Interesting article here from Pope about some of the prospects overseas (and Thompson at Denver).

https://chicago.suntimes....dan-thompson-jiri-felcman

I'm wondering if after hearing what Lev said about having someone else that speaks Russian, KD might take that more into account when considering draft picks and/or trade and FA targets. Probably not too much but may seep into the conversation.

Kevin Korchinski named AHL all-star MVP. 1 goal, 3 assists and a shootout goal. I'm sure it wasn't a tight checking event but still good for him.
- breadbag

Good for Kevin I am more then a little skeptical of him ever since they drafted him so early. Fingers crossed Hawks did not ruin his confidence playing him up with the big team ,when he should have gone back too Jr. Levshunov getting a look .

Indeed it was. He was indecisive and caught in no man's land when the puck came down and flat-footed while Spellacy was in stride.
- Chunk

I’m with Elbows, a 3rd round pick might as well be a 5th round pick, not many make it, however I’m rooting for Spellacy, love his size and speed. Would love to one day see a line of Spellacy, Boisvert, and a skill player like Nazar on the other wing.

Good for Kevin I am more then a little skeptical of him ever since they drafted him so early. Fingers crossed Hawks did not ruin his confidence playing him up with the big team ,when he should have gone back too Jr. Levshunov getting a look .
- oldduffman

. Most 18 and 19 year olds are not physically ready to play against men. Many are not emotionally ready. And most kids don’t have the skills or understanding of the game to play professionally. Korchinski is one example of why rushing young players to play pro is counter productive. He was and still is not strong enough. His offensive game was good but not great in junior. But his defensive game was very weak. Playing in Chicago last season then getting demoted at the beginning of this season served no one well. Look at Nick Lardis, last season he was scoring over a point a game. This season he’s having an incredible season scoring over a goal a game and a point and a half a game. Last season he was a perimeter player who seldom ventured into the tough areas of the ice. This year he’s far more involved and he will play anywhere on the ice. There’s zero chance he’s making those corrections in Rockford or Chicago.

. Most 18 and 19 year olds are not physically ready to play against men. Many are not emotionally ready. And most kids don’t have the skills or understanding of the game to play professionally. Korchinski is one example of why rushing young players to play pro is counter productive. He was and still is not strong enough. His offensive game was good but not great in junior. But his defensive game was very weak. Playing in Chicago last season then getting demoted at the beginning of this season served no one well. Look at Nick Lardis, last season he was scoring over a point a game. This season he’s having an incredible season scoring over a goal a game and a point and a half a game. Last season he was a perimeter player who seldom ventured into the tough areas of the ice. This year he’s far more involved and he will play anywhere on the ice. There’s zero chance he’s making those corrections in Rockford or Chicago.
- paulr

So do you think KK won't develop into an NHL dman because he played in the NHL last year?

Good for Kevin I am more then a little skeptical of him ever since they drafted him so early. Fingers crossed Hawks did not ruin his confidence playing him up with the big team ,when he should have gone back too Jr. Levshunov getting a look .
- oldduffman

They haven't ruined his confidence one bit. Look at his play during the recent call up. Much improved overall and especially attacking offensively. Defensive gaps were better as well.

The only thing that Levshunov is getting a look at is 5/3 arena. Just some practice time during the AHL break for the All Star game.

I’m with Elbows, a 3rd round pick might as well be a 5th round pick, not many make it, however I’m rooting for Spellacy, love his size and speed. Would love to one day see a line of Spellacy, Boisvert, and a skill player like Nazar on the other wing.
- Angotti

I believe statistically more 3rd round picks make it to the NHL than 5th round picks. I know I'm being literal here but still. It's like when Elbows said drafting late in the 1st round is like drafting in the 3rd round?

