Re: NHL (Blackhawks included) offseason thread

[jersey cubs fan]

Patrick Kane was named to the NHL's first all-star team as their center, beating out Sidney Crosby.

 

It is quite an accomplishment for the 21-year-old pivot who finished the season with 30 goals and 88 points. Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Sedin joined Kane on the forward line with Mike Green and Duncan Keith on the blueline. Ryan Miller was named to the first team in net. The second team consists of Crosby, Martin St. Louis and Daniel Sedin up front, Drew Doughty and Nicklas Lidstrom on defense and Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes.

 

Wait.........wut? :shock: I love Kane and all, but who can justify putting Kane over Crosby? Not to mention as a center? I could buy to a certain degree Jonathan Toews, but Patrick Kane? IDK.

 

It's called marketing. The league has maxed out Crosby, they need to start selling Kane.

[Banedon]

Patrick Kane was named to the NHL's first all-star team as their center, beating out Sidney Crosby.

 

It is quite an accomplishment for the 21-year-old pivot who finished the season with 30 goals and 88 points. Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Sedin joined Kane on the forward line with Mike Green and Duncan Keith on the blueline. Ryan Miller was named to the first team in net. The second team consists of Crosby, Martin St. Louis and Daniel Sedin up front, Drew Doughty and Nicklas Lidstrom on defense and Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes.

 

Wait.........wut? :shock: I love Kane and all, but who can justify putting Kane over Crosby? Not to mention as a center? I could buy to a certain degree Jonathan Toews, but Patrick Kane? IDK.

 

Funny what a SC winning OT goal will do for your rep.

[UMFan83]

Looks like the Sharks were able to resign Marleau and Pavelski. Good for them.

[inari]

I've met Pavelski's family. Nice people.

[rawaction]

I've been pushing a Byfuglien trade since last year's playoff run elevated his perceived value, but I never thought they'd end up with a 1st/2nd for him and get rid of other money. I am a little sad to see him go, but it had to happen. Now I would really like to see them deal Versteeg.

 

Easily my favorite player on the team other than Toews and Kane. It sucks to see him go, but it had to be done. I do worry about trading away all our size (Buff and Eager) with one deal, though. The Hawks are designed for speed so I don't think it will be a big deal in the regular season. But when it comes to the playoffs, I think you need that size in front of the net to stuff the puck in. I think that was a huge key to the Hawks winning the Cup this year, and I think it was a huge reason why the Penguins didn't make it back there.

 

If they can keep Ladd, he, Hossa and Kopecky are pretty big guys, and so is Brouwer, though I'm not sure what his status is. I think they have a couple big kids as well. Plus, they played almost all of last year without Dave Bolland, and while he's not all that big, he's a very solid 2-way center. They aren't all just little speed guys. Kane may be the only guy who you could describe as susceptible to physical domination. The NHL generally doesn't allow that anymore. Everybody has been talking about a lack of size and toughness on this team for 3 years now, but it has not come close to being an actual issue. They probably are going to need an "Eager" type player, but they aren't desperate.

 

It's not just about getting physical though. It's that big body to put in front of the net to obstruct views and put in rebounds. I figured I was probably making a bigger deal out of it than it really is, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's not just about getting physical though. It's that big body to put in front of the net to obstruct views and put in rebounds. I figured I was probably making a bigger deal out of it than it really is, though.

 

Buff's specific playoff role will be a challenge to replicate with another player, maybe impossible. But they can still put some size out there.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

In terms of value and not ability, nothing trumps a SC winning overtime goal.

[Flames24Rulz]

It's not just about getting physical though. It's that big body to put in front of the net to obstruct views and put in rebounds. I figured I was probably making a bigger deal out of it than it really is, though.

 

Buff's specific playoff role will be a challenge to replicate with another player, maybe impossible. But they can still put some size out there.

 

It pretty much is going to be impossible, at least with the current roster. The ability to stand out in front of the net and make plays is certainly a talent in its own right.

 

But again, I'm not complaining about the trade. The value that we got for Buff was very good.

[Soul]

It's not just about getting physical though. It's that big body to put in front of the net to obstruct views and put in rebounds. I figured I was probably making a bigger deal out of it than it really is, though.

 

Buff's specific playoff role will be a challenge to replicate with another player, maybe impossible. But they can still put some size out there.

 

It pretty much is going to be impossible, at least with the current roster. The ability to stand out in front of the net and make plays is certainly a talent in its own right.

 

But again, I'm not complaining about the trade. The value that we got for Buff was very good.

