This summer started with the ridiculous contract for Vlasic making him a UFA at 28. Then they gave away a 2nd rounder to move up 2 spots. Now they are dumping the play by play guy because Darren Pang didn't like him? In all the years Darren Pang has been an analyst, can you remember anything he's ever said besides "Holy Jumping?"
- stevefrmglencoe

I challenge you to say anything positive KD, LR or the Blackhawks org has done.

Through free agency I’d like to see KD land a centre to take pressure off Bedard and allow D!ckinson to revert back to a defense-first role where he’s more comfortable.

This summer’s UFA centre crop isn’t the best, but for the right price and term guys like Roslovic and Wennberg could be decent options. I wouldn’t mind seeing Domi return as the 2C, but I think that ship has sailed.
- DarthKane

I really don't care for Domi but I'd definitely be interested in the other two. Either would be a good pickup.

Anyone listen to the latest 32 thoughts with Friedman?

https://thehockeywriters....ay-drag-into-next-season/

Looks like Marner is willing to play out his contract in Toronto...wonder what that'll look like.

I saw the Guentzel talk. Is it me,or would he just not fit too well with the Blackhawks. If the Blackhawks had another playmaker or two I'd say go for it (despite his age).
I'd rather go with DeBrusk as some mentioned and maybe another fwd like Teravainen or Kane.
- captainserious

Guentzel forechecks hard, protects the puck well and would give Bedard space to work with.

Player like that fits in anywhere.

I'd love to see Marner play out that deal and walk for nothing. The way everyone cry about that scenario is excessive. But blockbuster trades are always fun.

I’d agree except in 8 years of playoffs I have yet to see Marner or Matthews be the best, hardest working Maple Leaf players. You’re talking production, I’m talking effort. If a star player’s effort ie. work ethic is determined by who his teammates are I think that player(s) is a huge problem, don’t you? How is it possible that Marner and Matthews haven’t outworked their own teammates in eight years of playoffs, regardless of how short the playoff runs have been?
- paulr

I think they're working hard just not productively.

Scotty, you are not off the hook!

Which one is the defenseman?

You told us your prediction for the Blackhawks first three picks but never said which pick was which.

So NO you are on the hook.

I am going to predict Forward (2),forward (18), defenseman (34).

A Is anybody going to say the take THREE defenseman?

B Is anybody going to say the take THREE forwards?

C Whose gonna say dee (2), dee (18), forward (34) ?

Are any of you thinking they do A, B, or C , enough to say place a wager?
Not advocating gambling; just want to see what you all think.


(((Scott, when I wentbackwards to refresh what we (me) were discussing, I found it and a postr by me up their FOUR freaking times!!!!! Old people!
- wiz1901

If they sign Guetznel it'll be defender forward defender.

The problem hasn't been scoring for them, when i say passengers i mean defensively. Both McDavid and Draisaitl have become way way way more physical this year than playoffs past, same with being defensively responsible. Samething happened to the Bolts and Kucherov. When your best players finally get tired of being man handled and pushed around and start playing with an edge its as if it's the final step to a team being a Stanley Cup contender.
- BetweenTheDots

Gotcha. I'd agree with that. Kind of like the Hossa progression.

This summer started with the ridiculous contract for Vlasic making him a UFA at 28. Then they gave away a 2nd rounder to move up 2 spots. Now they are dumping the play by play guy because Darren Pang didn't like him? In all the years Darren Pang has been an analyst, can you remember anything he's ever said besides "Holy Jumping?"
- stevefrmglencoe

I heard him say Holy S H. I. T this seasom when observing a great save...

Is only 26., Play's 23 minutes a night, has a cannon for a shot (would easily be first PP point on the Hawks), good in transition, not physical but uses his stick in the defensive zone. Would make S. Jones a second pair defenseman. Only thing is will probably ask for $8 mill. long term, for $7 mil. I would do it.
- LAHawk

And, Hronek is a right shot...... Haven't followed VAN cap news but my guess is they find a way to ink Hronek. Can't remember the compensation but just a couple yrs ago VAN gave up some assets to DET in a trade for him.

I heard him say Holy S H. I. T this seasom when observing a great save...
- wiz1901

That was hilarious

And, Hronek is a right shot...... Haven't followed VAN cap news but my guess is they find a way to ink Hronek. Can't remember the compensation but just a couple yrs ago VAN gave up some assets to DET in a trade for him.
- Mr Ricochet

Van gave up a mid first rounder for him they got from NYI and a second rounder

If they sign Guetznel it'll be defender forward defender.
- fattybeef

I’m going with defense first, then two forwards. Levshunov will be their first pick and hoping Sennecke is there at 18. They will also add two FA’s upfront, hoping Debrusk is one of them. Also glad that Volsters is gone, and I could do without Pang as well, but I at least can tolerate him. One more thing, thanks to you all for bringing a lot of knowledge and insight to this site, I sometimes read other boards on HB, and there’s no comparison to the posts here.

