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

Your first line plays 35% of the minutes.

Parekh has had his bell rung twice, are we talking about concussions?
that we know of? Drafter beware
- BetweenTheDots

Zanye #19 is rmemebered in the Memorial Cup nad he took a few behind the Goal Line hits where he was down and almost out, and then spent time recovering on the bench.

The extent of game hits in his performance?

Not sure, if he was concussed, because would the CHL junior doctors have pulled him if he was?

Anyway my implication with "Bell rung" was he felt these hits, and might have been close to concussion protocaol, yes.

You cannot NOT like Parekh beacsue he is that different type attacker...

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?
- mohel

I mean hit their ceiling. For KK, that would be about 60pts and not a disaster in his own end. For Nazar that's probably the same point total (although closer to PPG would be ideal), and relentless forechecker. He's got the speed/quickness to be very disruptive on dump-ins and has shown the ability to be able to set up others quite well. He has a decent shot, but is less known for his goal scoring from what I've seen.

I think both of those players would cause severe issues for other teams. If you look at VGK and FLA, they have a number of really good players, but I don't think many that stand out as elite. They simply do what needs to be done in the playoffs to win. Tkachuk is probably the closest to your definition on FLA, and I'd guess Eichel on VGK, but for the most part the Reinharts, Marchessaults, Forslings, Pietrangelos of the world just understand the sacrifices that need to be made in the post-season.

As Dots alluded to a day or so back, Draisaitl and McDavid seem to have found a different gear in these playoffs. While both still stellar offensive talents, they seem to be far more engaged over the entire sheet of ice. They both have always had that skill level, but their attitude and mindset are what is setting them apart this year.

I mean hit their ceiling. For KK, that would be about 60pts and not a disaster in his own end. For Nazar that's probably the same point total (although closer to PPG would be ideal), and relentless forechecker. He's got the speed/quickness to be very disruptive on dump-ins and has shown the ability to be able to set up others quite well. He has a decent shot, but is less known for his goal scoring from what I've seen.

I think both of those players would cause severe issues for other teams. If you look at VGK and FLA, they have a number of really good players, but I don't think many that stand out as elite. They simply do what needs to be done in the playoffs to win. Tkachuk is probably the closest to your definition on FLA, and I'd guess Eichel on VGK, but for the most part the Reinharts, Marchessaults, Forslings, Pietrangelos of the world just understand the sacrifices that need to be made in the post-season.

As Dots alluded to a day or so back, Draisaitl and McDavid seem to have found a different gear in these playoffs. While both still stellar offensive talents, they seem to be far more engaged over the entire sheet of ice. They both have always had that skill level, but their attitude and mindset are what is setting them apart this year.
- Chunk

Agreed, learning to win can take time. Hossa wasn't always a two way player compared to Draisaitl and McD. Regarding KK, he's got a lot less experience than Keith had coming into the league. He's got several years before calling him a bust.

And 5 picks in the top two rounds is better than 4. .
- paulr

and 5 picks in the first round are better than 4...except when those four are calls to the mike before the team with five even gets to the stage...

I am going to assume Kyle was making routine check in calls and Lou wanted an extar pick.

Why?

To send one away to a team with a rostered FAT salary to make space? To add an additional rostered player?
(We will know in less than a month Lou's intentions and Kyle's interview said this wasn't part of any additional move. )

Ownership probably agreed to this deal to temper Kyle's live draft exuberance to trade all his picks like he tried for Ollie Moore, to find him available at #19 for NO traded picks.

All team boards know where they can predict certain players "should go off the board" and they certainly window shop a group around each draft pick they have in each round.
Each team will have a feel for you will be left...and if you feel most of your list at slot #20 is going to evaporate and your subsequent list at #54 isn't egtting you the prospects you are hoping off that list, you try and move. I get it.

Maybe thios IS about securing the guy they love at #20 but want to be a lsure he is there.

And the second round, maybe the hawks looked at the needs of Philly (51), rebuild in Washington (52) and Nashville's affinity ofr developing defenseman and feel that the Chicago team wanted a defenseman here but saw the chances that those three teams were going in that direction, so the piggy-back to slot #50 eliminates them.

Maybe the second round motivation is the reason for the deal with #20-> #18 as the icing on the cake.

I really have had a tough time after each Davidison run draft to decifer the reasons they took the players they did when they did.
(Not so much me dogging him/them as much as me wanting to understand the intent of each in the available prospects.)

Especially the goalie Gajan pick at #35 (when my London knight and Shark prsopect Kasper Halttunen was there).
The hawks saw a big block of picks being made before their next at #44 (where they took the longer prospect route through Russian with Roman Kantserov) and that, to me, was an indicator that their want list tier ended and thatw as also why they later traded the 2023 #51 to Philly (who wanted golaie prospect Carson Bjarnason) for the 2024 #54 <---that NY Islander s acquired with $61 in the Blackhawk jump to #50.

