While it's still too early to predict draft order of teams and of prospects, my current preference is Owen Power. Excellent all-around game, great size, and attention to defense. Potential as a #1 D-man.
- Theo Fox

We will learn more as he gets and performs at Michigan but he is a beast,the guy who stirred the Chicago Steel team's heavy stew last year.

There are four high end defenseman and Alberta Junior defender Corson Ceulemans has a lot of people attempting to draw Cole Makar comparisons.

Good blog, Ted.

I'm worried about goaltending. This over-reliance in net is really sad to watch. What Crow was able to do in the Vegas series was stellar & waiting for the next Crow will be painful.

I'm failing to understand, do we have Zadorov strictly to play bodyguard & hit people? It has been proven that it doesn't stop other idiots from hitting younger and/or star players. If so, color me un-excited.
- I Am The Breadman

Goaltending is no doubt a big question mark. None of the in-house contenders look to be anything close to Crawford.

However, if we look past having to replace a two-time Cup champion with over 250 career wins, start at square one which is identifying at least one goalie in the bunch to build from.

Even if that experiment ultimately fails in a few years, we do get closer to seeing what we have in Commesso.

Tyler also mentioned in the last blog about how it's not out of the question for Bowman to pursue a more experienced goalie next offseason.

There's no quick fixes here and we may be sorely disappointed if we expect them. The youth movement is a process.

Good blog, Ted.

I'm worried about goaltending. This over-reliance in net is really sad to watch. What Crow was able to do in the Vegas series was stellar & waiting for the next Crow will be painful.

I'm failing to understand, do we have Zadorov strictly to play bodyguard & hit people? It has been proven that it doesn't stop other idiots from hitting younger and/or star players. If so, color me un-excited.
- I Am The Breadman

As for Zadorov, yes, he may be relied on to protect Boqvist while also playing his uber physical style. But I do hope he can bring a balanced game with fundamental ways of defending plus puck transitioning.

Seriously, I guess I thought of you helping me not contract something from inside your body (that releases through your mouth /nose ...) that you simply are doing me this politeness...

You cover your mouth when you squeezed before the pandemic. right?

Why?

I simply dont understand the Lake Shore Trail, outdoor movie theatre connections...

They don't fit the world-wide issue.

Enough smart people are saying this is a way to slow this down.

I thought we were past smart people thinking like this....

How did you think the Western States are in such high contagious rates?
- wiz1901

Do you think it is wise for all smart people to think alike? I don't.

Don't worry, nobody will force you to go to a Hawks game ever again. You'll be safe in the basement.
- mohel

Hahaha hahaha, you do complain a lot

Add this one:
Pius Suter shows u unexpected bite in his play...the type I hope Philipp Kurashev finds a some point, in order to advance.
- wiz1901

Suter has a solid compete level with fearlessness to play in the rough areas so I can see that as being "bite" yet I don't see him as a pest like say Gourde in Tampa Bay.

Yes, de Haan's spot would become Carlsson's spot. Until he gets moved, I'm fine for Carlsson to wait a bit longer if de Haan can stay healthy and play steady defense.

But if de Haan reinjures himself, Carlsson should be in line step up. Bowman then has to deal with how to manage an oft-injured asset in de Haan.
- Theo Fox

I wonder if CDH will be moved to give a kid or two some playing time, especially if there's a limited number of minor league games available for development?

Good to set some expectations and goals that are realistic and attainable. Despite the potential poor play upcoming this season, the Hawks do have some depth at forward. It is possible that the Hawks could have 9 to 10 forwards in double figures in goals ... ten or more. And this is not hoping on career years from some players that will probably never repeat that goal total. If that were to happen, it would only increase the trade value of forwards that probably will be traded before the deadline. The biggest question mark is in goal. Have no idea who, if anybody will step up and grab the top spot.
- chuckdahammer

Possible goal projections (ranges at least):

30+ Kane, DeBrincat, Kubalik
20+ Toews
15+ Strome, Dach, Nylander
10+ Wallmark, Janmark, Suter, Shaw (if healthy)

Those totals go down, of course, if the regular season is shortened to anywhere from 48 games to 60 games.

