We think that we know what Kyle is going to do at #2, but, I am thinking there is time to change horses.

It would be a luck that Eiserman falls to #18, but stranger things have happened- I think that would have to happen, it would mean Trevor Connelly doesn't fall out of the top #17, which no one but the scouting staffs have the answer to...that pulled him from their lists for past teeenage decisions.

Well my picks have the correct teams in fromt of them and I change my mind in the 2nd and later rounds everyday, but keep moving my favs around.

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

I will enjoy seeing if Kyle explodes with a move during day two, because day one will be his to manipulate, or simply patiently back off his impulsiveness.

Free agency and trading will begin next week too.

Signing Guentzel could run between $8.5 million and $9.5 million annually ad he wants FIVE years not two.

So as said already, KD gets to be graded a bit more clsoely this time around.


- wiz1901

Hope it is to all our satisfaction.

World peace might be a more realistic ask. 😉

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.
- BetweenTheDots

About the same as Kane's 2010 cup winner. 2020 Bob is back.

About the same as Kane's 2010 cup winner. 2020 Bob is back.
- rpeters01

I think it's more than just Bob, they know the forwards are crashing the points and as soon as they get the puck they are firing on net, good game plan, trying to get a deflection for a goal, and it doesn't allow the Panthers to set up in defensive layers. McDavid recognizes when that 3rd pairing is on the ice and is skating through them very real concern for the Panthers.

Markstrom to NJ. Flames get NJ's 2025 1st rounder and defenseman Kevin Bahl, 23, former 2nd round pick. Devils still have the #10 pick this year.

Markstrom to NJ. Flames get NJ's 2025 1st rounder and defenseman Kevin Bahl, 23, former 2nd round pick. Devils still have the #10 pick this year.
- boilermaker100

I thought NJ first rounder this year was protected if in the top 10?

Oh nevermind i thought it was conditional on the basis of being a top 10 pick, didn't realize it was for making the ECFs, because they didn't it turned into a 2nd round pick.

Well...none of it matters as Pronman's latest mock in The Athletic has the Draft playing out as follows for Chicago:

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA (BIG10))

The winds certainly feel like they’re blowing in the direction of Levshunov being the pick here. Teams feel like the Blackhawks are high on Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom as well, and I don’t think they’ve truly decided who they are taking, but the odds favor the big, dynamic defenseman from Michigan State.

18. Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (SWEDEN-2)

Chicago jumps at Brandsegg-Nygard getting to 18, adding skill and scoring but also some size and bite to their prospect pool. It feels like they will probably take a forward here if Levshunov goes at No. 2.
- HawkintheD

I would never describe levshunov as dynamic.

My main point isn’t size, it’s a question. Does Demidov (or any player in the draft) project as a guy who can play in the rough going? If any player is a guy who projects as guy who has no appetite to play in the tougher areas in tougher games he’s no use, is he?
- paulr

So which players do you feel project as not having an appetite to play in tougher areas?

Markstrom to NJ. Flames get NJ's 2025 1st rounder and defenseman Kevin Bahl, 23, former 2nd round pick. Devils still have the #10 pick this year.
- boilermaker100

So here's to Mrazek having 2 good healthy years and around the same save percentage, actually an even better save percentage.

The fact is you watch prospects for tendencies, does he shy from tough areas, does he avoid contact, does he give up possession to avoid a hit? My only point is whatever player KD is looking for project as a “playoff or regular season guy”?
- paulr

So how did kane project?

Levshunov is strong in the areas of play and size which are needed to be a quality defenseman in any league...a bit different than being counted upon to be a forward, able to circumvent those defenseman AND be a difference-maker in tight checking games where toughness and courage are necessary as an attacker.

Levshunov likes contact,and collisions favor him due to his 4 direction skating, balance and already developed physique.
- wiz1901

And demidov has been good at scoring… and avoiding checking defensemen. Demodov gives you what other forwards dont. What levshunov gives you other defensemen will also deliver.

So how did kane project?
- LFS

Kane was on a team that had a Plethora of guys that can play big boy playoff hockey, so far we are building out the skill guys and hopefully they can play the big boy game when it counts, else we backfill with UFAs or trades. Too bad stan cant consult to Kyle, "make sure you trade and then extend with a NMC"

I thought NJ first rounder this year was protected if in the top 10?

