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http://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2026
I am going to the Draft Lottery show with fingers crossed for my Blackhawks, but I am confident that Kyle’s re-up means that Boss Danny Wirtz won’t fire him if he takes a draft page out of Patty Verbeek’s 2024 selection of Beckett Sennecke, and, after they get dropped down a notch or two in the final Draft order, simply drafts the kid who fits the room upfront, if he sees him.
Pass on a defenseman in the 2026 class that seems loaded with options? Yes.
My profiles can be relied upon for unbiased thoughts on these young defenseman.
There isn’t a plug n play rearguard there.Sure, maybe they figure out which young defender IS the real deal and this will take the sting away if both Korchinski and Arty never figure out how to have only positive impact.
But there is nothing wrong with filling in the current pool of forwards with a guy who can eventually fatten the skill level and add some grit and size.
Caleb Malhorta would arrive after more time with Boston University, but he would be ready to take that next step after and effortlessly fit.
After watching every minute of the Under-18’s, I am of the opinion even a larger leap of faith could be made by calling Sweden’s Alexander Command’s name.
He is a big centre who is Toews-like in his details. He is the connector on his line’s shifts, defending and creating through his physicality and urgency to make sure his linemates are in a terrific position to succeed.Since the Blackhawks no longer have that Florida first round option, why not, with a lottery loss and subsequent drop back, just draft a forward you need more of? I actually have NEVER been so opinionated this late, so close to the lottery to jump a name from mid-first into the conversation for a mucj earlier spot, but his and skill value shouldn’t be ignored in team building.
(I see lts of fans have gotten comfortable with a Stenberg selection, as one that makes Anton Frondell comfortable;I don’t think he would mind Command either.)
I am knee deep in adding to my draft profiles, and you know I type two fingered.
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I am going to the Draft Lottery show with fingers crossed for my Blackhawks, but I am confident that Kyle’s re-up means that Boss Danny Wirtz won’t fire him if he takes a draft page out of Patty Verbeek’s 2024 selection of Beckett Sennecke, and, after they get dropped down a notch or two in the final Draft order, simply drafts the kid who fits the room upfront, if he sees him.
Pass on a defenseman in the 2026 class that seems loaded with options? Yes.
My profiles can be relied upon for unbiased thoughts on these young defenseman.
There isn’t a plug n play rearguard there.Sure, maybe they figure out which young defender IS the real deal and this will take the sting away if both Korchinski and Arty never figure out how to have only positive impact.
But there is nothing wrong with filling in the current pool of forwards with a guy who can eventually fatten the skill level and add some grit and size.
Caleb Malhorta would arrive after more time with Boston University, but he would be ready to take that next step after and effortlessly fit.
After watching every minute of the Under-18’s, I am of the opinion even a larger leap of faith could be made by calling Sweden’s Alexander Command’s name.
He is a big centre who is Toews-like in his details. He is the connector on his line’s shifts, defending and creating through his physicality and urgency to make sure his linemates are in a terrific position to succeed.Since the Blackhawks no longer have that Florida first round option, why not, with a lottery loss and subsequent drop back, just draft a forward you need more of? I actually have NEVER been so opinionated this late, so close to the lottery to jump a name from mid-first into the conversation for a mucj earlier spot, but his and skill value shouldn’t be ignored in team building.
(I see lts of fans have gotten comfortable with a Stenberg selection, as one that makes Anton Frondell comfortable;I don’t think he would mind Command either.)
I am knee deep in adding to my draft profiles, and you know I type two fingered.
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This crazy Blue’s centre Robt. Thomas runor keeps showing up in my emails from folks. I just don’t understand how the Hawks brass is decidedly made a turnabout on the centre status of l’il Frankie & big Frondell.
Am I thoroughly confused by what leads to more production, or is the near future production by way of a Robert Thomas the answer?
I guess I see trading into the top 11 with the Blues , a team they NEVER TRADE with, as a nice place to select for the Hawk franchise…where we all thought the we were going to select with the Panther pick.
I am not so sure there is value to let the second rounders go frivilously in a partial late first move up. (if you can land my boy Alexander Command, then go nuts dealing…), but the Balckhawks are fortunate at where all three of the second rounders are positioned. There is plenty of talent that needs a bit more time, that you can selct and let percolate, so there is not a overstocking of guys arriving sooner as opposed to later. Some suggest defenders here in the second, but I see a value in putting the scope on whomever may need tie with a chance of a big payoff.
