That doesn’t sound like Turcotte. He mentions them possibly jumping right into the NHL if they do well right from camp. Turcotte is committed to Wisconsin, not that he can’t negate that but still. That also remove Podkolzin as well. So Cozens or Byram.
- gifman

Is he commited to go...the same way Brady Tkachuk was "commited" to going back to BU? Or is it different?

Like anyone else I was pissed when I heard the return for Trouba, how the Hawks could have easily matched that and if they did they were getting real close to setting their D for the next 6-7-8 yrs. Also thought as a Hawks fan this is what the return for players are when the league knows you're in cap hell...........

But then this from Dreger. Seems Trouba would only approve to 1 or two teams!!! Talk about backed into a corner. With this info WPG did ok IMO.

Interesting #NHLJets chat on TSN 1050 with @DarrenDreger. Saying Chevy was "boxed in a little bit" and that "Trouba made it abundantly clear that there were specific teams that he would go to." The list? Not 10 or 5 teams "I think it was 1 or 2 to be fair."
- Mr Ricochet

Trouba mentioned how good New York was for his girlfriend’s career. Heard this same thing from Panarin..

If winning hockey games isn’t the primary factor in his decision I’m not going to waste time on what if’s.

That doesn’t sound like Turcotte. He mentions them possibly jumping right into the NHL if they do well right from camp. Turcotte is committed to Wisconsin, not that he can’t negate that but still. That also removes Podkolzin as well. So Cozens or Byram. Also, possibly Kakko if he falls to us at #3.
- gifman

I think he is being purposely vague and just saying the "right thing" in regards to not rushing a young player. The Hawks seem consistent with their message that camp is where you earn a spot and that goes for guys taken in round 1 or round 7 or guys who played here last year. Some of it is blowing smoke and just pretty much boiler plate stuff I think.

While you state some of these guys like Turcotte have plans to play elsewhere next year (which may or may not change) a lot of fans out there won't follow that closely and he is setting expectations. There are fans that see a #3 pick and start planning how they will play with Kane or Toews immediately and become the next big thing.

Trouba mentioned how good New York was for his girlfriend’s career. Heard this same thing from Panarin..

If winning hockey games isn’t the primary factor in his decision I’m not going to waste time on what if’s.
- Q-stache

I’m not singling you out here, but it’s a pet peeve of mine when athletes are assumed to be committed to winning the way we perceive them to be.

The amount of athletes (in all team sports) that TRULY, and I mean, TRULY care about being the last team standing is so overblown out of proportion.

Not every guy in the league has the “win at all costs” mentality. That Kobe Bryant/Michael Jordan obsessive mentality is so, so rare. The true greats in the league hope to cement their legacies so aside for personal accolades, they obviously want to win to boost their credentials, but for the average player who won’t be remembered as early as a year after retirement enjoy the ride.

Player want to be happy, on a team they enjoy playing on, in a city they enjoy living in, getting paid their fair worth. Winning is gravy.

They can put on whatever persona they want about how “devastated” or “pissed off” they are when their teams aren’t succeeding, but at the end of the day, they play the game because of their love for it, and the benefits that come with it. If they win, they win. If they lose, they lose.

But the misconception of players “having a winning mentality”, etc. bothers me because that’s just not always true.

And unrestricted free agents can't meet and interview with potential new teams until the day after the NHL Entry Draft through June 30.

Most likely some cryptic messages sent between Uncle Dale and Panarin's agent through some 3rd party but, it can't be official.
- Rota's Rooter

Oh, I am sure there are backchannel shenanigans going on.

Is he commited to go...the same way Brady Tkachuk was "commited" to going back to BU? Or is it different?
- PatShart

I’m not sure how that works to be honest. If Tkachuk was committed to BU and ended up playing the same may hold true for Turcotte. It just seems as though SB hinted the selection to us but he could be playing everyone. Lol. I’m holding out that the NYR take Caufield and we get Kakko.

LeBrun just mentioned in his Athletic article Callahan may have a back issue.
- gifman

Fine. Then they have to add something else, too. LTIR is an option but it complicates things. Also, can hinder some possibilities for deadline moves. Hawks have the space to carry him for a season.

I’m all in on Anders Lee but where does he slot in? 1RW? Plays center in NYI I believe but his size and lefty shot would be nice on that top line.
- Assman22

Lee does not play center anymore. Was shuffled between Aho and Nelson as their RW...........

Savvy and Rick are right about Lee. Skating has never been his strength and now he's 29 in July. But this guy is a man, a big man and plays like it. Good quick hands, a scorers touch and while not being a great skater has scored 34, 40, 28 goals the last 3 yrs. More importantly, and this is an area he blows Saad away, is he's scored 8-9-14-10 PP goals the last 4 yrs whereas Saad has scored 6-1-1-5 PP goals over that span....... And you can bet 90% off Lee's goals were from 2 ft out.

