2 Suggestions:

1) Spend a day at the Columbia Icefields if you can. And ride the Ice Explorer.

2) While in Alberta never, ever mention the name of Justin Trudeau or the Liberal Party.
- RickJ

Only Trudeau I've ever paid attention to was Jack and he hasn't played QB since '95.

And ask for both grilled and regular raw onion.

Just opened ELite Prospct guide and on Demidov's skating:
Plays with great dexterity and touch which makes him so effective as a handler is every bit as present when he’s ready to send the puck elsewhere.
There’s some concern among our staff that Demidov is prone to overhandling, a problem made worse by playing in a league several steps below his ability. ((Note: The word was play here since you made it clear your not resigning and planning to play in the NHL.)...along with the fact that his wide, unorthodox skating stride and an overreliance on inside-edge maneuvers may limit his success at the NHL level.
The potential is through the roof with Demidov, and he will only be under contract for one more year.
- wiz1901

After careful consideration, I've narrowed down the second pick to a large or small, offensive or defensive player. That's as close as we're going to get to who KD picks. Of course he can always trade the pick.

When the curtain is pulled for the 2026 - 2027'.season how many Blackhawk prospects who KD selected will be in an NHL sweater/unifom
- jhawk59

Eight & a backup goalie.

Point of informations Bedards cousin (by marriage not BLODD) is the top pick in two drafts 2026.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2026

No team really trades these picks without the top TEN protected tag jimbo, so forget about these first round trades at the beginnng of a draft.

Just got through some of the latest Hockey News and they have a good comparison between Levshunov and D!ckinaon. Sounds like they’re closer than some scouts at the Athletic. Michael Hage could be an intriguing guy at 18. Would love to get Iginla but he’ll be gone if he gets to Calgary.
- ObeseOprah

If he lasts for the Flames.

Tij is already so smart and strong and good on the boards in scrums, he knows what he wants to happen and gets it done.
You simply cannit count Iginla out as a smart deceptive scorer, leader, and stirrer.

There is clearly siomething beyound his currect skill and tool box there.

Alternatively asking wiz, how many first round choices will adorn the Indian head crest opening night lineup? Be careful with your addition to derive your answer......if somewhat surprisingly both zFoligno and T Hall are still around
- jhawk59

New players/

None.

or do you mean bedsy, Nazar, KK, ?

no Ryan Greene, or Paul Ludwinski, or gavin hayes either Icedog carrers begin on many of them...
you notice how the current farm is bascially players elected in teh last 5 drafts...so harvet your 2019, and 202o prospects soon or they are goung to cleared for new pro possibles...

Just got through some of the latest Hockey News and they have a good comparison between Levshunov and D!ckinaon. Sounds like they’re closer than some scouts at the Athletic. Michael Hage could be an intriguing guy at 18. Would love to get Iginla but he’ll be gone if he gets to Calgary.
- ObeseOprah

I thought the elite prospects guide was far more definitive, saying all the top 12 defender prospects ALL have unique skill sets and they basically did an add and subtract and they came up with Levshunov having the least "chinks."

I a Hutson type offensive dee generator what is missing in the Hake corps. since they failed miserably tring Boqvist, Beaudin, and Jokiharju...

Some feel that Hage's upside as a pro centre may be hampered by him having more of a perimeter game. I disagree.


In the "just saying" department:

I could see the Blackhawks using that #18 as a luxury pick that is a big swing, at a possible true power wing, or a banger RD, or guy they KNOW is going to take longer at forward but there may be a payoff.

I thought long and hard about this nextb one;

Could the Blackhawks take THREE defenseman in 2, 18, and 34 ?????

THREE forwards since they will be in demand with SO mnay dfensers in this one?

I'm not trying to turn this into a travel blog, but I'm heading to the Banff/Lake Louise area in a couple weeks. To the Canadians here, anything to definitely do or avoid? Planning on a number of hikes and visiting some microbrews.
- Chunk

Sounds like a great trip and just enjoy exploring a bit. it's a really nice area. Kananaskis Nordic Spa is good experience if you are into that kind of thing too.

I thought the elite prospects guide was far more definitive, saying all the top 12 defender prospects ALL have unique skill sets and they basically did an add and subtract and they came up with Levshunov having the least "chinks."

I a Hutson type offensive dee generator what is missing in the Hake corps. since they failed miserably tring Boqvist, Beaudin, and Jokiharju...

Some feel that Hage's upside as a pro centre may be hampered by him having more of a perimeter game. I disagree.


In the "just saying" department:

I could see the Blackhawks using that #18 as a luxury pick that is a big swing, at a possible true power wing, or a banger RD, or guy they KNOW is going to take longer at forward but there may be a payoff.

I thought long and hard about this nextb one;

Could the Blackhawks take THREE defenseman in 2, 18, and 34 ?????

THREE forwards since they will be in demand with SO mnay dfensers in this one?
- wiz1901

I really like Letourneau the more I read and see about him. Maybe lasts to #34?

Sounds like a great trip and just enjoy exploring a bit. it's a really nice area. Kananaskis Nordic Spa is good experience if you are into that kind of thing too.
- breadbag

Yeah, been on the list for a while and we are staying on this side of the pond this year. Thanks for the ideas.