If the organization is feeling that the rearguard stable needs a restock, maybe that comes with a tarding seconds or simply taking the defenseamn in that first round logjam who needs the time before ehis NHL arrival. -
Yes, there is so much to like about his smarts and intensity, and you won’t have the headache of game in / game out teaching moments form the bench that Arny gets each and every game since he has never had a game where he escapes a reprimand when he gets back to the bench.
Rebuids of entire youth remakes will always be full of youngsters you give cahnces to in roles and oppportunities that are really above their readinss, the sink or swims, but can they actually climb the standings with Arty SO far away?
#76 Lardis (based on the hands) is already in far above where he should be in his development, and with a forward, you can always bench him or develop him more in the Rockford first line.But I do not think the ARTY problem disappears overnight. And as much as I want this draft to add more forward skill, Kyle may see Carels as as his eventual bullpen defender after they decide to send a current defender or two to a new environment hopingvthe change of scene gets them to become better NHLers.
To me, it is not a matter of trade value and more they are nightly roadblocks to team success.
AirBus driverOgilthorpe2
: There’s an Arty problem?Yeah. They drafted the biggest strongest free beautiful skating rover, and he came without a strong point shot, inabilty to be a stickhandling mailman on entries, and a continual behavior to hold back instincts or pursue bad ideas in creation. The best offensive NHL defenseman START with those strengths.
And futhermore there backgrouds whether from BCHL, the USHL, or the DUB have had them understand position, execution in their end, and coverageeven more.And I am not saying every kid we have see on drafts for the last decade has be a huge success, but THEY know how to play, in the three zones. And I love Arty! It would be my largest wish that he leaves Anders Sorenson chrysalis and becomes this big dominant attcaker and physical defender. He is my favorite player to isolate.
But, sure there IS a problem, based on the many game he seemed brain cramped, mostly due to his inexperience against the trams he played against in his
Team Belarus Vysshaya in the Under 18 league there (not an overly fierce league)
or in Green Bay Gamblers 42 point but minus 15 season.
I think that maybe his offensive strengths blinded teams of his defensive areas that needed much much more refinement.-
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Malhotra is a huge possibility for the Canucks at #3
Hawk59 says
: “Seems that Grier, SJose GM, could take best player and leave a need for another team to draft. Leave Reid and zcarels. Draft Stenland . Prrtty sure Vancouver takes whimover is left between Stenkand and MalhotraI could see KD drafting either Reid or Carels. Or making a big trade. But the player ti tradr for – Knies – is iMHO exactly who Tironto should not trade. If Toronto makes a trade, they must either get a dman or use the draft choice to draft a dman. It isn’t rocket science; Toronto needs to bring in a young dman and the more logical approach is to draft one. Use Nylander in trade but retain Mathews and Knies.
I think if KD drafts a dman, he winces a bit and goes with Reid over Carels because he wants the Maker llite more than the toughness Carels brings.”
There are things I am sure of.
Vancouver despite the Swedish GM and Sedin influence, they will see adding a big centre as a bigger need due b/c they know Malhortra well and his Daddy is their farm team coach.
Vancouver traded one of the NHL’s best rushing attackers and despite the return of Zeev Buium for him I see the attractiveness of the top defenders (especially the right handers as also being alluring.You think l’il brother Stenberg as a big time scorer in the Fall?
He is a connector, and there is not much coming up the canuck pike that he can make plays to there in .
I actually am more curious if the Sharks see how easily he adds to THEIR attack.
And even though I say no one passes on Gavin MacKenna, you have to wonder if the Leafs think they see a bell cow defenseman who long term aids their rebuild, over all 3 forwards, though MacKenna instantly becomes a NHLer, a trophy piece that sells, and synononymus with the new regime’s work.
It seems silly to think that Kyle-Doneghey “choose” Reid, Carels….Keaton Verhoeff is a huge mobile piece that is an attacker and will get better to the point he and his size will be around for a decade too. I just like Carels too as my add if I need to add there.
Me, I am not trading this #4 pick for Knies.
