@CapFriendly

Reminder that the 'First Player Buy-out window' opens tomorrow. The window closes on October 8th.
- Theo Fox

I could see a couple buyouts, but likely not too many. It's hard to see owners wanting to throw away money in this current environment. Maatta has been a popular option for a buyout, but I think he'll have some trade value. If needed, the Hawks could retain the equivalent of Maatta's buyout amount, but in a trade that cap hit would only last 2 years instead of 4 with a buyout.

Thanks for the info on how the bonus overage could possibly be split across two seasons. That would be helpful as you pointed out.

I also have a gut feeling the Hawks will pick a forward with the 1st round pick. The defensemen who I would take in the opening round likely won't be available by 17th, (i.e. Drysdale, Sanderson, and Schneider).

The other defenders (i.e. Guhle, Wallinder, Barron) are good to consider but would still take a forward over them.
- Theo Fox

I keep hear that this stocky "Gil Mayotte-sized" Swede Emil Andrae is so good an attacker that they will ignore his defensive frailties so lest had him to the dee-man upward climb.


For the Blackhawks I might like Ryan O'Rourke over young Wallander, but size size size seems to determine choices a lot still.

Pretty much the scenario that they go looking big solid forward, but if they are gone, they look at skill forwards, and if one of the top four defenders is there like Guhle who is a lefty they have that as an option.
I did some draft list viewing and was surprised how may have both Guhle and Schneider as after thoughts in the 20's simply because they aren't the uber attacking phenons. Like Anton Lundell, where the BS has risen to high needless proportions on a guy who will play, you never know when teams go defenseman.

If you look at my Mock draft (You guys know if YOU SIGN up for free, you can make a mock draft too!) you will see plenty of defenders that will be picked before #50 and there are a few who are downgaerded also because their forte is the defensive end and we all know how the quick strike high pace guys are what the games seems evolving too exclusively.

I think the strength of this class is that the forwards are really high valued 35-46 areas.

@Sportsnet

Gary Bettman on the 2020-21 NHL season:

"The one thing I can say with certainty: we have no expectation that the players are going to be locked in a bubble for six months away from their families and friends. That's just not realistic."

3-4 years but from what I have read, he has Hedman-like potential. Just a reminder it took Hedman a couple of years in the league to become decent before becoming what he is now.
- Elbows15

I dunno if a Hedman comparison at this part of the Finals is appropriate.

And I think there are a lot of forwards who may look closer, more polished that seem safer...and I dunno if he is a climb. He has always been in my first round or in the top 35, so no argument from me.

Some one may that no defense an Poirier in the first (like Ottawa with their million picks) or Nicolas Beaudin-like Lukas Cormier from Chalottetown, teams will prefer defender Helge Gran...

The one thing I have learned is team draft list are radically different and if they dont' think whatever they are looking for as an attribute in a player is NOT going to be in many of the slots they are picking later, they will draft it earlier than we expect.

I like him also, the size and speed/agility combo sort of reminds me of Thomas Harley of Dallas. I think this draft is heavy with forwards...so the 2nd tier of defensemen which normally might be picked in mid teens will now fall in later 1st round. Which is why I was hoping Stanbo can get a late 1st or early 2nd in this draft. The Hawks really need to draft a LHD to groom to take over for Keith as top pairing. Not sure if Beaudin will be the answer...or solid 2nd pairing.

I still pick a forward at 17 unless Sanderson somehow falls into their lap.
- DrewDawg

I be surprised if he is there at #11 and maybe goes off earlier.

I think you are going toes some grit and push back form Pius Suter; he wants to stay, make a place in the bigs so you probably get a good effort on all fronts.
- wiz1901

Completely agree. I wasn't saying that he doesn't have that in his game. I was just saying that you aren't going to confuse him with Shaw. He is actually pretty good along the boards.

If the Hawks want to move up a few spots it will cost them at least a 2nd round pick or a decent young prospect. Stan would have to be really set on a prospect to make a deal like that. For reference, the Coyotes moved from 14 to 11 last year and it cost them a second round pick (#45).
- DarthKane

I totally agree that the hawks cannot afford the luxury of trading into the top ten, unless there is a very disappointed - lets say Toronto had a defender in mind and are will to drop from 15 to 17, that kinda of deal doesn't cost a a second.

Mark Kelley was pretty open but cautious when he said the group of possibles were all "well-known and scouted by the hawks so they knew who they are, not who we think you are...
You have to wonder though, about that Powers-Lazerus saying that Chicago steel power forwards was the guy who they called back for more interviews/tests.
So I re-visited his footage because I saw he as a guy who seemed at times to take his foot off the gas and and did have a toolkit and push with his entries, but I just looked at the group and mob opinion might be based lke last year when the strong U S A Development was so good, so may looked like upside guys and scorers and etc....well the STEEL team was damn good.

Anyway I saw no big revelations on Samuel Colangelo - from his play and this just speaks to how THICK the class is, and how teams who scout thoroughly may win them some excellent possibles....
He is a Maas. kid that Kelley saw for a long time.

