The Hawks are lucky to have such a great 3rd line centre.
- DarthKane

Well, based on the numbers between them, McJesus would be a 4th line center......

So Wiz, what kind of player may we expect at 17 vs say at 9 in this draft, a 1st liner vs a 3rd liner? I also understand that these are 18 year olds and anything can happen.
- Angotti

Of course I like selecting at slot nine because there really starts to be a drop off after that first dozen.

At 19 you are banking on potential and usually the guys there
are defenseman with less dynamic offensive sides, but still hav great toolboxes and skills and even size, and
you simply can't predict where Hendrix Lapierre gets taken as he was thought of as a top ten guy and then everybody thought he had one concussion then last season was bothered by a reoccurring one but it turns out this year what was thought to be confusion was in fact a vertebrae out of alignment that was really the culprit and now under control. I know he is a centre but this guy was in my first round top 8 before Halloween. You take him and figure out that Toews is your long term third line guy and he is the next gen, despite not being a winger...the wingers you select at #19 are the Russian, Rodion Amirov, and maybe you select John-Jason Peterka, because little
Seth Jarvis can be rw, and Ridley Greig can be wing, but he is good in the dot and on the opposing players as a centre. It just seems like 19 slot is where defenders start going off the boards.

Back to the question, there are lots of wingers but especially good scoring/generating wingers in that 9 slot area and that's why I wish they were still locked in there...

So will Chalupa be the next Kubalik or the next Wedin?
- boilermaker100

maybe a Chalupa combo

IDGAF what happens. I will just be glad to watch something that makes life a bit more normal again. I am a no on Mitchell. I don't believe it would be fair to him. While none of these players have seen a competitive game since March, stepping into the NHL after a few practices is a lot to ask from any kid. I do think he could handle it but no reason to waste a year on his ELC. The Hawks have enough depth on D. There are also 2-3 other young D-men to play. Boqvist, Carlsson, Beaudin.

Thanks, F beef, for the giardiniera...
- wiz1901

There is a bakery down the street from me that does giardiniera focaccia which is killer.

Agree that it's not in the DNA to root for the Hawks to lose, ever. However, all things considered, this would be the best case scenario overall, a combo of having the kids experience a grueling playoff series and also keeping a fairly high draft pick.
- Nmbr1

It would be more fun if they beat the Oilers + 1 round. Yeah drafting is important but its such a crap shoot I think you gotta try to win where and when you can.

Other than McD and LeonD they are not a very good team and Mike Smith is past the days of winning a playoff series on his own. It'll be a high scoring affair but I think the Hawks have the edge.

St Louis or Colorado and maybe Vegas would be a rough draw but the Hawks could probably beat any of the other teams.

And that's the joke of the NHL. Other than the top two or three teams and the bottom two or three its a free for all across the rest of the board.

Count me in the camp that wants to see the Hawks lose in 5 games, preferably all OT games.

Then, win the lottery and select Alexis Lafreniere.

Settle down fellow Hawks' fans - everything is proceeding according to plan.

Count me in the camp that wants to see the Hawks lose in 5 games, preferably all OT games.

Then, win the lottery and select Alexis Lafreniere.

Settle down fellow Hawks' fans - everything is proceeding according to plan.
- EbonyRaptor

I want a deep playoff run, that experience will be needed for the current crop of young players.

What will happen....the Hawks will lose in 3 games, losing each game by an average of 3 goals.

Count me in the camp that wants to see the Hawks lose in 5 games, preferably all OT games.

Then, win the lottery and select Alexis Lafreniere.

Settle down fellow Hawks' fans - everything is proceeding according to plan.
- EbonyRaptor

Our last run started with drafting Toews 3rd overall...then Kane 1st overall...

Only makes sense the next run is with...
Dach 3rd overall, then Lafreniere 1st overall.

It just seems right!!!!

I dunno. Last 4 games vs Oil. Hawks 3-1.

McDavid.
2 assists
DNP
Zero
Zero

I would say Hawks did ok as a team. And Toews a pretty good job of limiting McJesus!
- hawk35

Very true! But Leon Drai had 7 points in 3 games against the Hawks this year. Connor might not be your biggest issue these playoffs.

