Brian Huddle: With the Eighteenth Pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago Selects...
Matt Finn

Is this your actual top 30 prospects for the draft, or rather who you think a given team will pick?

Secondly, what makes Koekkoek better than Finn to you?

Is this your actual top 30 prospects for the draft, or rather who you think a given team will pick?

Secondly, what makes Koekkoek better than Finn to you?
- QuebecPride

This is a mock, taking 30 guys who likely go on the Friday night, and giving an overview of them as players linked to teams for some "fun".

My List is Here: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=44752

As for Koekkoek vs. Finn... I like Slater's raw potential more. He's a homerun potential vs. a double, if that makes sense. Finn looks like a future 3. Koekkoek could be a guy because of his skating, shooting, passing, size, edge, etc. that becomes a full package on a top pairing.

This is a mock, taking 30 guys who likely go on the Friday night, and giving an overview of them as players linked to teams for some "fun".

My List is Here: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=44752

As for Koekkoek vs. Finn... I like Slater's raw potential more. He's a homerun potential vs. a double, if that makes sense. Finn looks like a future 3. Koekkoek could be a guy because of his skating, shooting, passing, size, edge, etc. that becomes a full package on a top pairing.
- Brian Huddle

It doesn't make sense. A homerun and a double are terms for baseball. We're talking hockey here.

I think Finn has all the tools to be a top 4 type of D and offer a little bit of everything. I'd be happier if he grew a couple inches but he looks thick so I don't really worry about him gettign thrown around. I'm sure someone will say "yeah but if he has to clear Lucic out of the crease, good luck" but thats the same ramble that comes up every time a shorter D's name pops up in a conversation. Its why successful coaches do matchups. I thinK Finn's a player. Koekkoek can be a game changer... but unfortuantely he can be for both teams. Finn might be safer but Koekkoek's raw tools are hard to pass on though.

It doesn't make sense. A homerun and a double are terms for baseball. We're talking hockey here.
- Lohaus

YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO ME!!!

I think Finn has all the tools to be a top 4 type of D and offer a little bit of everything. I'd be happier if he grew a couple inches but he looks thick so I don't really worry about him gettign thrown around. I'm sure someone will say "yeah but if he has to clear Lucic out of the crease, good luck" but thats the same ramble that comes up every time a shorter D's name pops up in a conversation. Its why successful coaches do matchups. I thinK Finn's a player. Koekkoek can be a game changer... but unfortuantely he can be for both teams. Finn might be safer but Koekkoek's raw tools are hard to pass on though.
- Lohaus

Precisely.

YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO ME!!!



Precisely.
- Brian Huddle

I think he just disarmed you

*Nice selection btw, good fit they need more puck movers who can play in their own end*

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

No thank you.

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

No thank you.
- Return of the Roar

I wouldn't say he's small at all. And looking at Chicago's pipeline of prospects like Saad, McNeill, Hayes x2, Beach, Paradis, Olsen... size isn't a concern.

Brian have you heard anything regarding which direction Ottawa is looking? Maybe at the combine or elsewhere?

Brian have you heard anything regarding which direction Ottawa is looking? Maybe at the combine or elsewhere?
- raretomediumrar

Nothing specific, no. But I have Maatta pegged as a guy they'll target.

I wouldn't say he's small at all. And looking at Chicago's pipeline of prospects like Saad, McNeill, Hayes x2, Beach, Paradis, Olsen... size isn't a concern.
- Brian Huddle

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.

Nothing specific, no. But I have Maatta pegged as a guy they'll target.
- Brian Huddle

ok thanks

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

No thank you.
- Return of the Roar

6", 195 lbs. at 17? Not a smurf exactly.

Of course, he WAS a MIDGET a couple of years ago....

Could not agree more about Finn being caught flat-footed. If he isn't thinking two steps ahead of the play, he gets victimized by a weak first couple steps. One thing that has really impressed me (for the most part) is his maturity. He used to argue at the refs after every call but he's really toned it down as he's been counted on as a leader on a young Storm club.

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

McNeill and Paradis are definite physical players.

And while some teams have converted to hard hitting hockey, and I love that type of game, Chicago won a Cup on skill and puck possession. They need to build around that and then compliment with some bangers in the bottom six.

Could not agree more about Finn being caught flat-footed. If he isn't thinking two steps ahead of the play, he gets victimized by a weak first couple steps. One thing that has really impressed me (for the most part) is his maturity. He used to argue at the refs after every call but he's really toned it down as he's been counted on as a leader on a young Storm club.
- A-Mar

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

McNeill and Paradis are definite physical players.

And while some teams have converted to hard hitting hockey, and I love that type of game, Chicago won a Cup on skill and puck possession. They need to build around that and then compliment with some bangers in the bottom six.
- Brian Huddle

They won the Cup with skill, puck possession AND a very physical in your face style. Dustin Byfuglien was the most physical player in the entire playoffs. Andrew Ladd, Kopecky, Burish, Eager... Bolland and Versteeg were nasty.

Top 4 skill guys on this team have done nothing he last 2 years in playoffs... You need balance up top and throughout the lineup. Not just your bottom 6. We have not had that at all last 2 years.

They won the Cup with skill, puck possession AND a very physical in your face style. Dustin Byfuglien was the most physical player in the entire playoffs. Andrew Ladd, Kopecky, Burish, Eager... Bolland and Versteeg were nasty.

Top 4 skill guys on this team have done nothing he last 2 years in playoffs... You need balance up top and throughout the lineup. Not just your bottom 6. We have not had that at all last 2 years.
- ilinkhawk

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.

Paradis - not a hitter
- Return of the Roar

Bullsh!t! Or at least I'm calling it.

From what I've seen of him in Rockford, Paradis can really throw his weight around. I've seen him not just hit other players, but he can really hit'em hard enough to put those players on their asses.

Paradis can really level a player with the way he hits.

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

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.

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 got to see McNeill in one game at the end of the season in Rockford. I didn't get to see enough of him to really make a judgement on his physical play.

Thanks for the assessment.

I wouldn't say he's small at all. And looking at Chicago's pipeline of prospects like Saad, McNeill, Hayes x2, Beach, Paradis, Olsen... size isn't a concern.
- Brian Huddle

Stephen Johns would be another guy with size and truculence that Chicago has.

I got to see McNeill in one game at the end of the season in Rockford. I didn't get to see enough of him to really make a judgement on his physical play.

Thanks for the assessment.
- EKolb13

Listed at 6'2" 220 and only 19, he's a big boy, and from the small sample size I witnessed, he's already using that frame well. I've got high hopes for this kid - but am not sure where his ceiling is - a top-six power guy or a lower-line banger and grinder. I think he'll definitely play in the NHL at some point, though.

Listed at 6'2" 220 and only 19, he's a big boy, and from the small sample size I witnessed, he's already using that frame well. I've got high hopes for this kid - but am not sure where his ceiling is - a top-six power guy or a lower-line banger and grinder. I think he'll definitely play in the NHL at some point, though.
- FredoXV

I always compared him to a more physical Zajac last year. Seems to me a guy who can play anywhere in the Top 9, whether in a checking role to replace Bolland, or eventually in a two-way second line type role.

Listed at 6'2" 220 and only 19, he's a big boy, and from the small sample size I witnessed, he's already using that frame well. I've got high hopes for this kid - but am not sure where his ceiling is - a top-six power guy or a lower-line banger and grinder. I think he'll definitely play in the NHL at some point, though.
- FredoXV

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.