He is tall, he’s not big. He’s a bean pole.
- paulr

You can always add weight, can’t add height. Feed that boy some good midwestern steaks.

Interesting tweet from Cam Robinson re Demidov.

https://x.com/Hockey_Robi...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Interesting tweet from Cam Robinson re Demidov.

https://x.com/Hockey_Robi...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- boilermaker100

That’s impossible. Since the lottery we’ve been told that the Hawks choice is only between Levshunov and Demidov.

The Blackhawks took Artyom Levshunov out to dinner last week. Even before hearing that, picking him was starting to seem like a foregone conclusion.

That being said, I would prefer Dedimov. Just incredible handles, vision and patience gives me Patrick Kane vibes
- Hawkeynation

Makes for a good smoke screen doesn't it?

The five minute major kind of screwed up the Oilers game plan of making the Panthers play 200 feet of hockey, i like this coach for the Oilers

The five minute major kind of screwed up the Oilers game plan of making the Panthers play 200 feet of hockey, i like this coach for the Oilers
- BetweenTheDots

We grow em good at the greatest game out here! I'm cheering for him if they win then the cup will be really close again this year!

From last Blog, catching up didn't realize there was a new one up;


Buium is Jewish and Connolly retweeted a swastika on his social media account.
- paulr


I really hate the fact that even someone in their young teens makes a mistake, apologizes of it, and is branded for life.

Did he go something stupid? He did. He apologized for it, and doing things to help right what he did wrong. Obviously i'm not there and don't know the real truth, but think the kid deserves at least a 2nd chance.

Hopefully a team has the balls to take him, and I hope he thrives never does anything like this again, and can make the other 31 teams kick themselves for not giving him a chance.

Thank god none of this stuff was around in my 20s and 30s let alone my mid teens....

I'd probably be in one of those goolags that all the Russian players who want to play in the NHL keep getting thrown in.
- vabeachbear

Unfortunately you missed the context. Prior to that I said there could be some awkward moments if Buium and Connolly are drafted on the same team. And yes you’re right kids have to be given a second chance but a stupid mistake can hurt people. Hopefully Connolly has learned.

You can always add weight, can’t add height. Feed that boy some good midwestern steaks.
- Angotti

He should be able to put some weight on. He’s broad in the shoulders but he’s just slight at this point in his life. Cal Ritchie filled out after getting drafted I’m sure Sennecke will as well unless he grows another two inches.

Great assist by Bouchard on the go-ahead goal. Florida up 2-1.

Convergence:

The top tier or top two tiers end right about when the Blackhawks draft at #18

The fast dropping stock option aka Deminov will fall into our lap like TT did

Possibly

Too tough to grab second overall but too tough to pass on at # 18

Actually I am going to predict some GM makes a conditional trade to move up a few spots and snatch him

Convergence:

The top tier or top two tiers end right about when the Blackhawks draft at #18

The fast dropping stock option aka Deminov will fall into our lap like TT did

Possibly

Too tough to grab second overall but too tough to pass on at # 18

Actually I am going to predict some GM makes a conditional trade to move up a few spots and snatch him
- jhawk59

Demidov will not get pass 5

Demidov will not get pass 5
- Scott1977

Hoping it is Catton that falls to #18. He is already in the mid-teens on a few mocks.

Hoping it is Catton that falls to #18. He is already in the mid-teens on a few mocks.
- totem

Lindstrom at 2 jirchek or emery at 18

Watching more prospects and if KD is true to the model he is building he adds Levshunov @ 2.

Fluid skater, makes a nice pass. Needs work on his shot but Bedard would help him with that.

The Refs should have called a five-minute major so that they could look at the replay. That was a clear elbow to the head. Two-minute ruffing was a BS call. The NHL protecting its super-stars. Plus, he left his feet to make the hit. This is why the NHL is a second-rate league.

On a slightly different note- am willing to concede to Jayhawker's assessment on the SCF- Edmonton is in deep doo doo - Florida won their 2 at home, they win one up in Edmonton -this one will be over fairly quickly thereafter. I know that home ice isn't always as big of a deal as it used to be- but it is still a thing too -even if a little diminished.

Great assist by Bouchard on the go-ahead goal. Florida up 2-1.
- DarthKane

Where's Steve from Glencoe?


Whatever the Bouch settle for in salary, he certainly didn't deserve Alex Vlasic money ($700,000 dollars more tonight...bouchard settled with a hometown discount to help keep the personnal adds and subtracts can continue before Mcdavid and Draisaitl are kaput.

