Blackhawks
Levshunov and Jiricek

Me
Silayev and Jiricek

I also heard it was Philly who rejected the trade with CBJ yesterday

Let’s see, you don’t want him to select a defenseman who’s ranked at 2 or 3 but you’d be fine if he has the number five pick and uses it to go off the chart to pick a guy ranked between 11-18?
- paulr

Levshunov is as far back as 8 on some lists.

https://twitter.com/ByronMBader/status/1805650903187497239?t=ulapv4lksALab3yLK2B2tA&s=19

I don't know how accurate this guy is with his data, but interesting he sees him only projecting as a 3rd line center
- BetweenTheDots

A third line center is still valuable. The prospect on Montreal I like is Florian Xhekaj, a winger on Nick Lardis’ line in Brantford who put up the same numbers as Beck but he’s 6’4 200, skates well, has some skill and he’s a mean (frank)er.

Montreal has some really good prospects and young NHL players. They need a game breaker, Demidov would look good there.

https://twitter.com/ByronMBader/status/1805650903187497239?t=ulapv4lksALab3yLK2B2tA&s=19

I don't know how accurate this guy is with his data, but interesting he sees him only projecting as a 3rd line center
- BetweenTheDots

I'm not sure how him and the JFresh guy come to these conclusions..? I know Bader has Levshunov as the 3rd best dman behind Buium and Parekh I believe.
Interesting that he has Beck as a 3rd liner though.

Levshunov is as far back as 8 on some lists.
- LFS

Yes he is and Demidov is back as far as 5, there is lots of differing views on many of there prospects.

Just saw Demidov walking from the show at the Fontainebleau. He is bigger than I thought. Wide shoulders. I saw Levshunov and said, "Blackhawks are picking you tomorrow night." He said, "We will see tomorrow." Ran into Frank Seravelli. He asked me where we were from and when I said Chicago, he said, "I can't understand why everyone is so down on the young defensemen. It takes a while to get good in the NHL and they will be good."
- stevefrmglencoe

Cool. I remember almost running over Debrincat on the lake front trail after he got drafted and he lived down the street from me for a few years. Anyone who said he was "small" was wrong. Big shoulders, calves the size of my thighs and looked like a body builder just kinda short.

Definitely interesting when you meet some of these guys in real life.

I am just happy I have reached Draft day, and still am so excited about the draft as i was for generations.

I am starting to feel that 21 is looking like one of the tier cut off points.

and the Kings trade out to select at #26

I am betting that the kid off so many draft lists, Connelly, is there if they want him.

Montreal acquires a 2024 1sr Rd pick from Los Angeles for 2024 1st Rd. pick 26th (Winnipeg), 2024 2nd Rd pick 57th (Colorado) and a 2024 7th Rd. pick 198 (Montreal).

So L.A. gets late second #57 and a 7th to drop 5 long slots down.

I wanna spend the free time to back track and answer a bit about the Norwegian defender, Stian Solberg.

He was a guy destined to the secon round until his international showings help NHL teasm trust there is a bit of shot, that accompanies his limited puck skills as an attacker. Stian Solberg is a big wide body like Artyom Levshunov. And where Levshunov reacts with anger after the bear is poked, Solberg's game can be just plain mean.
Of all the defenders bunched as the elite in front of Solberg, the one with the most nasty snarl is the big Russian, Anton Silayev, and his defensive game is look upon as gauranteed solid defensively.
Carter Yakemchuk 120 pims suggest there is some nasty there, but he is gonna need to develop his defensive awareness. The stick and shot are there.
(All this said to get to Solberg;

He isn't in their class, and doesn't shoot like Yakemchuk, but Stian Solberg is already far ahead defnsively that Carter Yakemchuk, but it is hard to see his offensive side close to comparable.

You take him becasue you feel a tough RD guy with the defense close to in place puts him higher b/c there may be demand, and some see him as the next best (over Adam Jiricek's 20 game season and rehab.)

It is not for me to say.
But it is ok to use the draft to fill your dee corps with a guy you will never have projected as a high pair and probably can play him less after the rookie deal ends.

The guys on my board I wish I could snap my fingers and they would vanish:

Dean Letourneau - I want him out of there. I hate guys I project in slots on upside only. On his best day, I smell Adam Creighton.

