There seem to be a number of guys who could fill that role. Savoie, Ludwinski, Greene, maybe even Slaggert. All seem to play an attacking 200' game and are responsible. I'm sure KD will continue to add more players that fit the same mold.
- Chunk

Hopefully a couple of the above pan out. Savoie has that meathead gene, though, which would help get opponents off their game ala Bolland.

RD Jiricek should be there at #18


if Bouchard is a team's best defenseman, they are lucky all those fast forwards score plenty.
- wiz1901

I'd be happy with Jiricek at #18, just how happy would depend who was still on the board at that time.

Ekholm has big hamd in Bouchard's improvement.
- RickJ

He really did help him along, but like a lot of young dmen too, Bouchard took time and really he holds his own pretty well now.

The other side of the coin too, Nurse isn't living up to his pay, but he also has had to carry some pretty weak partners. Living where I do I know a lot of Oilers fans who maintain that the biggest issue on their D was that their top 4 includes Cody Ceci who should really be a third pair guy.

I was hoping they’d win but I think Dallas is just too strong.

Another couple of potholes KD has to avoid is overvaluing and overpaying a player, like Darnell Nurse and building a club with little thought to defence.
- paulr

Jones and Nurse are pretty similar players though Nurse has a bit more of an edge. Overpaying for a guy who's 6'4 215 and skates good seems to be a thing. It easy to fall in love with the toolset or potential. So that money is already committed.

Their blue lines weren't atrocious but they did have some injury issues. Klefbom not ever playing again was unfortunate and Nurse didn't take the step forward they expected. Oops. One of those things that gets a GM fired or makes them a legend.

Bouchard and Ekholm are probably the top pairing in the league. You could make an argument that it's Makar and Toews but I think thats splitting hairs. So that issue is fixed. The oilers had a similar issue to the leafs where they had zero push from the blue line and if you can't transition from D to O then you're probably going to have a bad time in the playoffs.

The second pairing on the oilers has been mostly good and their third is probably one of the better bottom pairings in the playoffs.

Their goaltending is dog poop but their best players have been lifting them over that. Unless Skinner totally loses his mind Edmonton should win the 7 game series. Theyre just too good everywhere else.

I was criticized a week or so ago for saying the Oilers were a better version of the Leafs. Built the wrong way...Superstars at forward but below average D after the top pair, and iffy in net.
- MartiniMan

Other than the poopty goaltending they are an excellent and well balanced team.

Jones and Nurse are pretty similar players though Nurse has a bit more of an edge. Overpaying for a guy who's 6'4 215 and skates good seems to be a thing. It easy to fall in love with the toolset or potential. So that money is already committed.

Their blue lines weren't atrocious but they did have some injury issues. Klefbom not ever playing again was unfortunate and Nurse didn't take the step forward they expected. Oops. One of those things that gets a GM fired or makes them a legend.

Bouchard and Ekholm are probably the top pairing in the league. You could make an argument that it's Makar and Toews but I think thats splitting hairs. So that issue is fixed.

The second pairing on the oilers has been mostly good and their third is probably one of the better bottom pairings in the playoffs.

Their goaltending is dog poop but their best players have been lifting them over that. Unless Skinner totally loses his mind Edmonton should win the 7 game series. Theyre just too good everywhere else.
- fattybeef

The reason why I like the Oilers chances right now, they are scoring goals right around the blue paint. They actually have a much better high danger SV% right now in the series and at 5v5 have had a good edge is possession and chances. The heatmap below is a good example of just how they are getting to the net.

The double whammy is the guy you keep and pay, last year went mia in the playoffs literally, and now this year has been suspended during the playoffs.
- BetweenTheDots

Part of the criticism from the fan base in Denver (bunch of friends who are Avs fans since I live there now) is that what really (frank)ed Nichushkin up was playing on that bad foot and being pumped full of pain killers to get through it and he hasn't been able to stay clean since.

Just crushed Gus along the boards. I think it's a coin flip between that play and his collective work of driving the Sedins and Thornton nuts in 2010.

