How about just Saad, if they plan to launch him?

and the kids signs BEFORE the deal happens...
IF for whatever reason, 14 teams pass on Askarov, Montreal will have teams asking to trade for their pick.
And StanBo will have to overpay Bergevin in a one slot switcheroo.

But I have no doubt the Blackhawks will not pass on him if he is there at slot #17.

Who knows anymore. I told ya', with this thick range of players at various levels of development, I would nt be surprised by who gets picked starting at #3.

There are so many different kids and I do mean different in upside, all ready in place attributes, some strong offensive shooters, you just dont know...teams think they can remediate many parts of players games, except they likeeee High end hockey heads, shooters, and even all round polished guys who may have upside in areas....it all depends upon what each team sees as more important for their roster long term...and THEY DO want to come out with a guy who plays so he helps th Cap.

I see guys up to mid 40's who are that guy.

Like I said I could change my draft boards of what team does what from pick three on, because what is left is gonna amount to three best players available up until slot 17...
- wiz1901

Imo SaaS is going to Montreal for 16th overall pick and Asiatic is not getting pass Carolina or edmonton. If scenario happens then hawks should draft palette and holloway

I fully expect a rotation of Subban, Delia and Lankinen.
- DarthKane

I would prefer that scenario as well rather than give up assets for the rumored goalies on the market whether Kuemper, Raanta, Merzlikins, Korpisalo, or whoever.

Have Subban, Delia, Lankinen, and Tomkins battle it out for starter and backup then the other two play those roles in Rockford. If the Hogs are keen on having a goalie trio again, then try to get Nalimov to come back over on an AHL deal.

Forgive me for not remembering who said this in the previous message board but it's time for the defense to rally in support of whoever is in net rather than have the goalie bail out the defense.

I would prefer that scenario as well rather than give up assets for the rumored goalies on the market whether Kuemper, Raanta, Merzlikins, Korpisalo, or whoever.

Have Subban, Delia, Lankinen, and Tomkins battle it out for starter and backup then the other two play those roles in Rockford. If the Hogs are keen on having a goalie trio again, then try to get Nalimov to come back over on an AHL deal.

Forgive me for not remembering who said this in the previous message board but it's time for the defense to rally in support of whoever is in net rather than have the goalie bail out the defense.
- Theo Fox

I'd actually like the idea of a rebuild season. Go with Subban, Delia or Lankinen on net. Trade Murphy and Saad for 2 more first rounders in this draft. Take on a bad contract or two for more high draft picks or A level prospects. Go for a real run in 2021-22 (with a legitimate head coach)!

I would prefer that scenario as well rather than give up assets for the rumored goalies on the market whether Kuemper, Raanta, Merzlikins, Korpisalo, or whoever.

Have Subban, Delia, Lankinen, and Tomkins battle it out for starter and backup then the other two play those roles in Rockford. If the Hogs are keen on having a goalie trio again, then try to get Nalimov to come back over on an AHL deal.

Forgive me for not remembering who said this in the previous message board but it's time for the defense to rally in support of whoever is in net rather than have the goalie bail out the defense.
- Theo Fox

For me it depends on the other moves the Hawks make. If Stan can upgrade the defence (and maybe the forwards) to the point a solid net minder can make a difference then I say do it, go for a more proven goalie. If not, the Hawks might as well see what they have in-house.

For me it depends on the other moves the Hawks make. If Stan can upgrade the defence (and maybe the forwards) to the point a solid net minder can make a difference then I say do it, go for a more proven goalie. If not, the Hawks might as well see what they have in-house.
- DarthKane

Sooner or later a team pays for a top goaltender. How many prospects and what draft choices are involved...that is an on going process.Some come and develop, some fizzle, and then you draft more.

Is this a year your team pulls a goaltender out of the farm system and he becomes a very good - not mediocre - NHL netminder. Geez that happens all the time. Right! Red font! But hey you only drafted this goaltender with a lower draft choice.

Your most likely top goaltender is from a high draft choice. Not a sure fire to occur but i like the odds better with a top rated early drafted goaltender

Sometimes though you get lucky and a goaltender improves while still in junior. Keeps improving as a pro. Like the NYI guy they are pinning about. We do not have that kind of prospect. We have goaltenders whom might be dscent, ok, not destined to lead their team.

So we will have ordinary goaltending. And when we loose that is one reason why we loose. We cannot take that next step even should all these prospects emerge. A Chris Osgood story is not in the cards like happens all the time.

You get what you pay for. You want to draft a
goaltender early or you feel a prospect at another position is more meaningful for team success down the road. If you go by best athlete skill available to draft, you are trying to differentiate between a goaltender OR another position when your turn comes. You may not have opportunity to draft a goaltender this early in the draft in following drafts. There will always be plenty of forwards and, to a lesser extent, dmrn rated highly each draft.

But no I don't want to grab a goalie now. Well hope after a few years that you guessed right.

If it hasn't been mentioned here, Ben Pope reporting that the Hawks are willing to sign Crawford in the 3.5 - 4M range, but Crawford wants 4.5 - 5.5M, so at a minimum they are 500K apart. He didn't mention the length of the contract. I doubt if Crawford gets what he is asking for, even if he tests the RFA market next week.

