Theo Fox: Draft Options: Forwards
An overview of forward options for the Blackhawks in the draft and what to look for when considering the best player available whether in the 1st round or later.

Good write up Theo. I have to admit I don't know much about any of these prospects and will have to say to go with the "best available player" in the eyes of the scouting staff. We all also must realize the player, whoever it is, probably won't be on the team for at least 3 years so let's not get too excited or disappointed with the pick.

Nice blog Theo. I am a Lapierre fan, and it seems his injuries were not concussions but a vertebrae issue that has been remedied. Hawks do not seem to shy away from drafting juniors that have had medical issues (Bovquist and Saad come immediately to mind).

Seth Jarvis is an excellent skater. Top end speed might be just good but his first steps and acceleration are explosive. Nothing wrong with that and I would be all over drafting him if he is available.

wait you guys draft after us?



Anyway you take whichever of Mercer, Quinn or Jarvis is still available.

Otherwise it's Zary.

wait you guys draft after us?



Anyway you take whichever of Mercer, Quinn or Jarvis is still available.

Otherwise it's Zary.
- BINGO!

Your guys are taking the Cossack goalie no?

Your guys are taking the Cossack goalie no?
- Rota's Rooter

If he's still there I would be stunned if they don't draft him.

it seems like the most obvious fit in the world.

While I don't think size is a top qualifying factor - it is a factor. I'm a Khusnutdinov fan but he's small. If all of the mid-first round guys are close - I'd go with Holloway because he has good size.

When is the draft?

Just from watching the hilight video at draftsite.com, Jarvis has the slick moves and his skill set should be a fit in the NHL. I read Wiz report on him, too. Certainly if a player has top end skill i would have to believe it translates to the NHL level. Wiz feels that Jarvis has to show he can take his skill to this level, but has him at #15.

The overlaying concern, however, is that in oder for the team to improve, we need more grit, more willingness to cycle and battle for pucks on the boards and everywhere a scrum occurs. We would get wiped out, pushed aside if we had gone on to the next round of the playoffs.

In our last Cup season Bowman relied upon players to step up as needed. So you have a Bickel in his time here who was usually very inconsistent. Sharp was a well rounded player. But there was a crying need for toughness and grit all too often after 2010. And I mean particularly lacking in top two lines.

Sure,, we had Toews and Sharp. Not enough.. Next season Toews will be here again but he no longer is the ever ready bunny who gets a beating but keeps on ticking. He chooses wisely to pick spots and time in a season to pick up his physical game as it relates to giving and taking a lot of checks. As well he is not to be expected to be banging away along boards or in scrums each game throughout a season. His body cannot take that abuse over an entire schedule. He was mugged often early part to mid career.

Now if you believe some prospects graduate to bottom two lines and we get some of this grit, checking, physicality fighting for pucks - great news - for bottom lines. You saw how Vegas plays. We need top six toughness probably before adding skill. In other words, Holloway before Jarvis.

I do not get how you pass on trading up to draft this player in round one. Bowman has found some tough players in later rounds over the years- like Shaw. But Bowman is foolish if he does not try very hard to move up. Even if it is a conditional trade.

There is no pro con discussion. We have a need. We do not improve without getting more toughness. On top of that, we often are pansies after an opposing player delivers a resounding check.

Is this a valid point: I know players react differently and they think about keeping their body healthy and avoiding a lot of physical stuff. They are paid handsomely for a relatively short duration in a professional hockey career. They don't want to push the physical checking too much.

Nonetheless somehow we need to get more grit, more sandpaper and more larger players would be helpful as well.

ALSO: Theo do you have a handle on how fast Moberg might advance after turning pro. We need his style to complement the many smaller offensively gifted dman prospects

When is the draft?
- BGKarras

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft will be the 58th NHL Entry Draft. The draft is scheduled for October 6–7, 2020 and will be held virtually.

If he's still there I would be stunned if they don't draft him.

it seems like the most obvious fit in the world.
- BINGO!

What happened to Nedalkovich or whatever his name is? I thought he was their goalie of the future?