We will learn more as he gets and performs at Michigan but he is a beast,the guy who stirred the Chicago Steel team's heavy stew last year.

There are four high end defenseman and Alberta Junior defender Corson Ceulemans has a lot of people attempting to draw Cole Makar comparisons.
- wiz1901

Plus it's still early in the NCAA season. Michigan fattened up against Arizona State in a 3-game sweep this weekend so a lot of people were singing the praises of the Wolverine players who are already drafted or are 2021 eligible.

Let's see how the course of the NCAA season plays out (and all other leagues around the world) and see where the chips lay in spring. Hopefully the draft will be in early summer rather than in the fall.

I wonder if CDH will be moved to give a kid or two some playing time, especially if there's a limited number of minor league games available for development?
- mohel

In my book, that should be the plan. Hope for de Haan to show well in training camp and the early goings of the regular season then ship him out.

Trade him while his value is relatively high, i.e. while he's healthy, and not wait until the TDL.

In my book, that should be the plan. Hope for de Haan to show well in training camp and the early goings of the regular season then ship him out.

Trade him while his value is relatively high, i.e. while he's healthy, and not wait until the TDL.
- Theo Fox

Agreed. He's a guy I'd have been happy with at another time in the Hawks cycle. I like him, but decisions need to be made.

In my book, that should be the plan. Hope for de Haan to show well in training camp and the early goings of the regular season then ship him out.

Trade him while his value is relatively high, i.e. while he's healthy, and not wait until the TDL.
- Theo Fox

Agreed, I would like to see Carlsson in the lineup some time early in the year, and maybe Mitchell in the Rock for a bit. If CDH shows that he’s healthy, then get what you can for him.

Goaltending is no doubt a big question mark. None of the in-house contenders look to be anything close to Crawford.

However, if we look past having to replace a two-time Cup champion with over 250 career wins, start at square one which is identifying at least one goalie in the bunch to build from.

Even if that experiment ultimately fails in a few years, we do get closer to seeing what we have in Commesso.

Tyler also mentioned in the last blog about how it's not out of the question for Bowman to pursue a more experienced goalie next offseason.

There's no quick fixes here and we may be sorely disappointed if we expect them. The youth movement is a process.
- Theo Fox

I was more focused on fixing the system than finding the next Crow. That sense of unclairty is on me. I'm fine waiting to see what we have, I prefer that over spending on another goalie. Fix the defense first. Goalies getting peppered by shots might not be the best method to test their mettle.

On Zadorov, I hope he proves steady. I'm not big on him, but I won't write him off yet.

Agreed, I would like to see Carlsson in the lineup some time early in the year, and maybe Mitchell in the Rock for a bit. If CDH shows that he’s healthy, then get what you can for him.
- Angotti

My thought is that Mitchell will also play in Chicago if the Rock has a very limited season. Does it help him to play 30 games at the Rock, while burning up an ELC year?

My thought is that Mitchell will also play in Chicago if the Rock has a very limited season. Does it help him to play 30 games at the Rock, while burning up an ELC year?
- mohel

Depends on where we are in the standings, the tdl which creates space, & if he earns it.

Depends on where we are in the standings, the tdl which creates space, & if he earns it.
- I Am The Breadman

For me, his development (and that of others) takes priority over this year's record. If Mitchell can't get much, if any, development in the AHL this year, I would play him in Chicago.

I don't think the roster as it is today is going to be the same as opening day(night) whenever that might be. Stan has some cap space (even if he does sign Strome for my guess is $2.5 mil. There are currently 9 teams that are over the cap limit, and several others that are close. I think Stan is keeping his powder dry until a few days before the season officially starts, and these teams that need to shed salary are desperately looking to get under that cap.

For me, his development (and that of others) takes priority over this year's record. If Mitchell can't get much, if any, development in the AHL this year, I would play him in Chicago.
- mohel

I place precedence on him earning his roster spot & if that makes us a better team. Time will tell on that & if he needs development or not.