That 2011 team looked so overmatched vs the Nucks for the first part of that series til they got Bolland back in game 4 (think it was 4). If Sharp only could've one-timed that shot past Lou.

I agree about finding a Bolland. Shaw was kind of that guy in '15. Hoping he scores more than either but I wonder if Nazar can provide some of that role. Doesn't seem to shy away from the physical play and I could see him being chirpy.

Maybe he can do that in more of a top 6 role.
- HawkintheD

Nazar is gonna be a producer.

Probably Savoie if anyone from that group.

Ekholm has big hamd in Bouchard's improvement.
- RickJ

I'd like to see the Hawks acquire/sign a d-man to help Korchinski's development like this.

Nazar is gonna be a producer.

Probably Savoie if anyone from that group.
- fattybeef

Bolland was a far better point producer I as a 17 - 19 year old than Nazar. It’s what the Hawks project for the prospects. But like you I see someone else in that role Savoie or Ludwinski, or the two in tandem. The other thing is whoever does fill that role has to buy in 100% like Bolland did. And if you think about it, it’s quite amazing that a guy like Bolland was willing to buy in when his junior numbers suggested he was a top end point producer and not a third line role player. Bolland not only took a huge hit in personal glory but in salary as well. How many guys would have bought into that role, considering the circumstances, the way Bolland did? Pretty special guy and a huge reason for the Blackhawk’s success.

Part of the criticism from the fan base in Denver (bunch of friends who are Avs fans since I live there now) is that what really (frank)ed Nichushkin up was playing on that bad foot and being pumped full of pain killers to get through it and he hasn't been able to stay clean since.
- fattybeef

That happens more often than we know, it’s unfortunate.

Bolland was a far better point producer I as a 17 - 19 year old than Nazar. It’s what the Hawks project for the prospects. But like you I see someone else in that role Savoie or Ludwinski, or the two in tandem. The other thing is whoever does fill that role has to buy in 100% like Bolland did. And if you think about it, it’s quite amazing that a guy like Bolland was willing to buy in when his junior numbers suggested he was a top end point producer and not a third line role player. Bolland not only took a huge hit in personal glory but in salary as well. How many guys would have bought into that role, considering the circumstances, the way Bolland did? Pretty special guy and a huge reason for the Blackhawk’s success.
- paulr

Kinda hard to compare considering one was in the OHL, and the other was USHL/NTDP/NCAA. Doesn't look like he's that far off in PPG (Bolland had one monster year on London the year before he went pro).

I'd like to see the Hawks acquire/sign a d-man to help Korchinski's development like this.
- DarthKane

Pesce or Chatfield? I'm less interested in a guy like Tanev.

Kinda hard to compare considering one was in the OHL, and the other was USHL/NTDP/NCAA. Doesn't look like he's that far off in PPG (Bolland had one monster year on London the year before he went pro).
- Chunk

Granted it is hard to compare but yet the comparison is glaring and goes to the point that it’s difficult to predict a player’s role before his NHL has really started. And that the acceptance of a given role despite accomplishments in the CHL/NCAA. If KD sees a given player, example Nazar, as a role player that’s the direction they will steer him. Hopefully that player is as open to a secondary role as Bolland was.

Pesce or Chatfield? I'm less interested in a guy like Tanev.
- Chunk

Pesce would be incredible, he’s simply phenomenal. Tanev is a defensive defenseman, but could certainly steady Korchinski. Imagine the kid getting to play next to someone who isn’t an absolute boat anchor. Skjei or Gryzlyk are both fine defensemen who id love here.

Granted it is hard to compare but yet the comparison is glaring and goes to the point that it’s difficult to predict a player’s role before his NHL has really started. And that the acceptance of a given role despite accomplishments in the CHL/NCAA. If KD sees a given player, example Nazar, as a role player that’s the direction they will steer him. Hopefully that player is as open to a secondary role as Bolland was.
- paulr

Indeed. Similar situation with Kruger I think. Not as prolific a scorer coming up, but they turned him into a defensive pit bull.

