If I were a betting man, I’d say Darth had that one the moment KFC’s name was gaining traction as our next possible GM.

As long as we’re making requests from him though, could we also see Unicorn riding, rainbow’s originating from his hands KFC too, please?
- HawkintheD

Excellent idea. Can't wait to see what the King of Sarcasm whips up.

Ok who will be the guy to bring up politics in the new thread first?
- paulr

Politics in Winnipeg Manitoba are heated in the latest rejection by American Rutger McGroarty and his lack of patience in the Jets not wanting to ice both Cole Perfetti and another on the job trainee.

How was that?

Just in case there's no activity, have the Stan napping image updated with KFC's face.
- mohel

Speaking of Stan, did the Hawks hire him in secret to handle the RFA qualifiers? Not much news on that front. Maybe he's trying to figure out the fax machine.

The explanation why either or both Allen and Phillips is shipped out will be interesting. I have some thoughts BUT I am not going to dangle my thoughts here since I have not seen enough or read enough about their development. Specificly, the next stage of development

We have read how RIchardson liked Allen's make up, calling him a hockey player (hard nosed). We know that Phillips has the tool set but it takes more than just raw skill. Mr Richochet will be all over any change of address for Phillips

Two defensemen from.Providence could be signed BTW if deemed worthy
- jhawk59

When he made in to pro hockey Nolan allen stopped wearing make up.

I missed this idea they were shipped out.

Phillips is close to his high water mark skill wise. His on ice IQ can still improv, and I don't think they are giving him away unless there is a closer timeline on the return in the deal...

Politics in Winnipeg Manitoba are heated in the latest rejection by American Rutger McGroarty and his lack of patience in the Jets not wanting to ice bothe Cole Perfetti and another on the job trainee.

How was that?
- wiz1901

I think we should have a debate.

I think we should have a debate.
- rpeters01

Thanks for being the first one, taking the pressure off me...

I know Artyom Levshunov was down in Florida and AT the player agent Milstein's Russian Showcase, as he is ALSO a Gold Star client.

At first, I thought that Chicago's team owner ws there to meet Demidov but it looks like he got to put his apporval on both.

I thought that maybe that the owner's inclusion was solely for a final blessing on Demidov, but that wasn't the case.

I think everyone can be happy with either kid.

Big week coming up. I posted this in the last blog.

This from Dave Pagnotta's column at The Fourth Period.

At least eight teams have expressed serious interest in Zegras, including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres, and I believe other clubs have also been in the mix.

Regarding the specific asking price, it varies team-by-team and so far, nobody will elaborate on the specific demands aside from emphasizing it’s a “big price.”

...

Chicago is another team I’m keeping my eye on this week. The Blackhawks are looking to add a top-line winger and have a few irons in the fire, beyond interest in Zegras.
- boilermaker100

And really this is interesting because it seems there is a few players/ prospects in play. Teams that are rebuilding don't need to make any of these trades so it comes down to who makes the best offer. KD can kick the tires and submit his initial trade package and go from there.

Appears most are dismissing Demidov's leg injuries, but Lindstrom became a do not touch because of his back
- LAHawk

LA, have you run across anything speaking to a possible injury risk for Demidov due to his skating style? .......

Im taking the defenseman if he truely is a number one defenseman
He will have a bigger impact on the team in the playoffs playing 25 plus minutes a game.
Still waiting on a comparison of his game to a current nhl player

The above changes if Demidov can play center and I believe he is closer to 6' 1" tall
I think Bedard ends up on wing due to his size and the physical nature of playoff hockey
- molly2522

The two Levshunov comps I've read are Drew Doughty (Chris Peters at Flo Hockey whos says he doesn't normally do comps) and John Carlson (either Pronman or Wheeler from The Athletic, I think)

Ok who will be the guy to bring up politics in the new thread first?
- paulr

I'm in the corner over here doing my best Horshack impression with my hand raised in the air, oooh, ooh oooh oooh, oooh, ooooh oooh, Mr Cottier.

