I think KD’s decision aside from BPA, is what will best position the team for sustained success, as that is what Bedard will be thinking about when he needs a new deal.

Totally agreed that this is the draft where we eventually see what KD and his staff is made of. It very well may be the most pivotal draft to date in this rebuild.

This might be the worst ice in a SCF game in a long time.

To be fair your 'what first round pick hasn't come over' from Russia- pretty much can only be measured from the big shift that happened in 2022.

Of which there is a sample size, of precisely 6 players drafted in the 2022 & 2023 1st rounds..

-2024-

* Danila Yurov (Wild)
* Ivan Miroshnichenko (Caps)
* Pavel Mintyukov (Ducks) - and he was over in North America prior to the draft.

-2023-

* Dmitriy Simashev (Yotes now the generic brand Utah team)
* Matvei Michkov (Flyers)
* Mikhail Gulyayev (Avs)


Of these 6 - Miroshnichenko & Mintyukov have played in the NHL, and Mintyukov had been in North America for years before he was drafted, so it is arguable that he even ought to count.

Impossible to tell how many have been prevented from coming over (1st round draft choices since 2022) definitively, the Caps player was - but that's it at the moment.


It was asked- and there it is. To be fair, all this is saying is, until they do, they haven't.

To be fair your 'what first round pick hasn't come over' from Russia- pretty much can only be measured from the big shift that happened in 2022.

Of which there is a sample size, of precisely 6 players drafted in the 2022 & 2023 1st rounds..

-2024-

* Danila Yurov (Wild)
* Ivan Miroshnichenko (Caps)
* Pavel Mintyukov (Ducks) - and he was over in North America prior to the draft.

-2023-

* Dmitriy Simashev (Yotes now the generic brand Utah team)
* Matvei Michkov (Flyers)
* Mikhail Gulyayev (Avs)


Of these 6 - Miroshnichenko & Mintyukov have played in the NHL, and Mintyukov had been in North America for years before he was drafted, so it is arguable that he even ought to count.

Impossible to tell how many have been prevented from coming over (1st round draft choices since 2022) definitively, the Caps player was - but that's it at the moment.


It was asked- and there it is. To be fair, all this is saying is, until they do, they haven't.
- SC116

Defenceman Alexander Nikishin, a Carolina pick in 2020 is putting up huge numbers in the KHL, I’m sure Carolina would love the big defenseman in their lineup. What’s holding him up? Access to Russian players can be unpredictable, be in long KHL contracts or NHL teams unwilling to pay the Rubles to get the player out. Maybe this is where KD can look if ownership is willing to front the money. Make a trade with Carolina for Nikishin, assuming Carolina doesn’t want to pay the ransom and the Hawks scouts feel he’s an upgrade, to improve the Hawk backend.

Defenceman Alexander Nikishin, a Carolina pick in 2020 is putting up huge numbers in the KHL, I’m sure Carolina would love the big defenseman in their lineup. What’s holding him up? Access to Russian players can be unpredictable, be in long KHL contracts or NHL teams unwilling to pay the Rubles to get the player out. Maybe this is where KD can look if ownership is willing to front the money. Make a trade with Carolina for Nikishin, assuming Carolina doesn’t want to pay the ransom and the Hawks scouts feel he’s an upgrade, to improve the Hawk backend.
- paulr

Question would be does he want to come over or does like it there?

Wait! Ben Pope works for the Blackhawks not the Sun Times.

Is Anton Siiayev represented by the agent Dan Millstein, doing the Russian dog and pony show?

Not from Chicago area, never played hockey, and is out of college a half dozen years

He is the Chris Vosters of journalism....

Question would be does he want to come over or does like it there?
- Scott1977

The question everyone should be asking about Demidov is, will he be another version of Artemi Panarin, big time scorer against inferior teams, and disappear in the playoffs when big boy hockey is played, or rise up in the big moments, and understand the next level needed in the NHL, and elevate his game to it?

The “Russian factor” literally makes no sense. In fact, I’d go so far to call it hysteria over unsubstantiated proof.

Historically, what first round picks actually never saw the light of day on this side of the pond? Do we even have a single example of a Russian player not coming over to the NHL since the Cold War ended? Has Russia/The KHL ever actually put their foot down and prevented a player from coming over?

The Rangers had a first round pick in the early 2000s that unfortunately passed away before he had a chance. Kaprizov came over like 5 years after he was drafted (but he was a mid round pick). Podkolzin has struggled with his transition but he eventually came over after being drafted in 2019.