Oh nevermind i thought it was conditional on the basis of being a top 10 pick, didn't realize it was for making the ECFs, because they didn't it turned into a 2nd round pick.
- BetweenTheDots

The 2025 pick NJ just traded to Calgary is also top 10 protected.

Kane was on a team that had a Plethora of guys that can play big boy playoff hockey, so far we are building out the skill guys and hopefully they can play the big boy game when it counts, else we backfill with UFAs or trades. Too bad stan cant consult to Kyle, "make sure you trade and then extend with a NMC"
- glennjpawlak22

This entire thing about who to draft or not to draft is interesting. I draft the most talented, not a bad skater, combined with the most compete player i can if it's a forward, defense you need skill, skating helps but size helps as well. Top 4 dmen don't grow on trees, and 100+ point forwards don't either. Very tough decision but I'm trusting KD to make the right decision with the 2nd pick whoever that may be.

The 2025 pick NJ just traded to Calgary is also top 10 protected.
- boilermaker100

I did see that, so much for this year's top 10 pick being for sale.

Markstrom to NJ. Flames get NJ's 2025 1st rounder and defenseman Kevin Bahl, 23, former 2nd round pick. Devils still have the #10 pick this year.
- boilermaker100

Calgary seems really bad at trading

Calgary seems really bad at trading
- vabeachbear

And Calgary retaining 1.875M of Markstrom's cap hit the next 2 years.

This from Hawks Insider. Hawks are looking to trade for Jeanot from Tampa. Pang got Vosters fired. Kane is going to Vegas. The Blackhawks are considering a logo change to a hawk wearing the Indian feathers.

Thinking that no matter what happens in game 6, and possibly game 7, that the Conn Smythe should go to McDavid? With Bob giving up a few, and no one else standing out on the Panthers. Thoughts?

Which one will it be?

This from Hawks Insider. Hawks are looking to trade for Jeanot from Tampa. Pang got Vosters fired. Kane is going to Vegas. The Blackhawks are considering a logo change to a hawk wearing the Indian feathers.
- bjphawkfan

Ugh
Can't believe the whole logo thing is still up for debate
This on twitter/X? Or somewhere else?
If they do change the logo,I hope they change it to a blackhawk helicopter with a big American flag on it.

This from Hawks Insider. Hawks are looking to trade for Jeanot from Tampa. Pang got Vosters fired. Kane is going to Vegas. The Blackhawks are considering a logo change to a hawk wearing the Indian feathers.
- bjphawkfan

Wasn't that the guy the Bolts traded 5 picks (including a 1st and 2nd) and a roster player for?

This from Hawks Insider. Hawks are looking to trade for Jeanot from Tampa. Pang got Vosters fired. Kane is going to Vegas. The Blackhawks are considering a logo change to a hawk wearing the Indian feathers.
- bjphawkfan

this might make me a fan of another team. Ridiculous

Which one will it be?


- boilermaker100

Hopefully its not the wrong one, or maybe a better way to look at it, hopefully there isn't a wrong choice

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


- vabeachbear

One more time, did Philly goalie try to leave Russia with his bags packed, get stopped before he could leave and conscripted for a yr into the army during a war?

One more time, VB, was Michkov's Pops found floating in a pond face down?

And one more time is there even the most remote chance that EVERY Cossack on earth has to come back to Russia every 5 yrs to renew their passport? ..... Siliyev, with the Utah Club, can't enter Canada to play EDM in rd 2 cuz his passport is not current/valid circa 2028?

I could dig up a few one more times but will end with one more time zero tolerance for risk with the #2 ESPECIALLY with 4-5-7 legit top 5 caliber players on the board.......... That said I see a kid with 100+ point NHL skills and if KD and Crew drafts him I assume they scrubbed this up and down and are as sure as you can be about questions not even thought of yet that the kid will come AND stay despite having family in a country run by a War Pig and his "friends".

And the dopamine spigot runs like a hydrant for this fan cuz my team just took a kid with 100 pt skills... Don't matter though cuz they'll take a RS Dman, with size, can skate, has some bite, some offense, jumped every hurdle coming to the US only 2 yrs ago and a floor of a 2nd pairing guy.

This narrative is just not factual
- vabeachbear

I always appreciate being corrected when I'm off but you are correcting me without addressing what part of my "narrative" is not factual, VB??......... Help me, VB.