Draft combine begins Sunday in Buffalo. I don't think there's any on ice sessions, just various physical and agility tests and opportunities for KD and staff to interview the prospects.

Demidov won't be in Buffalo, but his agent is hosting a showcase in Florida in June for his Russian stable.
- boilermaker100

yeah the Submaximal exercise tests are still a useful way to measure your VO₂ max levels and your overall levels of heart and lung endurance during exercise.

NHL teams will adjust their lists after they see / talk/ review the results on all the kids.

If I recall the Stan Bo and the hawks took Jesperi Kotkaniemi for a meal in that 2018 Buffalo combine, and had him on the short list but Montreal selected him and Quinn Hughes was also off before their pick and "settled" for Boqvist.

So reading your posts, I said to myself "Self, no plans for a summer vacation this year, maybe head up North across the border and check this place out".

To my disappointment, when i looked it up, its listed as Temporarily Closed.

Then i wondered to myself, after some of the implications you all were making, what thing that no one can speak of in the morning temporarily closed it
- vabeachbear

The Goose was the typical local beer can, if you went in for lunch the place reeked of stale beer and the food that was so delicious the night before was actually pretty sad. I didn’t realize it was closed. If you do head up this way make sure the Jays are in town, the Roger’s Centre is a pretty nice stadium. And of course give yourself 3-5 hours to peruse the Hockey Hall of Fame, it’s about a 15 minute walk from the Roger’s Centre. There are some excellent restaurants all over the area.

The Montreal fans think he is Russian Jesus and even want the Hab's management to trade up to get him...

As far as "Demi-god" lasting until #18, look how despite the odd strengths / weaknesses / floor / Ceiling on 2023 year long assessment as the 2nd best player...you still had Philiadelphia deciding at #7 he was their guy.

Philly?

At the time, it seeemed odd. Still does.


I think all the early hawk forward selections have been high pace prospects with jump and are slippery puck carriers. If many lack success as dominant attackers, they have tool boxes that fit the filling in of the lower lines & roles.

No reason not to continue to keep adding good sticks, more jump, but I want a Getslaf and even a Perry type if we go down the shopping aisle they are on.
- wiz1901

I would trade with Montreal. #2 for #5, one of Montreal's top forward prospects (Owen Beck or Joshua Roy) and a 2025 1st. Maybe the Hawks give back a 3rd.

Since the Hawks are getting a promising forward from the Habs they can pick a D at #5. Maybe D!ckinson. Or who knows if Lindstrom or Levshunov still will be available at 5. Three future high end assets for one.

Wheeler dealer KD could really be thinking about it.

I am still trying to figure out #97 Connor McDavid’s current injury…Is it shoulder / arm or wrist related. There is punch missing when he shoots.

I would trade with Montreal. #2 for #5, one of Montreal's top forward prospects (Owen Beck or Joshua Roy) and a 2025 1st. Maybe the Hawks give back a 3rd.
- boilermaker100

Beck looks advanced and ready for being a pro from hios play in the Memorial Cup.

The other guy that catches your eye in Memorial Cup is a Drummondville Russian RD defenseman overager that Buffalo already signed, a 5th rounder,

Vsevolod Komarov
2022 round 5 #134 overall

If you draft a Russian late, and get him playing in the CHL two years after he is drafted, you are on a correct path in his development.
If you draftt one early, how does that prospect handle the CHL ?

....so i expect the Sabres to go forward at #11.

I would trade with Montreal. #2 for #5, one of Montreal's top forward prospects (Owen Beck or Joshua Roy) and a 2025 1st. Maybe the Hawks give back a 3rd.

Since the Hawks are getting a promising forward from the Habs they can pick a D at #5. Maybe D!ckinson. Or who knows if Lindstrom or Levshunov still will be available at 5. Three future high end assets for one.

Wheeler dealer KD could really be thinking about it.
- boilermaker100

You’re pretty brave suggesting a trade with Montreal and not mentioning Cole Caufield as someone coming back to the Hawks. It won’t take long before you feel the wrath of Darth!

The Montreal fans think he is Russian Jesus and even want the Hab's management to trade up to get him...

As far as "Demi-god" lasting until #18, look how despite the odd strengths / weaknesses / floor / Ceiling on 2023 year long assessment as the 2nd best player...you still had Philiadelphia deciding at #7 he was their guy.

Philly?

At the time, it seeemed odd. Still does.


