You're guy Saad falling to 43. He was supposed to be top 5 or 10 in that draft IIRC.
- HawkintheD

That's not a fall it's a crash landing. I don't think Saad is great as much as I think we have a shortage of what he is and when we need 2-3 more of him, getting rid of the one we have is not a good plan.

Many people talk about rebuilding here and then they are the first to complain we're going to miss the playoffs. If somebody wants a taste of rebuilding and playing young guys, remember the last exhibition game we played before the start of the season when Boston basically anililated Rockford. If we're going for the playoffs we're going to need Saad and in this environment you're taking the same amount of contract back if you trade him anyway.

Belfour was PO choker for years. Nicholls? LOL. Before Toews, Mikita, Savard, Espo,Pit Martin,Roenick and hell even Zhamnov to name a few.
- Elbows15

Belfour was a stud , belfour was a huge reason Chicago stayed in many of its games. Sure Crawford has 2 cups and belfour has 1 ok I'll give you that. But comparison belfour was always a top 3 to 5 goalie in the league. Savard was a gifted offensive player, but Nichols played a solid 2 way game that was my point.

I think there is a really strong top 18 and four defenders that are highly regarded in that they can get taken in the top 15 easily.

I don't understand the detractors that are lessening Lundell, but let's say he is a good player who can go in the pre-teens or be there at 17.
In August, he was FIVE on my list and that was after seeing the Swedes, Byfield and Lafreniere....

It was very clear that centre Hendrix Lapierre WAS a top ten player and then he had one concussion. then he had all these pains and dizzinesss and the doctors thought it was a second concussion and then post concussion syndrome but t wasn't another concussion, it was problems with vertebrates and surgery helped right it.

Remember Boqvist had THREE concussion and on teams backed off taking him early.
this kid comes with wear and I have no idea what the scouting and their doctors will make of him.

I think there are a lot of guys who can be picked defined by what the scouts saw.
Holloway he could go early, Quinn has upside, but I am not sure that he doesn't linger, but to 17 I am not sure.

Size again is a factor in many of these smaller guys...how much does it affect where Pefetti, Lucas Raymond, Marco Rossi, Seth Jarvis,and Brendan Brisson....get taken?

Every time one of these guys drop a slot means the team there has to re-evaluate their list, and somebody is dropping...

Tarasenko to Blues at #16 was still surprise...I thought he was top 3 with Taylor Tyler and said so over and over, but realized the Russian factor was a big part of the free fall.
I think that Teuvo Teravainen dropping was a surprise, same year Andrey Vasilevskiy lasting to set 19 Tampa, Karlsson for Ottawa at slot 15, was huge one, Dylan Larkin was bargain at 15, Travis Konercy at #24,and probably the biggest free fall win fall for the Bruins #88 Pastrnak at slot #25 (he should gone off at 20 or before...)


Also if we can all put our prejudices as Hawk fans that want beef in the draft, a guy you told me you liked a lot is worth a look as the hawk second rounder, Justin Sourdif
A centre who, by use of his advanced hands and feet, is able to lengthen offensive forays by his persistence and creative puck- handling. Is a natural strong athlete and works the attack zone with a combination of creative puck handling and power moves. Is a highly advanced skater and attacker who can fool the opposition using nifty edge work and shifts from outside to inside edging effortlessly bouncing off checks and make them look foolish with is stick handling ability. Already has developed weight room strength and is continuing to get stronger. Adapt as pressuring the oppositions puck carriers and will mirror their moves and get the biscuit back. Has a repertoire of puck handling moves he uses so he can vary what he does and the defensive players are expecting what they have seen earlier. His strength facilitates his high takeaway/turnover rate. Simply hasn’t raised his game to warrant any further rise in his ranking.
This is what I mean about the 2020 class, you simply can't overlook the upsides of so many players like him, who NHL teams might bump up their boards...this is a kid who could develop and really help a NHL club.
- wiz1901

I’m not down on Lundell, quite the opposite. But because he seems to be a “safer” pick I wondered if the teams in the top half of the first round would try for a guy with a higher ceiling. If the Hawks can grab Lundell at #17 I’ll be ecstatic.

Sourdif would be a solid second round pick, as would Dufour.

Belfour was a stud , belfour was a huge reason Chicago stayed in many of its games. Sure Crawford has 2 cups and belfour has 1 ok I'll give you that. But comparison belfour was always a top 3 to 5 goalie in the league. Savard was a gifted offensive player, but Nichols played a solid 2 way game that was my point.
- Taylorst1

It all depended on how well the defense played. If opposing forwards had time to snipe it was short side high all night long on "Eddie fall down go boom no matter what Belfour". Federov and Yzerman ate him up. Ya, he won a cup. but with the best defensive team by far. He faced less than 20 shots a game average. You or I could have gotten Dallas to the semi-finals that year. I'm with Elbows on Belfour.

I’m not down on Lundell, quite the opposite. But because he seems to be a “safer” pick I wondered if the teams in the top half of the first round would try for a guy with a higher ceiling. If the Hawks can grab Lundell at #17 I’ll be ecstatic.

