The Leafs kind of remind me of the Canucks in the early 2010s with less dbags of course.

3 big time forwards, a couple solid ones, and some D that can put up points but not really defend.

Only difference is instead of Luongo the Leafs have Nylander. Both put up pretty stats but will do nothing for you when it counts.

Leafs might have a bit more talent but not a huge difference. Sedin, Sedin, Kessler (despite hating him he was pretty good) v. Tavares, Matthews, Marner. Matthews is probably the best of the bunch.

I fully expect Tavares' game to drop off in the next few years. He isn't exactly fleet of foot and will get slower. He has never really done much for me.
- bhawks2241

So comparing the Leafs 4th best forward to the Canucks goalie. A bit of a difference there.

Pretty much, the guy is in denial, when Nick Leddy is pretty much better than any of the defenseman on your team, your team has serious issues
- BetweenTheDots

Just to confirm you are claiming Leddy is better than Morgan Rielly? The same Rielly that had 72 points last season, 5th in Norris voting with Ron Hainsey as his D partner all year?

I stated Morgan Rielly was better than Keith at the same age.
- RogerRoeper

When? When they were 12 years old?

The only thing that is comparable between the 2 is that both were on teams that missed the playoffs in their first 3 NHL seasons. Keith was never a double digit minus player like Rielly who managed to accomplish that in each of his first 4 years.

One guy has 126 playoff games under his belt, 3 Cups, 2 Norris Trophys and a Conn Smythe.

Nobody gives a f$ck about one 72 point regular season on a team that gets dismissed in the first round of the playoffs by the big bad Bruins.

I stated Morgan Rielly was better than Keith at the same age.
- RogerRoeper

Wait... What? Is this...serious?

Wait... What? Is this...serious?
- TommyHawk

I actually do think he’s being serious that’s the part that’s so (frank)ed up...

When? When they were 12 years old?

The only thing that is comparable between the 2 is that both were on teams that missed the playoffs in their first 3 NHL seasons. Keith was never a double digit minus player like Rielly who managed to accomplish that in each of his first 4 years.

One guy has 126 playoff games under his belt, 3 Cups, 2 Norris Trophys and a Conn Smythe.

Nobody gives a f$ck about one 72 point regular season on a team that gets dismissed in the first round of the playoffs by the big bad Bruins.
- RickJ

Nominations, single season stats, & being voted for a trophy mean more than actual accolades & being a champion, I guess?

Nobody gives a f$ck about one 72 point regular season on a team that gets dismissed in the first round of the playoffs by the big bad Bruins.
- RickJ

Magic Gus?

That group of forwards(2009-2010 Blackhawks) was, and yes this seems like hyperbole, in my opinion the most perfectly assembled group of forwards in the history of hockey.

Elite top end firepower

Strong down the middle

Everyone could skate

Incredibly physical and tough despite all the speed and skill

3 legit scoring lines followed by a textbook 4th line

Wingers that could snipe with deadly accuracy

Shorthanded specialists

Blend of youth AND experience

I mean they were perfect, just absolutely PERFECT. Unfair to the rest of the league that year.
- SimpleJack

Err the 1976-77 Canadiens that had a 132 point season and won the cup to me probably was the strongest roster ever, forwards, defense, and Dryden in nets, they had it all.

I will always root against players who do this. Too much power too soon for a player yet to play professional. What good is it to make effort to scout and assist development with conversation and camps + Traverse City Tournament, then the player bolts. Teams should only loose control if released or traded. His rights are owned and he must turn pro with them. I do not believe in wishing anyone bad but I will root against him for circumventing the process of entry draft and turning pro. You can argue, he had the right. I counter, ok then just blow up the while draft stew it all. Do it right or get lost.
- jhawk59

You think players should be punished for getting an education and then making an informed decision on what and where to live their lives? You seem smart.

And that matters why?

Good luck winning another core capped out with that team.
- RogerRoeper

Hey James Tanner. No one cares about the Leafs here.

Err the 1976-77 Canadiens that had a 132 point season and won the cup to me probably was the strongest roster ever, forwards, defense, and Dryden in nets, they had it all.
- LAHawk

Definitely agree on the overall roster, especially when you compare Dryden with Niemi lol...

But (and yes this is very hard to compare because back then it was unheard of having 3rd and 4th scoring line, forwards roles were much different as depth players) just strictly looking at forwards 1-14(including the 2 healthy scratches on any given night, usually 2 of Eagar/Burish/Bickell/Kopecky) the 2009-2010 Blackhawks were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. As strong if not stronger at forward than those juggernaut Avs and Wings teams from the mid-late 90’s.

Doughty was fit enough to log huge minutes night after night. And played every game.
And that has gone on for 12 NHL seasons. He's in shape.
- RickJ

Yes, I am sure Doughty is a fit athlete. Just wasn't sure if he is off the charts with his fitness like Keith.

Just to confirm you are claiming Leddy is better than Morgan Rielly? The same Rielly that had 72 points last season, 5th in Norris voting with Ron Hainsey as his D partner all year?
- RogerRoeper

In the defensive end, if not its damn close, they both aren't very good playing actual defense

When I watched Regula here he had a couple PP goals ,big kid . Looked to me like a kid who was really finding his game and confidence .
It good like you say for the HAWKS to take their time with all these kids and teach them the finer points of the game . Like the looks of Lucas Carlsson ,small sample size of course .
- oldduffman

If Regula can be a force on the PP whether from the point or in the bumper position, then that's great. But first and foremost, he is a defenseman so playing consistent respectable defense is primary. If he can't defend, then he could go the way of Gustafsson or never make it to the NHL at all.

