Also, EK posted this:

On Gostisbehere for Kadri...
It is probably entirely connected to the uncertainty of the Hayes situation that this rumor is
gaining some steam. Kadri fits a need for the Flyers by giving them a second center with grit.
The Flyers were one of the least penalized teams and too easy to play against on many nights…

--

I'm not advocating it, but for those looking at Kadri as an option to boost CHI's centre depth, you might be looking at Erik Gustafsson for Nazem straight up.
- Tyler Cameron

Yes on that trade add a 4th for conner brown lets get it done yesterday.

Dave Pagnotta on SN650: Asking price for Nikita Zaitsev is bottom pairing D, mid round draft pick, and a prospect. "Obviously there are still teams interested because they keep calling"

Hawks have a 4th, plenty of bottom D and some prospects. Wonder if they called?

From the Hockey Buzz Colorado blog. the following per Alan Hepple, Colorado’s director of amateur scouting:

Byram certainly would be an interesting choice considering the Avalanche appear to be in very good shape at the position, especially with young talents Samuel Girard, 21, and Cale Makar, 20. But Tyson Barrie, who turns 28 next month, is entering the final year of his contract.

Hepple raved about the 6-foot, 193-pound Byram, who had 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 67 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League last season.

“He’s the new-age defenseman here in the National Hockey League,” he said. “He skates, he moves the puck, his puck management is unbelievable. His sense for the game — he’s got that little bite in his game, that grit, that I think is important. He’s not going to be stopped. This kid is really good.”

The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers have the first two picks. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko will be the first players selected, though it isn’t known in what order.

The Chicago Blackhawks pick third.

“The first two (picks) are set in stone, it seems like,” Hepple said. “We’ve got a few guys targeted. I have an idea who Chicago is going to take just by talking to people, but it’s never set in stone until they make that call. It’s real unpredictable.

“Every day I’m trying to get a handle on it. You talk to agents, talk to people around the league and it’s been tough trying to pinpoint it down.”

If the Avalanche decide on a center, it likely will be Kirby Dach (Saskatoon, WHL), Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge, WHL) or Alex Turcotte (U.S. National Team Development Program), depending on who is available.

Regardless of who they pick, Hepple said it will take time before he is ready to play in the NHL.

“There’s going to be a development curve, there are things they’re going to have to improve here and there to play at the National Hockey League level, but we like them all,” Hepple said, referring to the centers.

Here’s Hepple’s take on the centers:

* Cozens (6-3, 180), who had 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games for Lethbridge: “Big centerman, skates well, has some skill, a guy that sees the ice very well.”

* Dach (6-4, 197), who had 73 points (25 goals, 48 assists) in 62 games for Saskatoon: “A little bit bigger, a guy that controls the puck, plays power play, controls the puck along the wall. He’s got hockey sense, sees it very well.”

* Turcotte (5-11, 185), who had 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 16 games with the U.S. Under-18 Team: “Very tenacious, has great hockey sense, great skill.”

“The one thing that we’ve kind of changed in the last little while, we’re trying to find skill, we’re trying to find hockey sense,” Hepple said, downplaying the size factor. “All these three kids have it, they all have the compete, they all have that upward speed.”

Johnson struggles last year while Entwistle and Hagel are unproven and likely a couple years away from being NHL ready.
- DarthKane

15 games isn't enough to qualify as struggled to me. Also don't think he used in a defined role. He will get a look if he is signed. What he does with it is up to him. Paying a bottom line guy 3M/year in unrealistic in a hard cap league.

And to Bread's point about penalties, he had 8 minutes in 15 games. So 4.

Dave Pagnotta on SN650: Asking price for Nikita Zaitsev is bottom pairing D, mid round draft pick, and a prospect. "Obviously there are still teams interested because they keep calling"

Hawks have a 4th, plenty of bottom D and some prospects. Wonder if they called?
- ikeane

I hope not.

