2026 Draft Thread - Hawks with 4th overall pick

[hawksfan50]

All I would again ask is IF Stenberg iscthe right type to compliment a CB-RK top line duo ..

If you go with Stenberg that is very small line height wise.. 5'11-5'10-5'9..I do not think this is feasible.

Also BEDSY AND KANTSY NEED a big "protector" guy with Power to dig pucks out from the boards to thec2 smurf top talents.. Now though the balance on skates and his uber co Pete allow Stenberg to win pucks on the biard battles and making plays off gettingvthe puck,he is NOT going to be a protector for his 2 smaller wibgersin case big physical teams try abusing them.

So ok you could then either put RK on line 2 woth Frondell as C pr put Stenberg on line 2 With Frondell at C...and maybe Not with Frondell..
.but NOTt BOTH with Bedard.



However Bertuzzi is on the 2nd line with Frondell...their styles compliment each other.in the power down low game...A goal sniper probably compliments them best ..I do not think Stenberg is going to be 40 goal guy...Will be something like 1 g for every 2 or more assits and if that creative due to his hickey sense maybe there will be over passing ...onlyv1 puck ...somebody hss to defer and emphasize sniping over dishing.



So IF THE entire rationale for taking Stenberg is to "solve" the Bedard wingman duo search, I am questioning if the fit need requires a bigger power type winger and let Bedsy find the duo skill magic with Kantserov..

Maybe we get that more fit solution forc the other winger on the top line to the CB-RK skill duo by trading for that type or via free agency if that sokution woukdvpkayvwith the Hawks(eg Alex Tuch =free agent?)..

Doing that would d instead allow KD to draft a top D..where the insurance for 1RD( which we do not yet know if either Lev or Rinzel can develop into 1RD ( would have a 3rd challenge to 1RD).or to the 1LD where currently ther vis Zero hopefuls unless Hawks keep KK and he magically takes command of the top left side D need.


Or it allows KD to draft maybe Malhotra if still on the board...that puts himat 2C and so Frondell can be the Big wing on the top line with CB and RK.

To sum it all up...Stenberg is a very good prospect .no issue on that ..but for Hawks Needs and Fits maybe he is not the right pick????

 

[AmericanDream]

0 Hawks on the all rookie team this year. Possible 3 next year....

 

[statswatcher]

sometimes not having a hammer makes every problem look like a nail

come to think of it, the better way it put it that if the man with a hammer sees everything as a nail, the man without a hammer sees everything as a hammer.

 

[eklund2chicago]

I dont think it is a slam dunk at all he would break camp with the Hawks.

He is more NHL ready than Frondell and I think we all agree he’s a slam dunk to start the season in the NHL?

I would bet my house on Stenberg starting the year in the NHL. He’s one of the most nhl ready prospects from recent drafts. He’s also going to be 19 when the season starts. He’s super intelligent and has played senior hockey for two years.

I agree however that it will be much of the same with a lot of shorter, offensively gifted forwards but the odd man out if this were to happen is most likely that Lardis and that he starts the year in Rockford or perhaps Burakovsky gets sent to purgatory.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

If Hawks land Stenberg he is 100% on opening night roster

 

[AmericanDream]

If Hawks land Stenberg he is 100% on opening night roster

Why?

That would likely mean 3 rookies in the top 6. I am all for the kid having a shot to earn a spot but some of you who think it is a slam dunk when he has a lot of competition as is without the Hawks adding anyone from the outside I just dont agree.

Kantserov and Frondell should get the main looks first. Lardis has scored 70 plus goals in junior, tore up the AHL and still need to see what he truly can be. No need to rush him just because he is a 4th overall pick. If he blows away the other guys in camp then yeah he should get that look, but there isnt a spot going to be given for him.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Why?

That would likely mean 3 rookies in the top 6. I am all for the kid having a shot to earn a spot but some of you who think it is a slam dunk when he has a lot of competition as is without the Hawks adding anyone from the outside I just dont agree.