If we're bad & have a fire sale, play as many kids as possible, was what I meant by record.

I don't think the roster as it is today is going to be the same as opening day(night) whenever that might be. Stan has some cap space (even if he does sign Strome for my guess is $2.5 mil. There are currently 9 teams that are over the cap limit, and several others that are close. I think Stan is keeping his powder dry until a few days before the season officially starts, and these teams that need to shed salary are desperately looking to get under that cap.
- LAHawk

If Rocky doesn't mind spending the money, there could be some room to improve here. But, this could be money-saving time for Rocky.

If Rocky doesn't mind spending the money, there could be some room to improve here. But, this could be money-saving time for Rocky.
- mohel

I honestly think, if a virus were to break out, that was going to affect attendance, couldn't have happened at a better time for this franchise. The question is can they be relevant within 3-5 years

I was more focused on fixing the system than finding the next Crow. That sense of unclairty is on me. I'm fine waiting to see what we have, I prefer that over spending on another goalie. Fix the defense first. Goalies getting peppered by shots might not be the best method to test their mettle.

On Zadorov, I hope he proves steady. I'm not big on him, but I won't write him off yet.
- I Am The Breadman

I see now, thanks for clarifying.

The system just needs to stock with assets (lottery tickets) and see what sorts out. That's why I'm fine with signing NCAA free agents in Aubrun and Morris but wasn't too keen on letting Gravel go so easily.

One would hope that out of all of them, at least one can emerge as at least a reliable backup at the NHL level.

Commesso does at least instill some hope for a future #1 goalie but alas he's at minimum 4 years away.

Agree, though, in the meantime it is best to improve the defense. Not just the blueliners but team defense including the forwards. They need to get much better no matter who's in net.

I don't think the roster as it is today is going to be the same as opening day(night) whenever that might be. Stan has some cap space (even if he does sign Strome for my guess is $2.5 mil. There are currently 9 teams that are over the cap limit, and several others that are close. I think Stan is keeping his powder dry until a few days before the season officially starts, and these teams that need to shed salary are desperately looking to get under that cap.
- LAHawk

That is very true. Also, as it stands today, there's a glut at forward and the blueline that needs to be relieved somehow or another:

Suter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Janmark - Wallmark - Highmore
Smith - Kampf - Carpenter
Pirri

Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Zadorov - Boqvist
Carlsson - Mitchell
Seeler

If Rocky doesn't mind spending the money, there could be some room to improve here. But, this could be money-saving time for Rocky.
- mohel

'
Good point about the money saving, hopefully Rocky doesn't turn into "Dollar Bill"

'
Good point about the money saving, hopefully Rocky doesn't turn into "Dollar Bill"
- LAHawk

I don't think he will and he obviously has a better hockey iq than his dad, 3 Stanley Cups to 0

To me the formula is simple - get the young players experience. Doing anything that doesn't meet that objective is counterproductive and delays the mission to become Cup contenders as soon as possible.

That said, it's unrealistic to ice a team of rookies and expect them to learn how to play effective NHL hockey, so a veteran presence must be part of the formula. The challenge is to find the optimal combination of rookies and veterans to maximize the rookies growth and experience.

In my opinion, having only 1 or 2 slots open for young d-men is 1 or 2 too few. Setting aside Zadorov who is still young enough to be a possible future core piece, there are 5 slots in the lineup - Keith has one of those slots. That leaves 4 slots. If Murphy, deHaan and Seabrook are in the lineup, then only one slot is available for Boqvist or any of the other young d-men. That is not the most optimal combination of vets and rookies to meet the objective. In my opinion, only one of Murphy, deHaan and Seabrook should be in the lineup on a regular basis leaving 3 of the 6 slots for young d-men.

Keith-Mitchell
Zadorov-Boqvist
Carlsson-Murphy

Get rid of deHaan and have Seabrook swap into the lineup every 3rd game or so.