I thought the elite prospects guide was far more definitive, saying all the top 12 defender prospects ALL have unique skill sets and they basically did an add and subtract and they came up with Levshunov having the least "chinks."

I a Hutson type offensive dee generator what is missing in the Hake corps. since they failed miserably tring Boqvist, Beaudin, and Jokiharju...

Some feel that Hage's upside as a pro centre may be hampered by him having more of a perimeter game. I disagree.


In the "just saying" department:

I could see the Blackhawks using that #18 as a luxury pick that is a big swing, at a possible true power wing, or a banger RD, or guy they KNOW is going to take longer at forward but there may be a payoff.

I thought long and hard about this nextb one;

Could the Blackhawks take THREE defenseman in 2, 18, and 34 ?????

THREE forwards since they will be in demand with SO mnay dfensers in this one?
- wiz1901

On one episode of Hockey Prospects Radio on Sirius (Shane Malloy & the other guy) said they thought overall this year was more of a defenceman & goalie draft. They were meh about the depth and quality of forwards available.

Your opinion? You know better than me!

On one episode of Hockey Prospects Radio on Sirius (Shane Malloy & the other guy) said they thought overall this year was more of a defenceman & goalie draft. They were meh about the depth and quality of forwards available.

Your opinion? You know better than me!
- RickJ

If defenders better than the ones in the system are available I’m sure KD takes a hard look. Building the team from the net out ensures a strong foundation. However if a bunch of defensemen are drafted and a certain “bust” were to be moved out I’m sure we’d never hear the end of it.

The Konsta kid seems to be ranked anywhere from #3 to #19 amongst the scouting summaries.

He would be a nice add for the Hawks but I think he's a reach at #2 and I don't see him lasting until #18.

I know I've posted before but I really like the scouting summaries on capfriendly. A lot of kids with multiple reports throughout the season.

https://www.capfriendly.com/scouting-reports
- Rota's Rooter

Been hoping he drops to 12 for Philly.

Been hoping he drops to 12 for Philly.
- flylerid

What are your expectations for Philly this offseason and next year? Competitive, or still rebuilding? Seems that they have a number of above average-to-good players, but not many big timers.

If defenders better than the ones in the system are available I’m sure KD takes a hard look. Building the team from the net out ensures a strong foundation. However if a bunch of defensemen are drafted and a certain “bust” were to be moved out I’m sure we’d never hear the end of it.
- paulr

2 forwards and defenseman with 2 18 34

https://twitter.com/spitt...9ciYyo8B8UFBXaT-kUgw&s=19

Hockey players are just a different breed as much as i think Trouba is an ass, tough kid to play with a broken ankle

What are your expectations for Philly this offseason and next year? Competitive, or still rebuilding? Seems that they have a number of above average-to-good players, but not many big timers.
- Chunk

Been following the Flyers for a long time, last year was half fluke, half retool. They were in the playoff hunt, Tortorella had them outperforming, Coutourier came back… things were working. Then the wheels came off at the end.
I do think that Tort is the main ingredient here, as well as Briere taking over for a historically bad GM in Chuck Fletcher.
Tippet, Konecny, and Farrabee are plus players. Coutourier is great when he actually plays. Michkov possibly coming over this year would be phenomenal for them.
Need a continuation of success from Erson in goal, and the players to keep buying into Torts’ world.


The days of Giroux/Voracek are long gone, Torts has them playing system hockey that could work if they got some more talent.

https://twitter.com/Mario...oVsFCfWuqwXQgxTLNvzA&s=19

Joe Pavelski was an outlier, another case of trying to accumulate a many top picks as you can.

Devils open to trading the number 10 pick, interesting

https://twitter.com/mikem...oF5QZOVKwxlbgiP3eP9w&s=19

Mrazek and Richardinson half their salary retained

Devils open to trading the number 10 pick, interesting
- BetweenTheDots

I believe they're looking for a goalie in return - Saros, Markstrom, Ullmark.

When the curtain is pulled for the 2026 - 2027'.season how many Blackhawk prospects who KD selected will be in an NHL sweater/unifom
- jhawk59

A lot

I believe they're looking for a goalie in return - Saros, Markstrom, Ullmark.
- boilermaker100

Mrazek better than those guys, maybe even with Saros (at least Saros against the Hawks)

Mrazek better than those guys, maybe even with Saros (at least Saros against the Hawks)
- vabeachbear

Maybe trade Mrazek back to Toronto for another first rounder.

Maybe trade Mrazek back to Toronto for another first rounder.

- LAHawk

We need to retain Mrzak because our organizational depth is not good - perhaps in future years goaltender prospects turn out well, but next season we need Mrzak.

Of Mrzak was traded I woykd aim for NJ Devils #10 and we give them our #18

Devils open to trading the number 10 pick, interesting

https://twitter.com/mikem...oF5QZOVKwxlbgiP3eP9w&s=19

Mrazek and Richardinson half their salary retained
- BetweenTheDots

Hawks don't have the assets to move up to 10

I really like Letourneau the more I read and see about him. Maybe lasts to #34?
- Chunk

sure he might be there... it is about which team wants to put in the time and build a bear.