@frank_seravalli

All indications from #NHL travel protocol drafts are that player movement in road cities will be very stringent. Players and staff will be limited to game rink, practice rink, or team hotel. That's it.

No outside facilities, bars, restaurants or shops. All meals in team hotel.

Camps start Jan. 3 - what happens to the players in the WJC (Dach)? (Rhetorical at this point - I don’t expect anyone knows the answer).
- StLBravesFan

I've seen it discussed that players like Dach at the WJC's would report to camp.

That was a while ago though before there were any dates for camp or the season.

If it was that easy every team would do this. Lucky to get 1 impact player a year.

Once the team is in a position for deep playoff runs that plan is pretty much out the window
- BetweenTheDots

Tampa has been fairly good at doing it. Without bridge deals every team will be forced to do it or let stars go.

Tampa has been fairly good at doing it. Without bridge deals every team will be forced to do it or let stars go.
- rpeters01

Last 5 years who have they developed?

Honestly I'm looking at the last 5 years of their draft and it doesn't look promising. Many of these players were drafted pre 2015 that are finally getting paid in the NHL

The article I read basically said he's looking to develop 2-3 new young impact players every year instead of relying on one group over a long haul. This is a must in the no "bridge deal" hockey world or else you become Toronto and Edmonton.
- rpeters01

I could believe 2-3 young players emerge/season but be careful not to expect each as major impact - as in future core pieces. One player from 2021 and 2022 drafts stepping into the breech of former top players in Chicago, now that is hoped for.

Tampa has been fairly good at doing it. Without bridge deals every team will be forced to do it or let stars go.
- rpeters01

But wait there's more, up against the cap and Cirelli is just sitting there, while they are handcuffed with the Johnson, Stamkos, McDonough contracts and the best prospect they have to offer is Foote?

I could believe 2-3 young players emerge/season but be careful not to expect each as major impact - as in future core pieces. One player from 2921 and 2023 drafts stepping into the breech of former top players in Chicago, now that is hoped for.
- jhawk59

I agree, hell the Bruins had 3 1st round picks and 3 2nd round picks in 2015, Debrusk and Carlo are the only ones contributing at the NHL level

God help us... last thing we need is the Stan Bowman vision on the whole hockey organization

Theo,

What exactly do you think is Bowman's plan or strategy that he said he wants to see come to fruition. Ths is in regards to the statement made after he was promoted to his new dual position.

Earlier in this blog I described what his strategy might be. I don't want to make this entry too long, but maybe you might reference the earlier blog and decide if it is an accurate portrayal
- jhawk59

As far as players, others have pointed it out, the plan is to bring in a few rookies per season while balancing in veterans. Rookies who make an impact wherever they are in the lineup.

Bowman chooses his words carefully it seems since he doesn't outirght identify the veterans as the Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. In a few years, today's youngsters like Dach, DeBrincat, Kubalik, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc. will be veterans (young veterans but still veterans).

Then as far as staff, Bowman is mentoring his team, listening to their ideas, and trying out things that they didn't do before. My guess is that the brainstorming and trying things out may be a factor of McDonough being gone.

Bowman also seems like a new person freed from micromanagement. That's not to say he won't make mistakes but you have more confidence in your staff's decisions when everyone feels included, empowered, and heard.

Last 5 years who have they developed?

Honestly I'm looking at the last 5 years of their draft and it doesn't look promising. Many of these players were drafted pre 2015 that are finally getting paid in the NHL
- BetweenTheDots

This is pretty accurate. As it stands today, the Hawks farm system is >> than the Lightnings farm system. If you're trading with them to loot some of their high-end assets, go for draft picks and Foote.

They actually had both Foote brothers at one point but traded one of them to get Coleman from the Devils.

I could believe 2-3 young players emerge/season but be careful not to expect each as major impact - as in future core pieces. One player from 2921 and 2023 drafts stepping into the breech of former top players in Chicago, now that is hoped for.
- jhawk59

When a few rookies enter the roster each season, I would agree to not expect most of them to be future core players or elite players. Yet, all teams still need top notch role players and that may be what the Hawks have in spades in the system.

I agree, hell the Bruins had 3 1st round picks and 3 2nd round picks in 2015, Debrusk and Carlo are the only ones contributing at the NHL level
- BetweenTheDots

The Bruins took Zboril, DeBrusk, and Senyshyn at 13, 14, 15 then Barzal, Connor, and Chabot went next at 16, 17, and 18.

Last 5 years who have they developed?

Honestly I'm looking at the last 5 years of their draft and it doesn't look promising. Many of these players were drafted pre 2015 that are finally getting paid in the NHL
- BetweenTheDots

I think Stan's plan for drafted players is for them to take the necessary time to develop. That can be anywhere from 1-5 years. I'm only saying what I interpreted his plan in the article to be. The $100 million question is if he can "successfully" do it. Anybody can do it and be Buffalo.

As far as players, others have pointed it out,
- Theo Fox[i]the plan is to bring in a few rookies per season while balancing in veterans. Rookies who make an impact wherever they are in the lineup.