Pesce would be incredible, he’s simply phenomenal. Tanev is a defensive defenseman, but could certainly steady Korchinski. Imagine the kid getting to play next to someone who isn’t an absolute boat anchor. Skjei or Gryzlyk are both fine defensemen who id love here.
- ObeseOprah

Yeah, I keep thinking KD is going to pull a bunch of rabbits out of his hat and make more trades than signings. AA, Donato, Murphy maybe.

Would Chychrun make sense for a year? Seems he can play both sides. Not sure if the Hawks have anything that OTT would want though.

Yeah, I keep thinking KD is going to pull a bunch of rabbits out of his hat and make more trades than signings. AA, Donato, Murphy maybe.

Would Chychrun make sense for a year? Seems he can play both sides. Not sure if the Hawks have anything that OTT would want though.
- Chunk

I suspect a move KD may make is to try and bring in a young NHL player or prospect like a Wright or Kakko or someone like that.

I suspect a move KD may make is to try and bring in a young NHL player or prospect like a Wright or Kakko or someone like that.
- paulr

I'm on the fence of picking a Russian at #2 especially with suspected skating issues. I wouldn't mind seeing KD move down say to #5 and grab a few more assets. Hughes in Montreal apparently wants Demidov. Would KD say no to

#5 + #26 + Joshua Roy + Jacob Fowler for #2?

He than could pick either Lidstrom or Richardinson and package #18 + #26 + #50
to say move into the top 10 to Grab Berkly Catton or Tij Iginla?

id be pretty happy if he could pass the stress of wither Demidov will come over to North America and Add 4 very nice pieces to the prospect pool.

Pesce would be incredible, he’s simply phenomenal. Tanev is a defensive defenseman, but could certainly steady Korchinski. Imagine the kid getting to play next to someone who isn’t an absolute boat anchor. Skjei or Gryzlyk are both fine defensemen who id love here.
- ObeseOprah

Add DeMelo from the Peg. RHD, responsible, kills penalties. Would rather see him paired with Korchinski than Murphy.

I'm on the fence of picking a Russian at #2 especially with suspected skating issues. I wouldn't mind seeing KD move down say to #5 and grab a few more assets. Hughes in Montreal apparently wants Demidov. Would KD say no to

#5 + #26 + Joshua Roy + Jacob Fowler for #2?

He than could pick either Lidstrom or Richardinson and package #18 + #26 + #50
to say move into the top 10 to Grab Berkly Catton or Tij Iginla?

id be pretty happy if he could pass the stress of wither Demidov will come over to North America and Add 4 very nice pieces to the prospect pool.
- SaskHawkFan

If KD is good with Demidov then I’d have to believe he and the scouting staff have done their due diligence. But if Demidov is in fact highly regarded and KD isn’t sold on him, moving him for both of Montreal’s picks, assuming the Habs covet Demidov, may be an option? So many potential outcomes. I still have a feeling the Hawks will select Lindstrom if he’s healthy.

I suspect a move KD may make is to try and bring in a young NHL player or prospect like a Wright or Kakko or someone like that.
- paulr

Kaliyev wants out of LA. 22 year old, 181 NHL games played, 35G and 36A. He's finishing his ELC and needs a new contract.

I'd like to see the Hawks acquire/sign a d-man to help Korchinski's development like this.
- DarthKane

Pesche

Kaliyev wants out of LA. 22 year old, 181 NHL games played, 35G and 36A. He's finishing his ELC and needs a new contract.
- boilermaker100

Turcott kaliyev for ?

Kaliyev wants out of LA. 22 year old, 181 NHL games played, 35G and 36A. He's finishing his ELC and needs a new contract.
- boilermaker100

Not what KD is looking for, not a good skater, not good defensively, and not a high motor guy. What he can do is shoot the puck and can score.

I read where Trevor Moore might be available because LA is trying to free up cap space. If it costs a second rounder, I would do it in an instant.