Nope. Only that it's not Russia but now I'd kinda like to know as well.
- HawkintheD

Russia matches his Demidov infatuation.

Nope. Only that it's not Russia but now I'd kinda like to know as well.
- HawkintheD

He lives in Russia, but he doesn’t know it yet.

I lived in chicago for 64 years.. season ticket holder for 23 years. Getting crazy in US so moved back.
- LFS

That narrows it down to Ireland or Poland.

Daily Faceoff article on Hawks top 10 prospects. Just one guy's opinion.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....chicago-blackhawks-top-10

Spoiler alert. Of the top 10, 2 are holdovers from the Stan era, 2 from the 2023 draft class, 3 from the 2024 class and 3 from the 2025 class. Six of them are 1st rounders.

One thing I found odd is that both Gajan and Commesson are on his list.
- boilermaker100

Didn't see Crevier? Looks like Kaiser, Allen and Phillips will have trouble making Rockford.

Ha ha. Living in Japan for a very good chunk of my life and back and forth between HK, East Asians definitely do not consider Russia in East Asia.
- Popsghostly

WWII Germany would agree with you.

That narrows it down to Ireland or Poland.
- rpeters01

I’m betting on Liechtenstein.

Back to hockey. Just some general info since we're all learning something new today.

I found a web site that allows one to access archived web sites. For instance if one wants to look at the last or a historical capfriendly page go here and type capfriendly.com in the search box, then select a date. It also works for other URL's.

https://web.archive.org/

Along the same lines, capfriendly had an armchair GM page that I used to visit. Puckpedia went live on their own version last week.

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/

I’m betting on Liechtenstein.
- paulr

I think he's in witness protection.

Mid-summer trades:

To Ottawa:

Xavier Bourgault
Jake Chiasson

To Edmonton:

Roby Jarventie
2025 4th round pick

Daily Faceoff article on Hawks top 10 prospects. Just one guy's opinion.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....chicago-blackhawks-top-10

Spoiler alert. Of the top 10, 2 are holdovers from the Stan era, 2 from the 2023 draft class, 3 from the 2024 class and 3 from the 2025 class. Six of them are 1st rounders.

One thing I found odd is that both Gajan and Commesson are on his list.
- boilermaker100

Thanks for sharing, BM...... I can't copy and paste right now but there is a link to Pope's top 20 prospects in the link you shared. IMO Pope is much more accurate than Ellis is but interesting none the less. .. A lot of legit prospects that makes ranking them difficult and the variance of the rankings by writers/scouts speaks to that.

I do like Ellis ranking Lardis in the top 10. Don't know if I agree with that but do agree the kid can fly, shows a real feel off the puck and is probably the top goal scoring threat in the pipeline. ...... His 20 yr old season in jrs, his last, is gonna be fun to watch.

If Rinzel takes a similar step as the one he took this yr he might push his way into the top 5.

Lotta folks underrate Commesso IMO. Kid climbs the ladder slowly and effectively and seems to understand and accept a process. NTDP for 2 yrs, NCAA for 3 yrs and now enters yr 2 in the AHL. In all of those yrs he was the starter and he ended this yr as the Hog's starter.

He lives in Russia, but he doesn’t know it yet.
- Angotti

Very clever, Lou. The worst part of that is it just might end up being true for a few countries.

I want all to know I think he is rally quick, reflexive and full of upside but his success imo, is tied to how well the team playing with this kid adjusts.


- wiz1901

Do you remember what height Askarov was listed at in his draft yr? I keep thinking he was 6ft 2in his draft yr, now he's listed at 6ft 4in. ..... The kid's style was to track the puck at an elite level and just let his ridiculous reflexes/athleticism take over from there.

Be interesting to follow what Trotz decides on the kid.

Do you remember what height Askarov was listed at in his draft yr? I keep thinking he was 6ft 2in his draft yr, now he's listed at 6ft 4in. ..... The kid's style was to track the puck at an elite level and just let his ridiculous reflexes/athleticism take over from there.

Be interesting to follow what Trotz decides on the kid.
- Mr Ricochet

How many left handed glove goaltenders were in the NHL last season and the average amount during past decade?

How many left handed glove goaltenders were in the NHL last season and the average amount during past decade?
- jhawk59

You mean how many right catching goalies... Don't know but not many that's for sure. ....... Don't get caught up in right or left catching goalies. In fact, if anyone has an advantage it's the right catching goalies as shooters don't see them much.

Thanks for sharing, BM...... I can't copy and paste right now but there is a link to Pope's top 20 prospects in the link you shared. IMO Pope is much more accurate than Ellis is but interesting none the less. .. A lot of legit prospects that makes ranking them difficult and the variance of the rankings by writers/scouts speaks to that.

I do like Ellis ranking Lardis in the top 10. Don't know if I agree with that but do agree the kid can fly, shows a real feel off the puck and is probably the top goal scoring threat in the pipeline. ...... His 20 yr old season in jrs, his last, is gonna be fun to watch.

If Rinzel takes a similar step as the one he took this yr he might push his way into the top 5.