. Most 18 and 19 year olds are not physically ready to play against men. Many are not emotionally ready. And most kids don’t have the skills or understanding of the game to play professionally. Korchinski is one example of why rushing young players to play pro is counter productive. He was and still is not strong enough. His offensive game was good but not great in junior. But his defensive game was very weak. Playing in Chicago last season then getting demoted at the beginning of this season served no one well. Look at Nick Lardis, last season he was scoring over a point a game. This season he’s having an incredible season scoring over a goal a game and a point and a half a game. Last season he was a perimeter player who seldom ventured into the tough areas of the ice. This year he’s far more involved and he will play anywhere on the ice. There’s zero chance he’s making those corrections in Rockford or Chicago.
- paulr

Can't really say zero chance as there is no way to know since he isn't in RFD or CHI. Sure maybe a lower chance.

Playing in Chicago last year doesn't look to have had any negative effect of KK. He got an understanding of what that league is all about, how little time and space there is and the strength and speed of the opposition, and now he's spent the majority of the year in RFD honing his offensive game while building his defensive game. He's still a very young defenseman and his call up showed a much improved player.

If/When he comes up next year (ideally with a better coach and team around him), I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him be really good.

I’m with Elbows, a 3rd round pick might as well be a 5th round pick, not many make it, however I’m rooting for Spellacy, love his size and speed. Would love to one day see a line of Spellacy, Boisvert, and a skill player like Nazar on the other wing.
- Angotti

When I was doing my rundown of which prospects I thought had the best chance to make it to the NHL, I tried putting together some theoretical lines, and one of them was Spellacy, Boisvert and Moore. Theoretically a monster to play against.

So do you think KK won't develop into an NHL dman because he played in the NHL last year?
- BetweenTheDots

Him playing in the NHL over Jr last season probably helped his development more than it hurt anything if there was even any downside at all. He wasn't going to progress much more or learn more in a league he was already near the top of against other kids. He will now have 2 pro seasons playing against men rather than 1. He has the experience of an NHL season under his belt and the physical side of things weren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be. I'd rather he learn what NHL physical play is like now, than having to learn the lesson at age 22 and take even more time to figure it out.

now let's do all the 3rd rounders who never sniffed the NHL. I wonder which list is much longer.
- Elbows15

Why? The point we are making is that sure many achieve nothing more than a sniff, but any prospect can improve rapidly in his next season of development...sometime just getting selected raise their confidence and their work ethic, and their skills along the way.

Speaking of Spellacy, this was a nice clip from yesterday.

https://x.com/scottcwheel...tatus/1886259565026508801
- breadbag

AJ an athlete that refocus to hockey player.
The long stride allows him to get good speed and room. Already a kid opposing teams meet along the boards too.

When I was doing my rundown of which prospects I thought had the best chance to make it to the NHL, I tried putting together some theoretical lines, and one of them was Spellacy, Boisvert and Moore. Theoretically a monster to play against.
- Chunk

"Monster" is 5-7 years away if we're being realistic.

Hey Wiz, your 2025 mock draft is back up on the Lines site.
- boilermaker100

Yeah...it was all my issue, b/c I when I attempted to add 2028 draft to fufill a recent trade of a 2028 7th rounder, I RENAMED 2025 -->2028.

I was actually starting to feel relieved in having to NOT finish it...I could then just watch Severance both seasons again and again....

Come to think about it, me doing the site is like I am severed from my outside of hockey life.

I believe statistically more 3rd round picks make it to the NHL than 5th round picks. I know I'm being literal here but still. It's like when Elbows said drafting late in the 1st round is like drafting in the 3rd round?
- BetweenTheDots

Oh, I’m sure that more of the 3rd round picks make the NHL vs 5th round picks. The comment wasn’t meant literally, however the fact is that odds are against those picks making it in the show. There are always outliers, but those are few. That’s why I would not trade Donato for a third, get a second or sign him for two-three years at a reasonable contract. TBH, I’d rather have Donato than Foligno, but that’s just me.

So do you think KK won't develop into an NHL dman because he played in the NHL last year?
- BetweenTheDots

No idea, I hope he can get his development on track and learn the defensive side of the game. But I think another season in junior would have been better for his development. And that last season playing pro didn't benefit him, the team or the fans.

Hey, Steve Larmer was a sixth round pick in 1980. Same year they drafted Denis Savard and then screwed up and Drafted Jerome Dupont with the ninth pick in the first round.

