From The Athletic:


https://theathletic.com/1...acted-the-2019-nhl-draft/


"Chicago: Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver-WHL
I’m pretty sure my mock will come apart at this pick because I have not been able to nail down Chicago’s preference at all. I’ve heard from sources who say it will for sure be Byram, sources who say it will for sure be Alex Turcotte and the same for Kirby Dach."

You are correct, sir.

But drafting the player with the highest potential upside usually is, defenseman, center, or wing (I'll let goalies fend for themselves).

I have no idea if Byram is that guy or not - they all have high positives and at least some negatives - that's for Kelly, Bowman, and the rest to decide.

I favor Byram (in my ignorance, perhaps) because of all that I've read, the analyses seem to paint him as being closer to having #1 defenseman potential than the others have of being #1 centers.

At least that's how I analyze the analyses.
- StLBravesFan

I suppose it depends on how one defines what a #1 defenseman is. Is EK65 a number one defenseman? He’s sure paid like one, but considering his ineptitude in his own zone, I would cringe if he we the Hawks #1. When I hear that Byram lacks defensive awareness (on man’s opinion anyway) it gives me reservations that he’s true #1 material, because I prefer my d-men to, you know, play defense.

Please explain why the Hawks cant resign Restricted Free Agents with no leverage in Debrincat and Strome?
- PatShart

Because for some reason, NHL GM’s have decided to do away with Bridge Deals, and because Hayes just signed for $7+.

Hayes. $7+

C. Perry anybody? Grit....shouldn’t cost a ton...

Because for some reason, NHL GM’s have decided to do away with Bridge Deals, and because Hayes just signed for $7+.

Hayes. $7+
- Ogilthorpe2

Who might possibly be the Flyers 3rd line center, if Nolan Patrick can live up to potential.

C. Perry anybody? Grit....shouldn’t cost a ton...
- Beaks99

Just say no.

C. Perry anybody? Grit....shouldn’t cost a ton...
- Beaks99

He is done, we don't need anymore Chris Kunitz's

Given the current state of the market if ADB/Strome have good seasons again they will be lucky to be able to sign just them for under $16MM.

Then who replaces CC and AA?
- Return of the Roar

Even if the cap goes up just a little this year, and continues to at least trend upward in 2020-21 The Hawks should have closer to 17mill of cap space with AA and Crawford off the books and Gus's 1.5 gone as well if they don't retain salary. 7mil for Cat sounds fair, and so does 5mil for Strome. That means about 5mil left over for a goaltender, or maybe Crawford resigns for a shorter term. By then Enwhistle or Kurashev should be ready to replace AA on ELC's.

Panarin Toews Kane
Cat Strome Perlini
Saad Kurashev Sikura
Kubalik Kampf Caggiula

C. Perry anybody? Grit....shouldn’t cost a ton...
- Beaks99

He just got bought out by the Ducks.

He is done, we don't need anymore Chris Kunitz's
- LAHawk

I’d rather have Kunitz than Perry. At least Kunitz doesn’t have that kind of face that gives me the urge to punch him in it every time I see it.

Panarin is going to the Rangers, Islanders or Panthers, nor do I think Stan is interested in bringing him back.

Even if the cap goes up just a little this year, and continues to at least trend upward in 2020-21 The Hawks should have closer to 17mill of cap space with AA and Crawford off the books and Gus's 1.5 gone as well if they don't retain salary. 7mil for Cat sounds fair, and so does 5mil for Strome. That means about 5mil left over for a goaltender, or maybe Crawford resigns for a shorter term. By then Enwhistle or Kurashev should be ready to replace AA on ELC's.

Panarin Toews Kane
Cat Strome Perlini
Saad Kurashev Sikura
Kubalik Kampf Caggiula
- SoftServe

You’re dreaming. If Hayes is $7+, Cat is at least $8.5

Even if the cap goes up just a little this year, and continues to at least trend upward in 2020-21 The Hawks should have closer to 17mill of cap space with AA and Crawford off the books and Gus's 1.5 gone as well if they don't retain salary. 7mil for Cat sounds fair, and so does 5mil for Strome. That means about 5mil left over for a goaltender, or maybe Crawford resigns for a shorter term. By then Enwhistle or Kurashev should be ready to replace AA on ELC's.

Panarin Toews Kane
Cat Strome Perlini
Saad Kurashev Sikura
Kubalik Kampf Caggiula
- SoftServe

No way Strome only gets $5MM. If he scores more than 20 and is at least close to 50% at the dot he's in Hayes territory.

Perhaps all the more reason to draft a center. Leverage.

I’d rather have Kunitz than Perry. At least Kunitz doesn’t have that kind of face that gives me the urge to punch him in it every time I see it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Karlsson, Trouba, Hayes...?

I’m the first guy to bust Stan’s balls and be hypercritical of many decisions, BUT... I thank the hockey gods that at least the GM of my favorite team doesn’t screw the pooch like some of the deals that have taken place in the last 48hrs.

So for this, I want to thank you Stan for not completely sucking and running my favorite team into a brick wall, as so many of your peers seem hell bent on doing.

He just got bought out by the Ducks.
- RickJ

Let him be some other team's nightmare.

- I Am The Breadman

The franking Catalina Wine Mixer... Pow!

Karlsson, Trouba, Hayes...?

I’m the first guy to bust Stan’s balls and be hypercritical of many decisions, BUT... I thank the hockey gods that at least the GM of my favorite team doesn’t screw the pooch like some of the deals that have taken place in the last 48hrs.

So for this, I want to thank you Stan for not completely sucking and running my favorite team into a brick wall, as so many of your peers seem hell bent on doing.
- Chief4Feathers

He already did that years ago. Still paying for it to this day. Hopefully the on the job training taught him some things.

Please explain why the Hawks cant resign Restricted Free Agents with no leverage in Debrincat and Strome?
- PatShart

Did I say that? Signing Panarin for $11M is what I was referring to. If the hawks sign Panarin for $11M they're going to have a ton of problems down the line finding money to fill holes and sign their own RFAs.

Because for some reason, NHL GM’s have decided to do away with Bridge Deals, and because Hayes just signed for $7+.

Hayes. $7+
- Ogilthorpe2

It's enough to make one want to poop in a stairway.

I have as many playoff appearances and points as ABD and Strome combined....so yeah, let's pay them 8mil each while people piss and moan about Seabrook or Saad's contracts

If they want 8mil, they can enjoy the view from their apartments. If they want to...oh I dont know, help the team actually win again. Then they will take a bridge deal and cash in when they help the team become a threat again.

Cam Barker anyone?

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

Agreed....I don't think they are taking him. They need F help to ease the transition from Toews and Kane in 2-3 years when they likely start to decline in productivity.

Cam Barker.....dear lord......what a turd that guy was.

C. Perry anybody? Grit....shouldn’t cost a ton...
- Beaks99

Given what’s gone down recently, I’d bet some GM is going to sign Perry for more $/term than any of us would expect.

If the Duck's are buying out Corey Perry, I would ask what kind of deal he is looking for. Coming off an injury and a down year he could be a value pickup at a reasonable price and fairly short term. $4.5 mil for 3 years? My guess is that he will work himself back into top shape and have a chip on his shoulder. Maybe 50+ points playing on one of the top 2 lines, or an absolute beast playing on the 3rd or 4th lines. He would immediately make the Hawks harder to play against.

Saad - Toews - Perry
ADB - Strome - Kane
Kubalik - (AA or his replacement) - Sikura/Perlini
Caggiula - Kampf - Tanev/Frolik (or Tanev like)

1,200 votes and Byram is leading the way with 46%.

Give it a vote if you haven't yet!