The Hawks will go with Best Player on their board, at #3. Every hint out of the organization is that they already have their man, its just a question if they think they can get him at 4, 5, or even 6. The Hawks say they aren't trading down, and if so I think it means Olesz or Barker, but that could be a bluff- as many people believe that Tallon and Co. like Ladd(and Tukkonen would also fit with the teams needs).
After the #3 overall, the Hawks have 4 picks in the 2nd(their own, Los Angeles[from philly Zhamnov], Nashville[Steve Sullivan], and Dallas[Jon Klemm]).
In the 2nd round, I expect the hawks to look for two things, Goal Scorer's, and Stay at home dmen.
I doubt we take a flyer on any dman under 6'2", unless he is a major steal. Why? Because we have: Steve McCarthy, Duncan Keith, James Wisniewski already in the system. And Duncan Keith is maybe the most interesting prospect never talked about. Everyone compares people to Scott Neidermeyer... Well if anyond can become that type of dman, its Keith. Its just a question of how he can hold out physically(because he is a small man). Because there simply isn't a better skater playing hockey than Duncan Keith.
Up Front, we have a glut of Pluggers and quality 2nd liners. Mark Bell, Kyle Calder, Tyler Arnason, Pavel Vorobiev, Matt Ellison...etc etc.
What we lack are true snipers(outside of the enigma, Alex Kojevnikov).
Now this could be way off, because- well, Pully could be back in charge
But that's what I expect the strategy to be, depending on the situation.
The hawks will also IMO, be looking to pick up a young enforcer. Outside of Thornton(who is 27, so not a youngster) we really don't have anybody in the system that can chuck em. That's the one thing that Pully will waste a pick to early on, almost certainly. I'm betting 3rd round.
-fullmetalninja