Hot damn, put the needle on the record and get the hell out of Wiz’ way. That was fun, I need a nap after listening to you! Your enthusiasm comes thru in your posts but they do no justice after listening to you. Well done.
Rink, great to hear you have some advertisers. My guess is there is more to come. ……. Have a few thoughts but as I mentioned I need a nap before posting after listening to the Wiz.
Really nice for Hawks fans to get a podcast of a mock draft that is Hawks specific. Well done and thanks, Rink.
Like some have said I’m in the camp of take he best player available, gonna trust Kelley and Co and should be hard to make a mistake at #3. Also opined the day they got the #3 they love Zegras as he fits the Hawk mold of skill, skill, skill, skill and worry about the rest later and now most national guys are agreeing that Zegras is the most offensively skilled player in the draft.
But you never see him slotted at the #3 so that opens the possibility of a trade down.
Best thing that could have happened was the Hawks get that #3, next best was if the consensus #1 Dman in the draft skyrocketed up the board due to a great post season and Byrum did just that leading all scorers, not Dmen but all skaters, in the playoffs. ……. If the Hawks don’t have Byrum at 3 it can be like hitting the lottery twice if they are looking to move down.
My point about the Rangers JJ is what if they see Byrum as the next Coffey? Well, like the Hawks if they see Zegras as their man but hold a pick higher than where he is ranked they would look to trade down. Make sense on both counts? But how far can NYR go down and still get Byrum? They go past 3 there is a chance he’s not there so if the Hawks want Kakko they have some leverage against NY and in theory would not have to give up much other than their 3rd. Not like say a Detroilet for instance who would have to pay big to move to #3 to get Byrum as the Hawks hold the key to anyone who wants him ……..
NYR wants him they use their 2nd or have to take what the Hawks will give. If I’m NYR and am hell bent on Byrum why not take the little bit more I can get for the #2 from the Hawks instead of just taking him at #2? Take Byrum at #2 and I’m done or swap picks with the Hawks and get say a 2nd rounder as well. Byrum and nothing at #2 or Byrum and what the Hawks will “throw in”. You follow, in theory the Hawks would not have to over pay for the #2 in fact underpay…………… Just a thought exercise is all.
Looking at Wiz’ draft board I’m just as intrigued about their 2nd round pick as their 1st. I’m a Beecher guy after seeing him live this yr and would simply take him if available. I see his floor higher than the kids Wiz has around him, the ones I’ve seen live who are Johnson, Saville, LaCombe, Afanasyev even my guy Mastrosimone (The Meastro)……. All probably have a higher ceiling, especially Afanasyev and Johnson, but not a higher floor IMO. I see Beecher as an NHL shutdown 3C with great size (6ft 3in 210lbs as an 18 yr old), +skater and offensive chip in north-south skill. Saw both live in jrs and see him as a better Kuraly……….. Watching the NTDP live with Hughes, Turcotte, Zegras, Boldy, York and on and on and on on the ice Beecher stood out for his effective plays, size and speed. Hard to take your eyes away from that package.
What makes Wiz’ board so fun yr after yr is where he has Afansyev slotted for instance. Don’t think I’ve seen him outside rd 1 anywhere but Wiz has him going 7th in Rd 2. Kid has a lot to offer in size and skill and would not surprise me to see him go Rd 1 as power forwards are so hard to find….. I do think Dman Ryan Johnson plays in the NHL. Kid has skate it all the way up feet, silky hands and wonderful vision. Hearing he’ll be back for another yr with USHL champs Sioux Falls. …….. Saw Dman LaCombe at Steel camp last yr and with 40 kids on the ice for warm ups his skating jumped out and once play started especially so. He’ll play for U of MN as a true freshman this yr, not easily done ….. Can’t argue with goalie Saville’s freakish USHL numbers and the fact that he was USA’s #1 goalie in the Hlinka but I see a lot of motion in the kids style.
Of course if I’ve seen the other kids in Wiz’ board it has been on film or not at all. Just thought I’d add what I saw from kids I saw live but the ones I did see live I’m pretty damn sure the Hawks will get an NHLer in Rd 2 even if they don’t take one of them.
Wanna add one thing about Cozens. An NHL/NCAA/USHL scout I follow and DM sometimes mentioned to me he’s not sure about Cozens’ IQ at #3. No doubt about his size and skating but that he was concerned about his IQ……. Kinda stuff you have to see a kid more than a few times to determine.
Also if the Hawks don’t land Zegras would love to see him on a line with McDavid.
Wanna add one thing about Cozens. An NHL/NCAA/USHL scout I follow and DM sometimes mentioned to me he’s not sure about Cozens’ IQ at #3. No doubt about his size and skating but that he was concerned about his IQ…
JJ, I see you and Sean White communicate on Twitter. He’s the guy who said he questions Cozens’ IQ at #3….. DM him, he’s helpful and will answer questions.
Center Ice › Forums › Blackhawks Rinkcast – Episode 53 – Mock Draft with Bill “Wiz” Placzek
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