I'd like to see more of him. If he doesn't make the NHL, he'll be back in Junior next season.

I got to see more of Danault then I did McNeill. He's a guy I'm really high on. He gave me the impression that he's a real smart two-way forward that's good at the dot. He reminds me a lot of Bolland. He could be the Hawks future shutdown center.
- EKolb13

No quit in Danault. He'll go through the boards to win a hockey game.

Great....Just what we need - another smurf.

No thank you.
- Return of the Roar

Shucks. You stole my line. I was going to say something very similar.

Your assessment of McNeill isn't quite accurate. I saw him play earlier in the year when he was up with Rockford, and he threw his body around quite a bit - in once instance even took a 5-minute boarding major from a catastrophic hit along the benches.

He also handed Danny Richmond his lunch in a nice scrap. I think you'll be pleasantly surpised with McNeill's physicality if and when he makes an appearence in an Indianhead-crested sweater.
- FredoXV

I concur with you. I saw a player digging and banging in the corners and in front of the net when I saw him..

That's when you look to possibly start to package for the pieces needed. Or swapping out a skilled guy for a high end physical top 6'er.

Realistically, someone you take at 18 overall in this draft, isn't gonna help for 2-3 years.
- Brian Huddle

Agree on your draft comment not helping. If we do not get some physical usable size to play with our 4 skill guys. We aren't going anywhere. I would package some kind of combination of Stalberg Hammer Bolland picks prospects to fill those spots the right way.

Did you hear Craig Button say that Tyler Biggs is the most ready Leaf pick to make the team next year lol. He's a tool.

Did you hear Craig Button say that Tyler Biggs is the most ready Leaf pick to make the team next year lol. He's a tool.
- wolfos412

Physically, probably. Skills wise? Unless Toronto wants to turn him into a 4th line goon... he goes to Junior.

Physically, probably. Skills wise? Unless Toronto wants to turn him into a 4th line goon... he goes to Junior.
- Brian Huddle

Biggs will never be anything more than a low level 3rd liner or everyday 4th liner.

-nudges Huds-

Biggs will never be anything more than a low level 3rd liner or everyday 4th liner.

-nudges Huds-
- Lohaus

Hey Bri,

I know you got us going after a defenseman with the 18th overall pick, but what do you think the chances are StanBo takes the goalie from Russia Andrei Vasilevski. The kid is a monster already at (6'4) and what only 17 18 yrs old. I watched him, I believe it was IIHP Juniors (I dunno ) and he was lights out.
The Hawks don't have a stellar goalie in the pipeline! Hutton put up good number at the Rock but is he ready for the NHL and the same can be said for Salak. I know Andrei has 2 yrs left on his Russian contract so we wouldn't see him for a lil bit...he has the potential to be another Pekka possibly with his size. Defenders you can draft, RFA, FA I don't wanna miss on something that could be big! My 2 cents....FEED BACK PLEASE!!!!

Hey Bri,

I know you got us going after a defenseman with the 18th overall pick, but what do you think the chances are StanBo takes the goalie from Russia Andrei Vasilevski. The kid is a monster already at (6'4) and what only 17 18 yrs old. I watched him, I believe it was IIHP Juniors (I dunno ) and he was lights out.
The Hawks don't have a stellar goalie in the pipeline! Hutton put up good number at the Rock but is he ready for the NHL and the same can be said for Salak. I know Andrei has 2 yrs left on his Russian contract so we wouldn't see him for a lil bit...he has the potential to be another Pekka possibly with his size. Defenders you can draft, RFA, FA I don't wanna miss on something that could be big! My 2 cents....FEED BACK PLEASE!!!!
- CaptnSerious

In my wicked awesome mock draft, I had the Hawks taking him.... its just how I roll

Hey Bri,

I know you got us going after a defenseman with the 18th overall pick, but what do you think the chances are StanBo takes the goalie from Russia Andrei Vasilevski. The kid is a monster already at (6'4) and what only 17 18 yrs old. I watched him, I believe it was IIHP Juniors (I dunno ) and he was lights out.
The Hawks don't have a stellar goalie in the pipeline! Hutton put up good number at the Rock but is he ready for the NHL and the same can be said for Salak. I know Andrei has 2 yrs left on his Russian contract so we wouldn't see him for a lil bit...he has the potential to be another Pekka possibly with his size. Defenders you can draft, RFA, FA I don't wanna miss on something that could be big! My 2 cents....FEED BACK PLEASE!!!!
- CaptnSerious

I think people around here know I feel Dansk is the top goalie in this class. That being said-- Vasilevski is a hell of a talent if you want to take a chance on him coming over. He does bring size and athleticism, not just a blocking robotic game, which is always promising.

