accomplishments and the good old eye test, all four of them will play in the NHL. Odds would tell you that maybe 2 of 4 become top 4 or even top pair defensemen. Looking back at draft history, the majority of 1st round picks play in the NHL, 50% would be correct if looking at all 7 rounds, a much higher percent of 1st and 2nd rounders make it.

Hughes will likely be your #1D He was impressive during this brief cup of coffee with the Canucks at the end of last season.

This year's draft is a bit more tricky to navigate than previoud years. After Hughes, Kakko and Caufield the field is wide open. Picks 4 - 10 are almost interchangeable.
- DarthKane

Very true. I still wonder if Hughes will be an actual 1D. I think a really good 2D is more likely. There just isn't any 1D his size out there.

4-10 will be very tricky. I am always pleased when a couple teams pick a bit off the board and a better player falls to Van.

Lear:

It's that time of year again. #OnTheClock returns next week! #Blackhawks

https://twitter.com/bhtve.../1136641020207280128?s=21

I think that is a false statement. I think based on draft pedigree, accomplishments and the good old eye test, all four of them will play in the NHL. Odds would tell you that maybe 2 of 4 become top 4 or even top pair defensemen. Looking back at draft history, the majority of 1st round picks play in the NHL, 50% would be correct if looking at all 7 rounds, a much higher percent of 1st and 2nd rounders make it.
- TheTrob

I hope I'm wrong, but we all know that prospects are coin flips. How many CANT MISS NFL prospects do nothing when drafted. I am sure that the Hawks current 4 top D prospects will play in the NHL, but at what level? This team needs a major influx of top 4 D talent. The key will be to not rush them before they are ready. Joki and Beaudin appear to be on the cusp of stepping into the NHL. I was not happy when Joki got sent down, but in the long run it was probably better for his development.

Wiz, in your opinion....what’s a later round boom or bust C prospect that you like?

I was leaning towards Cozens for weeks, but seems like I would prefer taking BB #3 and then a C in rounds 2 (if Spencer Knight is off the board) thru 4. I haven’t watched much tape...but looking at the profiles, I seem to have high opinion on C’s Guskov, Protas, or Newkirk as later round picks.

I do like the LW Tracey 2nd round pick on your mock for us 👍🏻

Very true. I still wonder if Hughes will be an actual 1D. I think a really good 2D is more likely. There just isn't any 1D his size out there.

4-10 will be very tricky. I am always pleased when a couple teams pick a bit off the board and a better player falls to Van.
- manvanfan

That inevitably happens each year, it's just a matter who and when. Last year Montreal (#3 - Kotkaniemi) and Arizona (#5 - Hayton) surprised people with their selections.

Charlie Roumeliotis on Twitter back on May 1st.

“Looks like Nicolas Beaudin is turning pro next season. Likely to start season with @goicehogs if he doesn't make #Blackhawks out of camp.”

I also remember reading somewhere that Beaudin is closer to NHL/AHL ready than Boqvist even though Boqvist has a much higher ceiling.
- walleyeb1

I have a feeling Beaudin will surprise people with how good he is. This might be my gut, but I have the impression that he has really good ability to read the play on the ice. Good head on his shoulders.

If the Blackhawks take Bowen Byram, they must truly believe with high confidence that he is the third best player in the draft.

The reason is because he is the only defenseman being considered and there are three to six, maybe seven forward prospects under consideration. It's much easier to compare like with like and make the best choice, especially with so many other defense prospects in the pipeline, it's isn't obvious that they need D more than a C or W. It's like choosing a vacation package from among trips to London, Paris, Amsterdam, or Mongolia. Unless you have some peculiar fascination with Mongolia, all things being equal, you'd pick the best European city for you.

So if the pick is Byram, I expect him to be a can't miss, top pair guy.

Draft Byram. Defense wins. Their potential blue line when these guys are all 22-25 years old could be lights out. By that time, the entire makeup of this organization will be completely different. If Byram can be a #1 pairing D-man, go grab him.

Thank you to anyone who served in our military as we honor the greatest generation for the sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Chara is a warrior. This is why I love hockey. Guys skate and take the pain. They don't sit out with sprains or blisters.

Thank you to anyone who served in our military as we honor the greatest generation for the sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Chara is a warrior. This is why I love hockey. Guys skate and take the pain. They don't sit out with sprains or blisters.
- SteveRain

Looks like he is playing tonight?

Breadman: https://www.nbcsports.com...rick-kane-i-am-coming-you

So, just curious - how many of the Hawk D prospects are reviewed by scouts as being good at....actual defense?

Breadman: https://www.nbcsports.com...rick-kane-i-am-coming-you
- glennjpawlak22

Idk if he's going to the hawks. I think his price range is too high. I'd like him for cheap. I thought he was just screwing around with a real good friend, or planning on going to a divisional rival, like the Blues.

Thank you to anyone who served in our military as we honor the greatest generation for the sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Chara is a warrior. This is why I love hockey. Guys skate and take the pain. They don't sit out with sprains or blisters.
- SteveRain

D-Day. Not many WWII heroes left.


New England Patriots long-snapper Joe Cardona, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy on Thursday morning in an event at Gillette Stadium.

Corey Pronman from The Athletic has this to say about the dman:

"Byram is my top ranked defenseman in this draft class. He was often asked to play 30 minutes a game for the Giants, showing immense offensive potential, including leading the WHL playoffs in scoring. Byram is a high-end skater with the ability to lead a rush and close gaps. He's got quick-twitch feet and a great first step. He's very active with his skating, as I often see him join rushes and lead ones, and he can activate well off the blueline. He's very skilled."

For once, it would be nice if a draft site described how well a defenseman defends.

85 words, and not 1 about his defensive prowess.

D-Day. Not many WWII heroes left.


New England Patriots long-snapper Joe Cardona, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy on Thursday morning in an event at Gillette Stadium.
- stan-ley-cups

Two D-Day paratroop veterans in their nineties have landed in Sannerville to mark the jumps they made 75 years ago.

https://twitter.com/skyne.../1136322299672637440?s=21

Corey Pronman from The Athletic has this to say about the dman:

"Byram is my top ranked defenseman in this draft class. He was often asked to play 30 minutes a game for the Giants, showing immense offensive potential, including leading the WHL playoffs in scoring. Byram is a high-end skater with the ability to lead a rush and close gaps. He's got quick-twitch feet and a great first step. He's very active with his skating, as I often see him join rushes and lead ones, and he can activate well off the blueline. He's very skilled."

For once, it would be nice if a draft site described how well a defenseman defends.

85 words, and not 1 about his defensive prowess.
- scottak

Seriously! I was hoping to see some of that in the highlight vid, but it is just his goals. I'm all for a great offense, but as we saw this year, you need to keep the puck out of the net.

Seriously! I was hoping to see some of that in the highlight vid, but it is just his goals. I'm all for a great offense, but as we saw this year, you need to keep the puck out of the net.
- Chunk

Better yet, draft a forward who can get/keep it in the O zone and out of the D zone altogether.

Byram all day long. Forwards are a lot easier to acquire via trade than #1 potential D-men.

Its just that simple, use your defensive depth to get what you need at center. BPA
- BlackhawkDown

The success rate for defensemen taken in the top 10 is MUCH lower than for forwards. Taking BB is an inherently more risky pick.