Wait for March, we will be back to lottery discussion.
- Angotti

Yes this will again be another skewed draft, because WE ALL KNOW there are 5th teams in many divisions who are much better than the 4th teams getting into the Lord Stanley cup challenge.

Off the top, sure Carolina Tampa Bay and maybe Florida and Dallas (it might become a winning percentage if they don't get enough time to FINISH out the entire schedule in a three goaler rotation of Khudobin, Bishop, and Jake Oettinger...)

So, sure there looks like the Hawks COULD falter, but every 4 point win instead of a OT win separates them, and keeps them in the playoffs, right?

I think you will see the amount of lottery ball chances getting bg bump up for the really winless clubs but NOT completely.
That and maybe going back to a 3-4 place jump up if whichever non-playoff team above is in the Draft lottery.

I might even see them cutting back from three winners to ONE jump up four slots winner.
I think that change in the chances and only a four slot jump is enough...let three teams if they STILL get lucky move up four slots...it is not like giving the Blackhawks the third overall slot again, or Rangers and New Jersey multiple top picks anymore (unless the REALLY SMELL) just four slot jump ups.

Since I just spent the time on the thought, I have prospect profiles written for the. most of my 7 round mock. I will add more to my big top eleven (where I think many teams will want to select from...)

Yeah, not called draftsite anymore, and not my set up, but it sorta serves my purpose until I get bred with them not improving it. They want you to come there and bet...they told me outright they need the Canadian traffic to the betting site.

No own else is giving you this for free, so try taking a look and PMing me my typos.
https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts
This is an average draft but solid into the late 70's.

Next year may be the best draft in a decade, not just because of incredible top picks, but just a remarkable depth into the 4th round.

I am doubting the NHL wants to give the NHLPA "something" to have a January draft in 2022 for the class of 2021.
Organizatiosn with good scouting know whole lot about these kids, and if I can come up tentative list I am very certain all the team s can, but the teams with good scouting WILL ferret out the diamonds whether the entire scouting community saw them for a full season in 2002-2021 NOI season in 2020-21 (plus the early part of 2021-22).

I just keep thinking back when the entire league (when they were changing over to 18 year draft due to a lawsuit, you can get drafted into the army therefore you can get employment as NHLers) passed on Bryan Trottier and let the Islanders scoop him up in the second round..

If I was Columbus or any other team facing the Hawks, I would make Lankanin handle the puck on any dump in. He is not very good/bordering on awful with it.

Wait for March, we will be back to lottery discussion.
- Angotti

That’s what’s so nice about the position we’re in. Zero expectations. Zero stress if we go on a losing streak or end up sucking. All it means is we might potentially draft higher. Which isn’t a bad thing. And if we keep winning? Well that’s always nice too.

That’s what’s so nice about the position we’re in. Zero expectations. Zero stress if we go on a losing streak or end up sucking. All it means is we might potentially draft higher. Which isn’t a bad thing. And if we keep winning? Well that’s always nice too.
- SimpleJack

What do you mean zero expectations? No goalie, no Toews, Dach, Strome, Nylander, Shaw. Trade Saad for a stiff. Stan sucks at tanking, he is the worst GM ever, and JC isn't an NHL coach either.

With all of that time and space on both?

Probably many.

They need to make it a little bit hard on him. There was only about an inch of space on Lankinen's short side on the second - perhaps some pressure by Murphy or someone could have been disruptive enough....
- StLBravesFan

I know. You would think the BJ's almost had an extra guy out there.

That’s what’s so nice about the position we’re in. Zero expectations. Zero stress if we go on a losing streak or end up sucking. All it means is we might potentially draft higher. Which isn’t a bad thing. And if we keep winning? Well that’s always nice too.
- SimpleJack

I think the expectations of the board have crept up a bit as the season has gone on. Imo, the Hawks are still in the early/middle stages of a rebuild. Still about identifying future players and getting the kids some experience.

If I was Columbus or any other team facing the Hawks, I would make Lankanin handle the puck on any dump in. He is not very good/bordering on awful with it.
- LAHawk

That's what they started doing to Edmonton's Smith too.

