I live on the left coast so that wouldn't be an issue.... but it doesn't matter since the Hawks will be drafting him.
- DarthKane

Of course they will

This question has between asked by others too: Is his above average JUNIOR level physical tools combo disguising an average or less than average hockey IQ defensively...such as: When last man back frequently goes cross ice pass or make weak passes out (that in the pro game get swallowed and regurgitated and opposition looks, and the the early departures out and his teammates cough it and he is pass the centre line already, and yes, he can on the his strong back pedal close the gap and stifle carriers/ receivers, but flat footed or not in full push or glide, he looks like his awareness as part of a defensive system, where he has to shift to another man, he looks slow if close to stationary inns end. use saying Don't kill this messenger. I trust Kelley.
- wiz1901

Have no choice. But if so I would like to hear what Rick Dudley thinks. Everywhere he goes after a few years they are drastically improved. Tampa and they won a cup. Hawks and they won cups. Toronto (still have to drink out of the bottle up there). And lately Carolina qualified and made a cute run. And their team in the A is kicking ass and will prolly take the trophy. So, all respects, I wish I could hear who Dudley would take with the 3rd pick.

They do have some good d-prospects, just not many. The Rangers have also been drafting a (frank) ton of d-men over the last several years. They drafted 14 in the last 4 drafts - 6 in just 2019, including 2 in the 1st round.

For good prospects, K'Andre Miller is in their system, who is a stud in the making imo. and they acquired Adam Fox, who has top pair potential. I know many were hoping the former would still be around last year's draft when the Hawks picked late. Nils Lundvist, Hajek and Rykov are also possible 2nd pair guys who skew more defensively focused - they're just farther out.

They also already have Skjei, Pionk, and Deangelo on the team so I'm not totally sure they're that in need of d-men so much so that they'll skip over the potential of Kakko. Because even though they have more high quality forward prospects, none come close to Kakko.
- L_B_R

Ok its just my opinion either way they go kappo hughes or bryam rangers like the hawks arw getting a very good player.

Look at the teams who have won the cup in recent years, what do they all have in common? They have top 2 way centers.

2008 Datsyuk
2009 Crosby
2010 Toews
2011 Bergeron
2012 Kopitar
2013 Toews
2014 Kopitar
2015 Toews
2016 Crosby
2017 Crosby
2018 Backstrom


All of these centers get selke votes in most years. All this defense wins championships starts with the most important part of the game, the center ice position. Win the draw, control the puck and the pace. Don't have the puck, chase it down and take it back. This is what all these type of players do for you and can shut down other teams best players. The Preds and Blues have had great defensive teams in previous years and what has that led to? And what have those teams lacked? Now the Blues add Ryan O'Reilly and they're in the cup final, against Patrice Bergeron of course. Draft the best skilled 2 way center you can find and look for your next Hjalmarsson type d man. You don't need him to score you need him to defend. Plenty of the other d men we have drafted have the offensive capabilities, but finding someone to sellout defensively would be great.
- JohnnyHockey19

Great post and I think I can buy into this thought.

We won't get a number one center if we don't draft one that's for sure.

It would be interesting to see a list of the number 1 dmen on those teams as well.

Ok its just my opinion either way they go kappo hughes or bryam rangers like the hawks arw getting a very good player.
- Scott1977

So, just a hypothetical ... if the Rangers do the unthinkable and take Byram at #2 leaving Kakko there for the Hawks to take at #3 - is there even a moments hesitation to consider Turcotte over Kakko?

So, just a hypothetical ... if the Rangers do the unthinkable and take Byram at #2 leaving Kakko there for the Hawks to take at #3 - is there even a moments hesitation to consider Turcotte over Kakko?
- EbonyRaptor

There wouldn't be any hesitation IMO. Kakko is

Button is the supposed ~expert on prospects I least agree with every year. I do agree with him rating Broberg higher than some others because I think he's stellar.
- L_B_R

In a few years when we look back at this draft.....
Broberg is a dman whom might be the first at his position from 2019 to appear and perform well.

If i could choose a player with aboit #10 or so I would consider Zegras, Dach, Broberg. Alternativrly, some may criticize for going off the board to choose McKnight too early. But where do you get future star goaltenders. Cost prohibitive to sign or trade for present stud goaltenders. A crapshoot developing a goaltender with a later round pick. You should move up and draft a netminder if you have that opportunity.

So if you can trade Gus in a package deal for the mid first round, McKnight likely not yet taken.

McKnight and the other highly rated goaltender this draft represent talent at the position not commonly available as to be worthy of selection via a first round selection.

Crawfird s health and age practicly is screaming out as a red flag. If you can acquire a first round pick it could be prearranged as conditiinal trade if the player we want is still on the board. McKnight is that player

Now if you are drafting around tenth overall and do not reach for McKnight, i really like Broberg's scouting report. We need a Dach or Zegras before another dman. But best talented player......a real tough choice at #10 or so. Bowman should consider in this order (my preference anyway): McKnight or the other goaltender, Dach, then either Zegras or Broberg. I consider Broberg part of the interchangable rated group in the #6 - 10 /12.

Great post and I think I can buy into this thought.

We won't get a number one center if we don't draft one that's for sure.

It would be interesting to see a list of the number 1 dmen on those teams as well.
- hereismike1

2008 Datsyuk/Lidstrom
2009 Crosby/Letang
2010 Toews/Keith
2011 Bergeron/Chara
2012 Kopitar/Doughty
2013 Toews/Keith
2014 Kopitar/Doughty
2015 Toews/Keith
2016 Crosby/Letang
2017 Crosby/Letang (maybe Schultz this year)
2018 Backstrom/Kempny (?)