Igor Chernyshov - his back issues has been reporteed but largely ignored. He is middle of the road on all he does, and he needs to develop more playmaking skills.
I prefer teams choosing a underdog than a guy thought simnply as a top six candidate but a real complimentary as oipposed to impacting top six.
Cole Beaudoin- he is simply slow. It doesn't disreagrd his smarts and ability to take charge of a 3rd line.
But if there is ANY fan out there waiting with bated breath that this is their team's target????

A third line center is still valuable. The prospect on Montreal I like is Florian Xhekaj, a winger on Nick Lardis’ line in Brantford who put up the same numbers as Beck but he’s 6’4 200, skates well, has some skill and he’s a mean (frank)er.

Montreal has some really good prospects and young NHL players. They need a game breaker, Demidov would look good there.
- paulr

These draft prognostications are getting boring, these kids won't be playing for 3-4 years.

Please start some kind of trade rumour like Seth Jones and #18 for Aaron Ekblad. Or Jones for Morgan Rielly.

Someone said in a re-draft 5 years from now, Iginla would be the best player.
Hawks will need one those of the heart and soul guys eventually to mix things up, win board battles, etc. Sort of like a Tkachuk type.
- boilermaker100

When I got that Boston goalie to Ottawa trade pick incorrect and thought that it was 7 that was traded, I was sure Bruins were goiung after Ignila with the aging LW they alrrady have to school him some too.

My prediction:
KD is seen using multiple burner phones:
Trades #2 to Canadiens for #5 #21, and Owen Beck.
#2 - Canadiens pick Demidov
#3 - Ducks pick Lindstrom
#4 - Blue Jackets pick Silayev
#5 - Hawks still able to get their guy Levshunov
Utah trade #6 for Seth Jones 50% retained (Plus other fillers)
#6 - Hawks take Iginla
Hawks trade #18 & 2025 2nd Round #42 (from Dallas) for #14
#14 - Hawks take Eiserman
#21 - Hawks take Solberg
Hawks trade #34 plus I. Phillips to Winnipeg for Rutger McGroarty
Hawks end up with Levshunov, Iginla, Eiserman, Solberg, Owen Beck, and Rutger McGroarty.

Realistically....Nothing happens and the Hawks stand pat
#2 - Levshunov
#18 Hage

My Preference:

Demidov @ 2
EJ Emery @ 18

Hawks probably take:

MSU kid and Hage

My prediction:
KD is seen using multiple burner phones:
Trades #2 to Canadiens for #5 #21, and Owen Beck.
#2 - Canadiens pick Demidov
#3 - Ducks pick Lindstrom
#4 - Blue Jackets pick Silayev
#5 - Hawks still able to get their guy Levshunov
Utah trade #6 for Seth Jones 50% retained (Plus other fillers)
#6 - Hawks take Iginla
Hawks trade #18 & 2025 2nd Round #42 (from Dallas) for #14
#14 - Hawks take Eiserman
#21 - Hawks take Solberg
Hawks trade #34 plus I. Phillips to Winnipeg for Rutger McGroarty
Hawks end up with Levshunov, Iginla, Eiserman, Solberg, Owen Beck, and Rutger McGroarty.

Realistically....Nothing happens and the Hawks stand pat
#2 - Levshunov
#18 Hage
- spudrock512

Thank you, spud! You just made the draft interesting again to me...

@PatMcAfeeShow
"The belief is that Jake Guentzel had an ask for Carolina which I believe is 8x8..

I think the Hurricanes have indicated that they will do that contract and now we're waiting to see if it gets hammered out" ~ @FriedgeHNIC

Seems like too much term,but in 3-4 years if the cap continues to go up, it might not look so bad.

My prediction:
KD is seen using multiple burner phones:
Trades #2 to Canadiens for #5 #21, and Owen Beck.
#2 - Canadiens pick Demidov
#3 - Ducks pick Lindstrom
#4 - Blue Jackets pick Silayev
#5 - Hawks still able to get their guy Levshunov
Utah trade #6 for Seth Jones 50% retained (Plus other fillers)
#6 - Hawks take Iginla
Hawks trade #18 & 2025 2nd Round #42 (from Dallas) for #14
#14 - Hawks take Eiserman
#21 - Hawks take Solberg
Hawks trade #34 plus I. Phillips to Winnipeg for Rutger McGroarty
Hawks end up with Levshunov, Iginla, Eiserman, Solberg, Owen Beck, and Rutger McGroarty.