Well done with the Holloway pick Theo!!
- Chunk

I just am so unsure he doesn't go earlier.

I doubt Strome and #17 gets us to #16...
- rpeters01

It all depends upon the want of Strome...he has little RFA wiggle and a team in treated knows that..he knows he has o prove stuff to them, etc.
Perfect for Edmonton if they still have a pick at #17.

So much of what we are talking about is tied to
two very different events.

IF Carolina or anyone above them takes Yaroslav Askarov.

and exactly how picks 3 -7 play out....to me, I could be on TV and alter where each prospect board changes after each and everyone of those picks...I must sound like a mad scientist, but seismic changes will be the order of the day after 4, 5, 6 and there is a great possiblity a team who never thought a certain forward will be there, discards their plan to take one of early two defenders, changed the board after that for the next team, altering their choice....as the dominos fall, I am not sure what those 12 picks are, and I have mulled over them a lot more than most people have time.
So I don't know if Askarov slips past Carolina, and Edmonton too.
You just have to think maybe you start finding out if teams want to trade a slot or two if the merry go round that started earlier changes a team like Edmonton or Montreal does.

But in general, I think the Hawks have a gut in their crosshairs that they like enough that they are not worried too much about being there, but you never know who slips who gets moved to earlier selection slots. The beauty of the defat.

I totally agree that the hawks cannot afford the luxury of trading into the top ten, unless there is a very disappointed - lets say Toronto had a defender in mind and are will to drop from 15 to 17, that kinda of deal doesn't cost a a second.

Mark Kelley was pretty open but cautious when he said the group of possibles were all "well-known and scouted by the hawks so they knew who they are, not who we think you are...
You have to wonder though, about that Powers-Lazerus saying that Chicago steel power forwards was the guy who they called back for more interviews/tests.
So I re-visited his footage because I saw he as a guy who seemed at times to take his foot off the gas and and did have a toolkit and push with his entries, but I just looked at the group and mob opinion might be based lke last year when the strong U S A Development was so good, so may looked like upside guys and scorers and etc....well the STEEL team was damn good.

Anyway I saw no big revelations on Samuel Colangelo - from his play and this just speaks to how THICK the class is, and how teams who scout thoroughly may win them some excellent possibles....
He is a Maas. kid that Kelley saw for a long time.
- wiz1901

I feel the same way about Colangelo after reading reports and viewing some video on him. Honestly, I'd be disappointed if the Blackhawks spent their 1st round pick on him.

2nd round, fine. Any later round is better to take those risks with prospects with great upside but have some work ahead of them to address deficiencies.

Same with Brisson also with the Chicago Steel. Great skills but his skating needs work. I've seen him as a potential late 1st rounder but would wait to pick him in a later round.

I could see a couple buyouts, but likely not too many. It's hard to see owners wanting to throw away money in this current environment. Maatta has been a popular option for a buyout, but I think he'll have some trade value. If needed, the Hawks could retain the equivalent of Maatta's buyout amount, but in a trade that cap hit would only last 2 years instead of 4 with a buyout.
- DarthKane

Does Winnipeg have a good goalie prospect? I wouldn't mind trading Maatta for one of those and WIN needs all the D help they can get.

@PierreVLeBrun

Still no firm answer on whether the 7 teams who didn't get to participate in RTP will get to hold an extended training camp ahead of next season. The 7 GMs submitted a joint proposal last month. NHL and NHLPA still in discussion over it, no resolution yet.

Thanks all for the posts about our pick of Dylan Holloway at 17th. For those that haven't seen it yet, I represented the Blackhawks at the podium in HockeyBuzz's annual mock draft.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...ock-CGY-on-deck/89/107536
- Theo Fox

You were afforded the luxury of the Ryan O'Rourke and Max picks before you....

Does Winnipeg have a good goalie prospect? I wouldn't mind trading Maatta for one of those and WIN needs all the D help they can get.
- Chunk

I think the Jets are not worried too much with their net since Connor Hellebuyck is 27, they have two who 22 and 23 yr old who they loaded to Europe.
Maybe they get a backup from one of ours if they don't want an NHL back-up to fill the vacant back-up spot.

Edmonton does:
https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/edmonton/51/2020/

Holloway is a very good pick, while I would be fine with this selection my preference would be to draft Amirov.
- DarthKane

Both seem about a foot tall for one of your picks.

@DarrenDreger

NHL is hosting a conference call this afternoon with GM’s to outline the logistics of the upcoming virtual draft. Likely more technological detail, from pre/post pick camera-shots, to dedicated phone lines for GM’s to communicate as they might normally at a draft table.

I could see a couple buyouts, but likely not too many. It's hard to see owners wanting to throw away money in this current environment. Maatta has been a popular option for a buyout, but I think he'll have some trade value. If needed, the Hawks could retain the equivalent of Maatta's buyout amount, but in a trade that cap hit would only last 2 years instead of 4 with a buyout.
- DarthKane

That's a good breakdown of weighing whether or not a Maatta buyout would be beneficial.