D's take longer to develop into strong NHL players, I think Chi goes with the D (just my guess). They also saw him multiple times this season, they know the player very well vs Demidov. Chi will be able to draft another top 5 pick next season where a few forwards will be great. Need to build the right hand D side sooner than later.

I know Artyom Levshunov was down in Florida and AT the player agent Milstein's Russian Showcase, as he is ALSO a Gold Star client.

At first, I thought that Chicago's team owner ws there to meet Demidov but it looks like he got to put his apporval on both.

I thought that maybe that the owner's inclusion was solely for a final blessing on Demidov, but that wasn't the case.

I think everyone can be happy with either kid.
- wiz1901

I think we'll be happy with whomever the Hawks select. Really exciting times to see some new faces that may have a real big impact coming in the next year or two.

D's take longer to develop into strong NHL players, I think Chi goes with the D (just my guess). They also saw him multiple times this season, they know the player very well vs Demidov. Chi will be able to draft another top 5 pick next season where a few forwards will be great. Need to build the right hand D side sooner than later.
- Symba007

Their hope is to move out of the bottom 5 this season and at least make some progress in the standings, but probably a lock to pick top 10 next year for sure.

When he made in to pro hockey Nolan allen stopped wearing make up.

I missed this idea they were shipped out.

Phillips is close to his high water mark skill wise. His on ice IQ can still improv, and I don't think they are giving him away unless there is a closer timeline on the return in the deal...
- wiz1901

You have told me this about Phillips a few months ago And yes he may be nothing special as a depth or bottom pair dman. I can point to his decision making and sometimes he takes off on a solo dash which the coaches do not want him doing such. With his size skating and shot we are expecting more. With his professional experience has more than the other prospects and he has been challenged to be more physical. So he is sort of hanging around but not really exciting the coaches …,,that is Phillips showcase

Allen needs another year AHL. Somewhere I read that Allen was questioned as really being all to good enough. I just want to know whether as a professional that he can make good passes under pressure. Specifically coming out of his own zone. Allen should just be left on his natural left side so that his development is not slowed or hindered

Angotti mentioned how this pair of dmen might be moving along; I have not a clue or heard about that

LA, have you run across anything speaking to a possible injury risk for Demidov due to his skating style? .......
- Mr Ricochet

Yes on hockey prospects radio with Shane Malloy. This was about 3 weeks ago. I caught only some of it. I guess Mitchkov has the same type of style, but he said Mitchkov is built differently and is less prone to a leg injury.

Their hope is to move out of the bottom 5 this season and at least make some progress in the standings, but probably a lock to pick top 10 next year for sure.
- breadbag

They can hope all they want, i believe next 2 years they will be drafting between 3 and 7. Murphy, Hall and AA can't stay healthy. So he needs to sign 2 RD, bring in at least 3 quality forwards just to compete with the bottom 15 teams.

179 GF is not going to win you many games

Yes on hockey prospects radio with Shane Malloy. This was about 3 weeks ago. I caught only some of it. I guess Mitchkov has the same type of style, but he said Mitchkov is built differently and is less prone to a leg injury.
- LAHawk

I do remember you posting this a little while back. Have you heard or read anything since to corroborate or dispel Malloy's concerns that Demidov's skating is an injury concern?

An aside, reading Wheeler's 3 times a week latest mock he mentioned that teams are being covert about Buium. Said not 1 club had him out to dinner. ..... Damn, that kid Just. Makes. Plays.

You have told me this about Phillips a few months ago And yes he may be nothing special as a depth or bottom pair dman. I can point to his decision making and sometimes he takes off on a solo dash which the coaches do not want him doing such. With his size skating and shot we are expecting more. With his professional experience has more than the other prospects and he has been challenged to be more physical. So he is sort of hanging around but not really exciting the coaches …,,that is Phillips showcase

Allen needs another year AHL. Somewhere I read that Allen was questioned as really being all to good enough. I just want to know whether as a professional that he can make good passes under pressure. Specifically coming out of his own zone. Allen should just be left on his natural left side so that his development is not slowed or hindered

Angotti mentioned how this pair of dmen might be moving along; I have not a clue or heard about that
- jhawk59

Jhawk, that’s just speculation on my part. Sooner or later they’ll have to move a LD or two, especially with all these picks coming up this year and next.