Another tidbit from Ben Pope. A quote from Stan:

“Obviously we have the draft next week, but there’s also a lot of other things happening… I have been on the phone quite a bit , and I’ve heard some interesting ideas.”

If he wants interesting ideas, he should read Hockey Buzz.

If it hasn't been mentioned here, Ben Pope reporting that the Hawks are willing to sign Crawford in the 3.5 - 4M range, but Crawford wants 4.5 - 5.5M, so at a minimum they are 500K apart. He didn't mention the length of the contract. I doubt if Crawford gets what he is asking for, even if he tests the RFA market next week.
- boilermaker100

Apparently Colorado is interested in Crawford, he may get what he wants.

I really hope (& want) nothing major to happen. I don't want to give up assets. Minus how we played against Vegas (where we saw 1 goal games) I was a happy fan. I just want to keep building through the draft & see how it plays out. We are handcuffed by some vets & I'm fine with that too. I want them to retire as hawks. If Crow decides to go elsewhere, fine by me, if he stays, fine by me ... but I'm more than happy seeing what we got in our 4 question marks to be a starter & backup. I don't want our draft pick spent on a goalie. Do good goalies get drafted in the first round - yes, but I want a forward. I trust MK & co. to take the bpa & help build. I think it will be a few years off before being competitive, I'm fine waiting & watching, but the fewer the trades & big splashes, the happier I am.

@SunGarrioch

One possible destination for Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray could be Chicago. Led to believe they’ve expressed some interest. #NHL

Apparently Colorado is interested in Crawford, he may get what he wants.
- DarthKane

Avs definitely have the cap space. Didn't know they want to move on from one of Grubauer or Francouz.

Sooner or later a team pays for a top goaltender. How many prospects and what draft choices are involved...that is an on going process.Some come and develop, some fizzle, and then you draft more.

Is this a year your team pulls a goaltender out of the farm system and he becomes a very good - not mediocre - NHL netminder. Geez that happens all the time. Right! Red font! But hey you only drafted this goaltender with a lower draft choice.

Your most likely top goaltender is from a high draft choice. Not a sure fire to occur but i like the odds better with a top rated early drafted goaltender

Sometimes though you get lucky and a goaltender improves while still in junior. Keeps improving as a pro. Like the NYI guy they are pinning about. We do not have that kind of prospect. We have goaltenders whom might be dscent, ok, not destined to lead their team.

So we will have ordinary goaltending. And when we loose that is one reason why we loose. We cannot take that next step even shouldcall these prospects emerge. A Chris Osgood story is not in the cards like happens all the time.

You get what you pay for. You want to draft a
goaltender early or you feel a prospect at another position is more meaningful for team success down the road. If you go by best athlete skill available to draft, you are trying to differentiate between a goaltender OR another position when your turn comes. You may not have opportunity to draft a goaltender this early in the draft in following drafts. There will always be plenty of forwards and, to a lesser extent, dmrn rated highly each draft.

But no I don't want to grab a goalie now. Well hope after a few years that you guessed right.
- jhawk59

What about an Anton Khudobin story?

@SunGarrioch

One possible destination for Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray could be Chicago. Led to believe they’ve expressed some interest. #NHL
- DarthKane

I bet with the uncertainty about Crawford, Chicago will be rumored inquiring about most if not all the goaltenders available that won’t break the bank, because Stan has made a call doing his due diligence.

Avs definitely have the cap space. Didn't know they want to move on from one of Grubauer or Francouz.
- boilermaker100

I would think they would. They can't be too happy with the way the playoffs panned out.

What about an Anton Khudobin story?
- LAHawk

There is always a couple that come along a different route

Imo Saad is going to Montreal for 16th overall pick and Asiatic is not getting pass Carolina or edmonton. If scenario happens then hawks should draft palette and holloway
- Scott1977

Bergevin said it would take player signed for more than one year and be a top six option (who would be in consideration as a "protect" in the Kraken expansion draft.

BUT...He knows what he would be getting in saad, and the familiarity might lead to a reasonable re-sign?

I dunno.

I just don't think the Habs will be able to pull I the type of player they are looking for to trade that pick.

Unless some player elsewhere is so disgruntled that he puts a trade me demand up, and the Canadiens get very lucky.

I am struggling with the Jarvis / Mercer / Quinn slottings & long term projections. I stayed up way past my bedtime trying to reconcile where they fall, where they fit.

I am way past spending anymore metal energy on a Askarovfreefall. Everything is pointing to the scribes (who are closer to the pulse(words) of the various early picking GMs/teams the I could ever be) thinking he is GOING OFF the board FAR EARLIER than expected.

The one thing I ma fairly certain of if this unique THICK third tier is one where the Hawks are GOING to get a RRALLY SOLID PROSPECT, no matter if any of us think the guy that is there is a perfect fit or not.

I just hope four defenders go off the board before #17...even be happy if either Schneider or Guhle sneak in, but the more I try and justify it, the more I think that they both are there at #17 and the hawks will have to choose F or D...