I feel the same way about Colangelo after reading reports and viewing some video on him. Honestly, I'd be disappointed if the Blackhawks spent their 1st round pick on him.

2nd round, fine. Any later round is better to take those risks with prospects with great upside but have some work ahead of them to address deficiencies.

Same with Brisson also with the Chicago Steel. Great skills but his skating needs work. I've seen him as a potential late 1st rounder but would wait to pick him in a later round.
- Theo Fox

So lets say Holloway is gone - as in the buzzbomb draft...neither of Schneider or Guhle were picked there...so even though the Hawks might want a thicker forward do they go fro another right hander in Schneider? (nah he is gone?)

Guhle, a left hander?

How about a Ridly Greig a physical skilled bad ass with skill? too me not a reach like I think about Colangelo....

You were afforded the luxury of the Ryan O'Rourke and Max picks before you....
- wiz1901

Yes, there was some luck there to have Holloway still undrafted by the time 17th came up. Had he been drafted earlier, I had a tough time deciding amongst Bourque, Lapierre, and Zary.

I really like Schneider, too.

So lets say Holloway is gone - as in the buzzbomb draft...neither of Schneider or Guhle were picked there...so even though the Hawks might want a thicker forward do they go fro another right hander in Schneider? (nah he is gone?)

Guhle, a left hander?

How about a Ridly Greig a physical skilled bad ass with skill? too me not a reach like I think about Colangelo....
- wiz1901

Ridly Greig is getting more notice lately and seems to be shooting up the rankings. For me, I'd pass on him. Worst case scenario is him turning into the next Kyle Beach.

There are others I'd take over Greig like Jacob Perreault or even Jake Neighbours.

That's a good breakdown of weighing whether or not a Maatta buyout would be beneficial.
- Theo Fox

Olli Maata is perfect for Ottawa, gets them to the cap floor, and doesn't cost them nearly that in actual cash, plus an asset they can probably flip at the TDL. Hopefully a third for him, would settle for a fourth.

I just saw in my email that there is a new prospects that are the most divisive on the Athletic and if I had to make a list, all the same guys would be on in it, b ut I have come to terms with where I think they get taken.

My mock is there so I am. not on the fence, but as a Blackahwk fan I perseverate on the slot the possibles and the hopes of a certain drop.

Usually I am totally wrong on who the hawks pick.
When it was in Chicago and they picked Henri Jokiharju, my mouth dropped so wide! They traded out of their spot so Dallas could take a goalie because they obviously were taken someone that had rated higher than the teams picking before them, they were not worried he wouldn't be there...THERE was so little that stood out in his game there was no way my limited opinion could see him as more than a late second rounder.

This idea that NHL scouting staffs are going to ignore Holloway and Lundell seems preposterous...Max Hendrix I guess I understand the hesitation....but believe me, when he was playing, he clearly looks like an NHL prospect with the ability to do everything, and get better and better, but I UNDERSTAND it.

Same with Jack Quinn...I would love to think he falls to the Hawks and he turns out...but I think he is not an impact push the pace guy, but a recipient of lots of Marco Rossi passs and the attention he gets paid.
I would love form to entice one of the teams right before us away from Holloway.

I think Holloway is the diamond, like Dach, who is gonna get it, and be ready to be it.
I hate that we are not going ten, more because he would be there at ten.
Dylan and Yaroslav are my top gets...

I dunno if a Hedman comparison at this part of the Finals is appropriate.

And I think there are a lot of forwards who may look closer, more polished that seem safer...and I dunno if he is a climb. He has always been in my first round or in the top 35, so no argument from me.

Some one may that no defense an Poirier in the first (like Ottawa with their million picks) or Nicolas Beaudin-like Lukas Cormier from Chalottetown, teams will prefer defender Helge Gran...

The one thing I have learned is team draft list are radically different and if they dont' think whatever they are looking for as an attribute in a player is NOT going to be in many of the slots they are picking later, they will draft it earlier than we expect.
- wiz1901

Wiz, what’s your take on Beaudin, I was impressed in the one game I saw him play, seemed to be steady and in right position on the ice. I hope he’s not packaged as a sweetener, so far I like his game although a small sample size.

Per Freidman, possible reasons for the hold up on the FLA/Pitt deal:

The two teams were considering it, and, from what I understand, there were two hurdles. The first was Hornqvist’s no-trade. The second is his contract. The Panthers had concerns about insurance in case of injury, and would the winger’s deal be covered?

Per Freidman, possible reasons for the hold up on the FLA/Pitt deal:

The two teams were considering it, and, from what I understand, there were two hurdles. The first was Hornqvist’s no-trade. The second is his contract. The Panthers had concerns about insurance in case of injury, and would the winger’s deal be covered?
- Chunk

I wonder who leaked that the deal was as good as done since those two rather important details weren't resolved.