I love Lanky's work in the home plate area, his focus and awareness and they way he plays with body and pads. I always felt thatch was gonna get the short end of this goalie go round, because he would have to pass back through waivers, but the early bed craps by the other two fast-tracked his opportunity.
I am saying all this before I say"take a deep breath."

New goaltenders start to get more scrutiny in opposing video rooms.
Not trying to negate this wonderful star, but the kid in St. Louis seemed like a savior too, and then the next season started.

We are in goal now, but...let's see how it plays out, as it isn't like this kid is 20 and learning a lt new except for the way the NHL is lightning faster.

I know. You would think the BJ's almost had an extra guy out there.
- Rota's Rooter

Or that the Hawks ignored the explosive scorer, worrying about other Jackets instead.

I think the expectations of the board have crept up a bit as the season has gone on. Imo, the Hawks are still in the early/middle stages of a rebuild. Still about identifying future players and getting the kids some experience.
- mohel

and the diviosn grouping doesn't skew the player development like it does the results if they are in the playoff again. It would to me be two trips/opportunities for growth maybe not completely deserved, but we will take them BOTH, if we can...

Or that the Hawks ignored the explosive scorer, worrying about other Jackets instead.
- StLBravesFan

Panarin
Ovechkin
Laine
ADB
and several others.

They all park in that same spot. All have the same shot, and every team knows it's coming. And yet, they keep scoring from there. It's almost like they are really good players and just know how to set themselves up for a shot and have a really quick release.

People here are talking like the players and coaches don't realize that Laine likes to take that shot, and is good at it. "Yeah guys, just let him take that shot, he's not really that good and OUR goalie can stop it.

Panarin
Ovechkin
Laine
ADB
and several others.

They all park in that same spot. All have the same shot, and every team knows it's coming. And yet, they keep scoring from there. It's almost like they are really good players and just know how to set themselves up for a shot and have a really quick release.

People here are talking like the players and coaches don't realize that Laine likes to take that shot, and is good at it. "Yeah guys, just let him take that shot, he's not really that good and OUR goalie can stop it.


- Chunk

People have been saying that about Ovechkin for a long time. Yet he may end up with the most goals in NHL history. Just because you know it is coming doesn't mean you can stop it.

People have been saying that about Ovechkin for a long time. Yet he may end up with the most goals in NHL history. Just because you know it is coming doesn't mean you can stop it.
- mohel

Patrick Kane is head an shoulders better (offensively) than anyone else on the Hawks. Why don't teams just load up on him and stop him. Oh yeah, he's got 30 pts in 20 games.

Panarin
Ovechkin
Laine
ADB
and several others.

They all park in that same spot. All have the same shot, and every team knows it's coming. And yet, they keep scoring from there. It's almost like they are really good players and just know how to set themselves up for a shot and have a really quick release.

People here are talking like the players and coaches don't realize that Laine likes to take that shot, and is good at it. "Yeah guys, just let him take that shot, he's not really that good and OUR goalie can stop it.


- Chunk

in fairness to laine and OVI they let theres fly from 50-60 feet and blast it by. Pan and ADB are more like 35 feet and get if off before the guy can eye them up. its the Diff of trying to hit a 90 mile fast ball and 105. the 2nd you just swing and hope for the best.

That's what they started doing to Edmonton's Smith too.

I love Lanky's work in the home plate area, his focus and awareness and they way he plays with body and pads. I always felt thatch was gonna get the short end of this goalie go round, because he would have to pass back through waivers, but the early bed craps by the other two fast-tracked his opportunity.
I am saying all this before I say"take a deep breath."

New goaltenders start to get more scrutiny in opposing video rooms.
Not trying to negate this wonderful star, but the kid in St. Louis seemed like a savior too, and then the next season started.

We are in goal now, but...let's see how it plays out, as it isn't like this kid is 20 and learning a lt new except for the way the NHL is lightning faster.
- wiz1901

The sophomore season can be hell. The league adjusts, then the player has to make that next adjustment. Baseball is famous for this phenomenon.