Lee will also play physical. As many as 170 hits and as few as 102, way ahead of Saad. Two different players really. Saad is a more complete 3 zone player with ++ skating and speed, Lee has better hands, an elite net front guy, a much better scorer than Saad...... Depends on what your club needs but a place for both for sure....... And yes the last couple yrs of Lee's production as it relates to his next contract will fall but doesn't most every UFA's?

A lot of talk about who the Hawks should draft, trade for or sign as a UFA but never a thought on their window. I know the window wasn't last yr cuz Stan held back and gave no term to what little was available and I'll be forever grateful for that. Imagine a JVR at 7 mil for the next 4 yrs!!....... I think Lee will look like that but not as bad. A true gamer who's played at least 80 games the last 4 yrs and never less than 76.

This yr the Hawks window or in 2-3-4 yrs when the D pipeline helps and Seabs is 37, Keith 39, Toews 35 and Kane 34? ......... Can't construct then execute a plan without answering this question first, what's the window? Or is StanBow gonna play it down the middle?

I like this deal and Vegas can unload AA elsewhere they so choose. But I also think they may want a little more back maybe a prospect, someone who no longer fits our long term plans
- gifman

They can want a lot of things. They have no leverage because they are already over the cap for next season. Give em an offer. If they think they can do better. Fine. Eakins and McNabb aren't make or break players. Be nice to have but...

Button is on record from Podcast's/Interviews over the last week that his MOCK draft and his Player Rankings are 2 very different things. He can view Byram as the 3rd best player in the draft, but put Turcotte as #3 in the Mock Draft bc of what he thinks the Hawks will do.
- EnzoD

He had Turcotte 12th in his last MOCK, and Cozens was 14. And now they're 3 and 8.

Bob Mueller, James Comey and the Clinton's?
- powerenforcer

Trump's russian contacts. FFS. It was right there.

Gust to Montreal for their 1st only if hawks can acquire murry from columbus say for forsling and 2nd this year or next years 2nd.
- Scott1977

Nah. Habs ain't moving that pick. No need to pick up another oft-injured player and certainly not for a 2nd, imo.

Is he commited to go...the same way Brady Tkachuk was "commited" to going back to BU? Or is it different?
- PatShart

I think he’s a true to his word committed type. Don’t see him going back on his commitment to Wisconsin.

Only people on the board or draft experts do that...before the guys skates a shift, attends a camp, plays in preseason with the team
- PatShart

does Stan fall under either of those categories?

I’m not sure how that works to be honest. If Tkachuk was committed to BU and ended up playing the same may hold true for Turcotte. It just seems as though SB hinted the selection to us but he could be playing everyone. Lol. I’m holding out that the NYR take Caufield and we get Kakko.
- gifman

Bit different cases. Tkachuk had already played a season at BU before he was drafted.
Turcotte would have to back out of a commitment he made.

The year at Wisc isn't going to hurt his development. Let him go play a year, get his body healthy and in better shape without the expectations of being the #3 pick on his hometown team

Assuming he is the pick for the Hawks, of course.

Bo Byram in the 2019/20 opening night lineup.
- EbonyRaptor

Who babysits him?

Who babysits him?

- gazza53

Seabrook has been on daycare duty for 4 seasons.

Who babysits him?

- gazza53

Bovquist

Bit different cases. Tkachuk had already played a season at BU before he was drafted.
Turcotte would have to back out of a commitment he made.

The year at Wisc isn't going to hurt his development. Let him go play a year, get his body healthy and in better shape without the expectations of being the #3 pick on his hometown team

Assuming he is the pick for the Hawks, of course.
- Elbows15

That’s what worries me about Turcotte, he has a hip issue apparently. I can’t see using the #3 pick for a possible not healthy player.

Bovquist
- glennjpawlak22

I think Byram is the babysitter to Boqvist in this equation.

Zawaski

One name to keep an eye on for the Blackhawks when free agency begins...Anders Lee. I’m told his preference is to return to NYI, but might be looking for more term that they’re willing to offer.

I think Byram is the babysitter to Boqvist in this equation.
- Q-stache

I think your right on there Q!!

Seabrook has been on daycare duty for 4 seasons.
- Elbows15

He now needs the babysitting

Bovquist
- glennjpawlak22

Cozens is the pick!!
- Nmbr1

What do the Hawks covet?

Zegras could very well be a Pettersen/Aho/Barzal/Backstorm type. Silky, freak vision/hands/feet, puts up 80 maybe 90 points. I think the guy hits 80 points a few times and think scouts do too.

Or a Turcotte. Puts up 65-70 points, a 3 zone off the charts compete, takes the oppositions top line, wears a C, wins 950 faceoffs at a 54% clip.

Any Hawk fan that has watched the Hawks under StanBowPopsMcDKelley? If it's a forward experience tells me they take Zegras. Simply said he's more skilled.