Truth be told, with this being one of the best goalie crops I've seen in years, I'd take a chance on someone else in a lower round and grab what I can in the first round.

Altshuller, Gillies, Stolarz (who will be a star - you heard it here first ), Paterson, all look very promising.

In my wicked awesome mock draft, I had the Hawks taking him.... its just how I roll
- Lohaus

I think people around here know I feel Dansk is the top goalie in this class. That being said-- Vasilevski is a hell of a talent if you want to take a chance on him coming over. He does bring size and athleticism, not just a blocking robotic game, which is always promising.

Truth be told, with this being one of the best goalie crops I've seen in years, I'd take a chance on someone else in a lower round and grab what I can in the first round.

Altshuller, Gillies, Stolarz (who will be a star - you heard it here first ), Paterson, all look very promising.
- Brian Huddle

I always look at goalies who have the ability to show up big when they are needed. Vasilevski shows this. His frame, his technique, everything about him suggests he's the real deal. Its why I have zero faith in Visentin ever being more than a backup.

I always look at goalies who have the ability to show up big when they are needed. Vasilevski shows this. His frame, his technique, everything about him suggests he's the real deal. Its why I have zero faith in Visentin ever being more than a backup.
- Lohaus

Seeing him crack against London was the final nail in his coffin for me.

Kyle Beach is/will be a bust - head case.
Olsen - can't skate well enough for the NHL yet
J. Hayes - same
Saad - not a hitter
McNeill - not a hitter
Paradis - not a hitter

The Hawks need big bodies that can skate and play a strong forecheck. They have NO ONE in their system fitting that description that is even close to NHL ready.

Bowman has chosen skill versus size to an extreme at a time the game has shifted back to a more physical style.
- Return of the Roar

Paradis (6'2", 205 lbs) is most certainly a hitter. Ditto for Rob Flick (6'3", 208 lbs), who had a very strong second half of the season in Rockford. Flick may be close to NHL-ready, Paradis is probably a little farther off but not too far away. Neither are top 6 forwards but both could be legitimate bottom 6 players in the not too distant future.

They also have d-men with size in the system - Lalonde isn't tiny at 6'1", 204 lbs and plays with an edge. Joe Lavin is 6'2", 200 lbs, had a great year in Rockford and is probably the top d-man prospect on the IceHogs right now. Stephen Johns, who admittedly is several years away, plays a nasty physical game at 6'3" and 215lbs.

They definitely need to pick up more size where possible, but they do have some big guys coming along - including several who do throw their bodies around.

Nice piece Brain, thanks for it...........

I haven't seen Finn but have seen NTDP's Dman Brady Skjei. An absolute elite skater with tons of puck skills. And at 6ft 2in 205lbs some size as well.

He seems to fit the profile that StanBow&Pops covets.

Any thoughts on Skjei?

No quit in Danault. He'll go through the boards to win a hockey game.
- Brian Huddle

Danault definitely looked more "pro-ready" to me than McNeill did during their brief stints in Rockford. Ted Dent seemed to have more confidence putting Danault out there in important situations than he did with McNeill. Like I said, small sample size and they are both in the "Junior or NHL" situation next season, but it was interesting to watch nonetheless.

Nice piece Brain, thanks for it...........

I haven't seen Finn but have seen NTDP's Dman Brady Skjei. An absolute elite skater with tons of puck skills. And at 6ft 2in 205lbs some size as well.

He seems to fit the profile that StanBow&Pops covets.

Any thoughts on Skjei?
- Mr Ricochet

Elite skater, big shot, and explosive offensive abilities. That being said, he's one of those "riverboat gambler" types who gets into funks of turning over the puck and trying to be Bobby Orr on every second shift.