With the way D prospects are developing (i.e. Boqvist, Carlsson, Beaudin, Krys, and even Gilbert), it is good to say the premium the organization is putting on balanced defenders. Defend first, flip the ice, start the transition, and let the offense talent take over.

?
- RogerRoeper

You can't make the connection?

I stated Morgan Rielly was better than Keith at the same age.
- RogerRoeper

You still here, keep it going ..

What about players like Hayes And Vesey? Who is the biggest impact player who graduated? This could be either players who signed with the team that drafted them, or players who became FAs.
- tvetter

Good question. I believe the original inquiry was on former NCAA players who are within their first 5 years in the NHL.

Although a tad overrated or at least overpaid, Hayes is still an impact player at least as a middle 6 forward.

Vesey has fallen way short of expectations but could carve out a niche as an effective bottom 6 player.

Impact NCAA players who actually graduated? I'm sure there are other resources out there but I found this webpage (through 2018):

http://collegehockeyinc.com/2017-18-alums-nhl.php

Most players are role players, some more effective than others. No superstars in the bunch. Closest is possibly Brian Gionta (Boston College).

Alex Killorn (Harvard)
Brian Boyle (Boston College)
Bryan Rust (Notre Dame)
Zach Hyman (Michigan) - shoutout to Breadman!
Brandon Tanev (Providence)
Matt Moulson (Cornell)
Lee Stempniak (Darmouth)
Alexander Kerfoot (Harvard)

Current and former Hawks who graduated:

Drake Caggiula (North Dakota)
Nick Seeler (Minnesota)
Dylan Sikura (Northeastern)
John Hayden (Yale)
Chris Kunitz (Ferris State)
Stephen Johns (Notre Dame)
Carter Hutton (UMass Lowell)
Scott Foster (Western Michigan)

You think players should be punished for getting an education and then making an informed decision on what and where to live their lives? You seem smart.
- GPHawksfan

What makes sense to me is a player cannot participate in any NHL organization event whatsoever until they sign a contract. It's college or juniors/club I don't know the correct terminology and that's it. The NHL organization can have no contact with the player other than contract discussion until they sign.

What makes sense to me is a player cannot participate in any NHL organization event whatsoever until they sign a contract. It's college or juniors/club I don't know the correct terminology and that's it. The NHL organization can have no contact with the player other than contract discussion until they sign.
- rpeters01

I believe that the Coyotes are under investigation for allegedly fitness testing this year's draft prospects. Not sure if the Coyotes are in violation of the same rule you are referring to but sounds similar.

I will always root against players who do this. Too much power too soon for a player yet to play professional. What good is it to make effort to scout and assist development with conversation and camps + Traverse City Tournament, then the player bolts. Teams should only loose control if released or traded. His rights are owned and he must turn pro with them. I do not believe in wishing anyone bad but I will root against him for circumventing the process of entry draft and turning pro. You can argue, he had the right. I counter, ok then just blow up the while draft stew it all. Do it right or get lost.
- jhawk59

How do you know that the Hawks didn't suggest him he goes this route?

The Athletic ran an article of the best Blackhawks to wear each number.

#67 - Frolik
#85 - Olesz

The Athletic ran an article of the best Blackhawks to wear each number.

#67 - Frolik
#85 - Olesz


- DarthKane

What about #19? I'd say Troy Murray

I stated Morgan Rielly was better than Keith at the same age.
- RogerRoeper

That weed up there must be really good.

In the article, the Hockey News didn't discuss why they selected Karlsson over Doughty. The only mention of Karlsson in the article besides the lists are saying how the top 10 was dominated by D-men.

The original top 10:
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
3. Zach Bogosian, Atlanta
4. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis
5. Luke Schenn, Toronto
6. Nikita Filatov, Columbus
7. Colin Wilson, Nashville
8. Mikkel Boedker, Phoenix
9. Josh Bailey, NY Islanders
10. Cody Hodgson, Vancouver

The top 10 do-over:
1. Steven Stamkos (1st, Tampa Bay)
2. Erik Karlsson (15th, Ottawa)
3. Drew Doughty (2nd, Los Angeles)
4. Roman Josi (38th, Nashville)
5. John Carlson (27th, Washington)
6. Alex Pietrangelo (4th, St. Louis)
7. Braden Holtby (93rd, Washington)
8. Jordan Eberle (22nd, Edmonton)
9. Tyler Myers (12th, Buffalo)
10. Derek Stepan (51st, NY Rangers)

Honorable mentions: Cam Atkinson (157th, Columbus); Adam Henrique (82nd, New Jersey); Josh Bailey (9th, NY Islanders); Jacob Markstrom (31st, Florida); Jared Spurgeon (156th, NY Islanders).
- AEL_Fox

I mean, I am taking Josi over Karlsson....then and now.

Yes, I am sure Doughty is a fit athlete. Just wasn't sure if he is off the charts with his fitness like Keith.
- AEL_Fox

I think it is more giftness than fitness with Doughty. Remember when he was referred to as dough boy in his draft year?