I don't want KD to be scared of drafting the second best player in the draft.
- wiz1901

Then he should draft Demidov. This kid is special. I can´t see his skating holding him back and he is not a bad skater at all. His skating style reminds me of Kiril Kaprizov. His hockey IQ, vision and hands are really something. Potential 80-100 point producer in NHL. That is the potential there. Of course we don´t know for sure what the outcome will be. But that concerns every young player not just Demidov.

Depends upon what you want and how you feel the player drafted would be better eventually than the guys you ha e presently
Do you need a Maker type skill or some other criteria you want to see improve
- jhawk59

There is no makar in this draft

I'm trying to work out how Demidov is special, correct me if I'm mistaken but SKA-1946 is the development team for SKA - the actual KHL team. What someone does in an underage development league -for me it's not that big of a deal. Keeping mind, it is also playing against developmental league standards for defence and goaltending.... and KHL's standard for goaltending, nevermind their developmental league - is pretty bad.


Judging by his KHL record, the only difference between him and me (or anyone here to be exact), is he's played 6 games in the KHL and I have played in exactly zero ...however at this point, both his and anyone's here first point in the KHL - with be the first point scored in the KHL.

In short, I don't get the hype. If I'd be picking anyone from that part of the world, it would be the Righty D kid from MSU from Belorussia, mainly because he's already over here.

Enticing as more RD can be, I think they have to stay with a forward

I'm trying to work out how Demidov is special, correct me if I'm mistaken but SKA-1946 is the development team for SKA - the actual KHL team. What someone does in an underage development league -for me it's not that big of a deal. Keeping mind, it is also playing against developmental league standards for defence and goaltending.... and KHL's standard for goaltending, nevermind their developmental league - is pretty bad.
- SC116

Ding ding ding

It is very nice that Tankathon has an agreement to add those 2024 draft prospects videos but it is too bad there is also audio hype. I insatntly thought when
MjulQvist mentioned the skating comparison to Kirill Kaprisov, which also was on the audio in that tankathon section...I just don't see that comparison either. (I just looked at that Tankathin footage because I am very willing to adjust my thinking and am looking for the evidence that I am really off on what I see.

Judging by his KHL record, the only difference between him and me (or anyone here to be exact), is he's played 6 games in the KHL and I have played in exactly zero ...however at this point, both his and anyone's here first point in the KHL - with be the first point scored in the KHL.

In short, I don't get the hype.
- SC116

When I purused the CSS Euro list last time I looked, Anton Silayev ranked at #1.

I would love to know how well they speak English.

Some former Russian players selected second overall:

Oleg Tverdovsky
Evgeny Malkin
Andrei Svechnikov

I see one russian in that list who plays to win with recklesss abandon, and another LARGE vet.
None are under 5 11
Malkin had two years KHL experience before he came to Pittsburgh.
And Andrei Svechnikov had a season in the USHL and another in the OHL before being called up.

Not judging just yet, just adding facts before comparisons.

I'm trying to work out how Demidov is special, correct me if I'm mistaken but SKA-1946 is the development team for SKA - the actual KHL team. What someone does in an underage development league -for me it's not that big of a deal. Keeping mind, it is also playing against developmental league standards for defence and goaltending.... and KHL's standard for goaltending, nevermind their developmental league - is pretty bad.


Judging by his KHL record, the only difference between him and me (or anyone here to be exact), is he's played 6 games in the KHL and I have played in exactly zero ...however at this point, both his and anyone's here first point in the KHL - with be the first point scored in the KHL.

In short, I don't get the hype. If I'd be picking anyone from that part of the world, it would be the Righty D kid from MSU from Belorussia, mainly because he's already over here.

Enticing as more RD can be, I think they have to stay with a forward
- SC116

So you are telling that just because someone is doing really well in juniors he can´t be special? Demidov has played in MHL now for two years and been most productive player out there. Against two/three years older players. Just look at how recent top picks from Russia has produced there.

You know that KHL is men´s league? SKA is one of the best teams there and for a 18 year old is really hard to get spot there because they are loaded with really good veteran players. Just ask Michkov.

And I should add that developing Russian goaltenders are probably much better than in OHL.

So you are telling that just because someone is doing really well in juniors he can´t be special? Demidov has played in MHL now for two years and been most productive player out there. Against two/three years older players. Just look at how recent top picks from Russia has produced there.

