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.
- Chief4Feathers

But to counter.....guys like Panarin, Kessel, etc also preform and produce come playoff time. Those guys aren't just scoring on PPs.

I am 100% in agreement on seeing what you have come "big boy" time with some of these guys. Hawks are lucky that their entire core, or remaining core, 2/7/19/88/50 all stepped up come playoff time.

if I were bowman, Id be ok inking DeBrincat asap as he continues to get better....Strome, I need to see more. Their are warts there OR Arizona is just awful at analyzing their own talent.....

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

BS! If they draft Turcotte they think he is the best player to have. I don´t think McD has any impact on draft picks.

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

It's early to say anyone is this or that, completely agree. But a guy projected to be a number one guy and the best defensman in the draft is much higher of a priority in the Hawks current situation. Toews just had a career year. You can find his replacement in the future years, 2 and 7 are rapidly declining and if you can bring in a guy of this caliber to learn from them and become your next backend cornerstone, you do not pass that up!

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

This All Day!!!!

But to counter.....guys like Panarin, Kessel, etc also preform and produce come playoff time. Those guys aren't just scoring on PPs.

I am 100% in agreement on seeing what you have come "big boy" time with some of these guys. Hawks are lucky that their entire core, or remaining core, 2/7/19/88/50 all stepped up come playoff time.

if I were bowman, Id be ok inking DeBrincat asap as he continues to get better....Strome, I need to see more. Their are warts there OR Arizona is just awful at analyzing their own talent.....

- SteveRain

IIRC - Panarin’s playoff stats with the Hawks wasn't that great, however, he did seem to play better with CBJ this year. Kessel is a good example, while he’s not a road-grader, 200ft player - there’s no denying that he doesn’t wilt come playoff time.

BS! If they draft Turcotte they think he is the best player to have. I don´t think McD has any impact on draft picks.
- MjulQvist

Unfortunately the McD the meddler narrative ain't gonna end any time soon. I am confident the Hawks will select the best player available and if two or more prospects are identified as being equal, or close to equal, they will use other criteria (position, size, place of birth etc.) to make the selection.

Keeping in mind that the objective is to take a legit run at the Cup in the next few years while Toews and Kane can theoretically still be elite level players. While we can hope for the same with Keith, it is less probable he can continue to be a #1 d-man over the next few years because he will be 36 next month.

A legit argument can be made for drafting either a future #1 center or a future #1 d-man as both will be needed at some point. However, Keith will need to be replaced sooner than Toews so if the objective truly is to gear up to win within the T&K window, I think a stronger case can be made to draft the future #1 d-man (Byram) over the future #1 center (Turcotte/Cozens/Dach). Even if it takes Byram a year or two to be able to replace Keith’s #1 d-man minutes – it would still be within the T&K window whereas Toews wouldn’t need to be replaced yet. The fact that Byram is already close to NHL ready further strengthens that argument.

Bo Byram all the way.

Unfortunately the McD the meddler narrative ain't gonna end any time soon. I am confident the Hawks will select the best player available and if two or more prospects are identified as being equal, or close to equal, they will use other criteria (position, size, place of birth etc.) to make the selection.
- paulr

I haven´t seen McD at the draft meetings (On The Clock series) or maybe he is behind the curtains? He didn´t even know who Boqvist was when Hawks drafted him. He even asked Kelley is he good..I hate message board narratives. A lot of people jump into them without question..

Unfortunately the McD the meddler narrative ain't gonna end any time soon. I am confident the Hawks will select the best player available and if two or more prospects are identified as being equal, or close to equal, they will use other criteria (position, size, place of birth etc.) to make the selection.
- paulr

I don’t believe McD has any substantive impact on most hockey ops issues, especially when it comes to roster construction. I do, however, believe that there was an internal push/pull between McD and Stan on when to remove Q - with Stan wanting to pull the trigger before McD relented. But that doesn’t strike ma as unusual for a President and GM to go through.

My real issue with McD is that I’m more in favor with the “Theo Epstein” model of team president - a hockey professional who can work in concert with the GM on substantive matters like player/prospect development, FA acquisitions, roster construction, etc. McD is a marketing wonk masquerading as a hockey professional - his skill sets are easily replaceable.

I have a fantasy and it goes like this:

Blackhawks trades A.Boqvist, P.Kurashev and 1st round pick 2020 to New Jersey for their number one pick. Boqvist can reunite with his brother.

Then..draft Jack Hughes number one (I would rather take Kakko but because Hughes is center I would do this) and Bowen Byram at #3.

I´m a dreamer.. but I´m not the only one?

I don’t believe McD has any substantive impact on most hockey ops issues, especially when it comes to roster construction. I do, however, believe that there was an internal push/pull between McD and Stan on when to remove Q - with Stan wanting to pull the trigger before McD relented. But that doesn’t strike ma as unusual for a President and GM to go through.

My real issue with McD is that I’m more in favor with the “Theo Epstein” model of team president - a hockey professional who can work in concert with the GM on substantive matters like player/prospect development, FA acquisitions, roster construction, etc. McD is a marketing wonk masquerading as a hockey professional - his skill sets are easily replaceable.
- Chief4Feathers

I would agree but I think McD has a job for life the way he helped resurrect the franchise, won 3 cups, etc.