Off the top of my head.

Based upon.....?
- Return of the Roar

Based upon skill and their calmness thinking the game.

But another post questioned how this pair would not get eaten up by power forwards. Which is true. And is a problem. Pethaps should both prospects hrow into a stronger man's body and show more willingness to engage physically, then they might make for a pairing. Too much.projection and too far away to get.hyped up over. But my point is that both have the know how and smarts to be secind pair........it is slways ideal when you can carry complimentary style players in your pairings. I would say it is Jokiharju whom would need to be the more physical player if they played as a pair.

So, just a hypothetical ... if the Rangers do the unthinkable and take Byram at #2 leaving Kakko there for the Hawks to take at #3 - is there even a moments hesitation to consider Turcotte over Kakko?
- EbonyRaptor

Yes just a hypothetical no hawks take kappo

- DarthKane

Lol....Okay Darth so you're still in denial?
So say it with me Bowen Byram.....

So, just a hypothetical ... if the Rangers do the unthinkable and take Byram at #2 leaving Kakko there for the Hawks to take at #3 - is there even a moments hesitation to consider Turcotte over Kakko?
- EbonyRaptor

Not one SECOND OF HESITATION, but no franking team is taking Byram fracking Bowen second over frank all, unless they are delusional as some here of his superstar upside

Beaudin and Jokiharju could make a good pairing maybe sooner than we imagined

And next spring Mitchell with Carlsson
- jhawk59

.....and then, the next year Byram and Boqvist.....

Damn....in 3 years we gonna be STACKED on the back end....Keith and Seabrook our #7 and 8!!!!!

Not one SECOND OF HESITATION, but no franking team is taking Byram fracking Bowen second over frank all, unless they are delusional as some here of his superstar upside
- wiz1901

Or Bowen fracking Byram either.

Great article Tyler. You made a lot of great points and room for debate.



Chicago has multiple issues , a aging core , a lack of depth , 2 aging core defenseman who are locked in for 5 more years.

The only way I see see agency this year being a huge splash , would be through a blockbuster move.

If they took byram then who does Chicago dangle or part ways with in order to target a player like Pesce or even Kap or both.

If they took Turcoitte or cozens that would solidify their future need at a center.

.....and then, the next year Byram and Boqvist.....

Damn....in 3 years we gonna be STACKED on the back end....Keith and Seabrook our #7 and 8!!!!!
- hawk35

Your excitement sounds great, but reality is 1 of these defenseman will be used to make a major trade .

Your excitement sounds great, but reality is 1 of these defenseman will be used to make a major trade .
- Taylorst1

If and this is a big if hawks draft bowen i could see keith being traded this year or more likely next year Seabrook goes only if taking back another bad contract as far keith would need to approve the trade same with Seabrook.

Lol....Okay Darth so you're still in denial?
So say it with me Bowen Byram.....
- BGKarras

Cole Caufield.....

Here's a podcast interview with Colliton.

https://www.nbcsports.com...-become-playoff-contender

If and this is a big if hawks draft bowen i could see keith being traded this year or more likely next year Seabrook goes only if taking back another bad contract as far keith would need to approve the trade same with Seabrook.
- Scott1977

The problems Chicago has is tied up cap space in 2 aging players on the decline who eat up 2 spots for the next 5 years .


They also lack depth down the middle and their top 6 is weak. Strome had a nice year , but is he the real deal still lots of questions.


Toews I wouldn't expect the same production . Kane needs to play with a top center and winger.


Who is their bang and crash line that can be rolled out and be effective.

The defense Gus and murphy are just stop gaps.

I hate to sound negative but I don't see Chicago really improving this off season , the way this team needs to.


Saad , Keith and anismov all moving out get this team more future cap space but don't really address the bigger picture.

When he makes the entry play and he is damn good on entries, he really has a sound calm surgeon like way of separating and making scoring plays happen against other JUNIOR players.
- wiz1901

This may be because I have been playing and watching hockey since the 60s, but I would much prefer to have forwards making zone entries, not defensemen.

Zone exits, OK. But then move the darn puck up to a forward.

Cole Caufield.....
- DarthKane

Bowen Byram....

2008 Datsyuk/Lidstrom
2009 Crosby/Letang
2010 Toews/Keith
2011 Bergeron/Chara
2012 Kopitar/Doughty
2013 Toews/Keith
2014 Kopitar/Doughty
2015 Toews/Keith
2016 Crosby/Letang
2017 Crosby/Letang (maybe Schultz this year)
2018 Backstrom/Kempny (?)

Off the top of my head.
- KINGS67

Kempny? The Caps were playing Orpik just a little more than him until he was injured and only then did Kempny get top 4 min despite being Carlson's main partner. He was a distant 4th in TOI behind the big 3 for that team by over 6 minutes and didn't play on either special teams.

No, for the Caps it's between Carlson and Orlov.

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

Thanks JJ!

That would be a deadly pair. They would be an awfully young pairing though and probably wouldn't see the ice together for 2(ish) years. Still the possibility of that does sound delightful!

If they go that route, it would be even better if the Hawks continue to get faster up front to have quick-thinking, skilled forwards to be able to creatively take passes and join these guys on the rush.

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

I don't know I think Hughes will be a 1 d very soon