Blackhawks Draft Thread

Post #1 » by **TNBT** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 1:41 pm

It has been an interesting couple of days for us. We've made two trades already which have opened up cap space, and we seem to have made a pretty decent pickup with the 18th pick. I like what I'm hearing about Mark McNeill, but I don't claim to be an expert by any means. I'm hoping to get some opinions from my fellow fans about this kid. Seems to have some really nice skills, can make plays and is solid defensively. He apparently also plays pretty physically, which will be a nice addition to the team.

Where do you guys see him fitting into the team? What do you think of him? I keep reading that we need a C for the 2nd line, so I guess the experts don't rate Bolland too highly. With that in mind, do you think McNeill could end up centering our 2nd line?

Also, I'm not sure what to make of this Danault kid yet. Seems to have some great speed and plays a gritty, high-energy game. However, all the reports that I have read have him as a 3rd or 4th line guy. I have no problem with the kid at all, but if he's going to end up as a bottom six forward, then I'm not so sure that giving up Brouwer to get him was such a great move (unless of course Brouwer was asking for too much money).

I'm really interested to get your opinions on this.

WEFFPIM · Post #2 » by **WEFFPIM** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:17 am

McNeill could make the squad, there's openings on the fourth line, but not sure about the rest. Maybe Danault. Bowman has done a whale of a job restocking the farm system while still keeping this team a winner.

Post #3 » by **TNBT** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:25 am

Yeah, I'm starting to like the McNeill pick more as time goes on. I can see him as a future 2nd line center, with Bolland centering the 3rd line. Danault is starting to grow on me too, and the scouting reports that I have read on him all say good things. I don't know much about the rest of our draft picks though, but I agree that it is great to see the team add so many prospects to the minors. That should give us some great depth to build from in the future, especially as it looks like some young guys may be getting a call-up this season in the wake of the Brouwer, Campbell and Kopecky trades.

I'm really interested to see what people here think about Pirri, Kruger and Paradis though. They all seem to have scoring-line talent, but we seem set for the future at center with Toews, McNeill and Bolland. Where do you see these kids fitting in? 4th line center spot? Being moved to the wing? Traded?

GRADEN · Post #4 » by **GRADEN** » Mon Jul 4, 2011 9:42 pm

id like to think i have a good handle on talent for the nhl and ill say this about pirri, kruger, and mcneil.....

that almost 1.5-2 years ago I thought Marcus Kruger was one of the most exciting prospects on the planet.... make no mistake this kid has 1st-2nd line centerman ability. Pirri is a puck wizard but I don't know if he is a makes others better player to be honest, mcneil im not too high on and thought he was an early 3rd round pick, danault is the more exciting pick to me

Kruger is a natural, mcneil is a worker, and pirri is the pretty boy look at that move once a game guy.... To sum it up Toews-Bolland is set in stone for years and Kruger is a helluva 3rd line once he is ready (soon)

Post #5 » by **TNBT** » Thu Jul 7, 2011 2:11 pm

GRADEN wrote:id like to think i have a good handle on talent for the nhl and ill say this about pirri, kruger, and mcneil.....

that almost 1.5-2 years ago I thought Marcus Kruger was one of the most exciting prospects on the planet.... make no mistake this kid has 1st-2nd line centerman ability. Pirri is a puck wizard but I don't know if he is a makes others better player to be honest, mcneil im not too high on and thought he was an early 3rd round pick, danault is the more exciting pick to me

Kruger is a natural, mcneil is a worker, and pirri is the pretty boy look at that move once a game guy.... To sum it up Toews-Bolland is set in stone for years and Kruger is a helluva 3rd line once he is ready (soon)

See, that's what I would have thought. Toews is obviously the 1st liner, and even though he can play a defensive role as well, I thought Bolland had enough scoring ability to stick on the 2nd line. However, what I have been reading from almost everywhere else has this McNeill kid as the future 2nd line guy. If he ends up achieving that potential, or even just making the 3rd line, where does that leave the young guys?

You mention Kruger as a great 3rd line guy, so I would have to imagine that he would be an amazing 4th line center, but do you see him being happy in that role long-term? He's still young and talented... maybe he'd rather look elsewhere where he can get a bigger role?