Theo great write up. From the interview I read this kid said he envisioned himself 2 years from now playing or making his nhl debut. Short term he doesn't benefit the team .


Just curious with chicago only having 1 second round pick could you see chicago move maybe saad for a 2nd and a prospect
- Taylorst1

Thanks, Taylor.

No, I don't see and personally wouldn't trade Saad for a 2nd and prospect. Trading Saad during the draft would not be a wise move. If he were to be traded, it should have been yesterday for a 1st plus other assets.

Wasn't he a late pick the same year they drafted Leighton? Seem to remember two goalies being picked that year...or maybe Leighton and Anderson were the same year.
- HawkintheD

Munro was a first round pick.

You hear them saying this was a reach?????

Too many good PLAYERS there?
- wiz1901

They could traded down pick up another still most likely gotten that goalie.

Thanks, Taylor.

No, I don't see and personally wouldn't trade Saad for a 2nd and prospect. Trading Saad during the draft would not be a wise move. If he were to be traded, it should have been yesterday for a 1st plus other assets.
- Theo Fox

Agree. Doesn't make any sense. The other time to potentially trade would be at the TDL if the Hawks aren't in the playoff picture and get a sense that Saad's camp wants $6M or higher on the next deal.

Drew Commesso

USA National Development Team goalie with good size, technique and focus. Squares up on shooters and doesn’t over commit. Using his pads he absorbs and keeps the rebounds to a minimum, and stops almost all first shots, working hard to see over and around traffic, and angles shots to the corners. Concentrates and stay in games, even when his end is quiet. There is lots to like in his upside. Was the Central Scouting Services 2nd ranked North American net minder.Has committed to Boston University.
- wiz1901

Great pick to nab a goalie in the 2nd. I was hoping for one of Commesso, Daws, or Blomqvist.

Commesso has strong compete level which is what I like to see. You can always teach technique and get stronger but much tougher to teach heart and drive.

USA National Development Team goalie with good size, technique and focus. Squares up on shooters and doesn’t over commit. Using his pads he absorbs and keeps the rebounds to a minimum, and stops almost all first shots, working hard to see over and around traffic, and angles shots to the corners. Concentrates and stay in games, even when his end is quiet. There is lots to like in his upside. Was the Central Scouting Services 2nd ranked North American net minder.Has committed to Boston University.


Commesso displays all the tools that will make him successful when he attends the Boston University in the fall. He was of- ten the driving force when it came to keeping his team (NTDP) in each game he plays. With quick legs, he is athletic and quick when he needs to be and works hard to battle through traffic. An intelligent goaltender that thrives on being ahead of the play with his high-end puck tracking ability, he reads the play as well as any goaltender in this draft class. His positioning is solid, and he always seems to get his shoulders square to the shooter, which allows him to eat up rebounds and deny re- bounds and secondary scoring chances. His rebound control gets a bit sloppy when he’s tak- ing shots off his pads as he sometimes kicks rebounds out to the slot. This is when his ath- leticism comes into play and he is often able to recover and make the desperation save. Comes out to handle the puck, makes simple plays, a knack for wanting to help his defense. Where the young American truly excels is in his mindset. He rarely gets frazzled in his net and stays sharp. His reaction to goals against is rarely an issue as he can get back into the game quickly and doesn’t let things get away from him. He understands that each game comes with ups and downs, not letting himself get wrapped up in one goal against or four goals against. He competes on every play and makes the saves he should.

I would have prefered to take a player that was almost assuredly a NHL player and take 2 goalies in the 3rd round or trade down 10 spots and take him. sounded like 4-5 goalies were all ranked pretty closely mostly 3-4 round guys.

Thanks, Taylor.

No, I don't see and personally wouldn't trade Saad for a 2nd and prospect. Trading Saad during the draft would not be a wise move. If he were to be traded, it should have been yesterday for a 1st plus other assets.
- Theo Fox

So what is the plan with saad did not trade him yesterday imo should've, his nmt goes into effect friday most likely won't be able to afford his next contract. Only other option is trade at tdl when the hawks are out of the playoff picture unless some big moves are made between now and January 1st i don't see this team as a playoff contending team.

Wasn't he a late pick the same year they drafted Leighton? Seem to remember two goalies being picked that year...or maybe Leighton and Anderson were the same year.
- HawkintheD

Munro and Anderson were both drafted in 2001. Leighton in 1999. Also, Munro was a 1st rounder (29th) along with Ruutu (9th).

EDIT: ChicagoHope answered your question. Sorry, late to the game.

So what is the plan with saad did not trade him yesterday imo should've, his nmt goes into effect friday most likely won't be able to afford his next contract. Only other option is trade at tdl when the hawks are out of the playoff picture unless some big moves are made between now and January 1st i don't see this team as a playoff contending team.
- Scott1977

Or they can possibly resign him. It's not a bad idea to have a couple middle aged vets for when the sun sets on the Dynamic Duo, Duncs, Seabs, etc...

USA National Development Team goalie with good size, technique and focus. Squares up on shooters and doesn’t over commit. Using his pads he absorbs and keeps the rebounds to a minimum, and stops almost all first shots, working hard to see over and around traffic, and angles shots to the corners. Concentrates and stay in games, even when his end is quiet. There is lots to like in his upside. Was the Central Scouting Services 2nd ranked North American net minder.Has committed to Boston University.