(and silly to think the Leaf’s rebuild starts with trading your productive youngster? You are falling for clickbait.)The Blackhawks need young verions of Donato and Bertuzzi who have the upside of Donato offensively but the size to physically impact the offensive zone, and a Tyler who even more physically dominant, besides upgardes at Burakowsky,Teravainen, Mangiapane, and maybe Mikheyev, and I do not mean overnight…there are possible forward prospects that can “Brent Sennecke” off the board at #4.
I guess the Arny or Russian Demidov argument becomes Arny or Sennecke as he is impactful in net front presence.
So, I think you are incorrect on many fronts.
The “little” Stenberg doesn’t scream scorer. He is a connector on plays, and fits really well with current Blackhawk forwards, and he plays soon, not later…he has excelled against high international competition and stands up takes the fight to them in battle zones.Just because the draftniks herd their mentality and mistakenly ignored Malhotra i their early drafts (I didn’t) , I do not think another team is switching thei pick for #4 AND actually giving a marquess player along with their top 12 pick.
This drafting is a patient process (which bodes well if a team does take a defenseman from this grouping) and a team like the Blackhawks can fill a need in the first half of the first round even if they do not pick early. (Remember they had their sights on a season final record that was to contend for the playoff elligibilty, so their scouts have identified the Hemmings Belchitzs, Novotnys, Alex Command, even big Ryan Roobroeck.
(Novotny is exactly the type of winger who can finish the scoring chances his centers create. Is THAT a need, or do you think the farm and Lardis have this covered and are the NHL mainstays alreday?)My point is, in my eyes, just as the fanbaes has given Danny Wirtz and company a HUGE patient pass on instant success, the scouting can / will get approval, no matter who they select.
They feel little pressure at getting a certain guy now that they didn’t win the draft.
With Roman Kanserov about to sign, they might just feel it doesn’t matter if they another forward with offensive skills like Stenberg, as this is the equity they will have if the grand experiment ends with litlle impact in the next half dozen yrs. It will be one more asset.
You will not see as quick an interest in a trade for a 4th drafted defender since they need runway b/c their upside, chances of continued development transpire.
KK, DelMastro, Arty don’t get ya’ an established difference maker until the make some difference, right?
Yeah these three second rounds in the top 45, (32, 33) look like pretty nice spots to strenghten all 3 areas of the line-up, but there is going to be an idea of just what is the 2026-27 forward core, and what they decide fills the vacancies the tarde deadline caused.
I am betting the have the desire to splash big somewhere with a solid veteran.
They gotta wanna get traded here.
or, open the checkbook on these vets extensions. (like they wish Burakowsky didn’t have a year left.)
I would be happy with taking a chance on a “youth”…they ignored sniffing for Cutter Gauthier, “all-star” Trevor Zegras…which team wants to give a new start to a drafted youngster next?
Maybe they ignore the defenders, have Ivar Stenberg fall to them, and have him stay in Sweden for the term.
I am not sure it would be that way if another team calls his name.
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Malhotra will be gone.
He’s a perfect 2nd line centre prototype, for Vancouver to start the rebuild…I would bet they this crop of potential NHL defenseman as a nice consolation, and I would be very surprised if l’il brother Evar Stenberg gets selected and arrives earlier than most picks and thinking he with the current Canuck forwards can truly bring their attack together.
It wouldn’t be surprising that the blues probably would love to come out of the drafts first night with one of those mailmen defenseman, Stenberg and would trade first rounders from their three to get up to do just that.
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Wiz you are really down on Arty? He definitely was no Schaefer but those guys are rare breeds.
I thought Arty played well relatively speaking for a rookie and supporting cast.
I will always feel this way, at number 4 draft best available with the most upside. Trades can be made later when you are in a playoff position, and i think they are real close to competing for a playoff spot.
I’m watching the Cubs and when you keep drafting and trading for young talent, the talent no matter what their shape and sizes are greater than retread and role players in any sport.
I know Boisvert isn’t on anyones radar even though he was injured last season and was playing through injury.
Just keep drafting these kids and build this monster
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If Lardis gets better at his defense and understanding where he’s gotta be in the dzone he’s going to have a very nice career in the NHL.
Greene plays a full season and is just a solid solid hockey player.
