Thanks for the heads up GP

I’ll be very surprised if Martin Necas plays for Carolina in the next season. As his dad said, Martin wants to play in 1st line & 1st PP unit. His dad even said in an interview for @DenikSport: ,,Martin wants to be traded.” In my eyes, Necas is a great offensive winger.

Per Andy and Rono on Twitter

Is this a way to keep Necas price down? At the sametime do we want a player like this?
- BetweenTheDots

The writing is on the wall that Jarvis passed him on the depth charts and Guenzel will be first signing there.

The writing is on the wall that Jarvis passed him on the depth charts and Guenzel will be first signing there.
- wiz1901

I can see Necas ending up in Seattle, Francis drafted him when he was GM of the Hurricanes

We have been reviewing and debating who should be taken at #2 overall. Perhaps the only clear point - of - view that has sort of emerged is, not Eiserman so early - it perhaps later if KD makes a trade to move up from # 20

We have many reports or posts saying, will be happy and just have to trust that KD does his homework and the scouting dept and KD arrive at the player who is deemed best to fit in with the Bedard led team.

When there is such a divergent list among the league’s GM’s over best player available, you might have to do a re-draft a few years later to discover who was best player available at your draft slot

There are many dmen who are projected to become valuable member of their team’s defense, so what flavor do you want to add to your cast? I would suggest that KD and staff may be enamored with certain dmen, but if they decide to select a dman with their first choice then it would be prudent to be taking a player who is likely to reach a ceiling of first pair calibre. This means have to have faith in your scouts and GM to determine whether a player like Yaremchuk would attain such lofty status. And wow if we moved up and KD had to choose our second round one selection between Eiserman and Yaremchuk, I don’t know which player I would select. I want to say Yaremchuk, but Eiserman’s shot is so good you just have to force him to round out his game enough otherwise he doesn’t get much TOI.

And yes Demidov is who I would take if not for the concern / so I just have to trust KD to make the correct call

I can see Necas ending up in Seattle, Francis drafted him when he was GM of the Hurricanes
- LAHawk

Quite likely but you never know where the player wants to go and how powerful is the player’s voice in determining his new home.

I also would bet that KD will not get in a bidding war for anyone. If KD was to pay a high price, I do not think it would be exorbitant and certainly not until he constructed a very good playoff contender

Hey LA Hawkfan,

Wondering your prognosis next season for Byfield to score more and become very difficult to contain around the net.

I was wondering if he might have “the Bufuglien effect on Luongo” in the playoffs. Maybe expect that next playoffs?

Quite likely but you never know where the player wants to go and how powerful is the player’s voice in determining his new home.

I also would bet that KD will not get in a bidding war for anyone. If KD was to pay a high price, I do not think it would be exorbitant and certainly not until he constructed a very good playoff contender
- jhawk59

What Hawk that KD has signed has not been an overpay? Foligno? Perry? AA? Richardinson?

How else is KD going to get someone to sign with the Hawks if not to entice with dollars?

Hey LA Hawkfan,

Wondering your prognosis next season for Byfield to score more and become very difficult to contain around the net.

I was wondering if he might have “the Bufuglien effect on Luongo” in the playoffs. Maybe expect that next playoffs?
- jhawk59

Very difficult to contain yes. I don’t foresee Byfield as a PPG player, his worth is in the other areas, but he is going to be a load to contend with for sure

Goalie Linus Ullmark to Los Angeles for #21 overall?

Goalie Linus Ullmark to Los Angeles for #21 overall?
- wiz1901

At 2nd overall Hawks select Cayden Lindstrom then use the 20th and the 54rh pick to either move up or trade for young player rfa status that has fallen out of favor with the organization cannot resign him or change of scenery. Maybe Oliver walhstrom necas Holloway turcott kaliev are some examples a possible players might be on the radar of the Hawks.

At 2nd overall Hawks select Cayden Lindstrom then use the 20th and the 54rh pick to either move up or trade for young player rfa status that has fallen out of favor with the organization cannot resign him or change of scenery. Maybe Oliver walhstrom necas Holloway turcott kaliev are some examples a possible players might be on the radar of the Hawks.
- Scott1977

I understand the wanting of the Blackhawks to be a better team. Considering KD has started from scratch, i think it's important not to settle for a player just because we lack them. If you go after a player make damn sure it's the right player. There are plenty of wrong nhl hockey players across the league.

