Our Hawks had the second-best odds to land another number-one overall pick in the NHL Draft this year. With just a 3.5% chance, the e New York Islanders were bounced into the top spot. The Islanders have the right to pick first for the fifth time in team history, and first since selecting Tavares with the No. 1 pick in 2009. Utah won the second lottery drawing and made the jump from 14th to fourth under the rules limiting teams from moving up no more than 10 spots in the draft order.
The Blackhawks had to settle for the third pick, after selecting first and second the last two years. But the team’s first priority is drafting a head coach.
“Ultimately, we want someone that’s excited about what’s going on in Chicago, and you know, based on the reaction, and my phone every day, this is quite — it’s an appealing job, and we feel that, and we know that,” said Hawks G.M. Davidson, “but we’ve got to find the right person that fits what we’re doing, and that’s kind of the course we’re running right now.”. Hawks fired Richardson in December, and Sörensen has been at the helm on an interim basis since.
Still, the Hawks are in prime position to get an elite forward prospect as the strength of this draft is at center and wing.
Hagens is a highly-skilled center who fits the profile the Hawks love in their forwards. However, he is the same size as Bedard and Nazar. That is not a bad thing as Hagens has some serious skill. It is just the Hawks could use some more size among their prospect group.
Martone has the size the Hawks need, however, his skated ability is rated below average. Skating ability is one of the four traits the Hawks love in their players.
Frondell could also be an option, who is a bit bigger than Hagens.
JR – Frondell’s skating isn’t really better than Martone’s – both skate fine and can make plays at top speed but both have slow takeoffs. Both will need to improve their acceleration to be considered good skaters.
Here’s my complaint about Frondell – I haven’t seen it when I watched him play. I didn’t see any of his games in the Swedish 2nd level pro league until the playoffs and the games at the recent U18tournament in Dallas which he didn’t stand out very much at all – in fact he was pretty much overshadowed by his teammates Ekberg and Sternberg.
SS – #3. Martone
Quenneville Back in NHL!
Thought people here would be talking more. Just like reading everyone’s ideas/why.
With a top 3 pick
Do you go for best available/most skill set
Do you go for size
Do you go for speed
Do you go for position/need
With a top 6-10 pick
What do you go for.
Thought is with a top 3 pick but says go for best player and have no thoughts on what position what’s needed more/we get that latter.
Also look at the 26 27 drafts and we know about where we’re are going to be/6th and 15th before ping pong balls.
See who’s in those drafts.
End game is best top6 and top4 right? Pick who is that.
Bobby G,
I prefer the following:
Misa
Hagens
Desnoyers/Frondell are both equal but bring something different. It depends on what the Hawks value.
The Hawks need top-six skill players, who are always at the top of the draft. Skill players with bigger bodies are found in the middle rounds, with a few exceptions. Dach is a big body and is projected to be a top 9. Right now, get the best available skill player which is either Misa or Hagens. Des and Frondell are next tier.
Scott Wheeler from the Athletic : ” I think the Blackhawks’ decision comes down to three names: Misa, Desnoyers and Frondell. They already have a lot of 5-foot-10/11 forwards with speed and skill and I don’t think it makes sense for them to add another one in Hagens. And as much as the Blackhawks fan base anecdotally seems to want Martone for his size-skill-power combination, he doesn’t fit their profile because he doesn’t have the plus-skating piece.”
He goes with Frondell
ER – who is Elite Prospects saying should go 3?
Thanks for sharing!
I watched some youtube prospect analysis videos focusing on guys the Hawks would be considering at #3 (assumption Schaefer and Misa are selected at 1 &2). Martone is projected to go #3 more times than Frondell, but they’re the two who are most highly thought of. The weird thing is that Elite Prospects, who I value more than most other prospect analyst groups gave him a consensus ranking of #12, and one of their analysts I like a lot (Cam Robinson) ranks him #17. WOW!
Still a long way to go and things will change but, for me, Martone is far and away better than Frondell.
BobbyG…. to be clear– I prefer BOTH Scheafer/Misa over Hagens
Assuming they are both gone at #3…. I like Hagens over the field there.
I have this “Hunch” that Schaefer that will be a Stud Offensive D man
And Misa size over Hagens…
Hagens will be a nice consolation — if Both r gone at 3rd pick
Hagens IQ/ And past Elite numbers project well -as he matures.
I agree with most here… Hawks need to find some SIZE/Skilled Forwards…. don’t really have ANY in Jrs/Hogs— Spellacy? is really about it
Might need to start plucking some guys from Europe –that are near ready???
Had a funny feeling more that with other top teams being off some this is TOR chance.
Then TOR didn’t look that good first round and FLR looked better than you think TAM.
TOR doing it though. Felt before season FLR would run out of gas at some point.
It’s tuff hangers is short and has elite skill. Martone is slow per se skating not super had elite size. Frondell has no wolfsbane.