You know that KHL is men´s league? SKA is one of the best teams there and for a 18 year old is really hard to get spot there because they are loaded with really good veteran players. Just ask Michkov.
- MjulQvist

I hink we need to starighten St Petersburg team out as there are three:


SKA-1946 St. Petersburg Demidov's team MHL
SKA-Neva St. Petersburg VHL
SKA St. Petersburg KHL

KHL is top tier, VHL is 2nd tier, MHL is Juniors.
HL is superior, but most good players never play there. If the KHL is the equivalent of the NHL, VHL=AHL and MHL=CHL (OHL,WHL,QMJHL)
VHL is the KHL's version of the AHL here and the MHL is their junior league, so it would be 1. KHL, 2.VHL, 3. MHL

Looking at it that way the Punter would have been a first round draft pick. All the articles are saying teams are sorry they didn't get him earlier.

- rpeters01

The point is he wasnt the best player available, he was the best at his position available.

Why would they use the second overall pick on a player projected way lower? Especially one with big holes in his game. That's a good way to blow a rebuild.
- GPHawksfan

When he puts pucks in the net against the hawks you can ask yourself that question. Peple had him #2 for a long time. He would be perfect for bedard.

True statement.

Tampa Bay as one of the best examples - Point 79th overall, Kucherov 58th, Cirelli 72nd, Palat 208th, Yanni Gourde (undrafted).

Anybody can draft 18 year olds off the multiple lists compiled by the "experts". The real skill is finding untapped talent in later rounds who get developed over time and under excellent minor league coaching.

And the scouting birddogs that find these type of players are invaluable, especially when the GM will listen to them.
Do the Hawks have that type of Hockey Ops Dept?
- RickJ

I would like to see how hyman plays away fron mcdavid and the german

The point is he wasnt the best player available, he was the best at his position available.
- LFS

Well i think when you've built a team that you think can win, using a 4th round pick on a position of need since the punter you had was worst in the league is not such an offensive move. No one has drafted a punter in the 4th round in a long time or maybe ever, so in a way he was the best available player on their board. Also the way i understand it because on NIL deals the talent drops like a rock after the 4th round this past draft.

Those 2 players are a good example of why they should let 19 year old players into the AHL. Not quite good enough for the Nhl but too good for the Jr league. If you put them both in the Ahl a year earlier they are much better players now IMO.
- SaskHawkFan

Couldn't agree more, and why if I had a kid this age, and that good of a hockey player, he'd be going to college in the US and staying away from the CHL

I believe that the Hawks just drafted one of those Rico, add five picks in the first two rounds this year, and a minimum of four in the first two rounds next year. That’s quite a few opportunities to find a Robin for Bedard. Let’s not forget that they already have other young talent in the system, probably not elite, but two or three could turn out to be all stars, TBD.
- Angotti

Nazar is going to be very good

I see i'm about 4 pages behind, have we all settled on Eiserman yet?

The point is he wasnt the best player available, he was the best at his position available.
- LFS

Everything I've heard from the Bears is they thought he was the best player available regardless of position. One that would effect the outcome of a game more so than anyone else available at that point in the draft.

And I agree with them.

Thing about NFL draft this year is most scouts would say it was very shallow because of Covid years and NIL.

Most were saying that 5th rounders this year were like 6th and 7th rounders in previous years, and 6 and 7 rounders were like UDFAs

Punter was a great pick and will be considered a steal in the future.

Well i think when you've built a team that you think can win, using a 4th round pick on a position of need since the punter you had was worst in the league is not such an offensive move. No one has drafted a punter in the 4th round in a long time or maybe ever, so in a way he was the best available player on their board. Also the way i understand it because on NIL deals the talent drops like a rock after the 4th round this past draft.
- BetweenTheDots

If memory serves, the Raiders drafted punter Ray Guy in the first round way back when. (23rd in the 1st round in 1973)

But, as always, let's go 'Hawks!

If memory serves, the Raiders drafted punter Ray Guy in the first round way back when. (23rd in the 1st round in 1973)

But, as always, let's go 'Hawks!
- 35Tony0

Also Bears drafted Todd Sauerbrun in round 2 back in 1995

Couldn't agree more, and why if I had a kid this age, and that good of a hockey player, he'd be going to college in the US and staying away from the CHL
- vabeachbear

I’ve always believed college is the best route to go but solely for the added benefit of the education. No matter how good a kid is there’s always a chance he doesn’t make it professionally and he will have that education to fall back on. Like you if I had a kid who was that good I’d be steering him to college.

I’ve always believed college is the best route to go but solely for the added benefit of the education. No matter how good a kid is there’s always a chance he doesn’t make it professionally and he will have that education to fall back on. Like you if I had a kid who was that good I’d be steering him to college.
- paulr

I'm just a big freedom of choice kind of guy. If I'm too good to play in jrs, and not quite ready to play in the NHL, I want to freedom to make my own decision on what's best for my development. Not the pockets of CHL teams.

NIL is probably out of control now and may ruin college sports, but I thought it worse how the NCAA and some Universities and coaches were making billions, and the players not getting much.