I think all the early hawk forward selections have been high pace prospects with jump and are slippery puck carriers. If many lack success as dominant attackers, they have tool boxes that fit the filling in of the lower lines & roles.

No reason not to continue to keep adding good e sticks, more jump, but I want a Getslaf and even a Perry type if we go down the shopping aisle they are on.
- wiz1901

so if Montreal wants Demidov that bad what could a team trade look like between the Hawks and Habs for the 2nd overall pick?

so if Montreal wants Demidov that bad what could a team trade look like between the Hawks and Habs for the 2nd overall pick?
- Scott1977

To MTL:
#2
Allan

To CHI:
#5
#26
2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Oliver Kapanen

Naturally, Caulfield + #5 for #2 works as well.....

Beck looks advanced and ready for being a pro from hios play in the Memorial Cup.

The other guy that catches your eye in Memorial Cup is a Drummondville Russian RD defenseman overager that Buffalo already signed, a 5th rounder,

Vsevolod Komarov
2022 round 5 #134 overall

If you draft a Russian late, and get him playing in the CHL two years after he is drafted, you are on a correct path in his development.
If you draftt one early, how does that prospect handle the CHL ?

....so i expect the Sabres to go forward at #11.
- wiz1901

What's the f'n fascination with picking Ruskies? With the exception of the great goaltenders they are producing lately, most of those boys go home May 1 or when the play starts getting rough and nasty - whatever comes first. So they can get going on the booze.

Name one Russian forward or defenceman doing anything among the 4 teams still playing? Where's $11.5M / yr Panarin been lately? Probably trying to stay as far away as possible from Sam Bennett would be my answer.

Draft Russians at your own risk - very few are interested in playing in June when it counts.

so if Montreal wants Demidov that bad what could a team trade look like between the Hawks and Habs for the 2nd overall pick?
- Scott1977

To CHI:

- 2024 #5OA
- 2025 1st (MTL)
- Caufield
- Beck

To MTL:
- 2024 #2OA
- 2025 2nd (DAL)
- 2026 4th (OTT)
- Allan
- Raddysh
- Crevier
- Rights to Shawn Lalonde

Draft combine begins Sunday in Buffalo. I don't think there's any on ice sessions, just various physical and agility tests and opportunities for KD and staff to interview the prospects.

Demidov won't be in Buffalo, but his agent is hosting a showcase in Florida in June for his Russian stable.
- boilermaker100

Wonder if they'll lean heavy into the guys who won the pull up contest and vertical jump like last year.

Kinda interesting to see how they do the tests.

Like the bench isn't a max bench, for example, it's half body weight and they measure power. I think it would be more fun to see who could push their bodyweight or more.

Maybe throw in a deadlift. Most of these kids should be able to hit over 300 without a whole lotta risk and some probably close to 4, especially the vertically efficient guys.

What's the f'n fascination with picking Ruskies? With the exception of the great goaltenders they are producing lately, most of those boys go home May 1 or when the play starts getting rough and nasty - whatever comes first. So they can get going on the booze.

Name one Russian forward or defenceman doing anything among the 4 teams still playing? Where's $11.5M / yr Panarin been lately? Probably trying to stay as far away as possible from Sam Bennett would be my answer.

Draft Russians at your own risk - very few are interested in playing in June when it counts.
- RickJ

AGREE

I have seen my fill of man-purses and gold chains around Russian hockey player's necks.

so if Montreal wants Demidov that bad what could a team trade look like between the Hawks and Habs for the 2nd overall pick?
- Scott1977

I remember how pissed the Habs fans were when they drafted the defenseman at 5 last year, so i don't think public opinion matters much to the GM.

To MTL:
#2
Allan

To CHI:
#5
#26
2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Oliver Kapanen

Naturally, Caulfield + #5 for #2 works as well.....
- totem

OK I ll try
To Chicago:
#5
#26
Guhle
Beck
To Montreal:
#2
#66
Kaiser or lardis

At 5 Hawks select Lindstrom
At 18 Hawks select jirchek
At 26 Hawks select basha
At 34 Hawks select Solberg
Hawks trade 2025 1st the 50th and Dallas 2nd in 2025 for an established young 25 or younger player who is Anybodies guess could be necas but doubt it

OK I ll try
To Chicago:
#5
#26
Guhle
Beck
To Montreal:
#2
#66
Kaiser or lardis

At 5 Hawks select Lindstrom
At 18 Hawks select jirchek
At 26 Hawks select basha
At 34 Hawks select Solberg
Hawks trade 2025 1st the 50th and Dallas 2nd in 2025 for an established young 25 or younger player who is Anybodies guess could be necas but doubt it
- Scott1977

As much as I’d like to see Necas in Chicago I don’t think KD has the assets Carolina is looking for.

