I wonder if Chicago is hoping that Beckett Sennecke is available at 18? He's been rocketing up the draft lists in the last month.

What would you say the odds are that Toronto applies common sense and makes a move or two to improve their dmen capability before signing keeping Marner, Tavares and Domi?
- jhawk59

They need the right players on the blue line though. They had no issues stopping Boston from scoring or mitigating high danger shots. Tanev doesn't help them. A player like Jones or even Skjei would be good. Montour or Walker would be solid improvements. Ghostbear could be an option.

Their issue was moving the puck from defense to offense and having a threat on the point to keep the other team honest.

Reilly just isn't good enough by himself so they need to do it by committee or add someone with impact.

Based on the way the Blues played - I think Berube will push to see if Jones is available since that would give him a slightly less good version of Pietrangelo. I also think that if you put Jones on that Toronto team people in Chicago start poopting their pants when he's on pace for a 75 point season and in the discussion for a Norris trophy.

A forward as defensively competent as Marner should do well in Berube's system which is kind of ironic since he's probably going to be the one on the block.

It'll be interesting either way. If only because Kyle from Chicago has no problem pulling the trigger so anything could happen.

Could see that where Chicago is the middle man (and suggested in other scenarios) and Jones ends up in Toronto, Marner in Seattle and the Hawks get the 8th overall and maybe an additional second or something for their trouble.

So KD has to rationalize which had greater benefit: the ceiling reached of the #18 selection or possibly overpayment for Necas or someone else. The team is not expecting to make the playoffs and more kids will be getting a look, perhaps even a job so I wouldn’t overpay much for Necas

I have a sneaking suspicion that both Nazar and Hayes are going to start helping the offense perform better although maybe not from the very first game as far as Hayes
- jhawk59

I think both of those players are going to show well this year too.

The city where the OSU 3rd string tight end is better known than the hockey team. They will never keep a team together in that city.
- rpeters01

They do love their college football but there is a really strong hockey following in Columbus. A lot more people than you would think follow the team and aside from the seats being tiny it's a cool stadium to see a game and the area around it is hopping.

I've been to a few games out there (family in the area) and it's always a good crowd. Usually have a better experience there than at the UC.

The previous issues of the city and surrounding area being kind of a poop hole isn't accurate anymore either. They've done a good job starting to revive the downtown area and the burbs are really nice. Airport is decent enough. While I wouldn't call it a destination yet - the city itself or fan base certainly isn't a deterrent at this point.

Yeah I think thats kind of the risk. Not sure that Carolina thought they would end up being so bad that they would end up with 1st OA.

Def looks a little different if it's like 4 and 9 and probably keeping Fields. Stuff just works out weird sometimes.
- fattybeef

Very rarely for the Chicago teams I'm a fan of. That Bears trade, and Hawks getting Bedard, maybe my jinx on my teams is ending.........

Wiz, any thoughts on Hage? Nice write up in the Athletic about him. Canadian kid who chose the USHL/college route. He's made it through some adversity in his young career. Blow out his shoulder his first USHL season then his father dies in a swimming pool accident soon after. Committed to Michigan. He's who I would like to see at 18 or wherever the Hawks land.

https://www.nytimes.com/a...ource=user-shared-article
- boilermaker100

Sorry to be a broken record, but every time this happens I'm going to point out that if the CHL would just change that stupid rule, Canada wouldn't be losing so many top guys.

They do love their college football but there is a really strong hockey following in Columbus. A lot more people than you would think follow the team and aside from the seats being tiny it's a cool stadium to see a game and the area around it is hopping.

I've been to a few games out there (family in the area) and it's always a good crowd. Usually have a better experience there than at the UC.

The previous issues of the city and surrounding area being kind of a poop hole isn't accurate anymore either. They've done a good job starting to revive the downtown area and the burbs are really nice. Airport is decent enough. While I wouldn't call it a destination yet - the city itself or fan base certainly isn't a deterrent at this point.
- fattybeef

Agree with the post. I like going to games there.

I wonder if Chicago is hoping that Beckett Sennecke is available at 18? He's been rocketing up the draft lists in the last month.
- paulr

I’m hoping that Sennecke is available at 18 as well, but I have a feeling that they want to move up some more. They used one of their 13 picks in the first two rounds(next three years)to move up to 18, still have twelve picks left, no way they’ll use them all on draft picks.

Still mulling over the picks trade. I understand that on their board, whoever they're looking at wasn't going to be there at 20, hence the trade. But doesn't it always seem that there are some head-scratchers, reaches, or guys falling even that high up in the draft? Oliver Moore wasn't supposed to get to them last year either and bingo, he's there. Was the trade wise? Won't know the answer to that question for a few years.

I guess I was just hoping for more of a splashy or definitive trade. Seemingly had the vibe of making a trade, just to make a trade. I know we have the abundance of picks, but let's use them wisely. Yes, obviously KD thought they did...and he also may have a hidden agenda....

Sorry to be a broken record, but every time this happens I'm going to point out that if the CHL would just change that stupid rule, Canada wouldn't be losing so many top guys.
- vabeachbear

The rule sucks, but the bigger rule is the NCAA seeing CHL players as professionals. If the NCAA changed their rule, the CHL rule would no longer matter. Draft a player out of the WHL and send them to college for a year or two.

The team's record before my birth is extremely important....
- mohel

Back in the old days the NHL was a pretty lopsided league and you are right, it doesn't really matter at all at this point.