Kantserov and Frondell should get the main looks first. Lardis has scored 70 plus goals in junior, tore up the AHL and still need to see what he truly can be. No need to rush him just because he is a 4th overall pick. If he blows away the other guys in camp then yeah he should get that look, but there isnt a spot going to be given for him.

I think it makes the rest of their lineup work and they can claim victory on offseason goal of adding two top 6 forwards...not to mention he's probably just ready for it

 

[AmericanDream]

I think it makes the rest of their lineup work and they can claim victory on offseason goal of adding two top 6 forwards...not to mention he's probably just ready for it

Again though, all for the kid earning it but I dont see a 100% here. They already said to get Kantserov over here pretty much is to let him go in the top 6 first crack. Frondell looked like he belonged there too. I dont think they are going to go into next season without another top 6 veteran addition and even if they did do so, Stenberg isnt a lock out the gate to make this team. I have it more 50/50 because of who the Hawks have ahead of him that are burning ELC years that they need to see what they truly will be.

 

[pvr]

All I would again ask is IF Stenberg iscthe right type to compliment a CB-RK top line duo ..

If you go with Stenberg that is very small line height wise.. 5'11-5'10-5'9..I do not think this is feasible.

Also BEDSY AND KANTSY NEED a big "protector" guy with Power to dig pucks out from the boards to thec2 smurf top talents.. Now though the balance on skates and his uber co Pete allow Stenberg to win pucks on the biard battles and making plays off gettingvthe puck,he is NOT going to be a protector for his 2 smaller wibgersin case big physical teams try abusing them.

So ok you could then either put RK on line 2 woth Frondell as C pr put Stenberg on line 2 With Frondell at C...and maybe Not with Frondell..
.but NOTt BOTH with Bedard.



However Bertuzzi is on the 2nd line with Frondell...their styles compliment each other.in the power down low game...A goal sniper probably compliments them best ..I do not think Stenberg is going to be 40 goal guy...Will be something like 1 g for every 2 or more assits and if that creative due to his hickey sense maybe there will be over passing ...onlyv1 puck ...somebody hss to defer and emphasize sniping over dishing.



So IF THE entire rationale for taking Stenberg is to "solve" the Bedard wingman duo search, I am questioning if the fit need requires a bigger power type winger and let Bedsy find the duo skill magic with Kantserov..

Maybe we get that more fit solution forc the other winger on the top line to the CB-RK skill duo by trading for that type or via free agency if that sokution woukdvpkayvwith the Hawks(eg Alex Tuch =free agent?)..

Doing that would d instead allow KD to draft a top D..where the insurance for 1RD( which we do not yet know if either Lev or Rinzel can develop into 1RD ( would have a 3rd challenge to 1RD).or to the 1LD where currently ther vis Zero hopefuls unless Hawks keep KK and he magically takes command of the top left side D need.


Or it allows KD to draft maybe Malhotra if still on the board...that puts himat 2C and so Frondell can be the Big wing on the top line with CB and RK.

To sum it all up...Stenberg is a very good prospect .no issue on that ..but for Hawks Needs and Fits maybe he is not the right pick????

This is the single most lucent post you’ve ever laid down on this forum, the “hickey” mention notwithstanding.

 

[eklund2chicago]

Why?

That would likely mean 3 rookies in the top 6. I am all for the kid having a shot to earn a spot but some of you who think it is a slam dunk when he has a lot of competition as is without the Hawks adding anyone from the outside I just dont agree.

Kantserov and Frondell should get the main looks first. Lardis has scored 70 plus goals in junior, tore up the AHL and still need to see what he truly can be. No need to rush him just because he is a 4th overall pick. If he blows away the other guys in camp then yeah he should get that look, but there isnt a spot going to be given for him.