Appears most are dismissing Demidov's leg injuries, but Lindstrom became a do not touch because of his back
- LAHawk

Most leg injuries, people can fully recover from or close to it. Back injuries tend to never go away fully and can linger for the rest of your career. Even if the pain goes away, you're more susceptible to reinjury. Just too many moving parts, between the joints, discs, bones ligaments, muscles, and nerve endings. Ask Seabs

Speaking of Stan, did the Hawks hire him in secret to handle the RFA qualifiers? Not much news on that front. Maybe he's trying to figure out the fax machine.
- boilermaker100

We should start to hear more this week, as I think the QO need to be done by June 30.

The explanation why either or both Allen and Phillips is shipped out will be interesting. I have some thoughts BUT I am not going to dangle my thoughts here since I have not seen enough or read enough about their development. Specificly, the next stage of development

We have read how RIchardson liked Allen's make up, calling him a hockey player (hard nosed). We know that Phillips has the tool set but it takes more than just raw skill. Mr Richochet will be all over any change of address for Phillips

Two defensemen from.Providence could be signed BTW if deemed worthy
- jhawk59

Jhawk, it's true it seems I'm higher on Phillips than most, I think the guy has an NHL career, but like anyone else in the organIzation not named Bedard (I think as next season goes along Nazar might be added to that/my list) he's an asset and will/should be used to make the squad better whether that's as a Hawk or used to acquire someone that will be a Hawk.

And, don't go to sleep on Allen. I saw him a lot more as a jrs player than at RKF so I'm not comfortable speaking to his progress but this kid is built for, has the game and mentality to be an NHL shutdown guy. ........ Like Rinzel I think Allen was overdrafted but I'm ok with a GM doing that. If you like a kid and he's not going to be around for your next pick overdraft him.

I do remember you posting this a little while back. Have you heard or read anything since to corroborate or dispel Malloy's concerns that Demidov's skating is an injury concern?

An aside, reading Wheeler's 3 times a week latest mock he mentioned that teams are being covert about Buium. Said not 1 club had him out to dinner. ..... Damn, that kid Just. Makes. Plays.
- Mr Ricochet

Friedman mentioned that most of the negative rumors about Demidov were started by one team that hoped he would fall to them. Buium did stand out when I watched the frozen four. Very shifty

Friedman mentioned that most of the negative rumors about Demidov were started by one team that hoped he would fall to them. Buium did stand out when I watched the frozen four. Very shifty
- ObeseOprah

Probably Philly like last year

The two Levshunov comps I've read are Drew Doughty (Chris Peters at Flo Hockey whos says he doesn't normally do comps) and John Carlson (either Pronman or Wheeler from The Athletic, I think)
- Larmer

I am not in favor of trying to compare kids to esatblished players.

The main ide in selecting Levshunov is that he DOES aspire and eventually be a stalwart whose size will skate into a position to roadblock attackers with collisions and stand ups inside the size with his bulk.
Ther is no issue with waht eh does with the puck; he is good at that part and it is not easy to look at Michigan State's success and think it would have been close to thatwith him not there.

I am gonna take more unothodox way of "comparing" which doesn't use past stars as the baseline.
(I just think that the defnse position in general has morphed and the better young NHL players are one with so much stick and skating and they play more of a part in all phases especially the attack part, as they get comfortable.)

So I prefer using young established nhl pro as my way to compare...using Seider, Dobdson, Q Hughes, even Braden Schneider...

To me Mikhail Sergachev is a nice comparison. You got to see by Sergachev's injury absence just how well his part Lightning backline was im pacted.
Sergachev is a skater, smart in his end and can suddenly hurt the opposition with his offensiev skills.

He also was, at times, separated and anchoired his own pairing admirally as their less than stellar CAP backline replacements needed a strong anchor.

That is specifically how I see Levshunov, a kid who will cover for Korchinski, play minutes in any situations and surprise with the abilityb to bolster the entire line up by his addition.