Zach Jarom: Who To Bring Back: Forwards

Zach Jarom: Who To Bring Back: Forwards
- Zach Jarom

First!
I expect a few two year contracts, for example Domi, 2x$5. Same for AA. Kurashev may actually get three years.

I do agree that IF the Blackhawks are fortunate enough to win the lotto for 1st place, Connor Bedard changes the emphasis for the other first and the bevy of second rounders.
I also think Cory Pronman's "the NHL player the prospect is most similar to" call of Bedard being Boston's Pastrnak is kinda accurate, in that although you CAN play Bedard at centre, line him up there in situations, but he is a scorer so besides Little Frankie Nazar III, you have to add skilled passers and generators who get the puck to him.

I saw this new Sporting news NHL mock today where Wheat King's Nate Danielson was still on the board at #19, but the author also adjusted the Tampa pick up to #24 based on them sending Maple leaves home and other teams Seattle Minnesota Los Angeles and Rangers (whose spot is #24) so he projected Tampa (Chicago) to draft at #24

Maybe they pull the trigger on Charlie Stramel with the Tampa (1) pick, or Kasper Halttunen but I still think that the shine isn't off him as a NHL prospect and he will go off the board before the hawks pick twice, but who knows?????

The hawks will still look for fast and skilled in the draft, but I would expect Bebard may to the the Blackhawks into a favorable position with a few NHL pros more than willing to play with the kid.

First!
I expect a few two year contracts, for example Domi, 2x$5. Same for AA. Kurashev may actually get three years.
- rpeters01

The Hawks already signed Dom for next year, right?
(Oh, the INTEND to...)

Another kid I'm late first round is Mathieu Cataford, who is so smart, and one of the best all around c-forwards in the Q after Gauthier.
My profile from Lines.com / draft:
Mathieu Cataford
This up and comer Centre-wing lead all Quebec Major Junior 16 year olds in scoring. Displays a mature two-way game and reminds some of that guy with Boston named Patrice. He went into the 2022-23 QMJHL season carrying the momentum of his solid complimentary performance in the Gretzky-Hlinka tourney by leading his Halifax team with five goals in his first four games. Plays very hockey smart, with an attention to detail in all three zones, and an internal striving to be the best on the ice with little or no flash, just workingman-like effectiveness. Displays advanced positioning in all three zones. A high tempo player who always plays at full speed. Has excellent stop/start maneuverability that sharpens his pursuit coverage and enough polish in all skill areas to be an effective below the dots attacker. Strong on his skates with a nice burst. A kid who has little flash, just high hockey IQ, great character and a coaches dream, who its trusted to play in all situations as he is advanced defensively and a high hockey IQ. and is an excellent complementary player. A good finisher below the dots but doesn't strike fear in the goalie's from far out. . He wins puck battles, and always willing to do the dirty work in close. Has good size and strength. He makes the correct decisions with or without the puck. Holds himself to a high standard of play. Continues to fill out and add muscle.

I think there are so many candidates as future Blackhawks with all these picks, but who they get first may help clarify the type of player they will gravitate to on their final lists AFTER making the first pick. (Yes, first guy you pick might influence your second and third selections.)

What's the matter? No love for Guttman?

If KD's presser comments are any indication, Kurashev will definitely be back. I'm more interested to see what moves are made on the back end. I still think KD moves Murphy, just not sure what the return might be. I think he's held in decent regard around the league.

I'm hoping (expecting) that if KD takes on an anchor contract that he starts taking higher end prospects back. Draft picks are great, but at some point you need to start seeing some semblance of an actual team form.

Edit: Oh crap. I didn't know that Guttman had an extra year left. Good for him.

I don't expect any contracts for longer than two seasons, except for the possible extension for Reichel. Right now the Hawks are cycling through the league's discards and seeing if they can develop them enough to trade, while the longer term prospects are continuing to develop in college, juniors, or the A.

Bring back AA, in part because they will need his cap hit, and also because if he continues to build on what he did post-deadline, he will fetch something next time.

Does Khaira want to keep playing after those injuries he sustained? We all liked what we saw from the line with him, Anderson, and Katchouk.

Wagner has crazy speed, we all know that. I realize this is hockey, not speed skating, but I want to know if there is a higher ceiling on him. Same with Bjork, is there any upside to be had?

I say that without knowing what they can realistically acquire in free agency, and what other bad contracts they plan to acquire. That will affect these other possible signings.

Daily Tankathon results (3 spins):

1-2-1

What's the matter? No love for Guttman?

If KD's presser comments are any indication, Kurashev will definitely be back. I'm more interested to see what moves are made on the back end. I still think KD moves Murphy, just not sure what the return might be. I think he's held in decent regard around the league.

I'm hoping (expecting) that if KD takes on an anchor contract that he starts taking higher end prospects back. Draft picks are great, but at some point you need to start seeing some semblance of an actual team form.