What Hawk that KD has signed has not been an overpay? Foligno? Perry? AA? Richardinson?

How else is KD going to get someone to sign with the Hawks if not to entice with dollars?
- LAHawk

Well ok right
But I mean big time like a major free agent once the team is pretty good. If there is someone when the time is right but obviously not right now. A Kane and Toews contract much higher than Foligno and Hall yet when the time is right KD will pay out for a major free agent EG someone more valuable than Foligno and Hall

I understand the wanting of the Blackhawks to be a better team. Considering KD has started from scratch, i think it's important not to settle for a player just because we lack them. If you go after a player make damn sure it's the right player. There are plenty of wrong nhl hockey players across the league.
- BetweenTheDots

Scott has an idea and perhaps there could be one player KD may add that fits the notion of needing a new team and actually is a talented player

But I say you BetweentheDots is correct: KD really not at this junction in rebuild looking for such a player. A fill in for a year or two, a bargain like a sell off example Skinner even if Kane returned as a team friendly price but not some younger player who is on the outs and [the younger player] is not a long time keeper.

Kaliev is too slow and is not the compete fast skater who KD wants to fill his roster. Kaliev also is not good defensively. Greene, Nazar, possibly Moore are centers KD would check out as centericemen with Slaggert a wing. And as a matter of fact I see Hayes as a skill scoring wing with better skating than the C/W Kaliev

Now to be sure if a Kane or Skinner came here they are only short term for a couple years possibly more for Kane if he retired as a Blackhawk. Eventually if Kane was here after a couple of years KD may need to hand out larger new contracts to his young stars so Kane would not fit if he is making too much.

But I could imagine a Skinner or Kane as scoring help beside Bedard for short term. Not sensible to add the sort of players Scott mentions because they aren’t the scoring help and or long time keepers. Sure Kaliev can score but I don’t think he would be regularly put on top lines - he has to be a fit for some other team

We have been reviewing and debating who should be taken at #2 overall. Perhaps the only clear point - of - view that has sort of emerged is, not Eiserman so early - it perhaps later if KD makes a trade to move up from # 20

We have many reports or posts saying, will be happy and just have to trust that KD does his homework and the scouting dept and KD arrive at the player who is deemed best to fit in with the Bedard led team.

When there is such a divergent list among the league’s GM’s over best player available, you might have to do a re-draft a few years later to discover who was best player available at your draft slot

There are many dmen who are projected to become valuable member of their team’s defense, so what flavor do you want to add to your cast? I would suggest that KD and staff may be enamored with certain dmen, but if they decide to select a dman with their first choice then it would be prudent to be taking a player who is likely to reach a ceiling of first pair calibre. This means have to have faith in your scouts and GM to determine whether a player like Yaremchuk would attain such lofty status. And wow if we moved up and KD had to choose our second round one selection between Eiserman and Yaremchuk, I don’t know which player I would select. I want to say Yaremchuk, but Eiserman’s shot is so good you just have to force him to round out his game enough otherwise he doesn’t get much TOI.

And yes Demidov is who I would take if not for the concern / so I just have to trust KD to make the correct call
- jhawk59

Scouts had the same concerns about bossey as eiserman. We eill regret not drafting demidov or eiserman

Scouts had the same concerns about bossey as eiserman. We eill regret not drafting demidov or eiserman
- LFS

You can make the same argument about Levshunov or another prospect. I’m sure Davidson and his scouting staff will do the analysis to figure out who the best pick will be.

Guess i don't necessarily believe that story. I heard it once, never heard it again, never heard it about any other players.

Lots of propagandas being thrown around these days also, I believe no one anymore.

All I'm saying is the Russian thing, really isn't a thing, and if you think he's the best, you take him. I won't mind if they take Leshunov, but there's still a big part of me that would take Eiserman. I wouldn't mind seeing him and Bedard skating together for 10 years also.

I'm not good enough to see the idiosyncrasies of the skating most other here see. I just know that kid scores goals. The Hawks, and all teams that win championships need goal scorers.
- vabeachbear

VBear, I think the takeaway is as you mentioned, don't think anyone has failed to get out of the Soviet Union in the last couple decades. As far as I know anyway.

But, add in the first ground war in 75 yrs in Europe, the complete lawlessness in Russia, a war pig grifter runnin the joint and my low tolerance for risk with the #2 overall with 5-6 other options that have legitimate chances to be difference makers at premium positions I pass on what I see as the BPA in Demidov.