Bowman chooses his words carefully it seems since he doesn't outirght identify the veterans as the Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. In a few years, today's youngsters like Dach, DeBrincat, Kubalik, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc. will be veterans (young veterans but still veterans).

Then as far as staff, Bowman is mentoring his team, listening to their ideas, and trying out things that they didn't do before. My guess is that the brainstorming and trying things out may be a factor of McDonough being gone.

Bowman also seems like a new person freed from micromanagement. That's not to say he won't make mistakes but you have more confidence in your staff's decisions when everyone feels included, empowered, and heard.

That's all I was saying. Would be nice if he's successful who knows?

I agree, hell the Bruins had 3 1st round picks and 3 2nd round picks in 2015, Debrusk and Carlo are the only ones contributing at the NHL level
- BetweenTheDots

I corrected typo to read 2021 and 2022 drafts in the original post

That's all I was saying. Would be nice if he's successful who knows?
- rpeters01

Most definitely. It's all well and good to profess a youth movement and a rollout plan to bring them into the NHL but it's another thing for them to do it the right way.

Bringing up Boqvist last year was not a wise move. Rumor was that McDonough forced that call up although others advised against it. Carlsson should've been up first.

Marinate the prospects as long as they need then graduate the ones who are truly ready. So matriculating 1-2 rookies per year isn't a bad thing and may be doable.

As far as players, others have pointed it out, the plan is to bring in a few rookies per season while balancing in veterans. Rookies who make an impact wherever they are in the lineup.

Bowman chooses his words carefully it seems since he doesn't outirght identify the veterans as the Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. In a few years, today's youngsters like Dach, DeBrincat, Kubalik, Boqvist, Mitchell, etc. will be veterans (young veterans but still veterans).

Then as far as staff, Bowman is mentoring his team, listening to their ideas, and trying out things that they didn't do before. My guess is that the brainstorming and trying things out may be a factor of McDonough being gone.

Bowman also seems like a new person freed from micromanagement. That's not to say he won't make mistakes but you have more confidence in your staff's decisions when everyone feels included, empowered, and heard.
- Theo Fox

Seems to me this was the plan in 2010 - lock up the core - Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson - and fill in around them with youth and veteran depth, letting the youth (as you say) cook in the minors until ready.

And it worked for actually six more years (an eternity in a hard cap league) - a couple of Cups, a couple of game-7 losses....

Then the core aged and the fill-ins haven’t materialized.

And what would it have taken to have a Cup competitive team the last four years - more than Panarin staying, more than some first round picks working but - it would have taken Sharp, Hossa, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and more not getting old and injured....

Most definitely. It's all well and good to profess a youth movement and a rollout plan to bring them into the NHL but it's another thing for them to do it the right way.

Bringing up Boqvist last year was not a wise move. Rumor was that McDonough forced that call up although others advised against it. Carlsson should've been up first.

Marinate the prospects as long as they need then graduate the ones who are truly ready. So matriculating 1-2 rookies per year isn't a bad thing and may be doable.
- Theo Fox

Considering the expanded rosters and condensed schedule, what do you think the odds are that Boqvist sits for an extended period, or goes to the Rock? Carlsson looked much better defensively, and more comfortable on the ice even in his short stint. He's not the offensive driver that Boqvist is, but he's more ready now.

Seems to me this was the plan in 2010 - lock up the core - Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson - and fill in around them with youth and veteran depth, letting the youth (as you say) cook in the minors until ready.

And it worked for actually six more years (an eternity in a hard cap league) - a couple of Cups, a couple of game-7 losses....

Then the core aged and the fill-ins haven’t materialized.

And what would it have taken to have a Cup competitive team the last four years - more than Panarin staying, more than some first round picks working but - it would have taken Sharp, Hossa, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and more not getting old and injured....
- StLBravesFan

Definitely! And one of those cups also required Kane breaking his collar bone so they could add Vermette.

When a few rookies enter the roster each season, I would agree to not expect most of them to be future core players or elite players. Yet, all teams still need top notch role players and that may be what the Hawks have in spades in the system.
- Theo Fox

If you look at the math, i read an article a couple years ago, 40% of 1st round picks make up NHL teams. 40%, then the 2nd round drops to 16% and your next best chance to get an NHL quality player is a rookie free agent. On an average that's 14 players in round 1, 5 players in round 2 so anytime you have a championship run and trade a 1st round pick you are hurting the future of the club.

If you look at the math, i read an article a couple years ago, 40% of 1st round picks make up NHL teams. 40%, then the 2nd round drops to 16% and your next best chance to get an NHL quality player is a rookie free agent. On an average that's 14 players in round 1, 5 players in round 2 so anytime you have a championship run and trade a 1st round pick you are hurting the future of the club.
- BetweenTheDots

Some time I am sure we would enjoy a break down prospects per round that play(ed) NHL. Look back at the NHL drafts early 2000 decade and the 1990's; not many made NHL. Interestingly many more make it for at least a cup of Tim Horton's coffee since roughly 2010. Btw is that premium good coffee. Mild or strong on the pallete.