I didn't spend much time angry at Vosters, except that each time he said Blue LIINNNNE, like it was two words, b/c NO other hockey announcer I have ever heard called / said / accentuated the words as it wasn't ONE WORD.

Chrisr Vosters was likable, but his time speaking "chum"-stuff with whomever was his person up there.
I no like Pang Voster dust up rumor.
I didn't like hearing from him if Pang was again taking the under, or holding high praise towards the partner that was over sold praise.
Even if you have two ex-nhl players who probably could never pass play by play school, they tend to be able to assess present time actions, reactions and hockey plays after & before you hear ref's whistles.
[the TNT intermission team is now watchable

During these playoffs action, the two ex-player color announcers can help change the topic's emphasis for the "Jack puck" (the game's play by play guy) and sometimes one or both of the ex-players will articulate the "where the game IS" their perspective. Together the four-miked-up broadcaster does reduce the feeling home broadcast observers right inside the games predicament.

But to me, the pure insightful eyes of Brian Boucher, Ray Ferraro, Panger, and the rest of the ensemble from Eddie 0, to ones I may not have cared for, THEY ALL are EXCELLENT at reading the action, articulatiing it, with the coach interviewer, color 'tween the benches" (ice level), Play by play announcer, and Color play by play announcer, to align with the intermission reports / rap up.

Vosters lacked growth in learnng that his partner's words were offering him as a jumping into the current place the game has reached...a way "in" to the telecast conversation.

He was repeating what Pang's point was, instead of building into observations, and the play by play lacked parts. I never wanted bad for him, and he will land upright b/c he is a nice guy.

I'm taking this as hard to play against in that dude is gonna make you pay anytime you're near him. In that context, yea man, a 6ft 7in guy that can skate better than you and seemingly enjoys the physical part of the game will be considered one of the top players listed as being hard to play against..... And that's not considering Siliyev's crazy reach to bust up plays/rushes from 12 ft away.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes exactly. Imagine looking across the ice and seeing Siliyev, Vlasic, Crevier, EDM, Phillips and Allen. I know, most of them are AHL lifers but it would be fun to see.

If they sign Guetznel it'll be defender forward defender.
- fattybeef

I don’t think the Hawks draft strategy will be impacted by the free agents they sign. If they sign a top 6 forward and believe Demidov is the best player available at #2 they’ll take him.

I challenge you to say anything positive KD, LR or the Blackhawks org has done.
- BetweenTheDots

I am positive that KD and LR have ruined the organization. 🤣

They could've offloaded both Pang and Vosters AFAIC. They gave away one of their three 2nd round picks to move up two spots in the first (20 to 18) and four spots in the second (54 to 50). At least be accurate. Also, sorry for the directness, but you're the only guy whining about a contract that was roundly viewed as a solid signing.

When it stops raining in your world Eeyore...err Steve, let me know...or don't.
- HawkintheD

Accurate point about the 4 spots in the 2nd round.

Now that the dust has settled and the euphoria of the Vlasic signing has past, is their anyone besides Vlasic that is happy about the amount and term? For no reason, he is going to make more next year and then most likely be a UFA before Bouchard.

Accurate point about the 4 spots in the 2nd round.

Now that the dust has settled and the euphoria of the Vlasic signing has past, is their anyone besides Vlasic that is happy about the amount and term? For no reason, he is going to make more next year and then most likely be a UFA before Bouchard.
- stevefrmglencoe

You seem angry. You should teach the Blackhawks a lesson by logging out of HB and never coming back. That’ll learn ‘em!

I challenge you to say anything positive KD, LR or the Blackhawks org has done.
- BetweenTheDots

Hagel trade.

You seem angry. You should teach the Blackhawks a lesson by logging out of HB and never coming back. That’ll learn ‘em!
- paulr

I'm floating on clouds.

Scotty, you are not off the hook!

Which one is the defenseman?

You told us your prediction for the Blackhawks first three picks but never said which pick was which.

So NO you are on the hook.

I am going to predict Forward (2),forward (18), defenseman (34).

A Is anybody going to say the take THREE defenseman?

B Is anybody going to say the take THREE forwards?

C Whose gonna say dee (2), dee (18), forward (34) ?

Are any of you thinking they do A, B, or C , enough to say place a wager?
Not advocating gambling; just want to see what you all think.


(((Scott, when I wentbackwards to refresh what we (me) were discussing, I found it and a postr by me up their FOUR freaking times!!!!! Old people!
- wiz1901

I figured you were just trying to emphasize a point

If they sign Guetznel it'll be defender forward defender.
- fattybeef

Free Agency happens after the draft right?

Accurate point about the 4 spots in the 2nd round.