Can't miss on the #2. Can't. ...... But, if they draft Demidov I'll assume the Hawks believe he's coming and I'm jacked cuz he's my BPA.

Do the Blackhawk TV and radio guys go on the road with the team and call games live or do they watch the game on video and call it from a studio in Chicago?
- paulr

The Hawks do send the radio guys on the road.

Goalie Linus Ullmark to Los Angeles for #21 overall?
- wiz1901

Ullmark reminds me a good bit of Freddy Anderson. Both legit NHL #1's but in some ways are the product of a good defensive system and guys that ain't gonna get you over the top.... Freddy wilted in Game 6 as Ullmark seems to do when the lights shine brightest.

With Isaak Phillips next year not be able to be sent down to Rockford without going through waivers, and with seemly no definitive spot on the team, especially with other options like Del Mastro and Allen in the system. Who are some young offensive options that could be available around the league that are in the sane spot as Phillips? A player with potential to be a a contributor on an NHL roster, but blocked by other players in their system? I feel this is a chance to find a player that just needs a chance to show what he can do when given the opportunity. Maybe find the next Patrick Sharp. I admit that I don't know enough about other teams prospects to know who that could be though.

Looking at capfriendly and their list of teams and associated cap hits for next year.

EDM with 14 players signed and about 10M in cap space even with the 4M bump. I guess they can sign 7-8 players to $1M or less and give Holloway 1.5-2M. Looks like they will be a top heavy team again next year with no chance to improve their goaltending or forward and defense depth. And if they re-sign Draisatil next summer for McJesus type money they will be in even worse shape down the road. A Cup win for them this season will make the taste of some possible lean years ahead more satiable so it looks like a Cup or bust situation for them rhis year.

So we'll help them out. Since they'll need some cheap depth forwards, RFA rights to Entwistle and R. Johnson for Holloway, their 2025 1st, and 3 years of Campbell's albatross contract.

Just do the right thing and give it to Wiedeman
- vabeachbear

You'd think that it would be a no brainer to do that.

With Isaak Phillips next year not be able to be sent down to Rockford without going through waivers, and with seemly no definitive spot on the team, especially with other options like Del Mastro and Allen in the system. Who are some young offensive options that could be available around the league that are in the sane spot as Phillips? A player with potential to be a a contributor on an NHL roster, but blocked by other players in their system? I feel this is a chance to find a player that just needs a chance to show what he can do when given the opportunity. Maybe find the next Patrick Sharp. I admit that I don't know enough about other teams prospects to know who that could be though.
- spudrock512

Phillips' days are probably numbered here, but I don't know if there will be a one for one trade. Maybe he can be included in place of one of the other Hawk players in my proposed Edmonton trade I posted above.

The ideal trade partner would be a team needing a cheap defenseman in return for an excess forward they have in the system.

Looking at capfriendly and their list of teams and associated cap hits for next year.

EDM with 14 players signed and about 10M in cap space even with the 4M bump. I guess they can sign 7-8 players to $1M or less and give Holloway 1.5-2M. Looks like they will be a top heavy team again next year with no chance to improve their goaltending or forward and defense depth. And if they re-sign Draisatil next summer for McJesus type money they will be in even worse shape down the road. A Cup win for them this season will make the taste of some possible lean years ahead more satiable so it looks like a Cup or bust situation for them rhis year.

So we'll help them out. Since they'll need some cheap depth forwards, RFA rights to Entwistle and R. Johnson for Holloway, their 2025 1st, and 3 years of Campbell's albatross contract.
- boilermaker100

Do the Hawks still have the rights to Shawn Lalonde to use as a sweetener?

Phillips' days are probably numbered here, but I don't know if there will be a one for one trade. Maybe he can be included in place of one of the other Hawk players in my proposed Edmonton trade I posted above.

The ideal trade partner would be a team needing a cheap defenseman in return for an excess forward they have in the system.
- boilermaker100

Then trade for Tavares, if he waives, along with Easton Cowen or their first this draft for Phillips.

Not sure honestly.
I remember Michkov's father "dying" under weird circumstances. Found him in a lake or pond or something similar.
- captainserious

Was work of moose and squirrel.

I bet there’s going to be lots of coffee and red bull on the Hawks draft table.


- paulr

Do you draft Russian Hedman or Russian Kane?