MjulQvist:
Do you have a favorite NHL player? Teravainen perhaps.

This is a very good player but never quite has attained a hoped for higher scoring level. He has been more willing to deal with physical nature of the game such as checking. Finally put on some muscle after landing in Carolina.
- jhawk59

What happened to Nedalkovich or whatever his name is? I thought he was their goalie of the future?
- GPHawksfan

Never got any better. He just sort of stalled out. Unfortunate but that happens sometimes I guess. Not sure what they're going to do with him as he's 24 now and on a one-way deal.

Do you have a favorite NHL player? Teravainen perhaps.
- jhawk59

From Hawks it´s been Jonathan Toews for years. Peter Forsberg is one of my all time favourite. Other than a hawk player it has to be Elias Pettersson. He is fun to watch.

Quote from Ek's new blog. Take it or leave it.

The flat cap and lack of revenues is about the cause a ridiculous amount of player movement and it will leave plenty of teams without solid line-ups and several NHL players homeless...

Also, if something isn't done to share revenues or ball out certain teams we could see up to 4 franchises be forced to either folding or re-locating within two seasons....

My source then just texted as I am writing this story...

"Everything is being considered. There could be changes made in the salary cap for this season and next season even. Ways certain money can be relieved.. Alot out there. I will let you know when more concepts get beyond the conceptual."

The NHL is also appealing to State and National Governments in the US and Canada to help out the teams as well..that sounds like something that may need to happen before the NHL gets playing without fans and could push the start date back in to January..

Good write up Theo. I have to admit I don't know much about any of these prospects and will have to say to go with the "best available player" in the eyes of the scouting staff. We all also must realize the player, whoever it is, probably won't be on the team for at least 3 years so let's not get too excited or disappointed with the pick.
- boilermaker100

Yes, I failed to mention that in the blog, i.e. whoever the Hawks select at 17th won't be ready for the NHL for a few seasons.

The only player I can think of who could drop yet still be NHL ready as early as this season is Anton Lundell. He's been all over the board from late top 10 to the late teens.

I think he goes in the 8-12 range. But if he is still available at 17th, then I draft him.

Nice blog Theo. I am a Lapierre fan, and it seems his injuries were not concussions but a vertebrae issue that has been remedied. Hawks do not seem to shy away from drafting juniors that have had medical issues (Bovquist and Saad come immediately to mind).
- LAHawk

Lapierre is considered one of the most talented players in the draft who can also excel in all zones. His injury concern is a primary reason for his draft stock being so low as far as 1st rounders.

Had he not have this injury, I would think he goes top 10. High risk, high reward.

Seth Jarvis is an excellent skater. Top end speed might be just good but his first steps and acceleration are explosive. Nothing wrong with that and I would be all over drafting him if he is available.
- MjulQvist

Thanks for sharing your observations on Jarvis' skating. I've read many reports on him and some say his skating is fine while others say it has some work to do.

Funny post I just saw:

Odds to win 2021 Stanley Cup:

Chicago Blackhawks - 80/1 (29th)

NY Rangers - 28/1 (15th)

I get there is some excitement around NYR, but that's a bit excessive.

Quote from Ek's new blog. Take it or leave it.

The flat cap and lack of revenues is about the cause a ridiculous amount of player movement and it will leave plenty of teams without solid line-ups and several NHL players homeless...

Also, if something isn't done to share revenues or ball out certain teams we could see up to 4 franchises be forced to either folding or re-locating within two seasons....

My source then just texted as I am writing this story...

"Everything is being considered. There could be changes made in the salary cap for this season and next season even. Ways certain money can be relieved.. Alot out there. I will let you know when more concepts get beyond the conceptual."

The NHL is also appealing to State and National Governments in the US and Canada to help out the teams as well..that sounds like something that may need to happen before the NHL gets playing without fans and could push the start date back in to January..
- boilermaker100

Sounds like Bettman and the owners are going to fire up a NHL GoFundMe page.

Just from watching the hilight video at draftsite.com, Jarvis has the slick moves and his skill set should be a fit in the NHL. I read Wiz report on him, too. Certainly if a player has top end skill i would have to believe it translates to the NHL level. Wiz feels that Jarvis has to show he can take his skill to this level, but has him at #15.

