I'm hoping KK comes to camp with direction from the coaching staff and prepared to show he deserves a spot. He has many of the skills but does he have the smarts?
- paulr

Good question -- although with a total of 107 games played in the NHL (barely over 1 full season), hard to have a definitive answer. Isn't it said that an NHL defender needs about 300 or so games to really develop? I think we've seen glimpses of hope. If KK realizes this is his chance to impress and grab a roster spot, we might be surprised.

Darth just imagine of those 2 D-Men via trade and Byram when we select him with the 3rd overall pick. Man we will have a full house of legit D prospects.
Byram Bowden..
- BGKarras

No need to draft Byram after acquiring Murray. That trade just paves the way to the obvious draft selection of Cole Caufield.

Most likely with Ed Hochuli working on their on-camera calls!
- powerenforcer

Too rich a payment for Eakin and McNab. Vegas is the team with cap problems. Why include Beaudin? Sikuea and Dahlstrom is more than enough.

I think KK gets a fair shot at making the squad and agree with you on Dahlstrom.

As for Uncle Lou, yes, since Nick doesn't have a NTC/NMC unlike Boychuk, he's absolutely move-able and probably one of their best chips to dangle for forward/scoring help.

Although unlike Stan, Uncle Lou isn't going to give Leddy away for a Ville Pokka and 3 other pieces of crap that will never see the NHL. If Leddy is traded, you can be sure Uncle Lou will get something up-front that helps the Isles with some real scoring punch.
- savvyone-1

Unlike Stan, Lou doesn't have to concern himself with the cap and trying to win another cup. Lou has leverage that Stan didn't.

The Hawks are going to draft Turcotte and acquire a #4 defensemen via trade. It doesn't make sense to draft another elite D prospect when we have Joki, Boq, Beaudin, and Mitchel.

Also, since he's a Chicago native (and hopefully a future #1 center), they have a future face for the franchise (when Toews retires).
- RedRevenge

Are you sure about that?
I'm hoping that they select Byram he has legit elite talent. Defence wins Championships. Unless New York is dumb enough to pass on Kakko which I doubt will happen. Regardless my friend I'm happy with whoever we get with the 3rd selection considering we were slated to pick at #12. As long as it's not Caulfield it's a win for me.

Quotes not working

“ That remains to be seen though. Right now his trade value is little more than a toss in imo. Better for the Hawks to keep him and try to get his value up”

I can appreciate biases, but I think you should be weary of overvaluing players based on their scoresheets. Two way positional players win championships and are therein, coveted by winning GMs.
- Bjm84

Logout and then log back in usually fixes that.

Interesting story on barstool about this:
https://www.barstoolsport...he-blackhawks-need-to-add
- ikeane

Great assessment of Brandon Saad in that article. 100% accurate on all fronts, however, I'm not entire sold on Dzingel as his replacement on LW. I'd prefer Panarin.....but that's not going to happen because of the money and that Stan would be admitting a HUGE mistake.

Logout and then log back in usually fixes that.
- EbonyRaptor

The best way to fix is to simply click the blog title at top of the page.
All is fine then...

Interesting story on barstool about this:
https://www.barstoolsport...he-blackhawks-need-to-add
- ikeane

Not a huge fan of the chief, but that's a decent breakdown. The saad part is spot on and why I would be OK trading him IF the return was right. Again....I doubt he gets traded.

Looking forward to tomorrow's game and then the draft.....hopefully the Hawks are very active.

Great assessment of Brandon Saad in that article. 100% accurate on all fronts, however, I'm not entire sold on Dzingel as his replacement on LW. I'd prefer Panarin.....but that's not going to happen because of the money and that Stan would be admitting a HUGE mistake.
- Hawkytalk

agree on saad...
when he first came up he was the ideal young talented up and coming guy with a team that was loaded with forward talent...

he was a solid contributor but he has never taken to the next step to a hossa replacement...maybe that was unfair expectation...he never had hossa;s offensive skills...

and now seen as 3rd line guy?? i would move him..when he still has some value

Great assessment of Brandon Saad in that article. 100% accurate on all fronts, however, I'm not entire sold on Dzingel as his replacement on LW. I'd prefer Panarin.....but that's not going to happen because of the money and that Stan would be admitting a HUGE mistake.
- Hawkytalk

I don't think Panarin is coming back EVEN if the Hawks wanted to pursue that. Panarin did the Hawks a favor taking that bridge deal only to be dealt to Columbus. If the reports are accurate Panarin was none too happy about that, as Im sure Kane wasn't either.

Looking back at it.....