Realistically....Nothing happens and the Hawks stand pat
#2 - Levshunov
#18 Hage
- spudrock512

That would be fun to watch. No need to retain on Jones though UTah has the space.

My prediction:
KD is seen using multiple burner phones:
Trades #2 to Canadiens for #5 #21, and Owen Beck.
#2 - Canadiens pick Demidov
#3 - Ducks pick Lindstrom
#4 - Blue Jackets pick Silayev
#5 - Hawks still able to get their guy Levshunov
Utah trade #6 for Seth Jones 50% retained (Plus other fillers)
#6 - Hawks take Iginla
Hawks trade #18 & 2025 2nd Round #42 (from Dallas) for #14
#14 - Hawks take Eiserman
#21 - Hawks take Solberg
Hawks trade #34 plus I. Phillips to Winnipeg for Rutger McGroarty
Hawks end up with Levshunov, Iginla, Eiserman, Solberg, Owen Beck, and Rutger McGroarty.
- spudrock512

Please be right, please be right, please be right.

In terms of guys who could end up better than Celebrini, I think Demidov is the way likelier case than Levshunov.

That’s right, I agree with your assessment Leveshunov is not good enough or worthy #3 overall. Take the risk with Demidov and his knees pose later on.

Team needs to add a dynamic talent at forward position. And I would actually overpay to get Utah #6 or the 10th - 13h overall. I want either Eiserman or Silayev if they aren’t scooped up. Silayev in particular would be someone who we badly need should he even come close to filling his potential

Demidov along with certain other forwards we have drafted won’t likely impact until after next season so let’s hope KD acquires someone at minimum for next season who can provide some offensive contribution
- jhawk59[/img]

Silayev has two more years in khl the probably a year at R. Demidov and dont look back.

In terms of guys who could end up better than Celebrini, I think Demidov is the way likelier case than Levshunov.
- ObeseOprah

Why?

And what’s worse I’ll call anyone who KD selects but who I didn’t choose a bust.
- paulr

I thought you didnt have an opinion.

I thought you didnt have an opinion.
- LFS

via GIPHY

Draft is exciting, glad it's finally here. I can't wait to see which faces will be added to the pipeline.

I always remind myself that the rankings of the prospects aren't a prediction of draft order, because each team has their own method to the madness. 32 different teams will have 32 different opinions and priorities.

Not looking forward to the inevitable female dogging from part of the fanbase about who the Hawks "didn't" pick once they make their selection at #2. Whoever they pick will be who we get. I'm pretty confident we'll get a great building block to join the team in the next few years as it should be hard to miss with #2.
- breadbag

Kaako

Silayev has two more years in khl the probably a year at R. Demidov and dont look back.
- LFS

This whole waiting thing is crazy. He ain't playing in the A, he more than holds his own in the KHL at 17.

Even Lazerus is on the Demidov train with his latest article:


Lazerus: Blackhawks owe it to themselves and to Connor Bedard to draft Ivan Demidov at No. 2
- captainserious

Laz is a click bait kinda writer but he makes a fine argument for drafting the Cossack. His point is he's talked to many collecting an NHL paycheck, especially in Vegas, and those who back Levshunov like him very much but those who back Demidov are passionate about and absolutelylove the kid.

Demidov evokes strong emotion that Levshunov does not. I fall exactly into that category. Kid is a rare dynamic game changer but Levshunov is more like a left tackle on a Super Bowl champ. Not real sexy but a foundational piece.

Glad this will soon be over for KD and Crew. This has got to be a miserable exercise over the 7-8 weeks since the lottery for those who have to call the final shot.

Laz is a click bait kinda writer but he makes a fine argument for drafting the Cossack. His point is he's talked to many collecting an NHL paycheck, especially in Vegas, and those who back Levshunov like him very much but those who back Demidov are passionate about and absolutelylove the kid.

Demidov evokes strong emotion that Levshunov does not. I fall exactly into that category. Kid is a rare dynamic game changer but Levshunov is more like a left tackle on a Super Bowl champ. Not real sexy but a foundational piece.

Glad this will soon be over for KD and Crew. This has got to be a miserable exercise over the 7-8 weeks since the lottery for those who have to call the final shot.
- Mr Ricochet

And then the rest of the fun begins when people start to post highlights and pt totals for both Demidov and Levshunov