Last game Byram played was Game-7 in the WHL championship and he was still 17. Like Boqvist, Byram is one of the youngest players in his draft class. The criticism Wiz and a couple others have said regarding Byram's defensive play is not slow to react or slow in any respect - it's play recognition and they all say he has been able to mask that issue because he's such a great skater. None of them state the problem of play recognition is due to low hockey IQ - in fact they all say his hockey IQ is very good. Therefore, improving defensive play recognition should be something can be learned and improved upon. Should not be a red flag for not believing he will be a #1 d-man in the future.
- EbonyRaptor

Play recognition is Hockey IQ. As I said previously he does not make the sound decision in transition.

Someone say BB???


- BlackhawkMike

Not a 200 foot player -can’t play guitar while he’s singing.

Low first round at best.

I don't understand the nuances - but I think it has something to do with the escrow and players approving or not to use the escalator.
- EbonyRaptor

Players have to approve the escalator - it effectively increases the escrow amounts they will have to pay back next summer.

Hey gang... seems to be a calm before storm.

I don't have much but sounds like the Hawks are interested in Perry (yuck!).

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
- Tyler Cameron

Interested in Perry on a PTO? (Professional tryout)
I could almost be ok with that.

Perry in a Blackhawks sweater?... I don’t want to live in a world where that happens.

Not a 200 foot player -can’t play guitar while he’s singing.

Low first round at best.
- StLBravesFan

No kidding, and let’s not forget he knows nothing of chords... simply a guitar picker.

No kidding, and let’s not forget he knows nothing of chords... simply a guitar picker.
- Chief4Feathers

Yeah - special teams player at best.

If he didnt have a serious Hip Injury I would be 100% onboard with Turcotte as the pick. I'm confident that Turcotte will be a solid 2C, but I think there could be more upside/ceiling in Dach or Byram. A lot to love about Turcotte's combination of skill and will/heart/compete, but a 17yr old that dominated the big boy Jr League of the WHL and draws Scott Neidermeir comparisons......

Byram, Dach, Turcotte, Cozens in that order for my preferences. If they aren't taking Byram I think they should aggressivley pursue a trade down with LA/DET/COL
- EnzoD

If the Blackhawk Doctors are OK with Turcotte's health, so am I. If the Hawk Scouts are OK with Byram's defense, so am I. If If the Hawk Scouts are OK with Cozen's hockey IQ, so am I. If the Hawk Scouts are OK with Dach's skating, so am I. Like you, I'd like to see Byram selected but i have a feeling Turcotte will be their choice.

Hey gang... seems to be a calm before storm.

I don't have much but sounds like the Hawks are interested in Perry (yuck!).

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
- Tyler Cameron

In a Brad Richards deal....... MAYBE....... that's 1 Mil for 1 year. Anything more would be a head scratcher by Bowman once again. PASS>

Hey gang... seems to be a calm before storm.

I don't have much but sounds like the Hawks are interested in Perry (yuck!).

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
- Tyler Cameron

Oh this reeks of our Gilmour, Coffey and Clark signings of over-the-hill stars. I hope this isn't true.

Hey gang... seems to be a calm before storm.

I don't have much but sounds like the Hawks are interested in Perry (yuck!).

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
- Tyler Cameron

I heard he and Toews are friends , if the term and price are right I am on board . Think he came back to soon last year .

I read Zegras may be the best forchecker.
- paulr

Zegras is good there, though idk about best.

Comparing WHL players expected to go top 10/15, Dach is the best defensively based on tracking mirco stats: steals on the backcheck, prevented entries against, and recovered defensive zone dump ins by the opposition.

If I knew how to cue-up The Wiz scene from Seinfeld I surely would.
- Hawkytalk

You're lucky I'm bored at work today.

I heard he and Toews are friends , if the term and price are right I am on board . Think he came back to soon last year .
- oldduffman

I wouldn't necessarily work with / refer my friends to my workplace though
Especially if their current qualifications are, well, lacking

In a Brad Richards deal....... MAYBE....... that's 1 Mil for 1 year. Anything more would be a head scratcher by Bowman once again. PASS>
- Hawkytalk

I go to 1.5M for one year, otherwise pass. The closest player we have who plays his type of game is Hayden and Perry would fit that role better than him.

I heard he and Toews are friends , if the term and price are right I am on board . Think he came back to soon last year .
- oldduffman

Could be a good 4th line player.

I heard he and Toews are friends , if the term and price are right I am on board . Think he came back to soon last year .
- oldduffman

Could be a good 4th line player.

Hey gang... seems to be a calm before storm.

I don't have much but sounds like the Hawks are interested in Perry (yuck!).

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
- Tyler Cameron

So with all these guys so close in value, do the Hawks look at some intangibles for separation? Like hockey IQ, heart, leadership?

Or are these (intangibles) already built into their original evaluations?

What is weighted the most?
Scoring, Speed, Skating, Stick Handling, 200 foot game, etc.

So can intangibles tip the scale to their choice?

If Perry gets signed, might as well pull up versteeg while they are at it just to see what kind of sh!t they can stir up! At least that will be entertaining!

If Perry gets signed, might as well pull up versteeg while they are at it just to see what kind of sh!t they can stir up! At least that will be entertaining!

All this “chatter” is making my BS meter tick higher by the minute. I mean seriously, if there was so much trade talk, where are all the trades? Are they gun shy?

All this “chatter” is making my BS meter tick higher by the minute. I mean seriously, if there was so much trade talk, where are all the trades? Are they gun shy?
- gifman

Most are conditional on the new cap number being announced... tomorrow...

You're lucky I'm bored at work today.


- Rota's Rooter

Yes, sort of...

Cozens, like Beach, is physically gifted at playing hockey... but, the reason why Beach never panned out in the NHL was because of what was (or wasn’t ) between his ears.
- Chief4Feathers

Contact lenses???