 

There's more than one way to win hockey games. This year, it was because Buff was impossible to stop in front of the net. They'd have been fools not to ride Big Buff for all he was worth.

 

Next year? They'll find something else. It could just be that we haven't even seen Tazer and Kaner's best hockey yet. Between those 2 maturing further, and Hossa, we might just be nigh impossible to stop, period.

[jersey cubs fan]

There's more than one way to win hockey games. This year, it was because Buff was impossible to stop in front of the net. They'd have been fools not to ride Big Buff for all he was worth.

 

Well, it's not like all they did was put Buff in front of the net. The Blackhawks are more than capable of winning games in different ways, and they did that this year.

[Soul]

Correct. I didn't mean to suggest that all they did was ride Buff.

[kujay]

Correct. I didn't mean to suggest that all they did was ride Buff.

 

Right. Even in the playoffs, when he was supposedly their savior, he was MIA more than half the time. I give him credit for showing up when it matters, but who knows what his effort level will be like now that he's won his cup. I think he'll perform this year because he wants to get a big contract after the season, which he probably would. But I would HATE to be the team that signs that guy for a long-term, big-dollar contract.

 

I don't mean to be too hard on the guy -- but these are things I've been saying for the last two years. And all that said, with it working out like this he'll be appreciated and revered by Hawks fans forever.

[kujay]

Also, not really sad to see Fraser go at all. He's not a "playoff player" and he got his assed kicked too many times in fights over the last few years. He didn't do anything that Eager and Burish didn't do better.

 

That said, I hope it's true that Bowman will try to find a tough guy on the FA market.

[Butterscup1679666578]

First round mock: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Daddy-presents-the-2010-NHL-Mocked-Draft;_ylt=A2KIilkduCRMQ9EAiXF7vLYF?urn=nhl,250878

 

Blackhawks picks:

 

24. Chicago Blackhawks (via Atlanta Thrashers): Tyler Pitlick, C, Minnesota State (WCHA)

 

This is a bit of a safe pick despite some higher-talent players on the board, but Pitlick wins draws like a pro and has a strong all-around game that features both power and skill. If he can continue to grow offensively (he has no help at Mankato State), this is one of those late-round picks GMs will be kicking themselves over. (RL)

 

30. Chicago Blackhawks: Justin Faulk, D, USNTDP

 

Faulk is your regular ol' solid offensive defenseman prospect and, oh yeah, he can shoot the puck through a wall. He's a strong skater and tough to dislodge from the puck despite "only" 6 feet, 196 pounds. Plus I've heard Chicago has a recent history of developing good defensemen.

[kujay]

First round mock: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Daddy-presents-the-2010-NHL-Mocked-Draft;_ylt=A2KIilkduCRMQ9EAiXF7vLYF?urn=nhl,250878

 

Blackhawks picks:

 

24. Chicago Blackhawks (via Atlanta Thrashers): Tyler Pitlick, C, Minnesota State (WCHA)

 

This is a bit of a safe pick despite some higher-talent players on the board, but Pitlick wins draws like a pro and has a strong all-around game that features both power and skill. If he can continue to grow offensively (he has no help at Mankato State), this is one of those late-round picks GMs will be kicking themselves over. (RL)

 

30. Chicago Blackhawks: Justin Faulk, D, USNTDP

 

Faulk is your regular ol' solid offensive defenseman prospect and, oh yeah, he can shoot the puck through a wall. He's a strong skater and tough to dislodge from the puck despite "only" 6 feet, 196 pounds. Plus I've heard Chicago has a recent history of developing good defensemen.

 

I typically don't care much for the NHL Draft, even when the Hawks have (had) high picks. But I'll be watching tonight because I expect more movement including these picks. I don't know enough about the draft after Hall and Seguin to know if it makes sense, but it would be great if the Hawks could package some of these picks to move up to the top part of the first round.

 

I'd like to know if anyone does rankings of farm systems like BA does for Baseball (or is it BP?), but I think the Hawks are in pretty good shape. And I'm still looking forward to seeing Leddy progress. I think the thought is he's probably a year away still, but he could ease in as a 5th or 6th defenseman.

[jersey cubs fan]

I typically don't care much for the NHL Draft, even when the Hawks have (had) high picks.

 

You didn't care about the Toews/Kane drafts?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'd like to know if anyone does rankings of farm systems like BA does for Baseball (or is it BP?), but I think the Hawks are in pretty good shape. And I'm still looking forward to seeing Leddy progress. I think the thought is he's probably a year away still, but he could ease in as a 5th or 6th defenseman.

