IMHO i think D!ckinson will turn out to be the best dman from this class.

IMHO i think D!ckinson will turn out to be the best dman from this class.
- LFS

Well put to rest whether Demidov or Lindstrom by selecting D!ckinson. Then if KD really could secure the 6th overall choice just who might be available - not entirely unlikely both Demikov or Lindstrom.

At # 6 overall I would not take Eiserman that early when still a bunch of dmen is available and Catton too. Even taking a second dman over Eiserman and Catton is worth doing. However really we are looking at a few players here with strong offensive skill set and perhaps not so good defensively.

We already have Hayes and I am not desiring a smallish forward in Catton. But if your scouts say Catton or Eiserman are too good to pass up, then take either. I like Yaremchuk but Paredkt and Buium likely snatched up already

Well put to rest whether Demidov or Lindstrom by selecting D!ckinson. Then if KD really could secure the 6th overall choice just who might be available - not entirely unlikely both Demikov or Lindstrom.

At # 6 overall I would not take Eiserman that early when still a bunch of dmen is available and Catton too. Even taking a second dman over Eiserman and Catton is worth doing. However really we are looking at a few players here with strong offensive skill set and perhaps not so good defensively.

We already have Hayes and I am not desiring a smallish forward in Catton. But if your scouts say Catton or Eiserman are too good to pass up, then take either. I like Yaremchuk but Paredkt and Buium likely snatched up already
- jhawk59

Well i still take demidov at #2, he and bedard would be a devastating combo. I really like catton. After demidov, i would love to have d!ckinson or yakemchuck if kfc could trade up. If eiserman available at 18 in a heartbeat.

Panarin won't be a guy sticking his nose in winning a lotta puck battles, like Kane, or taking a hit to make a play, like Kane, but we saw by that rocket of a shot that beat Bob why clubs "accept" his flaws, like Kane..... And, as fans we don't want a Kane to take any more hits than needed cuz he adds an element that nobody on the roster has, like that shot Panarin beat Bob with.

Panarin/Kane can do things few can offensively but they are 1/23rd of a game day roster but carry 10-15% of a cap hit. It's up to a GM to fill in around their weaknesses to make a roster (puzzle) complete.

Drafting goes back to organIzational philosophy. Bruins/LVG like a heavier player, Avs worship at the speed/skill alter and everyone seems to fall in between and all manner of rosters have won cups.

No one answer, no silver bullet but you do not win cups without talent and some of that talent do not win puck battles (Kane). ......... Never heard it put this way until as young players that have won cups I read a comparison of Kane and Toews where Kane would never score a goal if Toews didn't win a puck and get it to him. Indeed, you need both, now go build a roster!!

GMing is not easy.
- Mr Ricochet

Fantastic post.

Funny, but i respect a team that wins, weak defense and all
- LFS

Yeah poorly coached teams with poor defences and an offense first mentality generally are the reasons teams win low scoring games and kill off 30 straight penalties.

Come on LFS, you’re not that obtuse. I know you’re trying to make a point as to why Chicago should go all out offense when drafting players but you have to be honest or very few posters will buy your opinion. Edmonton’s team defence was outstanding in the Dallas series as well as against LA and Vancouver. Yes they’ve had defensive hiccups along the way as their inclination is to play an offence first game but they have straightened it out each time and got back to the basics, four lines and three defence pairings taking care of their own zone, players all playing on the defensive side of the puck, forwards not getting caught up ice, forwards not leaving the zone early so the defensemen can get the puck out of the zone cleanly. Edmonton have played a strong defensive game because they had to in front of a very average goalie. And the credit belongs to Kris Knoblauch, who got the Edmonton forwards to to buy into a defence first, the defence drive offence game they executed so well.

In my lifetime I have only ever seen one team, the 1980s Edmonton Oilers win with a complete offense first team.

So Edmonton just won their Confernce final and I give them just as much credit as I give Dallas a failure grade for relying too much on veterans and too much leaving the goalie out to dry

I hate to see an undeserving team with weak blueline crew get to the final. I hope Florida wipes them out
- jhawk59

Edmonton has an excellent team and a very good and balanced blue line. Their second pairing is probably below average but their third is better than most and their top pairing is the best in the league other than Toews and Makar.

I guess it might be inflammatory to point out that the mohawk is essentially a figure skating move. Do they even still call it that?
- SC116

Crosby is frequently in that position. Similar stature though obviously he's got some lead in his ass at 5'11 200lbs.

Yeah poorly coached teams with poor defences and an offense first mentality generally are the reasons teams win low scoring games and kill off 30 straight penalties.

