I didn't either. Its also interesting some of the talk about him being a big defensive defender when it really looks like he's a foot on the gas attacking player that hopefully isn't a liability on the d zone or getting too aggressive. I think another year of him in the NCAA just pecker smacking the league and coming into the NHL closer to 225 wouldn't be bad.

Also gives some insight into why Waddell was so high on Lindstrom. They were pretty heavy on analytics in Carolina.
- fattybeef

Same with the Ducks drafting Beckett. Considering Verbeek drafted Mintyukov 10th OA, i think Wiz is more right than wrong on Demidov and his skating since both CBJs and Ducks passed on him.

They got a defenseman back who was top 4 in Arizona, plus Geekie a #11 overall draft pick in 2022. He was rated higher than Nazer, higher than McGroarty. they also got a second round pick.. And cap space to sign Guentzel.

i think that is more than basically nothing. As with KD's trades, will take a few years to determine the outcome.
- LAHawk

Geekie was drafted higher for sure don't think he's better than Nazar, the dman is okay from the Utes but Sergachev is a stud. You know i talk about the net negative, like him trading for Jeannot. You are right though about it'll take some time but i believe their Cup window is gone now and they are trying to do what the Blackhawks and Pittsburgh did.

Same with the Ducks drafting Beckett. Considering Verbeek drafted Mintyukov 10th OA, i think Wiz is more right than wrong on Demidov and his skating since both CBJs and Ducks passed on him.
- BetweenTheDots

I think the big thing with Demidov was the unknown unknown aspect rather than the known unknowns. Plus they have Kansternov over there who had a really nice end of season and stayed injury free playing against men.

Would have been a nice get if they could have taken a wag at 4 but who's to say they wouldn't have taken Lindstrom instead based on the metrics they had on him?

Early look at next year's draft class. IMO, Hawks should be picking around 8-10.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....gs-extremely-early-top-32

Geekie was drafted higher for sure don't think he's better than Nazar, the dman is okay from the Utes but Sergachev is a stud. You know i talk about the net negative, like him trading for Jeannot. You are right though about it'll take some time but i believe their Cup window is gone now and they are trying to do what the Blackhawks and Pittsburgh did.
- BetweenTheDots

Cup window could be gone, but they actually got younger trading a 26 year old for a 24 year old (that was first pairing for Arizona with Durzi last year), and 20 year old, and a second rounder. Looks to me as more of a retooling than a lets run the same core out there and try and add to the fringes. And they let 34 yo Stamkos walk and used the money on a 29 year old Guentzel.

Geekie and Naser are 2 different type of hockey players, Geekie projects as a power forward (fits Tampa's style), and Naser is fast, creative offensive player (fits Chicago style)

Looks like Tampa is trying to retool to me than try and extend the Cup window with Stamkos. unlike what chicago and Pittsburgh did.

Geekie was drafted higher for sure don't think he's better than Nazar, the dman is okay from the Utes but Sergachev is a stud. You know i talk about the net negative, like him trading for Jeannot. You are right though about it'll take some time but i believe their Cup window is gone now and they are trying to do what the Blackhawks and Pittsburgh did.
- BetweenTheDots

Sergachev might be a stud but he cost $8.5M for 7 more years and they were not going to not extend Hedman. So between Stamkos and Sergachev (coming off a broken leg last season) they peel about $17M off their payroll.

The return from Utah might be real good or turn into nothing much. Got younger if nothing else.

I think right decision to let Stamkos walk. McDonagh reaquire is puzzling.

Sergachev might be a stud but he cost $8.5M for 7 more years and they were not going to not extend Hedman. So between Stamkos and Sergachev (coming off a broken leg last season) they peel about $17M off their payroll.

The return from Utah might be real good or turn into nothing much. Got younger if nothing else.

I think right decision to let Stamkos walk. McDonagh reaquire is puzzling.
- RickJ

McDonough's contract is for 2 more years, makes more sense than Toronto signing 34 year old Chris Tanev for 6, 32 year old OEL for 4 while still having 30 year old Morgan Reilly on the books for 6 more years.

I thought Treviling would be better than Dubas, now not so sure.

Cup window could be gone, but they actually got younger trading a 26 year old for a 24 year old (that was first pairing for Arizona with Durzi last year), and 20 year old, and a second rounder. Looks to me as more of a retooling than a lets run the same core out there and try and add to the fringes. And they let 34 yo Stamkos walk and used the money on a 29 year old Guentzel.

Geekie and Naser are 2 different type of hockey players, Geekie projects as a power forward (fits Tampa's style), and Naser is fast, creative offensive player (fits Chicago style)

Looks like Tampa is trying to retool to me than try and extend the Cup window with Stamkos. unlike what chicago and Pittsburgh did.
- LAHawk

I think this is more of a Panarin for Brandon Saad trade than anything else. I think that same year we traded Hjalmarsson for Murphy, classic Bowman retool. This trade looks so much like these. Rick brings up a good point about resigning Hedman but couldn't because they traded for McDonough????

We'll see but all i see here is a gm who made some good moves before their Cup run and after the Hagel trade has poop the bed, I call it Bowmanitis.