Commesso displays all the tools that will make him successful when he attends the Boston University in the fall. He was of- ten the driving force when it came to keeping his team (NTDP) in each game he plays. With quick legs, he is athletic and quick when he needs to be and works hard to battle through traffic. An intelligent goaltender that thrives on being ahead of the play with his high-end puck tracking ability, he reads the play as well as any goaltender in this draft class. His positioning is solid, and he always seems to get his shoulders square to the shooter, which allows him to eat up rebounds and deny re- bounds and secondary scoring chances. His rebound control gets a bit sloppy when he’s tak- ing shots off his pads as he sometimes kicks rebounds out to the slot. This is when his ath- leticism comes into play and he is often able to recover and make the desperation save. Comes out to handle the puck, makes simple plays, a knack for wanting to help his defense. Where the young American truly excels is in his mindset. He rarely gets frazzled in his net and stays sharp. His reaction to goals against is rarely an issue as he can get back into the game quickly and doesn’t let things get away from him. He understands that each game comes with ups and downs, not letting himself get wrapped up in one goal against or four goals against. He competes on every play and makes the saves he should.
- wiz1901

Sounds like he is following the Spencer Knight path (except Knight went to BU). Any similarities in style? ability?

Munro and Anderson were both drafted in 2001. Leighton in 1999. Also, Munro was a 1st rounder (29th) along with Ruutu (9th).
- Theo Fox

Yeah, just looked him up after Hope responded. Man, Smith whiffed on quite a few first rounders.

Another great blog Theo! Should be an interesting day and week.

Agree. Doesn't make any sense. The other time to potentially trade would be at the TDL if the Hawks aren't in the playoff picture and get a sense that Saad's camp wants $6M or higher on the next deal.
- HawkintheD

That's precisely my thought on when best to consider trading Saad, i.e. at the TDL and once you know his contract demands.

Wow. Commesso!
- Chunk

Major at Boston U: Accounting

So what is the plan with saad did not trade him yesterday imo should've, his nmt goes into effect friday most likely won't be able to afford his next contract. Only other option is trade at tdl when the hawks are out of the playoff picture unless some big moves are made between now and January 1st i don't see this team as a playoff contending team.
- Scott1977

See HawkintheD's post and my response to his post as to when would be best to consider trading Saad.

So what is the plan with saad did not trade him yesterday imo should've, his nmt goes into effect friday most likely won't be able to afford his next contract. Only other option is trade at tdl when the hawks are out of the playoff picture unless some big moves are made between now and January 1st i don't see this team as a playoff contending team.
- Scott1977

Hey Scott. You still have to ice a team that can play hockey. Having a team full of 1-2yr players gets you EDM from 4 years ago.

Especially considering the flat cap, no one knows what a playoff team will look like for next year.

You called it
- GPHawksfan

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then

Or they can possibly resign him. It's not a bad idea to have a couple middle aged vets for when the sun sets on the Dynamic Duo, Duncs, Seabs, etc...
- HawkintheD

That is something I've thought about, too, that the new wave of Blackhawks still need veterans to help lead from experience. Saad is in that category for me and would be quick to re-sign him assuming his contract demands are reasonable.

Penguins draft goalie Blomqvist. Let's see now who picks Daws as well as Bednar and Peters.

Or they can possibly resign him. It's not a bad idea to have a couple middle aged vets for when the sun sets on the Dynamic Duo, Duncs, Seabs, etc...
- HawkintheD

All depends on what he asks for can't see him getting 6 million per year again. If hawks can resign at 4 million or less great keep him.if not trade him.

Well here is the last goalie the Hawks drafted 2nd round in 2010.



https://www.hockey-refere.../players/s/simpske01.html

Hey Scott. You still have to ice a team that can play hockey. Having a team full of 1-2yr players gets you EDM from 4 years ago.

Especially considering the flat cap, no one knows what a playoff team will look like for next year.
- Chunk

I get that point and a valid point chunk but like i said earlier what is Saad's next contract demands going to be 31 points for 6million per year is way over payment imo. Yes he plays both ends of the ice and cycles well in offensive zone but with certain players like a towes. Not overly phyiscal player and seems to disappear at times in games.

I would have prefered to take a player that was almost assuredly a NHL player and take 2 goalies in the 3rd round or trade down 10 spots and take him. sounded like 4-5 goalies were all ranked pretty closely mostly 3-4 round guys.
- kmw4631

How clear is your crystal ball? About 25% of 2nd rounders make it to the show, and about 15% become impact players.

Well here is the last goalie the Hawks drafted 2nd round in 2010.



https://www.hockey-refere.../players/s/simpske01.html
- Rota's Rooter

Is the implication here that they shouldn't ever draft a goalie in the second round? Or just this year?

So what is the plan with saad did not trade him yesterday imo should've, his nmt goes into effect friday most likely won't be able to afford his next contract. Only other option is trade at tdl when the hawks are out of the playoff picture unless some big moves are made between now and January 1st i don't see this team as a playoff contending team.
- Scott1977

Trade dead line during season, if they do trade him