I agree with you on the facet that Boqvist should be in the NHL. Its okay to lose one of Koekkoek or Dahlstrom to Waivers, nobody is going to take them in a trade anyway. But the fact of the matter is, if Kampf is the prospective 3rd line center and Wedin is the only other option to that, Dach is a huge upgrade. If the 3rd line wingers are Saad and Kubalik, that line isnt going to be good with Kampf in the middle. So if you look at it from that respect, Dach brings a solution to a more immediate need than Boqvist; although Boqvist certainly would be an upgrade over whomever he would replace, his defensive issues are too common to what we have at the top of the Dman depth chart that until he is replacing Gustafsson he doesnt bring too much of a situational upgrade. In a perfect world, they are both playing for the Hawks this season.

I get what your saying, and it makes sense. But I'll put it this way: Boqvist's defensive problems actually differ from the problems we have now in one key way. Whereas our defense now basically gives up the puck and cant keep up, Boqvist has a tendency just blow coverage. However, if that does happen, he has the mobility to recover. The NHL is so fast these days that that speed is absolutely premium. Not to mention, Boqvist is an incredible puck mover and passer. None of our dmen have either of those abilities anymore. So in point of fact, I'd say he's far more valuable than Dach.

In Dach's case, to say he upgrades the third line by replacing Kampf is the same argument as Boqvist replacing Dahlstrom or Koekkoek. Besides, Kubalik belongs in the top 6, Saad and Shaw belong on the third, at least in my opinion, and in that regard Kampf is right where he should be. From where I'm looking at this team, Offense is not the problem, so we have to stop pretending that it is, and Dach isn't the one to change anything, at least not this year. Plus, and just remember that might happen, Dach is not a center. He's very lazy, he cant win faceoffs, and he cant keep up with any of the modern NHLers i.e. he's too slow. He projects, in my mind, as a winger. So make him go back to juniors TOMORROW, let him learn how to use his body, tell him get consistent, learn to not play so lazy, get some more foot speed, literally work on ALL THE THINGS THAT SEEN AS DOWNSIDES TO HIM.

I'm not saying Dach isn't an upgrade, I'm just saying this kid is further from ready than scouting staff realized. He hasn't earned a spot, he got manhandled by non-NHLer, and he isn't even a center ability-wise. I do get where your coming from, but I would say that the way your looking at it is if Dach is actually ready for the NHL like Boqvist is, and he really isn't.

I don’t think Dach is going to make the team, I think he’s stuck around for so long because they want to see him play against NHL talent in a least one preseason game to see what he’s got. If he isn’t able to play in a preseason game, they might keep him for a few regular seasons games as a pseudo-tryout, but unless he really impresses I think he’s back to Saskatoon.

To address your concerns about Dach - I really don’t understand why you are trying to make his injury sound like his own fault. It was a dirty hit from behind. If he had seen it coming, or if he had been expecting the hit because he knew that it was legal for others to hit him at the time you might have a point, but he had his back turned and wasn’t expecting anyone to illegally smash his head into the boards. Just because he’s big, doesn’t mean he should be able to take every hit standing up, especially if he isn’t expecting it. Seems pretty callous to blame the injury on him if you ask me.

Also, you say you don’t think Dach should be a center because he’s “lazy”, “can’t win faceoffs” , and “too slow”. There’s this thing called development. No kid coming out of the draft is going to be a perfect, #1 center right out of the gate unless their name is Connor McDavid. Dach has some work to do on faceoffs. He probably needs to work on his skating as well. I’m not sure what evidence you have of him being lazy, but I’ll ignore that for now. Either way, my point is that you can’t write a guy off for fixable flaws he has as an 18 year old who hasn’t played in a single NHL game. The Hawks expect him to be a center in the future, so they will tailor his development to make him a good one.