The trade that makes the most sense would be:

To CAR:

Chychrun

To OTT:

Necas

I’m sure there there would be other picks/prospects added, but this would be the foundation of the trade.

To MTL:
#2
Allan

To CHI:
#5
#26
2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Oliver Kapanen

Naturally, Caulfield + #5 for #2 works as well.....
- totem

Canadiens are loaded with young defensemen. Instead of Allen, throw in Dach and reunite the brothers?

OK I ll try
To Chicago:
#5
#26
Guhle
Beck
To Montreal:
#2
#66
Kaiser or lardis

At 5 Hawks select Lindstrom
At 18 Hawks select jirchek
At 26 Hawks select basha
At 34 Hawks select Solberg
Hawks trade 2025 1st the 50th and Dallas 2nd in 2025 for an established young 25 or younger player who is Anybodies guess could be necas
but doubt it
- Scott1977

Not bad. Maybe Dach instead of Lardis/Kaiser.

I also think Lindstrom could be there at 5.

Canadiens are loaded with young defensemen. Instead of Allen, throw in Dach and reunite the brothers?
- boilermaker100

Took another look, MTL has lots of young depth both at forward and defense, and a bunch of picks next year. They are set up nicely. Maybe they would take a 2026 2nd instead of Allan.

To MTL:
#2
2026 2nd (or C. Dach)

To CHI:
#5
#26
2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Oliver Kapanen

AGREE

I have seen my fill of man-purses and gold chains around Russian hockey player's necks.
- wiz1901

Malkin and Daystuk were pretty pretty pretty good. Kucherov is still excellent. Ovechkin has had a decent career.

Half the goalies left are Russian.

Being anti-Russian from the goofy nonsense that happened in the late 90s that has less to do with the players and more to do with the crazy old man running the organization sure traumatized a lot of people.

That is not true.

Bolland was a skinny little poop who played big. If you ever saw him sitting in his booth at the pony you'd be like wow that creepy little dude plays hockey?

Watching him drive Joe Thornton to the point of insanity in 2010 was a thing of magic. Too bad he had that back and ankle problem. Def a fun player to root for.
- fattybeef

Lot of white stuff in the back of the pony and a lot of early morning parties for those gents. Especially before the first cup when they were less popular.

Malkin and Daystuk were pretty pretty pretty good. Kucherov is still excellent. Ovechkin has had a decent career.

Half the goalies left are Russian.

Being anti-Russian from the goofy nonsense that happened in the late 90s that has less to do with the players and more to do with the crazy old man running the organization sure traumatized a lot of people.
- fattybeef

You beat me to it. I always keep politics out of sports. Its craziness with Russian player narrative, I'm not going to waste my time going through every Russian on the past cup winners, but none for the hawks, which may be the root of the narrative here.

You beat me to it. I always keep politics out of sports. Its craziness with Russian player narrative, I'm not going to waste my time going through every Russian on the past cup winners, but none for the hawks, which may be the root of the narrative here.
- vabeachbear

Why do you think Mitchkov, who was ranked right with Bedard wasn’t selected until seven? Why are teams seemingly spooked in selecting Russian players early in the draft? Looks like Philly will get the last laugh if the rumour Mitchkov is coming next season.

Best player available. If that’s Demidov, Lindstrom, Levshunov, Buium or whoever, that’s who Davidson must select. And BPA isn’t who you or I or all the online prognosticators think but who KD and his scouting staff think. And so far he hasn’t tipped his hand.
- paulr

I have always thought that the draft would be more interesting if they started making their picks soon after the lottery. So SJ could choose Celebrini right away. If the Hawks like Demidov they could select him whenever they wanted. People would be following the draft 24/7. Of course on draft day they could introduce the picks and take up after whatever pick was next. It might accommodate more trades.

Sure looking like a Florida vs Edmonton final

Panarin traded for Marner? 2 high dollar productive regular season players that disappear when playing heavy playoff teams.

Even with the goal has been absent this series.