Come on LFS, you’re not that obtuse. I know you’re trying to make a point as to why Chicago should go all out offense when drafting players but you have to be honest or very few posters will buy your opinion. Edmonton’s team defence was outstanding in the Dallas series as well as against LA and Vancouver. Yes they’ve had defensive hiccups along the way as their inclination is to play an offence first game but they have straightened it out each time and got back to the basics, four lines and three defence pairings taking care of their own zone, players all playing on the defensive side of the puck, forwards not getting caught up ice, forwards not leaving the zone early so the defensemen can get the puck out of the zone cleanly. Edmonton have played a strong defensive game because they had to in front of a very average goalie. And the credit belongs to Kris Knoblauch, who got the Edmonton forwards to to buy into a defence first, the defence drive offence game they executed so well.

In my lifetime I have only ever seen one team, the 1980s Edmonton Oilers win with a complete offense first team.
- paulr

Well paul, im not obtuse. Im not looking for posters to “buy” my opinion… i just state my opinion. One question for you: where would the oilers be without their pp? The oilers have very average defensemen who elevated their game and played well. But without mcdavid, dreiseitl , hyman and rnh that elevated defense would have meant nothing. The hawks need to add a dynamic player like a demidov to take advantage of bedard. On the hole, the hawk defensemen are not much worse than the oilers. The hawks have capable d prospects, they have no one close to a player like demidov. Its just my opinion and preference to build the offense first. Weather you or anyone else “buys” this opinion i couldn't gave a chit. Its just an opinion. We all want the same thing, get the hawks to another ring or two. Also, bpa is big on this board, well here it is, there is no defenseman prospect better than demidov.

Well paul, im not obtuse. Im not looking for posters to “buy” my opinion… i just state my opinion. One question for you: where would the oilers be without their pp? The oilers have very average defensemen who elevated their game and played well. But without mcdavid, dreiseitl , hyman and rnh that elevated defense would have meant nothing. The hawks need to add a dynamic player like a demidov to take advantage of bedard. On the hole, the hawk defensemen are not much worse than the oilers. The hawks have capable d prospects, they have no one close to a player like demidov. Its just my opinion and preference to build the offense first. Weather you or anyone else “buys” this opinion i couldn't gave a chit. Its just an opinion. We all want the same thing, get the hawks to another ring or two. Also, bpa is big on this board, well here it is, there is no defenseman prospect better than demidov.
- LFS

What if KFC and staff have a different opinion and take a dman at 2?

What if KFC and staff have a different opinion and take a dman at 2?
- HawkintheD

The world wont end. My opinion counts about as much as paul’s or yours , nothing. KFC’ s is the only one that counts. If we cant state our opinions then whats the point of this board?

Well paul, im not obtuse. Im not looking for posters to “buy” my opinion… i just state my opinion. One question for you: where would the oilers be without their pp? The oilers have very average defensemen who elevated their game and played well. But without mcdavid, dreiseitl , hyman and rnh that elevated defense would have meant nothing. The hawks need to add a dynamic player like a demidov to take advantage of bedard. On the hole, the hawk defensemen are not much worse than the oilers. The hawks have capable d prospects, they have no one close to a player like demidov. Its just my opinion and preference to build the offense first. Weather you or anyone else “buys” this opinion i couldn't gave a chit. Its just an opinion. We all want the same thing, get the hawks to another ring or two. Also, bpa is big on this board, well here it is, there is no defenseman prospect better than demidov.
- LFS

One definition of the word obtuse, is slow to understand. And my friend you’re very slow in understanding the reason the Oilers won is due to them buying into and executing a strong team defense. And you demonstrate it in your answer where you didn’t understand the main point of my post which was about the team defence and strong coaching but instead address the secondary point about your insistence of trying to sell an offensive player by pretending defence isn’t a very, if not the most, important part of the game.

The world wont end. My opinion counts about as much as paul’s or yours , nothing. KFC’ s is the only one that counts. If we cant state our opinions then whats the point of this board?
- LFS

I don’t have an opinion about who the Hawks should draft. I’ve stated all along I’m good with whoever the team selects. Defence being the most important component for a winning hockey team isn’t an opinion, it’s a fact.

The world wont end. My opinion counts about as much as paul’s or yours , nothing. KFC’ s is the only one that counts. If we cant state our opinions then whats the point of this board?
- LFS

Yep, and correct the world won't end. Opinions are good and you know what they say about them. More of an observation but it cracks me up when people state that this is their opinion but then present it as fact.