Why should Frondell get a main look ahead of Stenberg? They’re the same age and Stenberg is ahead in his development

It’s not rushing him. It’s possible he’s the second best forward on the team. That says more about the Hawks though than about Stenberg.

 

[AmericanDream]

Why should Frondell get a main look ahead of Stenberg? They’re the same age and Stenberg is ahead in his development

It’s not rushing him. It’s possible he’s the second best forward on the team. That says more about the Hawks though than about Stenberg.

Because Frondell is a better player right now regardless of what Sweden decided to do at the Worlds. He already has burnt a year off his elc and is definitely going to get a longer look than Stenberg will to start the season.

Also some of you seem to think 4th overall picks must make it directly to the show a lot...well they dont. You can look at the past 8-9 drafts and it isnt many. 50% says he makes it out of camp without Hawks adding any vets and that is a good thing as we have plenty of players to evaluate and plenty of time to get Stenberg in the lineup. I would have zero issue if he pretty much did what Lardis did last year.

And most importantly he must be the guy the Hawks pick at 4 or all of this talk is just pointless.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Why should Frondell get a main look ahead of Stenberg? They’re the same age and Stenberg is ahead in his development

It’s not rushing him. It’s possible he’s the second best forward on the team. That says more about the Hawks though than about Stenberg.

How do you think he looked after the world's this year?

I saw only 2 or 3 games down the stretch but he didn't look like he had the same wow factor as much in those games. Still good but not that extra gear, IMO.

I figured it's because of conditioning. He was good in the playoffs and good in the worlds though. But the first few games I saw of him this season he seemed dangerous every single shift and was constantly turning guys around.

 

[kmwtrucks]

on the power podcast sounds like they are high on Reid and if all 3 forwards are gone he would be the pick.

 

[eklund2chicago]

Because Frondell is a better player right now regardless of what Sweden decided to do at the Worlds. He already has burnt a year off his elc and is definitely going to get a longer look than Stenberg will to start the season.

Also some of you seem to think 4th overall picks must make it directly to the show a lot...well they dont. You can look at the past 8-9 drafts and it isnt many. 50% says he makes it out of camp without Hawks adding any vets and that is a good thing as we have plenty of players to evaluate and plenty of time to get Stenberg in the lineup. I would have zero issue if he pretty much did what Lardis did last year.

And most importantly he must be the guy the Hawks pick at 4 or all of this talk is just pointless.

Frondell is not a better player now. He could become a better player due to his superior athletic profile but as of today Ivar Stenberg is better. He is smarter and more consistent, which is attributes that are very important when going up in level.

And it doesn’t matter when he’s picked. He’s the same age as Frondell and plays a really mature, nhl ready game. That’s one of his selling points.

 

[Kevin Musto]

is Strome related to anyone that is coming up and plays defense

no Strome-likes in this year's draft

Hawks missed out on Martone

 

[AmericanDream]

Frondell is not a better player now. He could become a better player due to his superior athletic profile but as of today Ivar Stenberg is better. He is smarter and more consistent, which is attributes that are very important when going up in level.

And it doesn’t matter when he’s picked. He’s the same age as Frondell and plays a really mature, nhl ready game. That’s one of his selling points.

You do know we got to watch Frondell play in the NHL this year right? Carrying his own line and playing a far more valuable position in the process..

"It doesn't matter where he's picked" ...yes...yes it does. Most 4th overalls arent sent to the NHL right away (many different scenarios as to why so many non top 2 picks dont go right to the NHL), he very well could be the next but he definitely is going to have a number of challengers ahead of him.

 

[eklund2chicago]

You do know we got to watch Frondell play in the NHL this year right? Carrying his own line and playing a far more valuable position in the process..

"It doesn't matter where he's picked" ...yes...yes it does. Most 4th overalls arent sent to the NHL right away (many different scenarios as to why so many non top 2 picks dont go right to the NHL), he very well could be the next but he definitely is going to have a number of challengers ahead of him.