Very true! But Leon Drai had 7 points in 3 games against the Hawks this year. Connor might not be your biggest issue these playoffs.
- Leichs

Geez fella. I know Toews gets a hefty 10 million a year...but, he can't shadow BOTH of them and keep them in check. Give the fella a break!

Very true! But Leon Drai had 7 points in 3 games against the Hawks this year. Connor might not be your biggest issue these playoffs.
- Leichs

Oh, don't you worry there boss. We are WELL aware of our shortcomings. At a minimum, I think it would likely be one of the most entertaining series.

deHaan's on the ice:

https://twitter.com/Minto.../1266392171239833601?s=20

Speaking of stuff happening...

The Hawks have signed forward Matej Chalupa to an entry level deal. Chalupa (great name) is a former teammate of Dominik Kubalik.
- DarthKane

Of course, right after I posted this.

I will dig up some info on this guy and pump something out next week.

deHaan's on the ice:

https://twitter.com/Minto.../1266392171239833601?s=20
- pdx2ord

Saw that!

He would be a huge boost to the Hawks backend.

Of course, right after I posted this.

I will dig up some info on this guy and pump something out next week.
- Tyler Cameron

I believe we have two posters named John McDonough and Stan Bowman respectively. Maybe one of them changes their avatar to "Rocky." Or his son's name.

In light of John McDonough Blackhawks departure, I do not know actually whom calls the PR/advertising shots. But I thought immediately about this Chalupa signing..........Why not figure out something tasty with fast food using Chalupa?

How about for Rockford.and or Chicago fans, whenever Chalupa scores you get a second same item free at Taco Bell (good for the following 24 hour after the game day he scored). Just buy one taco, one burrito, get one free (for example). Heck, maybe they even come up with a new food item: Blackhawk Chalupa. Ole ole. Chalupa?!

I looked up both "ole' and "ole ole." Colorful history behind the word(s) if you check Wikipedia. And there is a Mexican restaurant "Ole Ole" in Linconlshire just outside of Chicago.

Of course, right after I posted this.

I will dig up some info on this guy and pump something out next week.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler, regarding Chalupa, I read that the C is silent and is pronounced hal-u-pa

Tyler, regarding Chalupa, I read that the C is silent and is pronounced hal-u-pa
- boilermaker100

Yeah, it won't matter. He will be known as a chalupa.


I really like this signing even though I know next to nothing about him. He's 21. Good size. More importantly, I trust the Euro scouts. They have done a good job of finding players who, at the very least, have been useful. Some misses for sure but I don't count that as a negative because all they really cost was money. It's not mine. LOL

A name to check out if the Hawks somehow manage to win the play-in round and end up in the 15-20 spot at the draft.

Marat Khusnutdinov

Some highlights. Yes, he violates my Russian bias but in that spot he may be a bit of a reach but he has a ton of upside. IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq5NeoeQK9U

A name to check out if the Hawks somehow manage to win the play-in round and end up in the 15-20 spot at the draft.

Marat Khusnutdinov

Some highlights. Yes, he violates my Russian bias but in that spot he may be a bit of a reach but he has a ton of upside. IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq5NeoeQK9U
- Elbows15

- I Am The Breadman

Someone has to break the Russian drafting curse for the Hawks. They're due. It's been 30 years since they drafted on worth a damn.

A name to check out if the Hawks somehow manage to win the play-in round and end up in the 15-20 spot at the draft.

Marat Khusnutdinov

Some highlights. Yes, he violates my Russian bias but in that spot he may be a bit of a reach but he has a ton of upside. IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq5NeoeQK9U
- Elbows15

He might be a decent option with the Hawks 2nd round pick.

He might be a decent option with the Hawks 2nd round pick.
- DarthKane

He won't make it to the 2nd round.

A name to check out if the Hawks somehow manage to win the play-in round and end up in the 15-20 spot at the draft.

Marat Khusnutdinov

Some highlights. Yes, he violates my Russian bias but in that spot he may be a bit of a reach but he has a ton of upside. IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq5NeoeQK9U
- Elbows15

How about Dawson Mercer. Decent size, decent hands. Plays PP, PK...and....he is a Newfie. Bring on Dawson Mercer!!!!!!

....I like Holloway too, another big body...but he is not a Newfie. So, first choice Mercer...then Holloway.

On the contrary....played with Kubalik = as good or better than Kubalik.
- Ogilthorpe2

In other words, he's "Hossa less light."