FYI. Only two type of contracts can have performance bonuses. ELCs and over 35 contracts.

Any contract can have signing bonuses built into them like quite a few players have done in recent years. As you probably know, its just them getting a percentage of their yearly salary upfront.
- Elbows15

I know. I was just pointing out that per cap friendly, Tanev didn't get any bonuses last year, just his 1.15M salary, contrary to what a previous poster mentioned.

For what it's worth (and the source isn't 100% validated) I just heard that Hayes is legit interested in Chicago.

He might have another team or two on his list and might wait until free agency vs. signing with PHI.
- Tyler Cameron

Kadri at center hayes on wing with Perlini good 3rd line if would happen. Then add a top 4 and 5 d man that would help in pk phyiscal presence etc..

Tanev averaged amounts 14.5 minutes per game last year and he was one of two key PK forwards for the Jets. I watched most of the Jets playoffs games this season and Tanev’s line (with Lowry) was consistently effective and awesome on the forecheck. $3 million for 4 years... DONE.
- DarthKane

I watched a lot of the Vegas games all year...and Bellemare was a huge part of their PK and bottom 6 checking lines. Being able to play both center and wing...not just 1 dimensional/wing only. Hes also mentioned as a guy that should be the captain and is well respected in the locker room in both Vegas and when in Philly. He can be the first Center out for the PK giving Toews a break from having take every faceoff. With Kruger gone.

How does Tanev help the faceoff situation...especially when it comes to the PK? So pay him 3-4mil then you still need to sign another Center to win draws.

Tyler, thanks for that intel on Hayes...just curious why he is interested in the Hawks after he decided not to sign with us after college? any intel on that or what your opinion is?
- glennjpawlak22

Playing with stanley cup winners toews KANE to start imo.

So what changed to make him want to come to Chicago after he went UFA after college? Did he have a beef with Q?
- tvetter

Didn’t he want a guaranteed spot in the NHL, rather than having to earn a spot? I think that was the spin circulating around here, not sure if it was ever confirmed.

So what changed to make him want to come to Chicago after he went UFA after college? Did he have a beef with Q?
- tvetter

No Q. He doesn’t have the best reputation with younger players.

Playing with stanley cup winners toews KANE to start imo.
- Scott1977

He had the opportunity before.

Dave Pagnotta on SN650: Asking price for Nikita Zaitsev is bottom pairing D, mid round draft pick, and a prospect. "Obviously there are still teams interested because they keep calling"

Hawks have a 4th, plenty of bottom D and some prospects. Wonder if they called?
- ikeane

Yeah, and I remember when Bowman wanted a player, a prospect and a pick for Sharp at the draft in 2015.

Like the Hawks later that summer, Toronto will have to be on the giving end to unload Zaitsev.

Anyone have any info on Turcotte’s hip issues? Apparently it’s a legit concern.

From the Hockey Buzz Colorado blog. the following per Alan Hepple, Colorado’s director of amateur scouting:

Byram certainly would be an interesting choice considering the Avalanche appear to be in very good shape at the position, especially with young talents Samuel Girard, 21, and Cale Makar, 20. But Tyson Barrie, who turns 28 next month, is entering the final year of his contract.

Hepple raved about the 6-foot, 193-pound Byram, who had 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 67 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League last season.

“He’s the new-age defenseman here in the National Hockey League,” he said. “He skates, he moves the puck, his puck management is unbelievable. His sense for the game — he’s got that little bite in his game, that grit, that I think is important. He’s not going to be stopped. This kid is really good.”

The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers have the first two picks. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko will be the first players selected, though it isn’t known in what order.

The Chicago Blackhawks pick third.

“The first two (picks) are set in stone, it seems like,” Hepple said. “We’ve got a few guys targeted. I have an idea who Chicago is going to take just by talking to people, but it’s never set in stone until they make that call. It’s real unpredictable.