Did Bowman view saad as Hossa's replacement knowing that Hossa was on the verge of retirement due to his skin condition? Then viewed AD as Panarin's replacement?

Starts to make sense knowing what Hossa was facing.....

agree on saad...
when he first came up he was the ideal young talented up and coming guy with a team that was loaded with forward talent...

he was a solid contributor but he has never taken to the next step to a hossa replacement...maybe that was unfair expectation...he never had hossa;s offensive skills...

and now seen as 3rd line guy?? i would move him..when he still has some value
- bogiedoc

Most nights you never notice him...at least I don't.

And as far as everyone preaching how if you are watching the playoffs you need more Saads…..nah. You need more Saads like you need more Shaws. OR even Bolland…….

A guy who has raised his playoff game and become quite the agitator is David Perron. That guy was leaping into piles after the whistle Sunday.

Good question -- although with a total of 107 games played in the NHL (barely over 1 full season), hard to have a definitive answer. Isn't it said that an NHL defender needs about 300 or so games to really develop? I think we've seen glimpses of hope. If KK realizes this is his chance to impress and grab a roster spot, we might be surprised.
- savvyone-1

You know....outside of Hammer, who was truly the last Hawks d man who was developed here and was worth a damn? Leddy?

So to me that is the issue.....the Hawks inability to develop these D prospects all the way to their potential. I mean they are sitting on how many now>? What are the chacnes we get 1 who becomes a top pair, or 2 that are top 4?

Forward wise they do well.....but defenseman? Yikes.....

Maybe HJ takes the next step but if Seabrook can develop at the NHL level I really think HJ should be given that opportunity.

Drafting Turcotte wreaks of McD....

Byram is the pick. You don't see #1 defensman everyday. The most important thing in all our eyes is this team winning and getting back on track. If that happens, the Hawks will not be picking in the Top 5 again in the foreseeable future. You can find good offensive talent throughout the draft. Defensman that make an impact are a rarity in later rounds. Take Byram who is max 1 year away from stepping into a big role and you have your D core of the future complete.

Most nights you never notice him...at least I don't.

And as far as everyone preaching how if you are watching the playoffs you need more Saads…..nah. You need more Saads like you need more Shaws. OR even Bolland…….

A guy who has raised his playoff game and become quite the agitator is David Perron. That guy was leaping into piles after the whistle Sunday.
- SteveRain

Leaping into piles doesn't win hockey games. Playing positionally sound hockey, keeping yourself between the puck and your net, keeping your winger to the outside on a rush, that helps win hockey games and that something Perron, Hossa and Saad all do or did to varying degrees.

Most nights you never notice him...at least I don't.

And as far as everyone preaching how if you are watching the playoffs you need more Saads…..nah. You need more Saads like you need more Shaws. OR even Bolland…….

A guy who has raised his playoff game and become quite the agitator is David Perron. That guy was leaping into piles after the whistle Sunday.
- SteveRain

yes...he is and has...but he is over-the-top at times with the after whistle so called intimidation crap he pulls...

but the hawks need a guy like that...despite not liking him i would have him on my team

Drafting Turcotte wreaks of McD....

Byram is the pick. You don't see #1 defensman everyday. The most important thing in all our eyes is this team winning and getting back on track. If that happens, the Hawks will not be picking in the Top 5 again in the foreseeable future. You can find good offensive talent throughout the draft. Defensman that make an impact are a rarity in later rounds. Take Byram who is max 1 year away from stepping into a big role and you have your D core of the future complete.
- nickmo2699

From all I have read and seen I want Byram to be the Hawks selection but it's way too early to say he's a number 1, 2 or if he'll even make the big club, he's a prospect remember. Turcotte has many attributes that make him a candidate, being compared favorably to Jonathan Toews doesn't hurt his chances, but he too is a prospect.

Leaping into piles doesn't win hockey games. Playing positionally sound hockey, keeping yourself between the puck and your net, keeping your winger to the outside on a rush, that helps win hockey games and that something Perron, Hossa and Saad all do or did to varying degrees.
- paulr

No kidding Paul but he was also in the Bruins head for most of that game and getting chirped constantly.....getting teams to take penalties, also leads to PPs. which leads to scoring chances, which leads to goals......and more goals scored is the objective.

We can laud the special nuances all day long but this team can't pay two guys 11 million to be inconsistent throughout the regular season when the depth is lacking.

All I heard this fall was how Marcus Kruger was going to fix the PK because he was a PK machine......or I bet some people will be pining for Frolik back...….

And as far as Saad hitting the post way too much that's really on him and his inability to capitalize. maybe if he spends time honing his shot they would find the net and not the post...…….