Edit: Oh crap. I didn't know that Guttman had an extra year left. Good for him.
- Chunk

I expect Guttman will start with the big club next season, he’s shown enough to get that chance. Time will tell if he can stay in the NHL or not (I think he can).

Best daily Tankathon for me today

1-1-4-1

Kurashev to me is a classic example of a guy with good tools but no toolbox. He occasionally flashes high levels of skill, but ultimately lacks the hockey IQ to be able to put it all together with any consistency.

Daily Tankathon results (3 spins):

1-2-1
- DarthKane

1-5-5-2

Daily Tankathon results (3 spins):

1-2-1
- DarthKane

4-5-4-4-4-1-4-4-1-4

Two #1s, if not #1, then gotta be #4

4-2-5-3-1

🤔

4-4-4-1-5

Either this thread had an incredibly lucky day or the tankathon formula needs reworking. Cause we should get the 1st pick roughly one time out of every ten spins

Either this thread had an incredibly lucky day or the tankathon formula needs reworking. Cause we should get the 1st pick roughly one time out of every ten spins
- Hawkeynation

What??? You mean there is no uniformity to random events?

Either this thread had an incredibly lucky day or the tankathon formula needs reworking. Cause we should get the 1st pick roughly one time out of every ten spins
- Hawkeynation

Pitt is getting #1, we will get 4th.

Pitt is getting #1, we will get 4th.
- rpeters01

I'm pretty sure teams can only jump 10 spots. Pitt is sitting at #14 so the Canucks at #11 could do that.

4-2-1-4 for me BTW.

What??? You mean there is no uniformity to random events?

Not saying there should be uniformity, but the amount people in this thread are nailing the 1s seems statistically, very unlikely. Maybe others are just not reporting their bad news?

I'm pretty sure teams can only jump 10 spots. Pitt is sitting at #14 so the Canucks at #11 could do that.

4-2-1-4 for me BTW.
- Rota's Rooter

5-2-5-1-5

Another kid I'm late first round is Mathieu Cataford, who is so smart, and one of the best all around c-forwards in the Q after Gauthier.
My profile from Lines.com / draft:
Mathieu Cataford


- wiz1901

Hey Wiz, if you can add some video to your prospect reports like you did in a post in the last blog that would be really helpful. Gives a reader a visual to compliment your report.

5-2-5-1-5
- paulr

It's addictive.

Not very good.

4-5-2-5-4

The odds of winning aren't particularly great from top to bottom but being able to fall 2 spots is key here. A 1st or 2nd have the right to pick from the big 4 regardless of where the balls fall.

I don't expect any contracts for longer than two seasons, except for the possible extension for Reichel. Right now the Hawks are cycling through the league's discards and seeing if they can develop them enough to trade, while the longer term prospects are continuing to develop in college, juniors, or the A.

Bring back AA, in part because they will need his cap hit, and also because if he continues to build on what he did post-deadline, he will fetch something next time.

Does Khaira want to keep playing after those injuries he sustained? We all liked what we saw from the line with him, Anderson, and Katchouk.

Wagner has crazy speed, we all know that. I realize this is hockey, not speed skating, but I want to know if there is a higher ceiling on him. Same with Bjork, is there any upside to be had?

I say that without knowing what they can realistically acquire in free agency, and what other bad contracts they plan to acquire. That will affect these other possible signings.
- 333inthe3rd

Good post, 333. Agree with most all of it, especially how well the 3rd line of Katchouk, Khaira, Anderson played. Line was money, consistent, had obvious chemistry and you'd wonder if KD would want to keep that group together?

Also liked what I saw out of Bjork. As Zach pointed out in his blog his skills seem to allow him to slot up and down the lineup, something coaches love, versatile players.

Kurashev to me is a classic example of a guy with good tools but no toolbox. He occasionally flashes high levels of skill, but ultimately lacks the hockey IQ to be able to put it all together with any consistency.
- Quetzalcoatl

No doubt consistency is the issue with Kurashev. In any given game you might see a dangerous player or he's kind of invisible. ........ But this yr he showed a good bit of battle to his game. Kid worked along the walls and for 50/50 pucks that I hadn't really seen out of him.

As a 4th rd pick and at 6ft 190lbs he's played 197 NHL games and if he has it in him he should "breakout" around 250 games. Kid brings enough skating, hands, decent size and now some battle he's at least interesting.

Howdy boys and girls.
Could not stop myself from spinning the Tankathon.

20 times:
1, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4, 5, 2, 4, 2, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 3, 4, 4, 5, 1

#1 - 4 times
#2 - 3 times
#3 - once
#4 - 6 times
#5 - 6 times

Of course I liked my 1st 2 spins and the 1st 4 spins weren't bad either.
Thinking Darth could be right and we'll pick 4th.
Hopefully the wheel of fortune Gods grace us with a lucky 1st spin