This seems odd and I would take it with a grain of salt...

https://www.reddit.com/r/..._translation_in_comments/

Still mulling over the picks trade. I understand that on their board, whoever they're looking at wasn't going to be there at 20, hence the trade. But doesn't it always seem that there are some head-scratchers, reaches, or guys falling even that high up in the draft? Oliver Moore wasn't supposed to get to them last year either and bingo, he's there. Was the trade wise? Won't know the answer to that question for a few years.

I guess I was just hoping for more of a splashy or definitive trade. Seemingly had the vibe of making a trade, just to make a trade. I know we have the abundance of picks, but let's use them wisely. Yes, obviously KD thought they did...and he also may have a hidden agenda....
- Matt_Foleys_bro

Honestly, I think we won't know exactly why KD made the trade until he says something, or uses the 18th pick to draft a player or uses it in a trade. Right now, it's a lot of speculation. I think we just have to see how it all plays out.

KD was just trying to help Zach out. Gotta get those page views.

This seems odd and I would take it with a grain of salt...

https://www.reddit.com/r/..._translation_in_comments/
- wizardofi

more like a barge of salt. He really doesn't seem to fit what KD and his staff have stated they are looking for in a draft prospect.

While Hage surely does.

Smokescreen or KFc is going big game hunting at the draft.

Or none of the above.

Sorry to be a broken record, but every time this happens I'm going to point out that if the CHL would just change that stupid rule, Canada wouldn't be losing so many top guys.
- vabeachbear

Unlikely. The CHL has its appeal as does college. Kids going the college route probably go that route regardless of the CHL amending that rule. My guess is most kids going the college route are going because of the education. As I’ve said before if my kid were good enough I’d be pushing to go the college route strictly because of the educational factor, even if my name were McDavid, Bedard or Korchinski.


And if the CHL were to amend that rule there would be no CHL as the best players would be in the AHL and the CHL fans wouldn’t support the league.

Trying to imagine the ice quality differential should the final be FLA v Edmonton.
Yikes.

KD was just trying to help Zach out. Gotta get those page views.
- Elbows15

It worked

This seems odd and I would take it with a grain of salt...

https://www.reddit.com/r/..._translation_in_comments/
- wizardofi

Dont overthink this… demidov. Hes bpa and also fills a big need. Levshunov looks average to me.

Wiz, any thoughts on Hage? Nice write up in the Athletic about him. Canadian kid who chose the USHL/college route. He's made it through some adversity in his young career. Blow out his shoulder his first USHL season then his father dies in a swimming pool accident soon after. Committed to Michigan. He's who I would like to see at 18 or wherever the Hawks land.

https://www.nytimes.com/a...ource=user-shared-article
- boilermaker100

My board on October had Michael Hage going to the Blackhawks with their second rounder (at the time in slot #37)
((off track : Stian Solberg was in my late 1st even back then..))

So my desire for him in the Indianhead has been constant; I then had him availbale for the eventual Lightning slot #20 as the general opinion had him rising as his play after his shoulder never stopped improving, and making those other kids plenty better by being out there.
He's another right haded centre, and it is nice to have another and also that he can play anywhere at forward.
He's valuable by virtue of all the situations he plays in and how much jump is in his feet.
Yeah, not sure I would pass on him at #18 and if they do, that tells me they see someone even more valuable.


I know the Blackhawk scouts has the same access to 2024 draft crop as any team, and maybe the reddit post is just someone in the know about the "phone call" but that to be seems more odd than one of the team's scouts chatting him up after a game or even texting him.

All season long these kids start getting new best friends who work for 32 different NHL organizations so it seem commonplace.

I love how Canada's melting pot is truly delivering more and more diversity to the NHL rinks.
I would love an Afro Canadien (Cayden Lindstrom) and that kid whose grandparenst all came for Indian-Korean whohe plays a position called "rover"----Zanye Parehk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EO5YaLM_yk

They will get to poke and prod and get time with Hage and any one else they want to interview in Buffalo at the Prospect evaluation camp...oh, except the separatist Russian prospect camp in Florida.

Neither will be there at #18

more like a barge of salt. He really doesn't seem to fit what KD and his staff have stated they are looking for in a draft prospect.

While Hage surely does.

Smokescreen or KFc is going big game hunting at the draft.

Or none of the above.
- Elbows15

Hage👍

Unlikely. The CHL has its appeal as does college. Kids going the college route probably go that route regardless of the CHL amending that rule. My guess is most kids going the college route are going because of the education. As I’ve said before if my kid were good enough I’d be pushing to go the college route strictly because of the educational factor, even if my name were McDavid, Bedard or Korchinski.


And if the CHL were to amend that rule there would be no CHL as the best players would be in the AHL and the CHL fans wouldn’t support the league.
- paulr

I just can't agree with this, most play two years max, they aren't getting an education, they are doing it to get to the NHL earlier and freer. Now you have NIL, and latest deal where the power 5 conf sued the NCAA, now schools can also pay their player, seemingly any amount they choose.

They'll be some top guys that go the NCAA route and make close if not what their entry level deal is.

I just can't agree with this, most play two years max, they aren't getting an education, they are doing it to get to the NHL earlier and freer. Now you have NIL, and latest deal where the power 5 conf sued the NCAA, now schools can also pay their player, seemingly any amount they choose.

They'll be some top guys that go the NCAA route and make close if not what their entry level deal is.
- vabeachbear

Different sport but Caleb Williams supposedly earned $10M in NIL money

Beautiful goal by Lafreniere.

Back in the old days the NHL was a pretty lopsided league and you are right, it doesn't really matter at all at this point.
- breadbag

Toronto fans think it matters.