 

hockeysfuture.com does a good job keeping track of that. The Blackhawks have promoted a lot of top-end talent in recent years, so they're now more middle of the pack. They have a ton of depth of prospects, but not really any impact players. Which is fine, because they don't need them.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Here's from their latest organizational rankings:

 

18

Chicago Blackhawks

Strengths: The Blackhawks have a diverse and talented group of defensemen headlined by offensively gifted Nick Leddy and two-way defenseman Dylan Olsen. The organization also boasts one of the deepest groups of forward prospects. Weaknesses: Despite there being a plethora of forward prospects, most have either limited offensive ability such as Jack Skille or character issues such as Kyle Beach or Akim Aliu. Alec Richards, whose upside is limited, is the only goaltending prospect in the system. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Dylan Olsen, D, 2. Kyle Beach, LW, 3. Nick Leddy, D, 4. Akim Aliu, RW, 5. Shawn Lalonde, D. Lost to graduation: Niklas Hjalmarsson.

 

I don't think we'll be want to move up in the draft. From what I understand, after the first 8-12 picks, there's pretty much a flat pool of players until late in the second round. We aren't getting into the top tier, and there's no point moving further up in the second tier.

[kujay]

I typically don't care much for the NHL Draft, even when the Hawks have (had) high picks.

 

You didn't care about the Toews/Kane drafts?

 

Not so much for Toews, but yeah I watched when they had the 1st pick. I'm just not one of those people who knows who all the prospects are and really cares what goes on after the first few picks.

[jersey cubs fan]

I typically don't care much for the NHL Draft, even when the Hawks have (had) high picks.

 

You didn't care about the Toews/Kane drafts?

 

Not so much for Toews, but yeah I watched when they had the 1st pick. I'm just not one of those people who knows who all the prospects are and really cares what goes on after the first few picks.

 

Same here, but the Blackhawks were making those first few picks, so I was interested.

[hawkeyecub]

I typically don't care much for the NHL Draft, even when the Hawks have (had) high picks.

 

You didn't care about the Toews/Kane drafts?

 

Not so much for Toews, but yeah I watched when they had the 1st pick. I'm just not one of those people who knows who all the prospects are and really cares what goes on after the first few picks.

 

Same for me. There's only so much time you can allocate to sports. The NHL is the one sport that I don't really know anything about prospects either for the draft or in the systems. Plus for me it's kind of fun to have one sport where you just watch the games and don't really pay ttention to the advanced stats or prospects. I also have no idea how to evaluate hockey prospects so that's most of it. When I watch the draft I can't pick up on the differences between the majority of the forwards, d's or goalies.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Hawks take Kevin Hayes (LW)

 

Here's a few scouting reports I found

 

NHL scout Gary Eggleston sees Hayes going somewhere in the middle of the first round -- perhaps to his hometown Boston Bruins. Exhibits good sense and vision and is a workhorse on the power play.

 

"He's a great skater with big, long strong stride and carries the puck very well," Eggleston said. "He's become an excellent passer and sees the ice very well. I wasn't sure a year ago that he might have had that asset, but he's turned out to be an excellent playmaker. He's got a great shot and can score goals. I think he's probably as satisfied setting up someone for a goal and he has a knack for finding open teammates around the goal."

 

I don't want people to get the wrong impression on Hayes-- this is a really solid kid and prospect. He's got size, speed and skill. The Dorchester native also put up some bigtime numbers at Nobles last season. There appears to be quite a bit of interest in him in the late first-round, which makes sense given that he has the most upside of any of the New England draft-eligibles this season. Now, for the bad news: I think he's very much a work in progress, so any team picking him will need to be in it for the long haul. He has accelerated so he can be on Chestnut Hill next season, which helps his stock at the draft, but he's got to get stronger and show more of a willingness to play in the greasy areas of the rink. He reminds me a lot of what I was hearing about Joe Colborne two years ago: very big and very talented, but needing to show more commitment in all areas of his game.

 

One thing I've heard is that he's more skilled than his older brother (and Toronto '08 second-rounder) Jimmy, but not as gritty and physical. If he can add a little bit of Jimmy's sandpaper to his game, I think he'll become a pretty big name in prospect circles because he doesn't lack for talent.

[UMFan83]

Hawks traded out of the 1st round, and sent their 30th pick to the Islanders for the 35th and 59th pick.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Works for me.

[kujay]

Yeah that's a great trade to just grab another second-round pick. And with the way they reached on the 24th pick, the guy they wanted at 30 will probably be there at 35.