Chicago screwed up royally!

[Fantomas]

So, in this hypothetical scenario, is only Chicago armed with a crystal ball at the draft? Or are the other teams also allowed to use this magical device?

I could have told you last summer that Levshunov was a bad pick and I wasn't alone on this.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I’ve been stat watching but haven’t actually watched Kantserov play, he does have insane numbers. Any idea how his numbers improved drastically compared to last year? Is it usage?

Yes, but it started during last season's KHL Playoffs and by the end of them he was playing a top 6 role on the team that went onto win the Championship. He was out recovering from surgery but picked up where he left off and has gotten even greater opportunity with powerplay time and such.

 

[SimpleJack]

That’s ok cuz they’re going to land the next 2 #1OA and select Schaffer and McKenna.

 

[SimpleJack]

I could have told you last summer that Levshunov was a bad pick and I wasn't alone on this.

Wasn’t a bad pick. They locked down a key position of need in the pipeline.

 

[Fantomas]

Wasn’t a bad pick. They locked down a key position of need in the pipeline.

Sure, plug a hole when you could draft Bedard's future star linemate instead.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Sure, plug a hole when you could draft Bedard's future star linemate instead.

Multiple Cup contenders have giant gaping holes with RHD. It's a tough spot to fill and leads to a lot of overpayment. Even if you don't end up drafting a Winger with a top 4 pick, there can be other avenues via later draft picks, trading and free agency. Hawks have thrown a lot of their excess draft capital at Forwards (Nazar, Moore, Boisvert were all bonus Mid-1sts that they used to take forwards). We'll see how it all turns out.... obviously it all just comes down to how players perform.

 

[Fantomas]

Multiple Cup contenders have giant gaping holes with RHD. It's a tough spot to fill and leads to a lot of overpayment. Even if you don't end up drafting a Winger with a top 4 pick, there can be other avenues via later draft picks, trading and free agency. Hawks have thrown a lot of their excess draft capital at Forwards (Nazar, Moore, Boisvert were all bonus Mid-1sts that they used to take forwards). We'll see how it all turns out.... obviously it all just comes down to how players perform.

Ideal scenario for the Hawks would have been Demidov and then Schaefer. But you never know where you're picking.

 

[Doc5]

Yes, but it started during last season's KHL Playoffs and by the end of them he was playing a top 6 role on the team that went onto win the Championship. He was out recovering from surgery but picked up where he left off and has gotten even greater opportunity with powerplay time and such.

Sounds promising! Hope he ends up being a second round steal for you guys

 

[wetcoast]

It's ok no one can compare to the massive franchise destroying 2015 draft the bruins had. How many cups could they have won with even just Connor added?

Probably zero as Connor is a good offensive player but just doesn't care when he doesn't have the puck.

Ideal scenario for the Hawks would have been Demidov and then Schaefer. But you never know where you're picking.

Schaefer could still end up a Black Hawk and they still have a fine pipeline.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If not Schaefer then hopefully one of Hagens or Misa who certainly could be that “second great forward” level good.

 

[Romang67]

Their real flub was not going:

Getzlaf
Crawford
Backes
Moulson
Methot
Pavelski
Enström
Byfuglien
David Jones
Elliott

With their 10 picks in 2003. Scrub franchise, IMO.

 

[SimpleJack]

Sure, plug a hole when you could draft Bedard's future star linemate instead.

Yeah ur right the Hawks will never ever be able to add wingers for Bedards line now, that was their one and only opportunity and they blew it. SMH.

Meanwhile RHD, a position very coveted and a position the Hawks desperately needed to fill given the amount of LHD they already have in the system, was there for the taking and they didn’t hesitate.

They will have PLENTY of ways/opportunities in the next couple seasons to add to the top 6 forward core. Guys in the pipeline already, multiple 1sts including lottery pick in upcoming draft, plus the 2026 draft, plus all the $$ they hav to spend/cap space.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Hawks were not the only team to pass on Demidov, Eiserman, or Hutson.

Demidov was my preferred pick at 2nd overall, but I had Lev at 3rd, so I'm not terribly upset. Lev may not be lighting up the AHL, but he's the youngest D in that league and up to recently, was leading all D for sog. He's now 2nd in that category, behind a guy over a decade older.

Eiserman was passed over by a lot of other teams due to some legitimate reasons. It's great he's become a bit more well rounded this season. That doesn't bump him up to 'likely future top line winger'. What a stupid assumption. He's got a ways to go before he gets to that point. He could just as easily flame out like fellow Isles draftee who relied on his shot; Oliver Wahlstrom.

Regarding the other Cole, I know there's a bit of a love fest going on with Lane Hutson right now, and I realize that Cole plays a lot like Lane, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll excel in the NHL. Not to mention we're deep at LD right now.

Again, why not critique Anaheim or Columbus for not selecting Demidov? Eiserman was picked at 20th, so why should the Hawks feel regret for not picking him? Same for Hutson, who wasn't selected until 43rd overall.

This is a bad thread.

 

[MrCreamm]

I'm kind of 50/50 on Schaefer/Misa, I think Hagens will be good possibly great but Bedard needs a guy who has some more size and can forecheck/create space, and would you draft Hagens to play him on the wing or 2C behind Bedard? Schaefer also seems to me as one of the better d prospects in the draft since Dahlin in their DY.

If they don't draft a forward though then they are kicking the can down the road to get a real top 6 guy who can play with Bedard... They need to get someone in free agency and if not, they should consider trading some of their draft capital and a smaller prospect for a top 6 guy, not fringe top 6 players like Hall or Bertuzzi who clearly aren't what they used to be.