Anyway, just hoping KFC picks Buium with one of his picks or we'll never hear the end of it.

Well paul, im not obtuse. Im not looking for posters to “buy” my opinion… i just state my opinion. One question for you: where would the oilers be without their pp? The oilers have very average defensemen who elevated their game and played well. But without mcdavid, dreiseitl , hyman and rnh that elevated defense would have meant nothing. The hawks need to add a dynamic player like a demidov to take advantage of bedard. On the hole, the hawk defensemen are not much worse than the oilers. The hawks have capable d prospects, they have no one close to a player like demidov. Its just my opinion and preference to build the offense first. Weather you or anyone else “buys” this opinion i couldn't gave a chit. Its just an opinion. We all want the same thing, get the hawks to another ring or two. Also, bpa is big on this board, well here it is, there is no defenseman prospect better than demidov.
- LFS

It's also more entertaining to watch a team like the Oilers do amazing things.

That first McDavid goal last night, wow.

Well paul, im not obtuse. Im not looking for posters to “buy” my opinion… i just state my opinion. One question for you: where would the oilers be without their pp? The oilers have very average defensemen who elevated their game and played well. But without mcdavid, dreiseitl , hyman and rnh that elevated defense would have meant nothing. The hawks need to add a dynamic player like a demidov to take advantage of bedard. On the hole, the hawk defensemen are not much worse than the oilers. The hawks have capable d prospects, they have no one close to a player like demidov. Its just my opinion and preference to build the offense first. Weather you or anyone else “buys” this opinion i couldn't gave a chit. Its just an opinion. We all want the same thing, get the hawks to another ring or two. Also, bpa is big on this board, well here it is, there is no defenseman prospect better than demidov.
- LFS

Is this the first year the bolded players have been with Edmonton? Nope, it's been awhile now, and they haven't gotten very far. What's changed?

Yeah poorly coached teams with poor defences and an offense first mentality generally are the reasons teams win low scoring games and kill off 30 straight penalties.

Come on LFS, you’re not that obtuse. I know you’re trying to make a point as to why Chicago should go all out offense when drafting players but you have to be honest or very few posters will buy your opinion. Edmonton’s team defence was outstanding in the Dallas series as well as against LA and Vancouver. Yes they’ve had defensive hiccups along the way as their inclination is to play an offence first game but they have straightened it out each time and got back to the basics, four lines and three defence pairings taking care of their own zone, players all playing on the defensive side of the puck, forwards not getting caught up ice, forwards not leaving the zone early so the defensemen can get the puck out of the zone cleanly. Edmonton have played a strong defensive game because they had to in front of a very average goalie. And the credit belongs to Kris Knoblauch, who got the Edmonton forwards to to buy into a defence first, the defence drive offence game they executed so well.

In my lifetime I have only ever seen one team, the 1980s Edmonton Oilers win with a complete offense first team.
- paulr

I was thinking last night if there is any parallel’s between Skinner being pulled for Pickard, and Crawford needing Darling to come in for a couple of games in 2015?

I was thinking last night if there is any parallel’s between Skinner being pulled for Pickard, and Crawford needing Darling to come in for a couple of games in 2015?
- LAHawk

Stories like that are among the best things about sports, imo.

Crosby is frequently in that position. Similar stature though obviously he's got some lead in his ass at 5'11 200lbs.
- fattybeef

True enough. I did learn all about C strides too ...

IMHO i think D!ckinson will turn out to be the best dman from this class.
- LFS

If the Hawks were drafting 3rd or later I’d be more than happy if they drafted him.

Is this the first year the bolded players have been with Edmonton? Nope, it's been awhile now, and they haven't gotten very far. What's changed?
- mohel

They got better offensively, I think it’s quite obvious.

I was thinking last night if there is any parallel’s between Skinner being pulled for Pickard, and Crawford needing Darling to come in for a couple of games in 2015?
- LAHawk

It’s funny how that happens. It’s almost like reset, a message to the team as much as the goalie. When Skinner came back in, he didn’t play much better but the team defence tightened up.

My friend just showed me an article in the Athletic from Pronman that ranked the top "centers" in the draft by their ability and likelihood to stay at center instead of moving to wing. I don't have a subscription, so I can't link it, but they polled several scouting directors and mentioned that there is a strong chance that Lindstrom may have to move to wing due to his hockey IQ. They followed up by saying that scouts weren't exactly enamored with Larkin's IQ coming out and he turned out fine but take that for what it's worth.

The top three were Celebrini, Luchanko and Beaudoin.