And in the NHL, there was Selanne, who never came close to matching his rookie production. Talk about a disappointment. (red font)

Patrick Kane is head an shoulders better (offensively) than anyone else on the Hawks. Why don't teams just load up on him and stop him. Oh yeah, he's got 30 pts in 20 games.
- Chunk

Easy peasy.

in fairness to laine and OVI they let theres fly from 50-60 feet and blast it by. Pan and ADB are more like 35 feet and get if off before the guy can eye them up. its the Diff of trying to hit a 90 mile fast ball and 105. the 2nd you just swing and hope for the best.
- kmw4631

Sure, but the "play" is the same:

*Really good player (right handed shot)* sets up on the left side either at the dot or above it and sets himself for a one-timer. All teams that play them know it's coming. Why don't they just stop it?

I'm not yelling at you, but I just find it funny that people can't seem to accept that there are certain uniquely talented players in the league who simply are insanely hard to stop.

People have been saying that about Ovechkin for a long time. Yet he may end up with the most goals in NHL history. Just because you know it is coming doesn't mean you can stop it.
- mohel

But you don’t have to let him (or Laine) have a completely unpressured shot with all day to stare down the goalie and place it where he wants.

Maybe with pressure, he scores two anyways - or he is off by an inch and doesn’t get the second. . Maybe he passes it off and the cannon is set off by another union soldier - or the teammate doesn’t even shoot.

Maybe.

Sure, but the "play" is the same:

*Really good player (right handed shot)* sets up on the left side either at the dot or above it and sets himself for a one-timer. All teams that play them know it's coming. Why don't they just stop it?

I'm not yelling at you, but I just find it funny that people can't seem to accept that there are certain uniquely talented players in the league who simply are insanely hard to stop.
- Chunk

Can’t stop it if you don’t try.

Hawks didn’t try on either.

Can’t stop it if you don’t try.

Hawks didn’t try on either.
- StLBravesFan

I'd say they didn't execute (and that a very talented player did his thing). They seem to try pretty well.

I would have started Subban last game, his last 3 starts he is at 93 of 99 saved and then was bad in his first game vs tampa. Kevin L. was bad his first game and then had 6 starts at roughly .95. never below .926. then over his last 7 he has had 4 games .833 to .892. basically Kevin has started to trend down after a real hot start. that is even including a shut out vs DET 3 games ago. he was good in OT last night but was not really very good before that IMO.

I thought the board didn't want our defenseman to engage the forwards beyond the faceoff dots?
- LAHawk

How about just getting somewhere near the shooting lane, at least the same zip code

Can’t stop it if you don’t try.

Hawks didn’t try on either.
- StLBravesFan

BS. It's a power play, so they are down a player and can't simply shadow one player the entire time. On the first one, it was a clean face-off win to the point. puck moves right to the top middle of the ice which the forward shadows. Puck immediately moves back to Laine - at the top of the circle - who immediately places it top corner far side.

Second one, Laine has the puck top of the circle and passes it to the point. The puck eventually gets to the right half board who immediately passes through the middle of the ice (Kampf comes within an inch of intercepting or deflecting it). Laine collects it, dusts it off, skates up a bit to the dot and wrists an insanely placed shot top corner short side (about a 4"X4" window). What should they have done differently on the play? Have one of the defenders simply stay with Laine the entire time?

So, Claude Julien is suddenly available. I remember when Laviolette was suddenly available and a bunch of posters were pining for JC to be fired and Lavy hired. You know, a real coach....

It is interesting that there hasn't been any posts about The Salad, who is also a real coach.

BS. It's a power play, so they are down a player and can't simply shadow one player the entire time. On the first one, it was a clean face-off win to the point. puck moves right to the top middle of the ice which the forward shadows. Puck immediately moves back to Laine - at the top of the circle - who immediately places it top corner far side.

Second one, Laine has the puck top of the circle and passes it to the point. The puck eventually gets to the right half board who immediately passes through the middle of the ice (Kampf comes within an inch of intercepting or deflecting it). Laine collects it, dusts it off, skates up a bit to the dot and wrists an insanely placed shot top corner short side (about a 4"X4" window). What should they have done differently on the play? Have one of the defenders simply stay with Laine the entire time?
- Chunk

I guess we'll see next game, i bet they have an answer for it

Would you give a shout out to the refs if McDavid was in Kane’s place and Murphy was in Savard’s and they made a retroactive call to even it up?
- paulr

Yep