Really like to get a Frondell player at 6th in 26 draft.
Watched Icehog game…. They rotted…. lol
I think Rantanen wants to pay back his contract before it even starts.
Was good game
Driving home from work and a friend text me that Tor and Fla are killing each other. Anyone want to describe what happened
Hogs are getting their collective asses waxed tonight – down 0-5 in the 3rd. YEESH
For 💩s and giggles I did the Eastern Conference playoff teams also.
Carolina has 5 players under 6′ Jarvis and Stankoven being two of them good palyers Yost and rookies Blake and Nadeau
Wash with 3 under 6′ Mangiapane Beauvillier and rookie Ethen
Florida with 2 Rdriguez and Marchand and we know how Marchand plays
Toronto with 2 also Robertson and Domi. We all know how Domi plays. I am hoping and wishing Savoie plays that hard.
BobbyG – add me to the Martone crew.
Apologies in advance for any misunderstanding or misinterpreting your posts and leaving anyone out.
Trades have been brought up and the possibility of NYI taking Hagens and hopefully Schaefer to the Sharks.We have a variety of picks, should Misa be taken before our pick.
It appears Hagens being favored by Bluto and Hawks65.
Martone favored by Billy Reay, BobbyG and JR
Frondell favored by Tommy and 2010.
Yes good decision by him thinking family first. Pretty sure that there is an opt out clause that if a certain NHL team in Denver is looking for a new coach he can apply.
Carle signed a multi years contract in Denver
He didnt want to come in NHL .
He love 💗 is life in Denver , Happy man . Glad for him .Money cant buy some people. Very good decision from him .
Misa is the top forward for me, but after that Martone would be my pick.
Not really concerned with his skating, not a huge factor when you are already setup in the offensive zone, winning board battles, setting up shop in front of the net, etc.
Look at some of the guys making the biggest impact in the playoffs, lot of them are not known as top skaters.
It’s important to have speed and good skaters in your lineup, but it doesn’t fill all the needs for your roster.….
Hows speedster Kurashev and Reichel with all their speed working out?….
lmfaoooo
OFFICIAL name….Utah Mammoth .. gunna call em the Moths for short….
DUMB name IMO
As fast as McDavid is and fun to watch … He aint the one who wins Most games for Oilers ..
You take McDavid…..
I’ll take Draisaitl ….
Dallas has 3 players under 6’ft: Granlund, Torque Blackwell. Granting Blackwell vets on expiring contracts that probably won’t be there next year.
Edmonton has 3 players under 6’ft: Arvidsson Skinner Hutson. Arvidsson Skinner vets, Skinner on expiring contract
Winnipeg 2 players under 6’ft. Perfetti Anderso-Dolan. Perfetti the young talent
Vegas 1 player under 6’ft Oloffsson on expiring contract.
Those are your Western Conference playoff team’s forwards roster. Enough Said. Proof is in the pudding
Someone mentioned early that Martone has Bedard speed. That could work in chemistry between the two. Just like you need a Shooter a Passer and Puck Getter on each line a difference in speed could be needed.
Would be great if NYI takes Hagens. SJ then would take Schaefer and Misa lands to us.If not I would be happy with Martone Desnoyers Frondell
ICEHOGS are on tonight… 7pm ct
I was reading lately that Martone is a slow player ..slower then Dylan Strome who was not fast enough for the Hawks . But good enough tobe a top leader in Washington.
Let say Misa is gone and Schaefer also ..
I would go with Frondell .
I read also that Islander’s are considering the local Kid .Hagens …iff that happens then The two top picks would be available for the Hawks
Coaching will be settled before the draft , no rush
Utah maybe #4 and McBain for #3 & Kurashev. I know only just jumping up one spot might not excite them. So #4 and another 2nd and 3rd for #3 and Kurashev.
Nash is the one I think could happen with #5 & #26 for #3. I would like to add Evangelista and Kurashev swap too.
Philly same thing. #6 & #24 for #3. Forrester a tougher get but maybe we add #29 and Kurashev
I know Biston won’t give up Geekie but a #7 & Beecher for #3 & Kurashev. The bigger the jump the bigger the ask.
Seattle must get #8 with either Kakko or Wright for #3 and Kurashev.
So the front runners here are Hagens Martone Frondell.
Would have to think if we need we trade one of fw for a fw with size.
Beat available is complete player?
Jr,,, Great trade idea there with SJ…. Great if able to pull it off …
Agree with you JR. No Hagens . Hawks need to get bigger. Watch StLouis vs Jets. You need big boys
Maybe we trade one of fw for a fw with size.
Based on info here hagens is best available/complete player.
Sure we need size dynasty’s rosters had those small height players 88 65 10 were 5/10 5/10 6/0 so that’s equal to Bedard Savoie lardis.
Having nazar hagens is two good players just have to get players with size for most other spots.