Notice how the Krzyzewski's and Saban's of world bailed as soon as the playing field became even...........

I insatntly thought when
MjulQvist mentioned the skating comparison to Kirill Kaprisov, which also was on the audio in that tankathon section...I just don't see that comparison either. (I just looked at that Tankathin footage because I am very willing to adjust my thinking and am looking for the evidence that I am really off on what I see.

- wiz1901

The way he uses his edges resembles Kaprizov.

I’ve always believed college is the best route to go but solely for the added benefit of the education. No matter how good a kid is there’s always a chance he doesn’t make it professionally and he will have that education to fall back on. Like you if I had a kid who was that good I’d be steering him to college.
- paulr

General Juniors question to anyone out there. How do these young 16 to 18 year olds playing in the OHL, WHL, QMJL get an education? Do they go to a school during the season on days when they're not playing, have tutors, take classes during the summer?

I hink we need to starighten St Petersburg team out as there are three:


SKA-1946 St. Petersburg Demidov's team MHL
SKA-Neva St. Petersburg VHL
SKA St. Petersburg KHL

KHL is top tier, VHL is 2nd tier, MHL is Juniors.
HL is superior, but most good players never play there. If the KHL is the equivalent of the NHL, VHL=AHL and MHL=CHL (OHL,WHL,QMJHL)
VHL is the KHL's version of the AHL here and the MHL is their junior league, so it would be 1. KHL, 2.VHL, 3. MHL
- wiz1901

Yes, and when you are property of St.Petersburg and young player it is most likely that you won´t be playing in KHL club. Or if you do it will be very limited ice time. Podkolzin, Michkov, Demidov..

I'm just a big freedom of choice kind of guy. If I'm too good to play in jrs, and not quite ready to play in the NHL, I want to freedom to make my own decision on what's best for my development. Not the pockets of CHL teams.

NIL is probably out of control now and may ruin college sports, but I thought it worse how the NCAA and some Universities and coaches were making billions, and the players not getting much.

Notice how the Krzyzewski's and Saban's of world bailed as soon as the playing field became even...........
- vabeachbear

I hear you but I think it has to be looked at another way, if CHL players of “tweener” ability flock to the AHL it will impact CHL attendance and will kill some CHL teams potentially putting important feeder leagues in jeopardy. I think the rule allowing players to either play in the NHL or go back to junior is a good compromise for everyone. And as far as Korchinski goes he was good in junior but he wasn’t dominating and while he progressed in the NHL he wasn’t up to NHL standards either. Another season in junior wouldn’t have hurt him.

These rumors are fun this time of year. I would definitely take Skinner and #11 for #34.

So combine today's rumors, and I will add another, we get:

1) #2 for #5, #27, and Owen Beck
2) Then trade #5 to Calgary for #9 and #29 (so Calgary can draft T. Iginla)
3) #33 for #11 and Skinner

So that is:
Out:
#2
#34

In:
O. Beck
J. Skinner
#9
#11
#27
#29

Round 1 Picks:
#9
#11
#20
#27
#29

And still 2 in Round 2 and 2 in Round 3. That would certainly be a crazy day. Good value, but no idea what to do with all those picks.
- totem

Too many picks IMO. Let's get back to the Montreal trade. How about #2 for their #5, one of their top 5 prospects D or F, and Montreal's 2025 1st unprotected? That will most likely be in the top 16, better than this year's 27. Depending on who the prospect is, the Hawks pick the opposite position with #5. So if Beck come back in the trade, draft D1ckinsion/Buium/Parekh, or if a D comes back there is Eiserman/Catton/Lindstrom to choose from.

General Juniors question to anyone out there. How do these young 16 to 18 year olds playing in the OHL, WHL, QMJL get an education? Do they go to a school during the season on days when they're not playing, have tutors, take classes during the summer?
- boilermaker100

They go to high school near the junior team they play for. The Oshawa Generals for example Send their team members to a school in Whitby called Henry High. The school has been paired with the Gens for years so they have built accommodations for the kids to practice, games and other issues. For example if the kids had a game a four hour bus ride away the night before the school would accommodate the schedule to allow them to come in later in the day. Conversely the kids may need to stay later in the day. Also the CHL must put aside funds for any CHL alumni to attend a college, university or trade school after their CHL career is completed and if they didn’t make it professionally.

I'm just a big freedom of choice kind of guy. If I'm too good to play in jrs, and not quite ready to play in the NHL, I want to freedom to make my own decision on what's best for my development. Not the pockets of CHL teams.

NIL is probably out of control now and may ruin college sports, but I thought it worse how the NCAA and some Universities and coaches were making billions, and the players not getting much.

Notice how the Krzyzewski's and Saban's of world bailed as soon as the playing field became even...........
- vabeachbear

Players are getting a free education