By far not a McD fan as I have met him a few times and he's an arrogant, fake POS, but he does his job very well.

I think they are past the point where McD is involved on a daily basis. In regards to a massive signing or trade, Im sure he and Rocky all have to be on the same page to invest but trust Stan and his team to bring all the facts to the table.

I haven´t seen McD at the draft meetings (On The Clock series) or maybe he is behind the curtains? He didn´t even know who Boqvist was when Hawks drafted him. He even asked Kelley is he good..I hate message board narratives. A lot of people jump into them without question..
- MjulQvist

Yes, he is there!

via GIPHY

I have a fantasy and it goes like this:

Blackhawks trades A.Boqvist, P.Kurashev and 1st round pick 2020 to New Jersey for their number one pick. Boqvist can reunite with his brother.

Then..draft Jack Hughes number one (I would rather take Kakko but because Hughes is center I would do this) and Bowen Byram at #3.

I´m a dreamer.. but I´m not the only one?
- MjulQvist

... here let me even out that trade for you
Blackhawks trades A.Boqvist, P.Kurashev and 1st round pick 2019 to New Jersey for their number one pick. Boqvist can reunite with his brother.

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.
- SteveRain

agree but right before that krug got mugged with helment ripped off behind the play with the ref 10 ft away and no call...

the refs in these playoff have been awful with their missed and non calls...i'm talking about the blantant infractions right in front of the their faces...it is pure BS to give them cover cuz of the speed of the game they all miss calls...

I think it's a legit possibility that NYR surprises everyone and takes Bowen Byram at #2 . Every year, teams surprise because they know something we don't and they scout harder than the internetz speculate...

I would agree but I think McD has a job for life the way he helped resurrect the franchise, won 3 cups, etc.

By far not a McD fan as I have met him a few times and he's an arrogant, fake POS, but he does his job very well.

I think they are past the point where McD is involved on a daily basis. In regards to a massive signing or trade, Im sure he and Rocky all have to be on the same page to invest but trust Stan and his team to bring all the facts to the table.
- SteveRain

McD was able to leverage his business connections with the media and corporate sponsorships that he developed during his time with the CUBS. Rocky was smart to hire him at the time because his franchise was mired in the dark ages in terms of marketing and branding. However, just like organizations evolve past the need for a particular coach or GM, the Hawks needs are not what they were over ten years ago.

And yes, personally, McD is a self-important d-bag.

agree but right before that krug got mugged with helment ripped off behind the play with the ref 10 ft away and no call...

the refs in these playoff have been awful with their missed and non calls...i'm talking about the blantant infractions right in front of the their faces...it is pure BS to give them cover cuz of the speed of the game they all miss calls...
- bogiedoc

Krug does not skate through contact, he clearly goes into glide before making contat which would not constitute a charge. Also, the hits by Sundquist and Barbashev were straight to the head. I really dont see the similarities. The Krug hit is what we want to remain in the game because it is a part of the sport. The Barbashev hit was to the head and Sundquist ran a guys head from behind into the glass.

I think you could get McNabb and eakin for dahlstrom and sikrua and 4th.
Perlini for hagg straight up
I like the McCabe the best sikrua and forsling

... here let me even out that trade for you
Blackhawks trades A.Boqvist, P.Kurashev and 1st round pick 2019 to New Jersey for their number one pick. Boqvist can reunite with his brother.
- Slofire94

No thanks!

Yes, he is there!

via GIPHY

- savvyone-1

Great article by Lazerus regarding Goodman’s role in the draft:

https://theathletic.com/1...k=https://t.co/NL2OgxzLcy

I don’t believe McD has any substantive impact on most hockey ops issues, especially when it comes to roster construction. I do, however, believe that there was an internal push/pull between McD and Stan on when to remove Q - with Stan wanting to pull the trigger before McD relented. But that doesn’t strike ma as unusual for a President and GM to go through.

My real issue with McD is that I’m more in favor with the “Theo Epstein” model of team president - a hockey professional who can work in concert with the GM on substantive matters like player/prospect development, FA acquisitions, roster construction, etc. McD is a marketing wonk masquerading as a hockey professional - his skill sets are easily replaceable.
- Chief4Feathers

Keep believing that. It's what he wants you to believe, leaving him free to McMeddle behind the scenes.

McD was able to leverage his business connections with the media and corporate sponsorships that he developed during his time with the CUBS. Rocky was smart to hire him at the time because his franchise was mired in the dark ages in terms of marketing and branding. However, just like organizations evolve past the need for a particular coach or GM, the Hawks needs are not what they were over ten years ago.

And yes, personally, McD is a self-important d-bag.
- Chief4Feathers

Great article by Lazerus regarding Goodman’s role in the draft:

https://theathletic.com/1...k=https://t.co/NL2OgxzLcy
- walleyeb1

Great article, indeed.

Great article by Lazerus regarding Goodman’s role in the draft:

https://theathletic.com/1...k=https://t.co/NL2OgxzLcy
- walleyeb1

Yeah I read this earlier.....

I can't imagine looking at an 18 yr old kid and trying to determine how he'll look as a man and what you can maximize his frame/genetics at. Remarkable.