Frondell was good in his stint but so was Rinzel last year. One of his biggest weaknesses is his consistency so I have a hard time drawing conclusions based on 12 games (that didn’t really matter result wise)

Stenberg was better in the SHL, in the WJC and in the worlds. I really like Frondell but Stenberg is today the more nhl ready player.

Why does it matter for Stenberg (the consensus most nhl ready prospect) if he’s picked second, third or fourth? If it wasn’t San Jose picking second he’d probably go second anyway. That doesn’t make him a different player.

 

[Castle8130]

Frondell is not a better player now. He could become a better player due to his superior athletic profile but as of today Ivar Stenberg is better. He is smarter and more consistent, which is attributes that are very important when going up in level.

And it doesn’t matter when he’s picked. He’s the same age as Frondell and plays a really mature, nhl ready game. That’s one of his selling points.

Frondell is definitely the worse player today, but I'd bet if NHL teams could choose between the 2, they'd pick Frondell. They are only a few months apart in age and Frondell has really special tools and is probably a center long term

 

[clydesdale line]

I can't believe this is even a question. Yes Stenberg is 100% a lock to be on this roster next season and no he already is 100% all in on the NHL next season and out of his SHL deal.

I don't know why this is being discussed anyways. Vancouver is likely taking him at 3 anyways (I actually do believe SJ takes Reid, people here get excited until Vancouver picks Stenberg next). I think the Malhotra stuff is a smokescreen no matter how much they like him.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Although there's apparently some reason they can't list Carels in the draft odds, Vegas still has Stenberg @ 4. Seems silly but I don't have any $$ in the game.

on the power podcast sounds like they are high on Reid and if all 3 forwards are gone he would be the pick.

Taking all the fun out of speculating!

 

[eklund2chicago]

Frondell is definitely the worse player today, but I'd bet if NHL teams could choose between the 2, they'd pick Frondell. They are only a few months apart in age and Frondell has really special tools and is probably a center long term

Yup, NHL teams would for sure pick Frondell ahead if they were in the same draft.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Frondell plays a more NHL ready style. There are prospects including Stenberg who play a more exciting style, make more eye popping plays. To a lot of folk, that ranks them higher than a more simple style player which Frondell is.

But in the trenches of the playoffs, Frondell is who I want. Simple passes, short shifts, can’t be moved in the corner.

Also he might have the best shot on the team already. Bedard may have him in accuracy and release point, and Crevier’s may be harder. But Frondell’s shot is overall just insane.

 

[Nazzz]

Which do you prefer, Reid or Malhotra? imo is a tough decision

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Which do you prefer, Reid or Malhotra? imo is a tough decision

I'd prefer Reid (or Carels) but understand why folks like Malhotra. The appeal of a big, solid 2 way center is a prototypical modern NHL building block.

 

[AmericanDream]

Frondell plays a more NHL ready style. There are prospects including Stenberg who play a more exciting style, make more eye popping plays. To a lot of folk, that ranks them higher than a more simple style player which Frondell is.

But in the trenches of the playoffs, Frondell is who I want. Simple passes, short shifts, can’t be moved in the corner.

Also he might have the best shot on the team already. Bedard may have him in accuracy and release point, and Crevier’s may be harder. But Frondell’s shot is overall just insane.

Stenberg could go 5th if Reid is still there at 4 but some people seem to be acting like this is a Kane level forward and he isnt. I will be more than happy if we draft Stenberg but man o man do some folks on here get blinded by even shinnier toys. There is no 100% anything with Stenberg. He should be a very good forward but I think Frondell will have the better career based off the intangibles he has already shown and the fact that he can play solid 200ft hockey down the middle.

We have Kantserov already to potentially do Panarin level things, Frondell is already showing that his value will likely be in the Toews range which is what helps win championships. Great to have both (Frondell & Stenberg), but gonna stick with that Frondell kid as the better of the two.