It is the biggest game of Bouchard's career tonight and they need a win to make sure the "91% chance Panthers win the Cup with a second win," and s h i t s the bed. No once. Weak defensively i said - was that Friday?

Bouchard wuill never be a solid NHL defender.

Makes for a good smoke screen doesn't it?

- rpeters01

Why would they need a smokescreen? Its their pick, no one else picks before them for 2.

I am not necessarily jumping on any of you, but maybe it id not worth it, gettin g SO invested in why the Hakws have to take one or the other....and agruing your case????

At some point I know I have to come off the ledge on players I think will be the Hawk saviors.
And I know selecting that low with the chorus telling you Belarusian defender or russian winger.

You DON'T KNOW and I don't know whose evaluations lead to the teams conclusion.

I do know one thing:

I look at the Panthers and really like four of their defenseman in their Cup run.
You need FOUR very high level defenders.
Eckblad, Montour, Forsling and the aging EOL give them four to sprinkle around Kulikov and Mikkola.

I am also going to acknowledge that I completely understabnd how the league is filled with excellent skating, stick handling, and carrying defensers who who may seem like big boys that should punish, but defensemen nowadays have so much more than just physicality in the old school sense.

The Hawks are going to need more than Vlasic, Korchinski (if he makes it) and fillers...they are going to need another big fluid guy with the ability to be a high end piece that does all well.

A big gun is a excellent weapon but it makes more sense to have a fuller toolbox.
And enough of a game at draft night to make the team selecting you think, "he is gonna help all around.

So more than two weeks out, there is no reason for anyone here to start calling the prospect a bust, who ever he is.

Just saying...

Hoping it is Catton that falls to #18. He is already in the mid-teens on a few mocks.
- totem

That would be amazing, but I doubt he falls out of the top 10.

Lindstrom at 2 jirchek or emery at 18
- Scott1977

Levshunov at #2 and Eiserman at #18. 👍👍

On a slightly different note- am willing to concede to Jayhawker's assessment on the SCF- Edmonton is in deep doo doo - Florida won their 2 at home, they win one up in Edmonton -this one will be over fairly quickly thereafter. I know that home ice isn't always as big of a deal as it used to be- but it is still a thing too -even if a little diminished.
- SC116

I keep thinking how Edmonton will enjoy better match ups with the home ice SO they win two at home and the series is even

I know that we as fans do not know who is playing hurt. In a game where turnovers is part and parcel I have to ask if a rookie such as Broberg might have some gaffes coming? And might one of the goaltenders let in a couple bad goals

I still like Florida but Edmonton didn't get here by accident. Edmonton has to even the series- awaiting their effort to do so.

You're right - but the margin for error becomes razor thin. One screw up at home is all it takes.

---

By the way, anyone remember if they took Bedard out to dinner before the draft?

He might have missed out.

I am not necessarily jumping on any of you, but maybe it id not worth it, gettin g SO invested in why the Hakws have to take one or the other....and agruing your case????

At some point I know I have to come off the ledge on players I think will be the Hawk saviors.
And I know selecting that low with the chorus telling you Belarusian defender or russian winger.

You DON'T KNOW and I don't know whose evaluations lead to the teams conclusion.

I do know one thing:

I look at the Panthers and really like four of their defenseman in their Cup run.
You need FOUR very high level defenders.
Eckblad, Montour, Forsling and the aging EOL give them four to sprinkle around Kulikov and Mikkola.

I am also going to acknowledge that I completely understabnd how the league is filled with excellent skating, stick handling, and carrying defensers who who may seem like big boys that should punish, but defensemen nowadays have so much more than just physicality in the old school sense.

The Hawks are going to need more than Vlasic, Korchinski (if he makes it) and fillers...they are going to need another big fluid guy with the ability to be a high end piece that does all well.

A big gun is a excellent weapon but it makes more sense to have a fuller toolbox.
And enough of a game at draft night to make the team selecting you think, "he is gonna help all around.

So more than two weeks out, there is no reason for anyone here to start calling the prospect a bust, who ever he is.

Just saying...
- wiz1901

Forsling is the prototypical example of this. He may be the best Dman in the series.

Calling a dman playing in the NHL at age 18 or 19 is a bit silly, i'm sure when its here it is done for humor, at least mostly.

Just go back and watch early Duncan Keith

Levshunov at #2 and Eiserman at #18. 👍👍
- DarthKane

We're in Synch and with every mock I see and watch on Youtube, he just gets trashed.

I don't get it.

I'm cool with Leshy (tired typing his whole name) if we're getting Eisy at 18