I wonder if his physical abilities mask some limited hockey sense.

For me, I have him as a late 1st, early 2nd type.

Elite skater, big shot, and explosive offensive abilities. That being said, he's one of those "riverboat gambler" types who gets into funks of turning over the puck and trying to be Bobby Orr on every second shift.

I wonder if his physical abilities mask some limited hockey sense.

For me, I have him as a late 1st, early 2nd type.
- Brian Huddle

Sounds like a scouting report on Duncan Kieth, minus the size and booming shot. With emphasis on limited hockey sense......

After reading your analysis I really think StanBow&Pops, and Q as well, will be diggin this kid.

Of course where Q is concerned I stood next to him at a Steel game a few years back and asked him if #11 John Moore caught his eye. He said no, Chelios' kid. Moore went in the 1st round that year.....

Of course where Q is concerned I stood next to him at a Steel game a few years back and asked him if #11 John Moore caught his eye. He said no, Chelios' kid. Moore went in the 1st round that year.....
- Mr Ricochet

Geeze. Anybody with a pair of eyes could see something in Moore early on.

Geeze. Anybody with a pair of eyes could see something in Moore early on.
- Brian Huddle

Q doesnt have eyes he has a mustache. That's as far as his bravado goes when it comes to judging talent.

Hmmmmmmm..................Seeing a need at TG and not knowing about the russian kids plans. I would just draft Malcolm Subban NOW! then come back and address the Blueline with the second pick. This is a very soft organeyezation and in the later rounds I add the sand paper.

Paradis (6'2", 205 lbs) is most certainly a hitter. Ditto for Rob Flick (6'3", 208 lbs), who had a very strong second half of the season in Rockford. Flick may be close to NHL-ready, Paradis is probably a little farther off but not too far away. Neither are top 6 forwards but both could be legitimate bottom 6 players in the not too distant future.

They also have d-men with size in the system - Lalonde isn't tiny at 6'1", 204 lbs and plays with an edge. Joe Lavin is 6'2", 200 lbs, had a great year in Rockford and is probably the top d-man prospect on the IceHogs right now. Stephen Johns, who admittedly is several years away, plays a nasty physical game at 6'3" and 215lbs.

They definitely need to pick up more size where possible, but they do have some big guys coming along - including several who do throw their bodies around.
- BreakoutHockey

This. Except I'd give a slight edge to Stanton over Lavin. Really, both Lavin and Stanton will never be much better than 6th or 7th defenseman in the NHL, should they ever break into the big league.

This. Except I'd give a slight edge to Stanton over Lavin. Really, both Lavin and Stanton will never be much better than 6th or 7th defenseman in the NHL, should they ever break into the big league.
- EKolb13

Thanks - and yeah, I really like Stanton too. I think they both could be injury call ups this season for Chicago - nowhere near the upside of Lalonde, but also won't get you into defensive trouble like Lalonde might. On Lavin, it sounds like he is very dedicated to improving - took a few weeks off after the season ended then got back to work, is planning on spending the entire summer in Chicago with the Blackhawks strength and conditioning staff.

The guy I am really hoping to see in Rockford after signing his entry-level deal is Adam Clendening. I thought he looked really good at last year's Blackhawks Prospect Camp, would love to see him get a chance to play with a guy like Stanton.

Thanks - and yeah, I really like Stanton too. I think they both could be injury call ups this season for Chicago - nowhere near the upside of Lalonde, but also won't get you into defensive trouble like Lalonde might. On Lavin, it sounds like he is very dedicated to improving - took a few weeks off after the season ended then got back to work, is planning on spending the entire summer in Chicago with the Blackhawks strength and conditioning staff.

The guy I am really hoping to see in Rockford after signing his entry-level deal is Adam Clendening. I thought he looked really good at last year's Blackhawks Prospect Camp, would love to see him get a chance to play with a guy like Stanton.
- BreakoutHockey

I'm pretty sure Clendening will be in Rockford. He can't go back to NCAA hockey because he's now under contract.

Yea, he has that tendency to stop moving his feet, especially around the blue line and see guys blow past him because of it.
- Brian Huddle

He's like the anti-Kosmachuk. :-D