Lotta folks underrate Commesso IMO. Kid climbs the ladder slowly and effectively and seems to understand and accept a process. NTDP for 2 yrs, NCAA for 3 yrs and now enters yr 2 in the AHL. In all of those yrs he was the starter and he ended this yr as the Hog's starter.
- Mr Ricochet

Pope's top 20.
Artyom Levshunov, RHD
Frank Nazar, C
Oliver Moore, C/LW
Wyatt Kaiser, LHD
Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
Drew Commesso, G
Landon Slaggert, W
Sam Rinzel, RHD
Nolan Allan, LHD
Colton Dach, W
Sacha Boisvert, C
Marek Vanacker, W
Gavin Hayes, W
Paul Ludwinski, C
Ryan Greene, C
Nick Lardis, W
Roman Kantserov, W
Sam Savoie, W
Adam Gajan, G
John Mustard, W

Pope's top 20.
Artyom Levshunov, RHD
Frank Nazar, C
Oliver Moore, C/LW
Wyatt Kaiser, LHD
Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
Drew Commesso, G
Landon Slaggert, W
Sam Rinzel, RHD
Nolan Allan, LHD
Colton Dach, W
Sacha Boisvert, C
Marek Vanacker, W
Gavin Hayes, W
Paul Ludwinski, C
Ryan Greene, C
Nick Lardis, W
Roman Kantserov, W
Sam Savoie, W
Adam Gajan, G
John Mustard, W
- boilermaker100

Ellis’ top 10

Artyom Levshunov, RHD
Oliver Moore, C/LW
Frank Nazar, C/RW
Sam Rinzel, RHD
Sacha Boisvert, C
Ethan Del Mastro, LHD
Adam Gajan, G
Drew Commesso, G
Nick Lardis, LW
Marek Vanacker, LW

Funny how differing the opinions are.

Next season some prospects are going to get a look and some may stick on the NHL roster. More likely past the half way point and or after the trade deadline we can begin to see the majority of prospects begin to filter in

I am.watching if a Lardis and, later, Kantserov land a spot on the roster.....of course neither likely or even a brief look from Lardis is the most I would gauge
Is possible for next season

After next season I do believe a lot of kids will get a look and could see the attitude of play as many kids as possible, go for it no matter the win/loss outcome
The kids is the future

Do you remember what height Askarov was listed at in his draft yr? I keep thinking he was 6ft 2in his draft yr, now he's listed at 6ft 4in. ..... The kid's style was to track the puck at an elite level and just let his ridiculous reflexes/athleticism take over from there.

Be interesting to follow what Trotz decides on the kid.
- Mr Ricochet

Is there a better goalie prospect out there? It seems like he gets the most ink, which tells me he will be pricey. I’d take a right handed catching goalie, I recollect the Hawks having one that was pretty good.

Next season some prospects are going to get a look and some may stick on the NHL roster. More likely past the half way point and or after the trade deadline we can begin to see the majority of prospects begin to filter in

I am.watching if a Lardis and, later, Kantserov land a spot on the roster.....of course neither likely or even a brief look from Lardis is the most I would gauge
Is possible for next season

After next season I do believe a lot of kids will get a look and could see the attitude of play as many kids as possible, go for it no matter the win/loss outcome
The kids is the future
- jhawk59

There are several forwards with expiring contracts after this season - Hall, Donato, Athanasiou, Maroon and Smith. Maybe one or two are interested in sticking around and will sign an extension, others will either be traded away at the TDL or allowed to walk. Let's say 4 openings next year. IMO two prospects and 2 free agent vets on short term contracts. Prospects would be among. Nazar, Slaggert, Hayes, Dach. Doubt if Lardis makes the jump next season straight from Juniors to the NHL. Moore will probably leave college and spend a year in Rockford with Lardis and many others during the 25-26 season.

Next season some prospects are going to get a look and some may stick on the NHL roster. More likely past the half way point and or after the trade deadline we can begin to see the majority of prospects begin to filter in

I am.watching if a Lardis and, later, Kantserov land a spot on the roster.....of course neither likely or even a brief look from Lardis is the most I would gauge
Is possible for next season

After next season I do believe a lot of kids will get a look and could see the attitude of play as many kids as possible, go for it no matter the win/loss outcome
The kids is the future
- jhawk59

The advantage with Kantserov is he's already playing in the KHL against men and doing pretty well. Shouldn't be too bad of a transition and is a really interesting player.

The advantage with Kantserov is he's already playing in the KHL against men and doing pretty well. Shouldn't be too bad of a transition and is a really interesting player.
- fattybeef

But, will he be allowed to come over

But, will he be allowed to come over
- vabeachbear

*obligatory political comment*

Probably. I'm not unconvinced a duffel bag full of cash doesn't solve most potential problems like that.

But, will he be allowed to come over
- vabeachbear

Nope!

Is there a better goalie prospect out there? It seems like he gets the most ink, which tells me he will be pricey. I’d take a right handed catching goalie, I recollect the Hawks having one that was pretty good.
- Angotti

Between him and the Wild's Jesper Walstedt I'd guess.

Probably. I'm not unconvinced a duffel bag full of cash doesn't solve most potential problems like that.
- fattybeef

With the 'probably' camp. Same reason.