News Article: Powers: Blackhawks doing homework on Schaefer

[RememberTheRoar]

Here’s the full portion where Powers seems to confirm that the Blackhawks are not ruling out taking Schaefer if they get the chance:

“The Blackhawks have been doing their homework on Schaefer and will continue to do so. They want to make sure they know him inside and out. They’ll weigh what he brings to the table against the available forward prospects. The Blackhawks don’t want to simply pass on Schaefer because he’s a defenseman. If they believe he’s a game-changer and potentially better than any other prospect in their system, they’ll consider him.”

He adds:

“It’s also important to note Schaefer is not considered the runaway, no-doubt No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. He is a very strong candidate, but it would be reasonable for the Blackhawks to decide to lean in a different direction, be it for positional reasons or simply different player evaluations.

“If the Blackhawks think it’s a close call, their pressing need to add skill and scoring could take priority. If it’s not close and they think Schaefer is the next, say, Miro Heiskanen, they’d take Schaefer.”

Would Blackhawks take Matthew Schaefer with top 2025 NHL Draft pick?

The Blackhawks need more offensive firepower in their system. But is Schaefer, a defenseman, too good to pass up?

www.nytimes.com

Click to read more...

 

[Pez68]

This is going to be a critical pick in the rebuild, truth be told. They can't afford to get it wrong. If you take a forward instead, and this kid turns into a Norris caliber defenseman...man. So of course they are going to analyze and evaluate and evaluate and analyze and analyze and evaluate all four of these kids to exhaustion.

 

[Mrfenn92]

They should be looking at him

 

[TJBrocker]

Is it not literally their job to ensure they know all these prospects inside out?

 

[BHFAN92]

it shouldn't be even a question if we land at #1 we take Schaefer. Each of the forwards while a desperate need don't offer the high ceiling of Schaefer being a Norris type player.

 

[nmgrbhfn]

Hey, with all that d talent the Hawks could play a Jacques Lemaire trap and compete even sooner!

 

[Putt Pirate]

I think you can draft another D and then trade one of our prospects to a team that has a top shelf F that we can then trade KK or someone else for. But he is out for a couple months so curious how he is when he comes back. Trying not to think about woulda/coulda/shoulda on Demidov as many on here wanted but oh well.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

I think you can draft another D and then trade one of our prospects to a team that has a top shelf F that we can then trade KK or someone else for. But he is out for a couple months so curious how he is when he comes back. Trying not to think about woulda/coulda/shoulda on Demidov as many on here wanted but oh well.

Trade KK for DeBrincat haha

Is it not literally their job to ensure they know all these prospects inside out?

I’ve seen plenty of “Hawks better not take another defenseman” takes from fans. So it’s refreshing to see some confirmation that the front office absolutely will take another defenseman if he’s really the next Makar, Hughes, or Heiskanen.

 

[Pez68]

Hey, with all that d talent the Hawks could play a Jacques Lemaire trap and compete even sooner!

Do you know what the best teams in the NHL all have? Top tier defensemen than drive the offense. This isn't 1995 anymore.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Don't see big deal here

It's a big 4 who could go #1 in this draft so they should be doing homework on all of them

What are comps for Schaefer coming into this draft? Does he bring dynamic our current crop of young defenders dont?

Should also be open to idea of trading pick potentially

 

[GIADF]

I think you can draft another D and then trade one of our prospects to a team that has a top shelf F that we can then trade KK or someone else for. But he is out for a couple months so curious how he is when he comes back. Trying not to think about woulda/coulda/shoulda on Demidov as many on here wanted but oh well.

How about Korchinski for Tij Iginla.

The Utah blue line doesn't look that great, although they did draft a guy 6th OA in 2023 to fix that... But I think he was considered a huge reach.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Hopefully they are "doing homework" on everyone they could be in a position to draft. But this could be one of those early feelers put out that the Hawks like Schaefer a lot to draft as high as first overall.

 

[BHFAN92]

Don't see big deal here

It's a big 4 who could go #1 in this draft so they should be doing homework on all of them

What are comps for Schaefer coming into this draft? Does he bring dynamic our current crop of young defenders dont?

Should also be open to idea of trading pick potentially

The comps I have seen are literally Makar or Heiskanen

 

[nmgrbhfn]

Do you know what the best teams in the NHL all have? Top tier defensemen than drive the offense. This isn't 1995 anymore.

I know you're amped up about SJ's lack of integrity, but that was a JOKE. The Hawks won't play the trap.

Heck, they fired LR because in a guaranteed losing season he wouldn't let the boys turn on the o once in a while, and played a low risk let the other team make the mistake brand of hockey. Of course, the Hawks suck at any brand of hockey and as I thought would happen with the new coach they're just losing in higher scoring games!