Is bowen being touted in this draft class because the defense class is average at best or is he that good that should the question. Maybe wiz answer that question better. To me there is just handful of good defense in this draft i could be wrong and if that is the case bowen is the best out handful plus his defense zone play is average at best or worse.
- Scott1977

Maybe this is the dilemma.

Average ass D class.

The forwards seems pretty sure they will be top 6 contributors

Is bowen being touted in this draft class because the defense class is average at best or is he that good that should the question. Maybe wiz answer that question better. To me there is just handful of good defense in this draft i could be wrong and if that is the case bowen is the best out handful plus his defense zone play is average at best or worse.
- Scott1977

Maybe the analysts may see it that way, but i have a tough time believing the Hawks scouting staff does. As i said earlier if he has the tool box to become a #1 dman, how can the Hawks not draft him. Rare for a player to possess all the skills needed to be a #1 dman.

In fairness to Risto, the talent around him is limited to nonexistant after Eichel and Skinner.

But to your point, Connor Murphy isnt significantly different to Risto and he is at a much lower price point.
- RickJ

You think so, Rick? Ristolainen would be the best Hawk Dman if he were a Hawk today. Has played under what 3 coaches/systems in the NHL in his almost 6 seasons, as you mention crap around him, played pro since he was 17, 1st pairing guy as a rookie with BUF, averaged 26:00 TOI for 3 or so seasons, 200 hits, 100+ blocks a season, pencil him in for 40 points, 20+ PP points...... Yea his fancies suck but take them, and his NHL career, into context at 24 yrs old, 5-1/2 NHL seasons and 400+ NHL games and 100 FIN pro games.

I ain't saying go get him but this kid has a ton of experience and on his Hawk club, their best Dman. Put a young, talented, experienced guy like him on even a decent club and there is probably a lot of upside.

Thank you for the information. I was going.off scouting reports which did not elaborate or break it down like you did. While it is difficult to pass on the skill of Zegrass, add Dach with Cozens and Turcotte to the top forwards after the top two picks. Even Podlolzin is going to be a good choice. What a draft.
- jhawk59

59, look at some of these guys on You Tube. If you can find shift by shift film that's the best IMO. No we're not scouts but you can see if a guy can skate, backchecks, plays hard, avoids contact, can shoot. ...... Most posting on a hockey board in June has seen enough hockey to make a conclusion on what you can see on film.

And yea man, I'm a fan of the Big Cossack. He may be falling on mock draft boards but I have a feeling he's not on NHL organIzation's boards.

You think so, Rick? Ristolainen would be the best Hawk Dman if he were a Hawk today. Has played under what 3 coaches/systems in the NHL in his almost 6 seasons, as you mention crap around him, played pro since he was 17, 1st pairing guy as a rookie with BUF, averaged 26:00 TOI for 3 or so seasons, 200 hits, 100+ blocks a season, pencil him in for 40 points, 20+ PP points...... Yea his fancies suck but take them, and his NHL career, into context at 24 yrs old, 5-1/2 NHL seasons and 400+ NHL games and 100 FIN pro games.

I ain't saying go get him but this kid has a ton of experience and on his Hawk club, their best Dman. Put a young, talented, experienced guy like him on even a decent club and there is probably a lot of upside.
- Mr Ricochet

Best in terms of what though? Points, maybe, but I don’t see that he would solve the problems that we have. Half of his points are on the PP, and say what you will about the stat, he is a significant minus player over his career.

I’m mildly optimistic about the Matta move simply because I think he can help stabilized the D and cut down on the higher danger shots.

59, look at some of these guys on You Tube. If you can find shift by shift film that's the best IMO. No we're not scouts but you can see if a guy can skate, backchecks, plays hard, avoids contact, can shoot. ...... Most posting on a hockey board in June has seen enough hockey to make a conclusion on what you can see on film.

And yea man, I'm a fan of the Big Cossack. He may be falling on mock draft boards but I have a feeling he's not on NHL organIzation's boards.
- Mr Ricochet

If the Hawks were somehow able to pick up a 2nd first round pick in the 10-15 range, I hope they pick Pods. That said, I don't see it happening.

If there is any credible consensus truth in the scouting community to this, why wouldn’t NJ or NYR pick him?
- Return of the Roar

Right?