Can't really say zero chance as there is no way to know since he isn't in RFD or CHI. Sure maybe a lower chance.

Playing in Chicago last year doesn't look to have had any negative effect of KK. He got an understanding of what that league is all about, how little time and space there is and the strength and speed of the opposition, and now he's spent the majority of the year in RFD honing his offensive game while building his defensive game. He's still a very young defenseman and his call up showed a much improved player.

If/When he comes up next year (ideally with a better coach and team around him), I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him be really good.
- Chunk

I hope you’re right, all of us, ummm most of us, want him to succeed. But last year he had no business being in the NHL, I hope next time a junior aged player is promoted to the NHL it’s done factoring his whole game, size, strength and maturity.

"Monster" is 5-7 years away if we're being realistic.
- rpeters01

Well, yeah, that's why I used the word theoretically.

Him playing in the NHL over Jr last season probably helped his development more than it hurt anything if there was even any downside at all. He wasn't going to progress much more or learn more in a league he was already near the top of against other kids. He will now have 2 pro seasons playing against men rather than 1. He has the experience of an NHL season under his belt and the physical side of things weren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be. I'd rather he learn what NHL physical play is like now, than having to learn the lesson at age 22 and take even more time to figure it out.
- breadbag

Offensively he was one of the best junior players, defensively he was an average junior defender, he was undersized and not physically strong to play against men. Add to that in the NHL he began playing very timidly staying away from physical battles, not turning his back to be the first to the puck along the boards. During his call ups he’s still pretty average defensively and he’s still not engaged physically. KK has so many strong attributes, he’s a good skater, he’s an exceptional passer, with the severe lack of talent on the team we don’t see his offensive prowess yet. I hope he can develop his defensive game and play more assertively in future.

Why? The point we are making is that sure many achieve nothing more than a sniff, but any prospect can improve rapidly in his next season of development...sometime just getting selected raise their confidence and their work ethic, and their skills along the way.
- wiz1901

Plus the teams send out development people to help the prospects improve their game

Oh, I’m sure that more of the 3rd round picks make the NHL vs 5th round picks. The comment wasn’t meant literally, however the fact is that odds are against those picks making it in the show. There are always outliers, but those are few. That’s why I would not trade Donato for a third, get a second or sign him for two-three years at a reasonable contract. TBH, I’d rather have Donato than Foligno, but that’s just me.
- Angotti

You are not alone. Honestly, I'd prefer that KD fill out the roster with the Mikheyev's of the world instead of the 34+ guys if that is what is needed. Ideally, he won't need to sign that many of those type players anymore.

Bert, TT, Bedard, Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Nazar, Slaggert, Reichel, maybe Dach. You need at least three more forwards. Maybe they keep Donato? Ideally, they snag a big fish to play with Bedard, and you find 1-2 more for depth.

They haven't ruined his confidence one bit. Look at his play during the recent call up. Much improved overall and especially attacking offensively. Defensive gaps were better as well.

The only thing that Levshunov is getting a look at is 5/3 arena. Just some practice time during the AHL break for the All Star game.
- Chunk

Did not see him on his recent call up ,so good to hear he played well .And being selected for a All Stare game is always a good sign . Still believe he should have been sent back to JR. last year for many reasons . Yes read Levshunov not expected to play just practice time well A is on break .

"Monster" is 5-7 years away if we're being realistic.
- rpeters01

More like 3 years away. Nothing realistic about 5-7 years unless you're P Diddy

Smith practiced today. If healthy, looks like Dach, Kurashev and Allan are sitting. My hope at this point is that they are just trying to get someone to bite on Murphy's contract. There really is not point in playing him. He's just going to break down again.

There was a recent article that stated he's dealing with the same issue as last year and just trying to find ways to cope. I'll try to find it. Martinez will be gone next year, and I'd bet good money that they buy Brodie out.

I'd love to see in the near future:
Vlasic-Jones
Allan - Crev (Yeah Rico, I said it)
KK - EDM
Kaiser