Next tier was:
Lindstrom
Helenius
Eriksson
Boisvert
Surin
Miettinen
O'Reilly

Most arguments against here rest on either size, skating ability or the fact they are well-rounded, but not especially good at one particular thing (not sure why that would lead to one being a better wing than center, but I'm not a scout).

The "Maybe a center" list:
Catton
Hage
Letourneau
Pettersson
Zether
Berglund
Allard.

Arguments here are size, style of play, and quality of competition. They say there are not a lot of clear center talents in this draft and only one lock to be a center (Celebrini).

I agree 5 picks are better but moving up 2 spots in one round and 4 spots in another round is literally better as well. I'm all twisted on this to be honest with you. I don't know what the right answer is. All said and done I'd rather be drafting 18 than 20.

As i said earlier though that 2nd OA draft pick will either propel us in the near future, keep us plotting along or set us back. Really a big big big pick for this org.
- BetweenTheDots

I thought the whole point of a rebuild like this was that it wouldn't depend on one or two guys. KD's drafted a specific type of player in early rounds, and taken some swings on size in later rounds.

Sure, having the 2OA pick should net the Hawks a really good player, but he's likely at least a couple years away from making the team and even then, will have to get accustomed to the NHL. Unless, your definition of near future is about 4-5 years?

I think the adds outside the draft are going to have a bigger impact in the near future than any/most of the kids coming up.

I think the two most important young players to watch next year are Nazar and KK. If both of those guys hit, the Hawks will be in extremely good shape. I know he struggled defensively last year, but I'd really like for them to take the restrictions off of KK and see what he can create in the O-zone. Give him a strong skating D-partner and see what happens. While he does need to improve in his own zone, he's not going to ever be Hjalmarsson.

My friend just showed me an article in the Athletic from Pronman that ranked the top "centers" in the draft by their ability and likelihood to stay at center instead of moving to wing. I don't have a subscription, so I can't link it, but they polled several scouting directors and mentioned that there is a strong chance that Lindstrom may have to move to wing due to his hockey IQ. They followed up by saying that scouts weren't exactly enamored with Larkin's IQ coming out and he turned out fine but take that for what it's worth.

The top three were Celebrini, Luchanko and Beaudoin.

Next tier was:
Lindstrom
Helenius
Eriksson
Boisvert
Surin
Miettinen
O'Reilly

Most arguments against here rest on either size, skating ability or the fact they are well-rounded, but not especially good at one particular thing (not sure why that would lead to one being a better wing than center, but I'm not a scout).

The "Maybe a center" list:
Catton
Hage
Letourneau
Pettersson
Zether
Berglund
Allard.

Arguments here are size, style of play, and quality of competition. They say there are not a lot of clear center talents in this draft and only one lock to be a center (Celebrini).
- Chunk

Along with a possible back injury I’ve heard Lindstrom’s hockey IQ come into question. If true it could make perfect sense he’s not cut out to be an NHL centerman. Playing center requires many attributes including smarts.

Pronman went through quite the exercise to compile that list. He belongs on this site where we constantly throw poop, many times meaningless poop, against the wall. Not to see if it will stick, but for the sake of throwing it.

About Cole Beaudoin, I’ve seen him a few times and hopefully if he’s available in later rounds I’d like the Hawks to select him. He’s an average skater but he’s a hardworking non stop guy who is as tough as nails without being stupid.

I thought the whole point of a rebuild like this was that it wouldn't depend on one or two guys. KD's drafted a specific type of player in early rounds, and taken some swings on size in later rounds.

Sure, having the 2OA pick should net the Hawks a really good player, but he's likely at least a couple years away from making the team and even then, will have to get accustomed to the NHL. Unless, your definition of near future is about 4-5 years?

I think the adds outside the draft are going to have a bigger impact in the near future than any/most of the kids coming up.

I think the two most important young players to watch next year are Nazar and KK. If both of those guys hit, the Hawks will be in extremely good shape. I know he struggled defensively last year, but I'd really like for them to take the restrictions off of KK and see what he can create in the O-zone. Give him a strong skating D-partner and see what happens. While he does need to improve in his own zone, he's not going to ever be Hjalmarsson.
- Chunk

Can you define what you mean by "hit"? As I've mentioned (probably too many times) previously, teams that are contenders for a "window" of time have several elite players who cause serious problems for other excellent teams. If by "hit" you mean one of this type of player, that'd be great. Is there any evidence yet to suggest they will reach that level? I agree it is far too early to say they won't, but does the actual play of either (including at UM for Frankie) suggest yet that they will?