Guhle certainly will skate well enough and be tough and chippy enough, and get to NHL forwards in his backpedal to make solid contact in their pre and post entires.
He isn't gonna Booby Orr anybody the other way.

I just like the idea of fortifying the scoring with an all-around forward with upside.

and there is a big possibility there is one or so that will slip to there...

If it hasn't been mentioned here, Ben Pope reporting that the Hawks are willing to sign Crawford in the 3.5 - 4M range, but Crawford wants 4.5 - 5.5M, so at a minimum they are 500K apart. He didn't mention the length of the contract. I doubt if Crawford gets what he is asking for, even if he tests the RFA market next week.
- boilermaker100

I thought Crawford said it wasn’t about the Money? RED FONT

There is always a couple that come along a different route
- jhawk59

My fiend got a job a few years ago in the Dallas tech department, moved with his family from Florida to there.

He was not meaning this I. negative was, so I am gonna just continue the lack of restraint and repeat it...he said Bothe Radulov and Dobby are "Stereotypical entitled transplanted Russian hockey players. You know who there are when they come to the rink. They're the ones with the big gold chains and man-purses."

Hey, they are enjoying the benefits in a society that underpays so many essential workers, but throws buckets at them TV athletes, and Kardassians.

I thought Crawford said it wasn’t about the Money? RED FONT
- LAHawk

I thought Crawford said it wasn’t about the Money?

Let's learn us some HTML
[bracket color=red close bracket CONTENT next bracket /color close bracket ]

My one thought on the bowman and other GM non-movement:


Usually the days before the draft lead to larger discussions and then finally decisions.

This year, with all the early GM who is really available talk, is causing many teams to see how they can facilitate these bigger moves and get better with the left overs that are going to be force trade offs in panic to get close to their Cap projections to finish the rosters out and actually be better in the long run for the expansion and for the future...

There will have to an big move in the planning first, that is NOT a rumor but a deal in the works, that will start the deals rolling...

...and of course some will be finalized until the first night of the draf is to begin...but no one is aggressively in pursuit (or if they are they are not giving the signals they are now.)

Someone wants a Patrick Sharp to Dallas type windfall as a result of a move / signing and it might be wise to let the pieces fall.

@SunGarrioch

One possible destination for Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray could be Chicago. Led to believe they’ve expressed some interest. #NHL
- DarthKane

Would rather the Hawks see what they have in house. Murray's play has dropped off the last few years, so I would hops Stan wouldn't give up anything of significance to obtain him if that's the direction they decide to go.

Pirri for Murray.

Like LA said, I'm sure the Hawks will probably be rumored to be in on pretty much any UFA goalie candidate.

Bergevin said it would take player signed for more than one year and be a top six option (who would be in consideration as a "protect" in the Kraken expansion draft.

BUT...He knows what he would be getting in saad, and the familiarity might lead to a reasonable re-sign?

I dunno.

I just don't think the Habs will be able to pull I the type of player they are looking for to trade that pick.

Unless some player elsewhere is so disgruntled that he puts a trade me demand up, and the Canadiens get very lucky.

I am struggling with the Jarvis / Mercer / Quinn slottings & long term projections. I stayed up way past my bedtime trying to reconcile where they fall, where they fit.

I am way past spending anymore metal energy on a Askarovfreefall. Everything is pointing to the scribes (who are closer to the pulse(words) of the various early picking GMs/teams the I could ever be) thinking he is GOING OFF the board FAR EARLIER than expected.

The one thing I ma fairly certain of if this unique THICK third tier is one where the Hawks are GOING to get a RRALLY SOLID PROSPECT, no matter if any of us think the guy that is there is a perfect fit or not.

I just hope four defenders go off the board before #17...even be happy if either Schneider or Guhle sneak in, but the more I try and justify it, the more I think that they both are there at #17 and the hawks will have to choose F or D...

Guhle certainly will skate well enough and be tough and chippy enough, and get to NHL forwards in his backpedal to make solid contact in their pre and post entires.
He isn't gonna Booby Orr anybody the other way.

I just like the idea of fortifying the scoring with an all-around forward with upside.

and there is a big possibility there is one or so that will slip to there...
- wiz1901

Wiz but i have feeling that either detroit or ottawa takes askarov at 4 or 5 no reasoning boy that would shake the whole draft order up.

Wiz but i have feeling that either detroit or ottawa takes askarov at 4 or 5 no reasoning boy that would shake the whole draft order up.
- Scott1977

Detroit wouldn’t surprise me. Yzerman is not adverse to going “unconventional” (analysts had to scramble when he picked Seider last year), and he has selected a goalie in the first round before (Vasilevsky). He has time, he knows he is a few years away before building a playoff team. Yzerman toll Marc Stahl’s contract so he could pick up a second rounder as an asset.

First domino just fell. Lehner signs with VGK, 5 x $5 mil.

I would think they would. They can't be too happy with the way the playoffs panned out.
- HawkintheD

Grubauer and Francouz were injured, no?