Sourdif would be a solid second round pick, as would Dufour.
- DarthKane

Lundell has been really great in exhibition games this fall and should be considered as top 10 pick.

It all depended on how well the defense played. If opposing forwards had time to snipe it was short side high all night long on "Eddie fall down go boom no matter what Belfour". Federov and Yzerman ate him up. Ya, he won a cup. but with the best defensive team by far. He faced less than 20 shots a game average. You or I could have gotten Dallas to the semi-finals that year. I'm with Elbows on Belfour.
- 6628

Crawford was notorious for his glove side and high blocker side of giving up shots. Belfour never had a offensive team playing in front of him .

I'm still taking belfour and hasek over crawford.

It all depended on how well the defense played. If opposing forwards had time to snipe it was short side high all night long on "Eddie fall down go boom no matter what Belfour". Federov and Yzerman ate him up. Ya, he won a cup. but with the best defensive team by far. He faced less than 20 shots a game average. You or I could have gotten Dallas to the semi-finals that year. I'm with Elbows on Belfour.
- 6628

Also look up and compare each goalies stats and you'll notice belfour numbers in comparison are stronger. 76 shutouts to 26 shutouts 488 games each played with belfour starting in 473 to crawfords 375 .

Crawford was notorious for his glove side and high blocker side of giving up shots. Belfour never had a offensive team playing in front of him .

I'm still taking belfour and hasek over crawford.
- Taylorst1

Crawford had the best feet and glove I had seen (since the early 60's) when he got here with a regular old time goalie style. Jimmy Waite and Panger had great gloves too. But after the hawks drafted him and let him play a few games they sent him to Rockford to learn how to be a butterfly goalie. Roy was big then and Crawford was a bit over 6' tall. Crow had to completely re-learn everything he did.
A glove is much quicker with the blades on the ice so the core can be involved. But the butterfly eliminates the blades and foundation so the goalie has to rely on his arm and shoulder only to flash the glove. Have to give Crawford credit for the work he put in and the direction he took.

Also look up and compare each goalies stats and you'll notice belfour numbers in comparison are stronger. 76 shutouts to 26 shutouts 488 games each played with belfour starting in 473 to crawfords 375 .
- Taylorst1

Here's a stat------- 2 cups. In Chicago.
(Drops the keyboard)

That's not a fall it's a crash landing. I don't think Saad is great as much as I think we have a shortage of what he is and when we need 2-3 more of him, getting rid of the one we have is not a good plan.

Many people talk about rebuilding here and then they are the first to complain we're going to miss the playoffs. If somebody wants a taste of rebuilding and playing young guys, remember the last exhibition game we played before the start of the season when Boston basically anililated Rockford. If we're going for the playoffs we're going to need Saad and in this environment you're taking the same amount of contract back if you trade him anyway.
- rpeters01

I agree. My "you're guy" comment wasn't a knock.

Here's a stat------- 2 cups. In Chicago.
(Drops the keyboard)
- 6628

Haven't backread but I'm not sure why this is even a discussion. I don't know why people (not you obviously) want to continue to overlook or diminish Crawford's importance to two Cups.

I know a number of people wanted to label him as the Hawk version of Chris Osgood. Just not true.

He was great in '13 and other than a couple bad games in the first round vs NSH, he's your Co-MVP with Keith in '15.

Eddie was ok but I'd take Crawford 7 days a week and all day on Sunday. People think Crow gets beaten high?

Wish they'd kept Hasek and traded Eddie.

It all depended on how well the defense played. If opposing forwards had time to snipe it was short side high all night long on "Eddie fall down go boom no matter what Belfour". Federov and Yzerman ate him up. Ya, he won a cup. but with the best defensive team by far. He faced less than 20 shots a game average. You or I could have gotten Dallas to the semi-finals that year. I'm with Elbows on Belfour.
- 6628

Again, I'm on your side of this "debate"?

Look at who they beat in that Cup. The Sabres were a total grindy team with hardly any O. I think Peca was their best forward. The only reason they were even in the SCF was pretty much because of Hasek, and with no offense he nearly stole the Cup for the Sabres.

Haven't backread but I'm not sure why this is even a discussion. I don't know why people (not you obviously) want to continue to overlook or diminish Crawford's importance to two Cups.

I know a number of people wanted to label him as the Hawk version of Chris Osgood. Just not true.

He was great in '13 and other than a couple bad games in the first round vs NSH, he's your Co-MVP with Keith in '15.

Eddie was ok but I'd take Crawford 7 days a week and all day on Sunday. People think Crow gets beaten high?

Wish they'd kept Hasek and traded Eddie.
- HawkintheD

I don’t understand why Crawford doesn’t get any love, most underrated goalie ever.

Another stat --- Belfour leads all goalies in drunk and disorderly beefs. And with the Bulin Wall running around that's not easy to do. Offering a cop a billion (with a B) bucks to let him go is hall of fame stuff.

