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Garak

Member Since
Jun. 21, 2019
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Chicago Blackhawks
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Forum: Armchair-GM10 hours ago
Thread: Draft day deals
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Wreckless</b></div><div>Very different position in that Habs are looking to compete right now. And need the extra roster positions for players like 5th overall draft pick Reinbacher. Or established D like Savard to pair with Lane Hutson and properly protect help develop. I hear you that it might not ne Chicago, but someone will do well to bring in Barron and Harris. The upside for both remains solid. They just need bigger roles on a team at a different stage of their rebuild right now. Harris plays both D positions also, not just left D.</div></div>

Thanks for the extra color on Harris and Barron. Maybe they'd be helpful to the Hawks right now, as we are definitely not in a "win now" mode.

And, while I respect the opinions of other Hawk fans on this site more than my own, I am unprepared to say with certainty that Demidov will/should be the Hawks' pick at #2 OA. Reasonable minds can disagree... I trust the current Hawks' brain trust - and scouting team - at this point. So far, they seem to have a propensity to select players that are raw, but with high ceilings. Yes, they could flame out on these types of prospects. But so far - again, SO FAR - they strike me as having done very well at not only drafting high potential prospects but developing them well - a <em>very</em> good combo.

Cheers
Forum: Armchair-GM18 hours ago
Thread: Upgraded
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>sabres89</b></div><div>For me? One of Rosen, ryan johnson, and Wahlberg would be the most I would give up. And here's the funny thing, you'll say Wahlberg. Ryan johnson is an nhl defenseman right now, but soft left shot puck movers don't float everybody's boat. Rosen is pacing to be a swell middle 6 winger, with a great shot, and our ahl coach has been preaching two way hockey to him, teaching him that middle 6 wingers should be able to pk, and stuff like that. But Rosen isn't big, isnt at a point per game in the ahl, and he isn't bringing a physical game with him. Wahlberg is the biggest of the 3, just came over to play in the ahl near the end of the season. He was drafted as a center, and may be a power forward. He's the least polished and least talented of the 3, and I'd be shocked if you didn't say he's your guy.</div></div>

Indeed. You're correct - Wahlberg would absolutely be my choice from among those three. In fact, I hoped the Hawks might get him with the 44th pick in last year's draft, but BUF got him at #39. The Hawks have a dearth of power wingers in their system; in fact, they have almost no prospects at RW of any size. Kyle from Chicago (KFC) has shown a propensity to draft players with raw abilities but large potential upside, and develop them properly. That's what'd the Hawks would aim to do with Wahlberg, IMO.

So, I say you have a deal: All of Skinner's remaining three years at $9mm per year AAV (*gulp*), plus Wahlberg and the #11 OA, for F/C.

On a different note, I suspect KFC might really wheel and deal at this year's draft. This off-season, KFC has TONS of cap room to use in trades and retentions; he's shown he's unafraid to wheel and deal. Prospects have started to trickle into the big club and those who stick will need to be paid (as BUF fans are all too aware), reducing flexibility in the future. But for now, the Hawks still have TONS of holes to fill and I expect Kyle to dynamically get after filling them - wouldn't be surprised if he creates as many as five picks in the first round this year.

Cheers, LA
Forum: Armchair-GM19 hours ago
Thread: Upgraded
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LivingAnew</b></div><div>Totally get that. I think Strbak is developing nicely and like him for the same reasons you do. Interesting that the Hawks have the opportunity to take his MSU teammate with the #2 OA this year (Levshunov.)

And I had the same thing in mind to target with #11 pick... If the Hawks elected to go offense with the #2 OA pick (Demidov or whomever), I want Yakemchuk with #11. Those two selections alone would make the Hawks' 2024 draft a big success, IMO.

But I digress... If you were to also add a "minor piece" to the Hawks for fully taking on the remainder of Skinner's full contract, and if Strbak is a bridge too far, whom might that be?

Thanks for the sane discussion. Cheers</div></div>

For me? One of Rosen, ryan johnson, and Wahlberg would be the most I would give up. And here's the funny thing, you'll say Wahlberg. Ryan johnson is an nhl defenseman right now, but soft left shot puck movers don't float everybody's boat. Rosen is pacing to be a swell middle 6 winger, with a great shot, and our ahl coach has been preaching two way hockey to him, teaching him that middle 6 wingers should be able to pk, and stuff like that. But Rosen isn't big, isnt at a point per game in the ahl, and he isn't bringing a physical game with him. Wahlberg is the biggest of the 3, just came over to play in the ahl near the end of the season. He was drafted as a center, and may be a power forward. He's the least polished and least talented of the 3, and I'd be shocked if you didn't say he's your guy.
Forum: Armchair-GM20 hours ago
Thread: Upgraded
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>sabres89</b></div><div>Strbak is a bridge too far for me. We have no right shot d, and our d as a whole are left shot puck movers without much jam. Strbak is a physical defense first right shot d. In fact, I'm hoping that if the Sabres keep their pick, that yakemchuk is on the board, and they take him.</div></div>

Totally get that. I think Strbak is developing nicely and like him for the same reasons you do. Interesting that the Hawks have the opportunity to take his MSU teammate with the #2 OA this year (Levshunov.)

And I had the same thing in mind to target with #11 pick... If the Hawks elected to go offense with the #2 OA pick (Demidov or whomever), I want Yakemchuk with #11. Those two selections alone would make the Hawks' 2024 draft a big success, IMO.

But I digress... If you were to also add a "minor piece" to the Hawks for fully taking on the remainder of Skinner's full contract, and if Strbak is a bridge too far, whom might that be?

Thanks for the sane discussion. Cheers
Forum: Armchair-GM23 hours ago