Anyway, I suspect that Boqvist could end up some AHL this season. A big key for him is to get stronger and I suggest next summer is a key time to build on whatever weight lifting he has already done. So if he has a rough patch this season Bowman could plug in someone he wants to take a closer look at. Say Beaudin gets 20 TOI and Boqvist keeps his TOI but in Rockford for 10-20 gp.

Let him work on some things without worrying the repercussions of learning on the job in the NHL

Theo has pointed out how Beaudin and Kyrs learned how to obstruct, break up and get in the way of forwards rushing down. This without having to be overly physical.

All in all I look at this season as a stepping stone for some key prospects. The following season we hope to see some prosoects turning corners and really improved. In fact maybe the 2022 Feb trade deadline could see Keith moved logical to Florida so that Q tries to make a playoff run with just the veteran necessary on his blueline.

We can only hope prospects improve enough and even then Keith will have a big voice whether he accepts a trade.

Some time I am sure we would enjoy a break down prospects per round that play(ed) NHL. Look back at the NHL drafts early 2000 decade and the 1990's; not many made NHL. Interestingly many more make it for at least a cup of Tim Horton's coffee since roughly 2010. Btw is that premium good coffee. Mild or strong on the pallete.

Anyway, I suspect that Boqvist could end up some AHL this season. A big key for him is to get stronger and I suggest next summer is a key time to build on whatever weight lifting he has already done. So if he has a rough patch this season Bowman could plug in someone he wants to take a closer look at. Say Beaudin gets 20 TOI and Boqvist keeps his TOI but in Rockford for 10-20 gp.

Let him work on some things without worrying the repercussions of learning on the job in the NHL

Theo has pointed out how Beaudin and Kyrs learned how to obstruct, break up and get in the way of forwards rushing down. This without having to be overly physical.

All in all I look at this season as a stepping stone for some key prospects. The following season we hope to see some prosoects turning corners and really improved. In fact maybe the 2022 Feb trade deadline could see Keith moved logical to Florida so that Q tries to make a playoff run with just the veteran necessary on his blueline.

We can only hope prospects improve enough and even then Keith will have a big voice whether he accepts a trade.
- jhawk59

I have to imagine it must be very frustrating when you draft Kevin Hayes and he never signs, surprised they didn't close this loop hole, so i get it when the other guys say no way in drafting a Russian in the 1st round, a real concern.

I see Adam, yes he likes to have fun, as a competitor. I see him wanting to be a better all around dman and he learned a valuable lesson in the playoffs and definitely see him being motivated to become a stronger harder dman to play against.

Considering the expanded rosters and condensed schedule, what do you think the odds are that Boqvist sits for an extended period, or goes to the Rock? Carlsson looked much better defensively, and more comfortable on the ice even in his short stint. He's not the offensive driver that Boqvist is, but he's more ready now.
- Chunk

Yes this would not be a surprise. I look to the season after this for some prospects to break through. Obviously (to me at least) Boqvist should become a second pair with lots of TOI. Kind of difficult to say whether this happens. Lots of youth on defense, he has to get stronger, and concussions is a concern for Boqvist. Does he realize his potential and leave his mark upon the league..
Not really any less likely than previously. We knew that he has to go through some development and experience lesser moments before he can get to the better time.

Seems to me this was the plan in 2010 - lock up the core - Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson - and fill in around them with youth and veteran depth, letting the youth (as you say) cook in the minors until ready.

And it worked for actually six more years (an eternity in a hard cap league) - a couple of Cups, a couple of game-7 losses....

Then the core aged and the fill-ins haven’t materialized.

And what would it have taken to have a Cup competitive team the last four years - more than Panarin staying, more than some first round picks working but - it would have taken Sharp, Hossa, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and more not getting old and injured....
- StLBravesFan

Good overview.

Another way to look at it is if whoever makes up the core or top-level of talent on the team need to have a supporting cast who compete hard every night and make it tough for the opponent to up and down the ice.

If the Hawks can get back to that impeccable work ethic and compete level at every position on the roster (and as cohesive units), then they should be back in the thick of playoff-caliber hockey.

Considering the expanded rosters and condensed schedule, what do you think the odds are that Boqvist sits for an extended period, or goes to the Rock? Carlsson looked much better defensively, and more comfortable on the ice even in his short stint. He's not the offensive driver that Boqvist is, but he's more ready now.
- Chunk

I thought about that recently that it shouldn't be out of the question for Boqvist to spend some time in Rockford. Even under Q, Gustafsson played half a sesaon with the Hawks, spent a full season with the Hogs the following year, then made his way back to Chicago the year after that.

Boqvist is of course >> Gustafsson but the point remains that I could see him mariinating more in Rockford especially if any of Mitchell, Carlsson, Beaudin, Krys, Kalynuk, and/or Regula prove that they're ready out of the gate.

If I had to select only two youngsters to start in Chicago for the upcoming season, it would be Mitchell and Carlsson.

Yet, I do like Boqvist's chances of improving his game at the NHL level with Zadorov as his partner to offer protection so he can open up his offensive game more (while not neglecting his defensive growth).