We don’t have a single example this millennia of a Russian player failing to come over as a result of political tension.

As an American-born Russian myself, it paints an unfair picture and doesn’t accurately portray the reality of the situation, which is if a team invests in a player, that player - barring unforeseen circumstances like death - WILL be playing in the NHL should they have the requisite skillset to do so, ESPECIALLY if the team invested premium draft capital like a first round pick. Plenty of Russians came over, failed, and went back. It happens, but they DID come over. But I’m still looking for concrete evidence to WHY a Russian born elite talent SHOULDN’T be picked.

Demidov is the no-brainer as BPA. I won’t complain about Levshunov because he does fit a need the Hawks lack, but spare me the B.S. of the “Russian factor”. It’s much ado about nothing.
- TommyHawk

Maybe but I don’t recall Russia being at war with another sovereign nation on Europe’s doorstep since the end of the Cold War. Putin is also a wildcard.

I will say the bigger “Russian” concern to me is can he adapt/assimilate into US culture and NHL culture. Sounds like he’s already learning English.

I think that tends to be the biggest issue. I’m sure some come with a big time attitude too that causes issues. Their tires are probably pumped 24/7 in Russia as being the next big Russian star etc. big fish small pond and then come here and small fish in the NHL pond.

Shapiro did talk to Demidov. Dealing g with an ankle injury should resume skating in about 2 weeks.
- Scott1977

I want him in Buffalo with the others whether he does pull ups or stands up srtraight to look taller.

Why wouldn't you parade him a the real combine instead of the Union of hungry agents and players republic ofF t. Lauderdale?
(whose bitter he couldn't get in?)

I want him in Buffalo with the others whether he does pull ups or stands up srtraight to look taller.

Why wouldn't you parade him a the real combine instead of the Union of hungry agents and players republic ofF t. Lauderdale?
(whose bitter he couldn't get in?)
- wiz1901

Supposedly Demidov was in Florida since June 1, so he could have gone to the combine.

I just have to chuckle at the narrative that Russia is the only government who does bad things

It like Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan never happened.

And what any of it really has to do with Hockey is baffling to me.

One more time, name me one Russian player who wants to play in America and can't.

and if you are going to name the Russians drafted in the last two years, go ahead and name all the other 1st rounders from the last two drafts that aren't playing in the NHL yet either

and looks like we'll have a game 6, no way Edmonton could blow a 2 goal 3rd period lead right?

Shapiro also made some good points about the agent of the Russian matters.

Milstein and Gold Star based in Ann Arbor, and doesn't have any Russians that didn't come over.

He wouldn't be helping himself long term by being adamant that he's coming over after this KHL season.

Shapiro also made some good points about the agent of the Russian matters.

Milstein and Gold Star based in Ann Arbor, and doesn't have any Russians that didn't come over.

He wouldn't be helping himself long term by being adamant that he's coming over after this KHL season.
- vabeachbear

Demidov apparently didn’t sign a KHL contract so he’d be available sooner and was punished for not signing by not getting much KHL playing time. But as you say some Russian players aren’t as interested in playing in the NHL as some others. The KHL tying players up in longer contracts is another issue, and of course paying the KHL team for the rights to a player is another problem.

My biggest concern about Demidov and I haven’t heard the answer from anywhere. Is he a big game player like Datsyuk or a regular season player like Panarin, both similar sized players.

The question everyone should be asking about Demidov is, will he be another version of Artemi Panarin, big time scorer against inferior teams, and disappear in the playoffs when big boy hockey is played, or rise up in the big moments, and understand the next level needed in the NHL, and elevate his game to it?
- dahawks8819

He was the MVP for the playoffs he played in. Also had a higher PPG than the reg season. He can only play in the league he was assigned to.

The only way to know is once he gets into the playoffs.

Watching this Florida team, no way this game is at this point if its Q coaching. Hope he gets another shot.

Watching this Florida team, no way this game is at this point if its Q coaching. Hope he gets another shot.
- SaskHawkFan

In every series this Oilers coaching staff is so good at understanding what the opponent is trying to do and take it away.

If the Panthers don't get back to being responsible with the puck they will give he Oilers a chance to steal the cup from them.

