I’ve never watched any of these guys play, but after reading up on all of these players, I would not be surprised at all to see the Hawks select Dach. It sounds like he is a fast, high IQ player with a great all around game.

I think the Blackhawks value hockey IQ first and foremost. Sounds like Zegras and Dach are the two players with the highest level IQ of the 5 guys that could be picked here, so I feel like perhaps one of the them is the pick. Dach just seems to have all of the tools, so I’m not sure why he isn’t getting more love.

I don’t feel like the pick is Byram, I agree with Wiz. I don’t think the Blackhawks compare him favorably to Paul Coffee if they were intending to pick him. I feel like they are pumping his tires to maybe move down a couple of spots and still get their guy.
- LaheysBRandy

Dach isn't fast. He's compared to Getzlaf and neither are speedsters

Right. I think they’re trying but whow wants to move up that bad? Kings? Sabres ? Who has extra 1st round picks that makes it worth trading up for?
3-10 in this draft seem to be rated all the same across the league.
Hawks may be “stuck” picking who they like best at 3 .


Plus ya never know maybe the Rangers get cute and take Byram
- mrpaulish

I would think Buffalo, Edmonton, or Vancouver. Edmonton may like Byram enough to do it. Vancouver is hosting the draft and may want to make a splash. Buffalo always needs young ELC guys since no one ever wants to play there lol

I would think Buffalo, Edmonton, or Vancouver. Edmonton may like Byram enough to do it. Vancouver is hosting the draft and may want to make a splash. Buffalo always needs young ELC guys since no one ever wants to play there lol
- Assman22

Buffalo suckkkssssssssssss ever been there?

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

On nhl radio some scouts are saying he's the best dman to come out of the WHL since Niedermayer. That list includes Seth Jones and Ivan Provorov. I don't know it's true but thats pretty high praise from nhl scouts

When you have been given the gift of taking the best draft eligible D man in the world,you do not hesitate. Take him

wow..hayes contract shows that crazy $$ season is in full swing...

todays big FA signing is tomorrows albatross contract...

When you have been given the gift of taking the best draft eligible D man in the world,you do not hesitate. Take him
- OutlawSteve

Cam Barker anyone?

Also, if this were always the case, then he won’t be available at 3.

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.
- Tyler Cameron

Yes. I can't see the Rangers taking Byram after acquiring Trouba.

Although a 2-headed monster of Byram on the left and Trouba on the right is a scary thought.

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.
- Tyler Cameron

as the great chet coppock once said: i will a push peanut down michigan ave with my nose

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree Hawks need top 6 forward talent center and wing but center is more important. Turcotte, Cozens, Dach, and Zegras one those center imo should be the pick. If I was picking it be Turcotte or Cozens, Dach is an average skater with high end skill and the league emphasis on speed Turcotte and cozens fit those requirements. Zegras to me is a little bit of a reach but has high end skill and skating so there is argument for each center.

Will be interesting to see what EDM does with Puljujarvi (2016 #4 overall pick)as an RFA. Given what happened with Strome(former #3 overall pick), I wouldn’t mind picking him up on the cheap. Hawks love the Fins lately to boot.

Cam Barker anyone?
- Ogilthorpe2

who's he

If the salary cap comes in significantly less than $83 mil., that #3 pick could become a lot more valuable, that's 3 years at an ELC before the big contract kicks in.

Right. I think they’re trying but whow wants to move up that bad? Kings? Sabres ? Who has extra 1st round picks that makes it worth trading up for?
3-10 in this draft seem to be rated all the same across the league.
Hawks may be “stuck” picking who they like best at 3 .


Plus ya never know maybe the Rangers get cute and take Byram
- mrpaulish

None of the teams are going to trade their 2 first rounders just to get Chicago's #3 overall.

But one way to do it might be for Bowman to include a good young player with his #3. For example Beaudin or Mitchell.

Or pick Bynam and then immediately trade him for a #1 somebody else has plus a good player on their roster.

But none of this is going to happen as you know.

If the salary cap comes in significantly less than $83 mil., that #3 pick could become a lot more valuable, that's 3 years at an ELC before the big contract kicks in.
- LAHawk

If GM’s and rising stars would return to their sanity and bring “bridge deals” back into vogue, that would significantly increase young teams ability to have success. No bridge deals = very small window to win. See Toronto for example 1A.

who's he

- bogiedoc

The best draft eligible D-man in the world circa 2004.

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes. Defensemen’s most important attribute is defensive ability. Unless every regular season game turns in to a quasi-all-star game, the a hawks need DEFENSEmen.

Cam Barker anyone?

Also, if this were always the case, then he won’t be available at 3.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think Byram's stock rose after he dominated the WHL playoffs.

As for the Cam Barker comparison I'm sure if you were to look over the last 20 drafts you'd find more than one forward who flopped at #3.

IF .... IF a defenseman is considered by the team as the BPA or tied as BPA then I don't see how they choose a forward instead? For all we know Kelley has rated Byram as the best in the draft, the 3rd best in the draft or the 10th best in the draft? I'm good with whomever the Hawks choose because what I know about any of these prospects is based on second hand analysis, by in some cases, people who have never seen all these guys play live.

Is Byrams stock rising enough where the Rangers consider taking him? I’ll be happy with any of the five players TC mentioned.
- jhawk159

They have Trouba now...they will DEFINATELY take Kakko.

"That's why we play; because it's fun."

Get to Know Bowen Byram of the @WHLGiants. #NHLDraft

https://twitter.com/thewh.../1141103293935996928?s=21

Cam Barker anyone?

Also, if this were always the case, then he won’t be available at 3.
- Ogilthorpe2

Byram ain't Barker.

He may be better - he may be worse.

But he ain't Barker.

Time to forget what Pulford did with that #3 pick and let Bowman make his own mistakes.

We know he can do it.

Yes. Defensemen’s most important attribute is defensive ability. Unless every regular season game turns in to a quasi-all-star game, the a hawks need DEFENSEmen.
- scottak

Based on that analysis Chicago should not have chosen an 18 year old Duncan keith. Keith went into the AHL as a one way offensive defenseman and learned to play defense there. I am one of the more vocal posters about the importance of defensmen who can play defense but I also believe all prospects with only one or two exceptions (Kane and Toews) need time in the AHL to learn some aspcts of the game.

I see Carolina turned down Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers for Pesce. Maybe they are holding out for Saad.

If the Hawks stand at the #3 pick - I agree with everything Tyler said; you have to take Bryam. Defensemen are way too value, and with his upside being a #1 dman, it's hard to pass that up.

However, if Center is what the Hawks want and feel they need most, there has to be a team that would be willing to move up to get Bryam. I would think the Kings would be that team that could want to move up. They are not going to trade the #5 and their #22, but they do have their 2nd round pick at #33. I think that could be in play.

The Hawks move down to #5 and they would get at least one of Turcotte, Dach or Cozens. And pick up another 2nd rounder. Since it is an early 2nd round pick, there will still be a number of 1st round talent still available - and every year their is that one player that falls for no particular reason (see DeBrincat).

Detroit could be an option with their #6 and #35 as well.

Can’t remember ever linking an AP story before, but here goes:

Follow the money: Salary cap could spawn NHL trade frenzy!

https://apnews.com/3b5e1d...Sports&utm_source=Twitter