The overlaying concern, however, is that in oder for the team to improve, we need more grit, more willingness to cycle and battle for pucks on the boards and everywhere a scrum occurs. We would get wiped out, pushed aside if we had gone on to the next round of the playoffs.

In our last Cup season Bowman relied upon players to step up as needed. So you have a Bickel in his time here who was usually very inconsistent. Sharp was a well rounded player. But there was a crying need for toughness and grit all too often after 2010. And I mean particularly lacking in top two lines.

Sure,, we had Toews and Sharp. Not enough.. Next season Toews will be here again but he no longer is the ever ready bunny who gets a beating but keeps on ticking. He chooses wisely to pick spots and time in a season to pick up his physical game as it relates to giving and taking a lot of checks. As well he is not to be expected to be banging away along boards or in scrums each game throughout a season. His body cannot take that abuse over an entire schedule. He was mugged often early part to mid career.

Now if you believe some prospects graduate to bottom two lines and we get some of this grit, checking, physicality fighting for pucks - great news - for bottom lines. You saw how Vegas plays. We need top six toughness probably before adding skill. In other words, Holloway before Jarvis.

I do not get how you pass on trading up to draft this player in round one. Bowman has found some tough players in later rounds over the years- like Shaw. But Bowman is foolish if he does not try very hard to move up. Even if it is a conditional trade.

There is no pro con discussion. We have a need. We do not improve without getting more toughness. On top of that, we often are pansies after an opposing player delivers a resounding check.

Is this a valid point: I know players react differently and they think about keeping their body healthy and avoiding a lot of physical stuff. They are paid handsomely for a relatively short duration in a professional hockey career. They don't want to push the physical checking too much.

Nonetheless somehow we need to get more grit, more sandpaper and more larger players would be helpful as well.
- jhawk59

There's sometimes a sacrifice for adding toughness that you're looking for, particularly a player who loves to hit and play the body but at the detriment of staying in the play.

Ridly Greig can fit that description. Brings a nasty demeanor to the rink and competes hard despite his size but can play over the edge sometimes.

Braden Schneider is aware that he needs to time his hits better so that he doesn't take himself out of the play just to lay someone out.

In the 1st round, go with compete level, skill, and 3-zone play. Take risks later with physical players that need overall refinement.

Quote from Ek's new blog. Take it or leave it.

The flat cap and lack of revenues is about the cause a ridiculous amount of player movement and it will leave plenty of teams without solid line-ups and several NHL players homeless...

Also, if something isn't done to share revenues or ball out certain teams we could see up to 4 franchises be forced to either folding or re-locating within two seasons....

My source then just texted as I am writing this story...

"Everything is being considered. There could be changes made in the salary cap for this season and next season even. Ways certain money can be relieved.. Alot out there. I will let you know when more concepts get beyond the conceptual."

The NHL is also appealing to State and National Governments in the US and Canada to help out the teams as well..that sounds like something that may need to happen before the NHL gets playing without fans and could push the start date back in to January..
- boilermaker100

I could see one contract not being counted against the cap. Then that team spends that cap space on and equally inflated contract and we are back where we started. 🤫

ALSO: Theo do you have a handle on how fast Moberg might advance after turning pro. We need his style to complement the many smaller offensively gifted dman prospects
- jhawk59

Moberg would be entering his 5th year of juniors (4th full season) if he's not signed to an ELC or AHL deal this year. Right now, there's no guarantee that he'll earn one or the other.

Hopefully he is given a shot with at least an AHL deal like the Hawks gave to other D prospects Ramsey (gone now) and Ryczek (re-signed). Perhaps start in Indy and work his way up.

If so, he's at least 3 years away but likely 4-5. Either way, one thing I like about Moberg is he's a great teammate on the ice and in the locker room. Very supportive.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft will be the 58th NHL Entry Draft. The draft is scheduled for October 6–7, 2020 and will be held virtually.
- MjulQvist

Thank you very much.