Tell me the fix is not in for Edmonton. Did you hear Dave Jackson's excuse for the embellishment call? He basically said if a player is hooked around the wrists he should fall to the side or backwards. If he falls forward it is embellishment. Now tell me, how many times have you seen a player hooked around the wrists, fall forward, and have never been called for embellishment? And tell me, when is it allowed to play with 7 men on the ice for an extended period of time?

Tell me the fix is not in for Edmonton. Did you hear Dave Jackson's excuse for the embellishment call? He basically said if a player is hooked around the wrists he should fall to the side or backwards. If he falls forward it is embellishment. Now tell me, how many times have you seen a player hooked around the wrists, fall forward, and have never been called for embellishment? And tell me, when is it allowed to play with 7 men on the ice for an extended period of time?
- powerenforcer

Well that doesn't change the fact forgot who it was made a terrible pass that led to a shorty?

The terrible McDavid goal given up by Bob.

In every series this Oilers coaching staff is so good at understanding what the opponent is trying to do and take it away.

If the Panthers don't get back to being responsible with the puck they will give he Oilers a chance to steal the cup from them.
- BetweenTheDots

Disgusting. Hate to see that happens.

Tell me the fix is not in for Edmonton. Did you hear Dave Jackson's excuse for the embellishment call? He basically said if a player is hooked around the wrists he should fall to the side or backwards. If he falls forward it is embellishment. Now tell me, how many times have you seen a player hooked around the wrists, fall forward, and have never been called for embellishment? And tell me, when is it allowed to play with 7 men on the ice for an extended period of time?
- powerenforcer

Come on PE you should know better about starting more conspiracy theories after Chicago got Bedard after you went through the old Bettman hates Chicago thing. You do realize there are lots of Canadian “Powerenforcers” saying Bettman hates Canada and will never let a Canadian team win.

I think KD’s decision aside from BPA, is what will best position the team for sustained success, as that is what Bedard will be thinking about when he needs a new deal.

Totally agreed that this is the draft where we eventually see what KD and his staff is made of. It very well may be the most pivotal draft to date in this rebuild.
- TheDrumonMadison

No second guessing. Do your research at the just concluded combine and reportedly the agent player review in Florida. I expect teams did such as follow up to their "rough draft" list. KD really cannot afford to make a bad decision. I have more faith in him than previously in Bowman and chief scout Kelly.

Remember taking a chance on Boqvist who already had one concussion ( previous to draft?) And have to get it right if the player will project able to handle the physical side of NHL hockey

Now as for Dach there was some bad luck with injury but I don't think he had the right coaching in Chicago.

It appears Dach is an Injury prone player NOW

So with our draft history I will cringe if we select Lindstrom or Demidov.

Did realize Rangers did this Barclay Goodrow was on waivers this was about
I knew the team below the Blackhawks in wavier standing was San Jose, it reminded. me that was Goodrow's team before Tampa Bay, right?

So they aren't claiming him either.



There some rivals teams who were suggesting his deal with Sharks that he agreed to was far less money than he could have got (?Through arbitration?), as Goodrow was given a promise of an agreement later to make it right?

Might that agreement have been for him to be traded (to Tampa) ?

Goodrow does provide retaliation for Bedard attacks, and is ready to fight anybody,
but he's doesn't bring down the scoring pressure the way a Jake Guentzel would, adding another scoring threat that opens thinks for Conner

He was the MVP for the playoffs he played in. Also had a higher PPG than the reg season. He can only play in the league he was assigned to.

The only way to know is once he gets into the playoffs.
- Elbows15

Russian play is notoriously not very physical, and is played on a larger surface.

Russian players tend to disappear during NHL playoff games. It took Ovechkin at least a decade to understand what it took to complete. And Chicago, Columbus and the Rangers are still waiting to see it from Panarin.

Defenceman Alexander Nikishin, a Carolina pick in 2020 is putting up huge numbers in the KHL, I’m sure Carolina would love the big defenseman in their lineup. What’s holding him up? Access to Russian players can be unpredictable, be in long KHL contracts or NHL teams unwilling to pay the Rubles to get the player out. Maybe this is where KD can look if ownership is willing to front the money. Make a trade with Carolina for Nikishin, assuming Carolina doesn’t want to pay the ransom and the Hawks scouts feel he’s an upgrade, to improve the Hawk backend.
- paulr

Wasn't he (the Canes' guy, a 2nd rounder? That was the reason I left him off.

I know there was a guy who was a first rounder in 2021 (the Preds I think) - and he came over as well -with a purely Russian hockey background.