Boisvert hurt his shoulder and never was the same hockey player this past season, he and Bedard can both rehab their shoulders in the offseason….
And as I’ve said before i can’t wait for these kids to turn into men and that’ll be happening very very soon.
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One last note, I’m not naive enough to think all these draft picks hit, but let’s look at the draft history so far they have so many kids coming up.
One of the things this franchise is building is inner competition. Not only do they have it in the NHL level they have it at the Rock.
I’ll never get caught up in center or wing position because they drafted so many centers. Watching the young teams in the playoffs no matter how big they are is youth that hurts them more than anything else.
My guess is in 2 to 3 years since the salary cap is going up the Blackhawks will be in a great position to trade young players they feel that don’t quite fit their team or because they are being pushed out by more talent behind them.
Oh just throwing this out there, aren’t the Blackhawks in great position to trade for McDavid if that’s what he wants?
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Maybe we get a young unhappy Russian as a teammate for Roman, if Mikheyev moves on.
BEFORE the Hawks UNLOAD any major league roster deadweight, you are adding Vanacker already in place until 2028 contract, Spellacy’s deal also to 2028, and big
decisions to made in regards to what thay’ve got in
Centre Savoie, W Misiak, W Gavin Hayes, Centre Felcman, and some time before decisions need making on
W Jack Pridman
W John Mustard
C Joel Svennsson
W Nathan Behn
F Mason West
Vaclav Nestrail will arrive and have to loose a roster spot. He was second in scoring with his UMass college will be more than ready in a year. -
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And i know everyone is so concerned about drafting a forward, the Blackhawks are actually in a great position to draft best available.
Let the draft unfold and either you’ll have a really good forward on the board or a really really good defenseman.
I’m convinced San Jose will draft by need, they will draft the best dman off the board.
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I want more than Matthew Knies.
Sure would love a Cutter Gauthier for #4
Not the other Arizonian A Matthews, or Martin Necas.
That 4th pick is where you can develop a player into a star.
Years to develop, but long term value for the Chicago franchise.
You giving me Dylan Guethner? Veteran Brandon Hagel?
Or Loagn Cooley?
But I think where an opportunity will present itself is when the hawks management find a team that is trading away a kid who they don’t have the druthers to pay in their next contract. Teams look at the Chicago young defense and surplus of depth vets and may come lookng for surplus for a big up n comer.
is that guy the big Byfield.-
I agree Wiz, the Blackhawks just didn’t have the assets before and now not only do they have draft capital but they have young promising players everywhere.
I don’t think anything is going to give this season but during the next season or after i can see the Blackhawks trading the 2 first round draft picks(Panthers and Oilers) just like the Canadiens did for a premium young player
I appreciate KDs patience, i loved that he was able to get a first and Knight for Seth Jones, man i thought that pick was unprotected and so disappointed to find out it was.
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This year is evaluation year for the team, now that we have so many young players filtering in.
It’s been a few years but i can honestly say we have actual forwards that belong in the top 6, Bedard, Nazar, Frondell, Kantserov
Our oldest top 6 player is 22 years old, our best can’t even buy himself a beer at the bar.
Looking at these KD drafts, the future looks so promising
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I’m greedy Wiz, i want 3 scoring lines not 2, i want this team to be a nightmare to match up against every game.
Teams are so good at defending in this league if you build 3 scoring lines they just don’t have enough talented players to match up.
Also was it me or did Dallas look really really really slow vs the wild?
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I have been saying forever that they should have sent Arty down to Rockford. His defense wasn’t ready, and he never shot the puck. Mykeyev is a free agent and has already turned down an offer. It is time to lose more veterans and get these kids into the NHL. Keep Bert because he has a knack for scoring on the power play. They need to take a hard look at the assistant coaches, also. I don’t care who they draft fourth, forward/defenseman, because there is going to be talent there. There is so much in the pipeline that we have a reason to be excited. I don’t think that Vancouver will draft Malholtra if Stenberg is there. If you could get a Makar-like defenseman, I am all for it.
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Interesting if a team out there offer sheets Maverik Bourque. If Dallas matches, then it makes it that more difficult for then to sign Robertson. That would help the Hawks a lot in there efforts to make a trade with Dallas. If they don’t match, that other GM gets a quality player in Bourque, and Dallas still has to make maneuvers just to sign Robertson. Interesting summer ahead.