“Every day I’m trying to get a handle on it. You talk to agents, talk to people around the league and it’s been tough trying to pinpoint it down.”

If the Avalanche decide on a center, it likely will be Kirby Dach (Saskatoon, WHL), Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge, WHL) or Alex Turcotte (U.S. National Team Development Program), depending on who is available.

Regardless of who they pick, Hepple said it will take time before he is ready to play in the NHL.

“There’s going to be a development curve, there are things they’re going to have to improve here and there to play at the National Hockey League level, but we like them all,” Hepple said, referring to the centers.

Here’s Hepple’s take on the centers:

* Cozens (6-3, 180), who had 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games for Lethbridge: “Big centerman, skates well, has some skill, a guy that sees the ice very well.”

* Dach (6-4, 197), who had 73 points (25 goals, 48 assists) in 62 games for Saskatoon: “A little bit bigger, a guy that controls the puck, plays power play, controls the puck along the wall. He’s got hockey sense, sees it very well.”

* Turcotte (5-11, 185), who had 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 16 games with the U.S. Under-18 Team: “Very tenacious, has great hockey sense, great skill.”

“The one thing that we’ve kind of changed in the last little while, we’re trying to find skill, we’re trying to find hockey sense,” Hepple said, downplaying the size factor. “All these three kids have it, they all have the compete, they all have that upward speed.”
- boilermaker100

Dach

Dach
- scottak

We'll know in 8 days.

Darth aside, does anyone else think that the Hawks will go with someone NOT named Byram or Turcotte?

It seems to me that those are the two "consensus" finalists. I just don't see anyone else seriously being considered at 3. Seems pretty clear cut to me based on reports that this is who it'll come down to.

Darth aside, does anyone else think that the Hawks will go with someone NOT named Byram or Turcotte?

It seems to me that those are the two "consensus" finalists. I just don't see anyone else seriously being considered at 3. Seems pretty clear cut to me based on reports that this is who it'll come down to.
- TommyHawk

I wouldn’t be surprised with Cozens, in fact that was my preference at first. Reminds me of Elias Pettersson.

Tyler, thanks for that intel on Hayes...just curious why he is interested in the Hawks after he decided not to sign with us after college? any intel on that or what your opinion is?
- glennjpawlak22

That part I don't know.

Maybe regrets leaving in the first place? Wants to go "back" like LeBron to make things right again? Ha

Darth aside, does anyone else think that the Hawks will go with someone NOT named Byram or Turcotte?

It seems to me that those are the two "consensus" finalists. I just don't see anyone else seriously being considered at 3. Seems pretty clear cut to me based on reports that this is who it'll come down to.
- TommyHawk

Dach and Zegras are sleepers in that spot. Cozens hockey sense doesn't fit their profile.

So what changed to make him want to come to Chicago after he went UFA after college? Did he have a beef with Q?
- tvetter

That could be it.

I heard his bro, Pirri and Morin (all guys were close) didn't like the way they were "treated". Thought they deserved more.

Kevin Hayes was the most talented of them all and didn't even give it a shot. Things would have surely been different in his case but I'm not 100% sure the entire story.

If he comes in, do you think for sure AA is gone to offset the cost?
- breadbag

I think AA is gone regardless. That's my own opinion though.

Hayes may be interested in Chicago, but the more important question is Chicago interested in Hayes?
- boilermaker100

Heard they are interested in exploring.

I also wondered if they made this move to entice some certain upas to come June 1st.
- wiz1901

Excellent point Wiz.

A veteran FA might be weary of coming to an organization that has a 34 year old head coach, 34 year old assistant and 38 no name guy from Sweden.

Crawford adds something differnet and a lotnof guys have played for him and/or know ppl that have played for him.

I hope not.
- Elbows15

Agree big time same with gardnier hard pass on both. Ask you this question before what defense men would target via trade or free agency. Also wonder what kind package it would take to get ghost from phily?