I just think it might be easier to pick the top FIFTY concnesus prospects of all teams.

As far as team draft lists, I am beting that most teams in the top #11 know which forward and which defenseman they like.

Are all teams preferences the same? No.

I mean hit their ceiling. For KK, that would be about 60pts and not a disaster in his own end.)
- Chunk

I actually think that the ahwsk scouting of the draft IS connected to whether they still feel Korchinski's pre-draft scouting reports are valid.

That includes the on the job experience, and if they still feel is hgoingf to fill the type of defenseman they were looking for....IF THAT has CHANGED...

They might be inclined to see if there is a better option at #2.

and 5 picks in the first round are better than 4...except when those four are calls to the mike before the team with five even gets to the stage...

I am going to assume Kyle was making routine check in calls and Lou wanted an extar pick.

Why?

To send one away to a team with a rostered FAT salary to make space? To add an additional rostered player?
(We will know in less than a month Lou's intentions and Kyle's interview said this wasn't part of any additional move. )

Ownership probably agreed to this deal to temper Kyle's live draft exuberance to trade all his picks like he tried for Ollie Moore, to find him available at #19 for NO traded picks.

All team boards know where they can predict certain players "should go off the board" and they certainly window shop a group around each draft pick they have in each round.
Each team will have a feel for you will be left...and if you feel most of your list at slot #20 is going to evaporate and your subsequent list at #54 isn't egtting you the prospects you are hoping off that list, you try and move. I get it.

Maybe thios IS about securing the guy they love at #20 but want to be a lsure he is there.

And the second round, maybe the hawks looked at the needs of Philly (51), rebuild in Washington (52) and Nashville's affinity ofr developing defenseman and feel that the Chicago team wanted a defenseman here but saw the chances that those three teams were going in that direction, so the piggy-back to slot #50 eliminates them.

Maybe the second round motivation is the reason for the deal with #20-> #18 as the icing on the cake.

I really have had a tough time after each Davidison run draft to decifer the reasons they took the players they did when they did.
(Not so much me dogging him/them as much as me wanting to understand the intent of each in the available prospects.)

Especially the goalie Gajan pick at #35 (when my London knight and Shark prsopect Kasper Halttunen was there).
The hawks saw a big block of picks being made before their next at #44 (where they took the longer prospect route through Russian with Roman Kantserov) and that, to me, was an indicator that their want list tier ended and thatw as also why they later traded the 2023 #51 to Philly (who wanted golaie prospect Carson Bjarnason) for the 2024 #54 <---that NY Islander s acquired with $61 in the Blackhawk jump to #50.

I just think it might be easier to pick the top FIFTY concnesus prospects of all teams.

As far as team draft lists, I am beting that most teams in the top #11 know which forward and which defenseman they like.

Are all teams preferences the same? No.
- wiz1901

Hawks are going to get one of those second rounders back when they take on Anders Lee's contract.

I actually think that the ahwsk scouting of the draft IS connected to whether they still feel Korchinski's pre-draft scouting reports are valid.

That includes the on the job experience, and if they still feel is hgoingf to fill the type of defenseman they were looking for....IF THAT has CHANGED...

They might be inclined to see if there is a better option at #2.
- wiz1901

So far, except for Vlasic we haven't seen anything above average coming up on the blue line. KD could keep swinging away until it happens.

I actually think that the ahwsk scouting of the draft IS connected to whether they still feel Korchinski's pre-draft scouting reports are valid.

That includes the on the job experience, and if they still feel is hgoingf to fill the type of defenseman they were looking for....IF THAT has CHANGED...

They might be inclined to see if there is a better option at #2.
- wiz1901

So... Sam D!ckinson is the pick.

So far, except for Vlasic we haven't seen anything above average coming up on the blue line. KD could keep swinging away until it happens.
- rpeters01

Korchinski was the youngest defenseman in the NHL this season, and I thought he acquitted himself well. Kaiser also looked like an everyday defenseman.

We have some options in RFD that could hit like del Mastro, Allan, Phillips, plus Rinzel picking up steam in Minnesota.

Our near ready forward crop is much thinner. Moore likely does most of the season at Minnesota, the only guys knocking at the door from RFD are Dach.
Best player available.

I know this is way too far in advance to think about since they are still playing for a cup, but EDM's CapFriendly page is terrifying. they have 14 players signed for next year with only $9.7M left.

How much crap do they have to eat to get rid of Campbell's contract? Moving Ceci? Kane? I really hope they win, because the aftermath looks brutal. Holland leaving a mess to clean up.