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I like your aggressive thinking in regards to acqyuiiring more talent, and the fact you are the first person (including media trade click baiters) that has acknowledged the qualitative jump Maverik Bourque made stat-wise.
And the questions regarding keeping or selling on Robertson kinda decide if this 5′ 11 youngster is a nice addition to a team for their draft picks.I really understand that all of us as hawk fans, we want the lines loaded with aggressive guys who fill the mid-six with scoring.
The question would be if Kyle from Chicago thinks he doesn’t have a Maverik Bourque-type in his group, b/c as I keep saying, there are a whole bunch of bad bananas we already want playing elsewhere and it complicate matters.And Robertson, yeah he can shoot….does he bring enough all around game to win? It seems the Star’s thought oin this are what decides if / how much they pay hem, before moving him and he currently makes $7.75 million cap hit.
Just another teams trying to contend but are watching their wallet shrink as the window gets closer to afding out as a contender. -
I’d have to agree that the Hawks might have someone who can measure to be like Bourque. I wasn’t necessarily thinking that KD would make the offer sheet, but that some other GM, seeing the promise of Bourque and Dallas’ problem of trying to sign their leading scorer, would make this attempt to steal Bourque from the Stars. Low risk offer sheet attempts like this, and St. Louis’ takes from Edmonton and let’s not forget Doug Wilson’s attempt after the 2010 cup. This was more of a possible scenario that allows for KD to make that big splash in the off-season. Anyways I’m still enjoying what’s happening with Hawks.
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Honestly i wouldn’t mind them trading and signing Robertson.
Don’t know if Dallas would make a deal within their own division? And it would depend on the price.
Then we would have 5 of 6 top 6 forwards for now, he would help with the PP and over all scoring.
Either way, i see this team without a big time trade being atleast an 80 point team.
I think our team defense will be better with the kids at the blue line getting better and added speed and talent in the forward department.
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Man so many rumors about the Blackhawks. I see it is the annual give up all our prospects for one good scoring forward time of the year.
I may be wrong, but i did say they would be a better team this year than last year and i was right about that even if they still ended up with the 2nd worst record in the league, i believe they will be an even better team this year
The way i see it we went from having 2 forwards to 5 that can atleast score 20 Goals in a season. They might draft a 6th, what this scoring ability does is it will give them the ability to actually have a few winning streaks in the season.
Just draft best available
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Hey Wiz, what do you think of Zack Benson from Buffalo? He reminds me of Shaw. What are they doing with Savoi?
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I don’t think Buffalo will let him go. He was very effective in the playoffs. He really got in the minds of the goalies and defenders. A true ‘rat’ if you will. Mangiapane is the closest that we have in that regard, with Savoie in the minors. But they all have a long way to go if they’re going to catch the King of the Rats—Brad Marchand. Funny that he plays for Florida with the rat thing and all.
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If Lardis gets better at his defense and understanding where he’s gotta be in the dzone he’s going to have a very nice career in the NHL.
Greene plays a full season and is just a solid solid hockey player.
Boisvert hurt his shoulder and never was the same hockey player this past season, he and Bedard can both rehab their shoulders in the offseason….
And as I’ve said before i can’t wait for these kids to turn into men and that’ll be happening very very soon.
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If Lardis gets better at his defense and understanding where he’s gotta be in the dzone he’s going to have a very nice career in the NHL.
Greene plays a full season and is just a solid solid hockey player.
Boisvert hurt his shoulder and never was the same hockey player this past season, he and Bedard can both rehab their shoulders in the offseason….
And as I’ve said before i can’t wait for these kids to turn into men and that’ll be happening very very soon.
I am not not so sure it is Lardis improving his understanding of his defensive assignments as much as it he is at thisn time a featherweight with an incredibile skill in his hands and stick.
Throughout the eras and vastly faster skill levels we see today,in every generation of pro hockey, there are guys like this who improve and stick around the league.
Many,well, are contarcted and given the benefit of lax defensive equality, becasue they shoot the bisquit so well!
I love Lardis’ hands, but now HE/We/Blackhawks now exactly where he is, and maybe the figure out where he goes/plays after the training camp….
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