That's not a fall it's a crash landing. I don't think Saad is great as much as I think we have a shortage of what he is and when we need 2-3 more of him, getting rid of the one we have is not a good plan.

Many people talk about rebuilding here and then they are the first to complain we're going to miss the playoffs. If somebody wants a taste of rebuilding and playing young guys, remember the last exhibition game we played before the start of the season when Boston basically anililated Rockford. If we're going for the playoffs we're going to need Saad and in this environment you're taking the same amount of contract back if you trade him anyway.
- rpeters01

I think Bowman is starting to accept this fact of NHL life. He should especially beware only a few of his among the entire roster can play or handle the toughness and grit. The wear and tear on Toewes is clear

To his credit he brought in Dach. And although he wants this new age dmen to fill most of the defensemen pairs, I have to believe he is very high on Carlsson and hopes to see Moberg and Vlasic develop. Eventually Bowman will have his defensemen he desires and a big size guy added to the mix is ideal as long as he can skate and has reasonable puck moving ability. I really think a big part of the success of the defense in the years ahead though is whether a special talent can be a game breaker. Can he develop or will strength and concussions be his undoing. Of course I refer to Boqvist.

Just start out the retooling by choosing a power forward round one 2020. That is a need. Not sure the exact type of player we need is available in round one. Maybe round two.

Here's a stat------- 2 cups. In Chicago.
(Drops the keyboard)
- 6628

Hasek has two as well.

I think Bowman is starting to accept this fact of NHL life. He should especially beware only a few of his among the entire roster can play or handle the toughness and grit. The wear and tear on Toewes is clear

To his credit he brought in Dach. And although he wants this new age dmen to fill most of the defensemen pairs, I have to believe he is very high on Carlsson and hopes to see Moberg and Vlasic develop. Eventually Bowman will have his defensemen he desires and a big size guy added to the mix is ideal as long as he can skate and has reasonable puck moving ability. I really think a big part of the success of the defense in the years ahead though is whether a special talent can be a game breaker. Can he develop or will strength and concussions be his undoing. Of course I refer to Boqvist.

Just start out the retooling by choosing a power forward round one 2020. That is a need. Not sure the exact type of player we need is available in round one. Maybe round two.
- jhawk59

Yes - if the next "Keith and Seabrook" are not in the system they will have to be found as well as a few power forwards. Toews played his heart out but he was still giving away pounds against Vegas and at 32 has a lot of mileage on his engine and suspension parts.

Lundell has been really great in exhibition games this fall and should be considered as top 10 pick.
- MjulQvist

Agreed I always said the disrespect was misplaced when this guy can play smart harfd and solid...I dont know if you get this from most youngsters for a long while once they arrive...you see I have him at nine, but wouldn't be surprised by going around their unless the scouts have eyes of other aspects.

On Twitter:

@GeorgeRichards

Larry Brooks of @nypostsports reports Eddie Olczyk has interviewed for #FlaPanthers GM job as Chris Drury dropped out. I can confirm Panthers’ interest in former Bruins/Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli — he is one to watch for the gig.
- Theo Fox

Good riddance.

Darren Dreger also reporting that Olcyzk is interviewing with multiple teams for GM jobs.
- Theo Fox

See ya!

Hasek has two as well.
- rpeters01

Nice

Another stat --- Belfour leads all goalies in drunk and disorderly beefs. And with the Bulin Wall running around that's not easy to do. Offering a cop a billion (with a B) bucks to let him go is hall of fame stuff.
- 6628

The story as I heard it, was that the dollar amount proffered by Eddie was actually “a bazillion” dollars. Which as any drunk would know beats a mere billion dollars any day.

Another stat --- Belfour leads all goalies in drunk and disorderly beefs. And with the Bulin Wall running around that's not easy to do. Offering a cop a billion (with a B) bucks to let him go is hall of fame stuff.
- 6628

If you're going to bring up his outside circulars that imo has nothing to do with his playing. I was a huge belfour fan , Chicago was known for many years at producing all star goalies.


My reasons for taking belfour over crawford come down to his intensity and playing style , stats .

Belfour is a HOF goalie you have to acknowledge that , not many goalies can say they where inducted into the HOF for all his achievements.

Also would you say Crawford is a better goalie than Hasek ?

Haven't backread but I'm not sure why this is even a discussion. I don't know why people (not you obviously) want to continue to overlook or diminish Crawford's importance to two Cups.

I know a number of people wanted to label him as the Hawk version of Chris Osgood. Just not true.

He was great in '13 and other than a couple bad games in the first round vs NSH, he's your Co-MVP with Keith in '15.

Eddie was ok but I'd take Crawford 7 days a week and all day on Sunday. People think Crow gets beaten high?

Wish they'd kept Hasek and traded Eddie.
- HawkintheD

They where both awesome. Although in the end belfour did outdueled hasek for the cup. But hasek was a better goalie overall that I agree with.

What was the reason hasek was traded? I cant remember why

See ya!
- Ogilthorpe2

What a choice. Whom would you choose as Florida new GM

Eddie O
Chiarelli
Neither