I know this is way too far in advance to think about since they are still playing for a cup, but EDM's CapFriendly page is terrifying. they have 14 players signed for next year with only $9.7M left.

How much crap do they have to eat to get rid of Campbell's contract? Moving Ceci? Kane? I really hope they win, because the aftermath looks brutal. Holland leaving a mess to clean up.
- Chunk

Expect them to buyout Campbell, move Ceci and Kane. Expect Broberg to get promoted to full time NHL status.

Agreed, learning to win can take time. Hossa wasn't always a two way player compared to Draisaitl and McD. Regarding KK, he's got a lot less experience than Keith had coming into the league. He's got several years before calling him a bust.
- rpeters01

Definitely way too early to pass judgement on Korchinski, especially considering how much he was improving as the season went on. Fans need to remember that he is still physically maturing, and despite that played 20 minutes a night, and on top of that showed the best skating and offensive instincts of all the young D. All this in his first season as a pro, often stuck with a real sub-par partner.

The one thing that was crystal clear, playing him in the NHL over the WHL was a big win. He wouldn't have progressed or learned nearly as much by staying in Junior.

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

That is the whole point, but they are in a position to draft anyone they want at number 2 besides Celebrini. If they are right with the 2nd OA it will be outstanding for the franchise and the rebuild. You don't get many chances to draft this high in the draft so when you do you have to take advantage of it.

For me if they are right, it will help them be the monster i believe this team can become in the near future.

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.
- paulr

No, thats your opinion. You make it sound like i dont value defense, i do. It is my OPINION, that i would build the offense FIRST, not that i dont value defense. And as i have posted before here ( re: wiz), name calling is a sign of ignorance. You seem to make it a science.

I know this is way too far in advance to think about since they are still playing for a cup, but EDM's CapFriendly page is terrifying. they have 14 players signed for next year with only $9.7M left.

How much crap do they have to eat to get rid of Campbell's contract? Moving Ceci? Kane? I really hope they win, because the aftermath looks brutal. Holland leaving a mess to clean up.
- Chunk

IF they win, do you think they care ?

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

Experience and better overall play in all aspects of the game.

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

Me too because demodov would be gone.

I keep hearing Oettinger is one of the best goalies in the league - guess what, he's not, he's average playing behind a pretty good team. Put him behind the Hawks and it wouldnt be very pretty.

Dallas was beaten by a better coached team and they are old.
- RickJ

Just curious, when does this go from being a successful playoff franchise to not? 11, 12 years now?

Florida and Edmonton in the finals there only can be one, and we see how hard it is for any team to just get to this point.

Every year i watch these playoffs, makes me think of how special that run was by the Blackhawks, actually any team that's been able to just win one.

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

They have, especially with hyman, and they are playing much better defensively as a team.

Just curious, when does this go from being a successful playoff franchise to not? 11, 12 years now?

Florida and Edmonton in the finals there only can be one, and we see how hard it is for any team to just get to this point.

Every year i watch these playoffs, makes me think of how special that run was by the Blackhawks, actually any team that's been able to just win one.
- BetweenTheDots

Part of why the Hawks could do what they did, it was a bit of a perfect storm. We had a lot of pieces in place from some good big of drafting in the 2000's, plus with the shift in the FO to spending money, and the fact that the CBA at the time allowed us to get creative with contracts. When the NHL and NHLPA agreed to 7/8 year max, without frontloading, that closed the door on a lot of the contracts some teams like Chicago took advantage of to stay on top. It is that much harder now to do the same thing and team's time at top is shorter.

New blog up.

Part of why the Hawks could do what they did, it was a bit of a perfect storm. We had a lot of pieces in place from some good big of drafting in the 2000's, plus with the shift in the FO to spending money, and the fact that the CBA at the time allowed us to get creative with contracts. When the NHL and NHLPA agreed to 7/8 year max, without frontloading, that closed the door on a lot of the contracts some teams like Chicago took advantage of to stay on top. It is that much harder now to do the same thing and team's time at top is shorter.
- breadbag

Not really teams now use the LTIR to circumvent the cap.

Experience and better overall play in all aspects of the game.
- LFS

Yes and better checking line and defensive depth than they had previously. I think they are built a bit better in terms of handling the physical aspects, where they don't get pushed around easily. They had some guys in the past like Yamamoto who couldn't handle NHL playoff hockey very well.

Not really teams now use the LTIR to circumvent the cap.
- BetweenTheDots

That's one specific aspect we took advantage of in 2015, but it's still not the same as the AAV savings we have over several seasons on core pieces of the team. Sure, teams try to leverage it, but it's not proving to be nearly as effective.