With having legitimate NHL forwards now on the Hawks, it will not only help Bedard and Reichel, but it’s going to help KK put up some points this year, the dude can pass stick to stick with the best of them. I didn’t know that he had top end passing skills when he was drafted. If he keeps trending in the right direction defensively, he’s going to be a good one.
2025/26
1st pair - KK/Levshunov
2nd pair - Vlasic/Jones (shutdown pair)
3rd pair - TBD - Allan/EDM/Kaiser/Brodie/Murphy/Phillips
Two of these guys will get moved prior to the 25/26 season, maybe sooner than we think.

McDonough's contract is for 2 more years, makes more sense than Toronto signing 34 year old Chris Tanev for 6, 32 year old OEL for 4 while still having 30 year old Morgan Reilly on the books for 6 more years.

I thought Treviling would be better than Dubas, now not so sure.
- LAHawk

Are you not aware that nobody can ever question the logic of Maple Leafs management? They have discovered that building a champion starts with defence and adding size and muscle. And OEL is going to run the PP because Rielly's point shot can't break a pane of glass.

So this morning Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reported that he has been told that new FA signee Jani Hakanpaa may never play again because his knee is wrecked - bone on bone. I guess Treliving wanted to get somebody this year to match his medical disaster signing of last year - Jon Klingberg.

And how about that Ryan Reaves signing for 3 years last year?

Zito just pulled a KD, he signed Lundell for 6 years at the age of 22.

Take good care of Teuvo. He ain't as fast as he once was but he's still an elite PKer and smart as hell.

Take good care of Teuvo. He ain't as fast as he once was but he's still an elite PKer and smart as hell.
- BINGO!

No problem. We added some beef to the lineup (that will be completely inconsequential to whether or not he gets injured). Excited to have him back.


How are you feeling about the Canes moves thus far?

Take good care of Teuvo. He ain't as fast as he once was but he's still an elite PKer and smart as hell.
- BINGO!

What's the latest on Necas?

Zito just pulled a KD, he signed Lundell for 6 years at the age of 22.
- BetweenTheDots

Complete and utter mismanagement!! Should have either been a bridge deal or 8 years.

Yeah but Montour when he was in Buffalo was the worst defenseman in the league based on advanced analytics. Did the player improve that much, or was he put in a better system/used to his strength's?
- LAHawk

Ah the age old question;

"Was it the player, or was it Colliton?"

[quote=fattybeef]

You mean like Vlasic?

I don't mind the sign guys early part as much as i don't like the sign the wrong guys early.

That is on the GM, Player Personnel folks and the coach

Toews and Kane i didn't have an issue with............

No problem. We added some beef to the lineup (that will be completely inconsequential to whether or not he gets injured). Excited to have him back.


How are you feeling about the Canes moves thus far?
- Chunk

Limited the damage as best they can. I think Carrier and Walker are going to thrive in Raleigh.

Should be a little bit of a youth movement this year as Nadeau/Blake/Morrow grow into the big club and then the monster that is Alexander Nikishin finally arrives at the end of the year.

What's the latest on Necas?
- boilermaker100

Still looking to move him. They're letting interested parties try to work out an extension with his agent to try and maximize the return. You're not going to trade for the guy if you can't sign him.

Geekie was drafted higher for sure don't think he's better than Nazar, the dman is okay from the Utes but Sergachev is a stud. You know i talk about the net negative, like him trading for Jeannot. You are right though about it'll take some time but i believe their Cup window is gone now and they are trying to do what the Blackhawks and Pittsburgh did.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree on this, its hard to cut the cord from cup winners.

Two first round exits, and i'm not sure if you look at the roster, they have improved over last years team. Wish we had one more of their 1st rounders?

Has anyone seen anything on rookie minicamp?

Thought it was going on, hadn't heard much.

Guess cause they don't skate anymore, there's nothing to report.

Take good care of Teuvo. He ain't as fast as he once was but he's still an elite PKer and smart as hell.
- BINGO!

Thanks for turning him into a hockey player.

Still looking to move him. They're letting interested parties try to work out an extension with his agent to try and maximize the return. You're not going to trade for the guy if you can't sign him.
- BINGO!

Interesting, thanks. There are still a lot of teams with 10M + in cap space, including CAR. I wonder if MON, Utah or LA will make move for him. Also Vegas hasn't made their annual big splash yet even though they don't have the space. Maybe some more dominoes yet to fall this summer.

Has anyone seen anything on rookie minicamp?

Thought it was going on, hadn't heard much.

Guess cause they don't skate anymore, there's nothing to report.
- vabeachbear

Just a couple of prospect interviews on the Blackhawks site. Bedard isn't there this time around so maybe they are down playing things.

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/

Wrapping up the 2024 NHL draft thoughts

Was Kevin Weekes forced to wear a black version of Guy Gradner's Green Lantern outfit on day one to make uo for his 2023 Draft error is announcing an elimination pick clsoe to end, adn then commercial break started??

I know Statsletes Meghan Chayka never had a hockey mock that I have seem before this...I know she was on the NFL channel talkng football picks and saying that she is a diehard Buffalo fan, and that she had firnd's in Chicago...but five incorrect on one of the worst mock list in terms of where she had players.

I honestly don't like someone telling who is best and why when I hve never seem them all season saying squat. I would have even preferred Pronman, and we all know how much I love him (kiss kiss)...