Now that the dust has settled and the euphoria of the Vlasic signing has past, is their anyone besides Vlasic that is happy about the amount and term? For no reason, he is going to make more next year and then most likely be a UFA before Bouchard.
- stevefrmglencoe

Everyone but you seemingly.

Literally, and i do mean literally in every sense of the word, you are the only one i have ever heard complain about this.

This summer started with the ridiculous contract for Vlasic making him a UFA at 28. Then they gave away a 2nd rounder to move up 2 spots. Now they are dumping the play by play guy because Darren Pang didn't like him? In all the years Darren Pang has been an analyst, can you remember anything he's ever said besides "Holy Jumping?"
- stevefrmglencoe

Apparently lindstrom not doing full physical testing at combine.

Max Bultman: The Blackhawks obviously have a big decision on their hands here. I think I can guess where you both stand based on your lists, but Scott, we’ll start with you. How would you approach this?

Wheeler: I think the calculus has to be about upside for the Blackhawks. They have a strong, deep pool that has focused primarily on speed and/or work ethic at forward and length on defense. Kevin Korchinski. Oliver Moore. Frank Nazar. Sam Rinzel. Lukas Reichel. Ethan Del Mastro. Ryan Greene. Nick Lardis. Colton Dach. Wyatt Kaiser. Roman Kantserov. Gavin Hayes. Nolan Allan. Alex Vlasic has become a real positive with the NHL club. But they don’t have another true star coming behind Bedard.
I’m a huge believer in Levshunov. He was No. 2 on my board for longer than Demidov this year and the appeal of his size, length and free-spirited game is real. I think he’s going to be a stud, but he’s not a surefire No. 1, and there isn’t a player in this class after Celebrini who is more talented than Demidov. I see first-line, game-breaking-level skill. A potential running mate for Bedard at five-on-five and on PP1. I’m talking point-per-game upside. They’re going to need another one or two of those around Bedard (every top team has two at minimum and sometimes three or four) and the best way to find that is to draft it because those guys are almost never available in free agency.
The Blackhawks are also only going to get so many bullets at the draft before they have to start to round the corner, and while we expect them to have a high pick again next year, odds are they won’t win one of the lotteries and draft at No. 2 again. This is quite likely their best and only chance to draft a forward with Demidov’s upside.

Bultman: Corey, how do you think the Blackhawks should look at this choice?

Pronman: Levshunov is the choice for me at No. 2. He ticks every box. He has an NHL frame and skating ability. He has great hands and offensive sense. He makes a ton of plays, showing more offense in the Big Ten as a draft eligible than either Owen Power or Quinn Hughes at the same age. He also played tough minutes and killed penalties for Michigan State even if his defensive play isn’t the main thing I like about him. He had arguably the best modern-era season ever by a draft-eligible defenseman in college, he just happened to do it in the same season in which Zeev Buium was arguably better. He looks like a potential No. 1 defenseman in the NHL in my book. He has some Brent Burns in him.
Almost every other top prospect will have some questions. Cayden Lindstrom has some minor health and offense questions. Anton Silayev has some minor puck-moving questions. For Demidov, it would be size and minor skating concerns. Silayev and Demidov also have the Russian variable. I would consider Carter Yakemchuk here but I don’t think that’s the universal thought in the league.
I can pick Levshunov and sleep easy at night. He looks on the path to stardom and fills the incredibly difficult spot to acquire of a potential 1st PP/ No. 1 defenseman if he hits.

Bultman: I think Scott’s point about maximizing the upside of this pick is a really interesting one. Corey, you obviously have Demidov lower on your list, but that list factors in more than upside. Would you agree Demidov is the highest-upside player?

Pronman: Well I think Levshunov has a ton of upside. I think he’s the second most talented player in the draft. It’s clear NHL athleticism mixed with clear NHL skill. Demidov is the most purely skilled player in the draft but upside to me is more than just pure skill, as I also think Levshunov has a ton of natural offense in his game as well.
You can connect the dots, if Levshunov hits, to a Burns or Erik Karlsson type. You can connect the dots with Demidov to an Artemi Panarin or Kirill Kaprizov type. All are elite players I’d love to have, but the Norris-contending No. 1 D is the player I would prefer. I also don’t buy Demidov’s upside of the same level. He is ridiculously skilled, but he has athletic limitations with his frame and awkward, albeit powerful skating stride that will concern me in how his game will translate to the NHL. I have no such hesitations with Levshunov and the skill gap is not enough to bridge the large athleticism gap for me.
You asked me how Chicago should look at it as well. I think we all can watch Demidov and Silayev on tape and compare it to what we’ve seen of Levshunov. We all have our opinions and I may be right or wrong, but I’m not going to get fired if I’m wrong on Levshunov vs. Demidov. The people in Chicago may, or it may be a major contributing factor, so I would want to be absolutely sure about that player and the lack of live views would weigh on me if I thought the decision was at all close.