Most nights you never notice him...at least I don't.

And as far as everyone preaching how if you are watching the playoffs you need more Saads…..nah. You need more Saads like you need more Shaws. OR even Bolland…….

A guy who has raised his playoff game and become quite the agitator is David Perron. That guy was leaping into piles after the whistle Sunday.
- SteveRain

I don't hate Saad but given the opportunity I would trade him straight up for Brendan Gallagher or Max Domi. Those 2 aren't perfect players either but they both bring heart and guts to a team.

Saad is something of a bi-product of early career success as a member of a Stanley Cup winning team -big contract and probably some rest on your laurels achievement satisfaction. Needs a fire lit under his ass - like Q used to say - just OK, we need more.

yes...he is and has...but he is over-the-top at times with the after whistle so called intimidation crap he pulls...

but the hawks need a guy like that...despite not liking him i would have him on my team
- bogiedoc

You need a guy like that to cross the line and bait the other team into stupid penalties when emotions are at the highest. Get a guy to melt down and your team is rewarded with a PP chance.

This game 7 is going to be ugly.....All in, and guys are going to crush people at any opportunity they can.

Like the NFL and the catch rule.....I have no clue what is a legal check and what isn't anymore. 2 guys from STL get suspended, but Krug....in the perfect definition of charging...….with no intent to play the puck leveled a guy in game 1....and no discipline. Frustrating to watch at times.

I stand firm that it's Jokiharju or bust in a Klefbom deal. Gustafsson doesn't appeal as he's a LD, has a serious likelihood of a significant raise in a year (one that costs more than what trade here saved) and I'm unconvinced by his defensive play.

Most nights you never notice him...at least I don't.

And as far as everyone preaching how if you are watching the playoffs you need more Saads…..nah. You need more Saads like you need more Shaws. OR even Bolland…….

A guy who has raised his playoff game and become quite the agitator is David Perron. That guy was leaping into piles after the whistle Sunday.
- SteveRain

I’m preaching it about the playoffs and Saad-type of players. Because the game changes a lot come playoff time. Because when the neutral zone is clogged and the slot is jammed some players can still perform through that and others just seem to wilt. It’s a fair argument to debate whether Saad is worth $6M AAV(I’d argue he is worth it), but we all should know that he can perform in the heavy game when the refs swallow their whistles - and that’s the season I care about.

There’s been a lot of talk about carefully measuring our cap space so we can sign Dcat and Strome, and while I understand the concern, I’d feel a lot better about it if we got to see them each perform in at least one playoff round before they are inked to high $ and long term.

EDIT: I also would like to have some more Shaw and Bolland like I need more cowbell. For myself, Bolland was the best 3C you could ask for; defensively sound, an agitator but never overboard and could chip in with the timely goal (like one just 17 seconds after Bickell’s).

From all I have read and seen I want Byram to be the Hawks selection but it's way too early to say he's a number 1, 2 or if he'll even make the big club, he's a prospect remember. Turcotte has many attributes that make him a candidate, being compared favorably to Jonathan Toews doesn't hurt his chances, but he too is a

prospect.
- paulr

the reason I like bowen over Turcotte is: of our d prospects nobody hits or has size. also I'm fan of guys that play hard and hit (shaw) they can be diference makers but 5-11 190lb centers that do that are going to be hurt a lot IMO and there bodies will break down. Shaw ETC.

I don't hate Saad but given the opportunity I would trade him straight up for Brendan Gallagher or Max Domi. Those 2 aren't perfect players either but they both bring heart and guts to a team.

Saad is something of a bi-product of early career success as a member of a Stanley Cup winning team -big contract and probably some rest on your laurels achievement satisfaction. Needs a fire lit under his ass - like Q used to say - just OK, we need more.
- RickJ

100% agreed. No question.

I don't hate the guy, it was great watching him morph into beast mode in 15 vs Tampa but since....I haven't see close to that player. If people go back and read the comments from AP now with the athletic who breaks a LOT of stuff for Columbus, and read the management assessment on Saad, that may change some views on the Hawks getting weaker trading him.

AN upcoming team like Columbus quickly realized Saad wasn't worth it and shipped him back here.....Who won that trade? NO question Columbus. Columbus miraculously made the playoffs while trading Saad and supposedly getting weaker and replacing with him Panarin both years, and the Hawks....well...….not so much.

If Saad were making 4 million, fine....but he's not and out of all the toys Bowman can trade, or willing to trade, he is probably one of the most attractive ones.

Again....I doubt it happens....