GET READY FOR FRIDAY PLEASE......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSDTID0zA-I

Best in terms of what though? Points, maybe, but I don’t see that he would solve the problems that we have. Half of his points are on the PP, and say what you will about the stat, he is a significant minus player over his career.

I’m mildly optimistic about the Matta move simply because I think he can help stabilized the D and cut down on the higher danger shots.
- Chunk

There is no way in any (frank)ing world Risto is better than Keith. Even at 36 As much as his team has sucked, even the sucky players are better not playing with him.

For the last 4 seasons, IIRC his most common teammates are Eichel, ROR, E Kane and Reinhart.

Thanks for the link. I'm putting $5 down on Turcotte. Chicago boy ... I think it's going to happen. Anyone else get that feeling?
- I Am The Breadman

No, I think it will be somebody else.

Rumour blog and pre-draft blog coming in the AM. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

Rumour blog and pre-draft blog coming in the AM. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.
- Tyler Cameron

yea????????????????????????

No, I think it will be somebody else.
- DarthKane

Somebody in particular?

Somebody in particular?
- HawkintheD

Maybe....

Maybe....
- DarthKane

Are you going to make us guess?

Rumour blog and pre-draft blog coming in the AM. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.
- Tyler Cameron

You're such a tease.

Are you going to make us guess?
- Elbows15

OK, I'll give it a go ...

Hawks acquire Marleau and Kapanen from Toronto in exchange for Gustafsson. The Hawks buyout Marleau and carry his $6.25M cap hit for the 2019/20 season and then use that cap space next summer toward re-signing DCat and Strome.

Am I close?

OK, I'll give it a go ...

Hawks acquire Marleau and Kapanen from Toronto in exchange for Gustafsson. The Hawks buyout Marleau and carry his $6.25M cap hit for the 2019/20 season and then use that cap space next summer toward re-signing DCat and Strome.

Am I close?
- EbonyRaptor

Wait..What? Marleau has one year left. Why are the Hawks extending his cap hit?


Also. Did you take a look at the article LBR posted a few pages back comparing Cozens, Dach and Krebs?

Interesting and makes a case for each but Dach's defensive game is off the charts. In a good way.

No, I think it will be somebody else.
- DarthKane

I remember you being particularly fond of Cozens.

Rumour blog and pre-draft blog coming in the AM. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.
- Tyler Cameron

Yea boi!!

I remember you being particularly fond of Cozens.
- I Am The Breadman

Wasn't it Byram?

You're such a tease.
- EbonyRaptor

Yes, yes he is. 😞

OK, I'll give it a go ...

Hawks acquire Marleau and Kapanen from Toronto in exchange for Gustafsson. The Hawks buyout Marleau and carry his $6.25M cap hit for the 2019/20 season and then use that cap space next summer toward re-signing DCat and Strome.

Am I close?
- EbonyRaptor

Per reports, Marleau would like to return to SJ. I

OK, I'll give it a go ...

Hawks acquire Marleau and Kapanen from Toronto in exchange for Gustafsson. The Hawks buyout Marleau and carry his $6.25M cap hit for the 2019/20 season and then use that cap space next summer toward re-signing DCat and Strome.

Am I close?
- EbonyRaptor

Marleau: This is a 35-plus contract and therefore the buyout has no effect on the players cap hit. Please see the Buyout FAQ for more information

Wait..What? Marleau has one year left. Why are the Hawks extending his cap hit?


Also. Did you take a look at the article LBR posted a few pages back comparing Cozens, Dach and Krebs?

Interesting and makes a case for each but Dach's defensive game is off the charts. In a good way.
- Elbows15

The Hawks wouldn't be extending his cap hit - they would take on his 2019/20 cap hit and then it would come off the books after the 2019/20 season. This is just another way to use available 2019/20 cap space that will then be freed up to be used to re-sign Cat/Strome. It's essentially no different than taking on Callahan from T.B. in order to get a nice sweetener from T.B. for ridding then of Callahan's albatross contract. The only difference is with the Callahan deal we would have him on the team for 2019/20, whereas with Marleau we would buy him out so he can become a UFA and go sign a cheap deal with San Jose.

Since Marleau is a 35+ contract, and since he has only 1 season remaining on his contract - the buyout rule is the the entire cap hit is carried for that one year - it is not extended over multiple years like it is with players under 35.