Bedard 5′ 10″
Nazar 5’10′”
Savoie 5’10
Lardis 5’11”
Moore 5’11”
Hagens 5′ 11″
WATCH THE PLAYOFFS WE NEED BIG BODIES!!!!!
Hagens is the 3rd pick… B4 season many scouts had him as #1
I go Hagens— downside is he is smalller
BUT– he IS A COMPLETE player…. Set Many record in US Development program … and translates to Hughes/Kane type future
Hughes took some time… but is a stud now… Hagens is playing In NCAA which is a tougher league to score in versus CHL and others
But–back to USDP — his numbers are elite… so he will be elite…just might take 2-3 years to Strengthen up… but vision/IQ/Skating is ELITE
I wrote something earlier, but it did not post. I have always been in the camp of Misa or Hagens as our pick. There is a chance Hagens and Schaefer go 1 and 2 and the Hawks still get Misa. The alledged experts think Hagens is not a center but think Misa is. I am the opposite. Hagens is a #1 Center and Misa is a top line wing.
Since its likely that Schaefer and Misa are both gone by #3, now it’s who do ya like.
Martone: big but not the best skater, so not a KFC guy
Frondell: not the scorer that the Hawks need, but an excellent 200 ft player, maybe a Barkov
Hagens: #1OA at the beginning of the season. smaller but dynamic Demidov consolation prize
Desnoyers: average skater does lots of other things well
Jake O’Brian: #2C, specialty teams player
Eklund: smaller, but a complete player
McQueen: injury
Martin: a trade down guy, a reach at #3OA
The worst-case scenario for the Hawks would be if the Islanders and Sharks take Misa and Hagens, leaving Schaefer as the best available at #3. In that case, it might make sense for Chicago to consider trading the pick to a team like Nashville or Philadelphia and selecting a player further down the board.
I could definitely see the Islanders taking Hagens—he’s from the area, and his linemate is Eiserman. The Sharks could take Schaefer, but they have a glaring need at the #2 center spot, and they drafted Dickinson last year, which might push them toward taking a center like Misa.
Regardless, the Hawks will land a solid player somewhere in the 3–6 range. This draft is full of forwards with varying skill sets but similar overall upside. Only time will tell whether a riser like Desnoyers—or someone else—can measure up to players like Misa or Hagens down the road. But if Hagens falls to them at 3, knowing KFC has drafted US and WHL players while skipping OHL and QMJHL I think Hagens is the choice.
Picking third adds more drama, speculation, and excitement for the draft. In the end, the Hawks are still going to get a top player.
Anyway we could trade with a team at 4/5 spot and still get hagens/Frondell and pick up something else with a team that is in love with Martone/hagens.
When I think about it your right I hope Frondell is that good and I know Hagens doesn’t have size/Demidov.
What’s better for playoffs style. I know it’s not six top6 small fw with skill.
How did each of these top picks perform/play/traits in there leagues playoffs?
Yea I not liking the not a really good skater thing. I know we need size. Look at how much better 98 will be when he gets better at skating stuff.
We didn’t get as good of a player when we went for size and defensemen at 7th as we wanted thought so why do that/again.
I hope Frondell is that good.
Cannot believe two yrs ago Hagens was a dream pick the player to get and now during season becasue of the rankings everyone says think Shaffer misa no matter what.
That is interesting that it could be diff in two yrs.
What also could be diff in two yrs from now is where these players are ranked then not now.
As long as we don’t go reaching for a guy with size like we did the last time we had the 3rd overall. The guy I wanted was Boldy because he had all the traits except he was skinny. So, let’s get the best all-around hockey player and not one who is a poor skater. To me the Swedish center is a complete player, so let’s not over think it. Otherwise, the Hagans kid is also a complete player and would have been the #1 pick most of the season. It’s really A or B. I’m good with either!
Does SJ like one of our LHD. Not that I want to get rid of him but.
#3 & Vlasic, Kurashev for #2 & Kostin
I don’t think anyone the Hawks could draft will make the team out of camp with the possible exception of Misa and it’s doubtful they get a shot at drafting him in the #3 spot. So … the top-6 winger needed for the 2025/26 season will need to be acquired some other way – maybe using the #3 pick in a trade to get that winger.
Trade with NYI for 2025 #1 pick
We give them:
Kurashev (RFA)
2025 #3 pick
2026 2nd round pick that was originally theirs
To be fair prob should only be bottom 3 teams.
Yes teams like BOS/others have no right to be top 10 picks.
Really should only be bottom 5 teams and maybe have mid season bottom teams so teams can’t tank last 20 games after they know they can’t make playoffs.
You see it every yr teams try for 60 games do good go around .500 then tank and get a 6-10 pick. BS.
So Hawks wont get a chance to get Misa i think .🤔
But at least there is 2-3 really good players to draft with the third pick .
Lottery is a joke…. Only the top 5 teams should have a shot at 1-2…