As to why Dach is being considered and Boqvist is not - They both are, that’s why neither has been cut yet. The coaches clearly like Boqvist and want to see more of him, but, as Willy said in a previous comment, the open roster positions are not in his favor. If Dach is better than Kampf and Wedin, which isn’t clear at the moment because he hasn’t played a preseason game yet, then he will get the 3C job. Boqvist may be better than Koekkoek and Dahlstrom, but why would you want him as a 7th defenseman? He isn’t as good defensively as Murphy, De Haan, and Maatta, they can’t send down Keith or Seabrook, and Gus has proven that he’s better defensively than Boqvist so he’s earned the PP quarterback role (though I think Boqvist replaces him by the trade deadline).

TL;DR: Dach probably won’t make the team, but the coaches want to see him play before they send him
back to juniors. It isn’t fair to blame Dach for his own injury, and you have to let him develop before writing him off as a center altogether. The only reason he would make the team and Boqvist won’t is because he plays a position the Hawks need while Boqvist does not.

I tend to agree with @Petrock83 . I dont think Dach will ultimately win the job, but we have a puck moving Dman with only 1 year left on his contract. This allows The Hawks the flexibility to (I think) more properly develop Boqvist. And boost Gus's possible trade value. With that said...they dont have a true #3C. AND every team had Dach ranked in the top 10. SO...if you're not in college...what top 10 player ISN'T trying to make the team. Having an injury makes this decision a little easier to me...to send him down. BUT, I think everyone wants to see him play. Even if you're not a fan of his...you're still going to want to see him on the ice with the team and see how he does for the sake of the Hawks as a team in general.

Alright, I’ll try to address every point in order, apologies if I do kinda go astray. First of all, good points from everyone, I do like seeing and hearing the different views. Exo you crafty son of a gun, good to have you back.

So first, the hit. I played hockey for a long time, coached it for a long time, and have worked for a team for over a year now. Now, when I played and when I coached, the one thing I always preached is that the difference between good and great wasn’t skill, but rather intelligence. It’s about having that Gretzky ability to know what’s going on around you and how to anticipate the plays. Some players are gifted with this at a very young age. When dach was hit, and I have watched it 30 times just so I have evidence to go off. The only thing out of dach’s control was the ridiculous cross check the guy laid on him when he was down. I mean that was truly stupid. However, I said this elsewhere, when dach is skating in the zone, did he not think a player was backchecking? Clearly he knew because if he didn’t he wouldn’t gone so wide into the zone and he would have gone straight to the net. As such, when he passed the puck, as does happen, dach exposed his body/chest to the oncoming players. Less than a second after, the pilon brother puts a hit into his chest and shoulder area, not from behind. I’ve been hit like that before, and every time it happens I blame myself for not bracing myself or being aware of the pressure coming. As the offensive player, it was my responsibility to either bend my knees and get low, or continue skating hard after the pass, because for a second after that pass, you are heavily exposed. So I’m not blaming his injury on him guys, I’m blaming his lack of awareness on the play. Not to mention, I believe awareness and vision was a big selling point on him, no???

As for his “development,” sure everything is fixable. Face offs maybe not, because Jesus Christ take one look at strome on faceoffs, pure horror. Dach is most likely gonna sub 50% for the rest of his career, considering he’s 41% right now. Tough look. That being said, let me make it clear, I believe dach will be a center, I just don’t think it’s what he SHOULD be. Dach has been sold to us hawks fans as the center messiah of the future. So don’t worry, he’s gonna be a center whether anyone likes it or not. I just won’t cuz you could have infinitely better from other sources (god I’m gonna hate facing turcotte). As for his flaws, I only speak to them cuz I’ve seen in both junior and the blackhawks camps. For a center, he is remarkably lazy off the puck. He may strip a puck or two, but never actually assert himself onto a game. I’ve seen a lot over the last year because it’s part of my job. Yes, he can get this developed out of him, but what exactly says it will where it wasn’t for strome in arizona and nylander in buffalo? I’m not actually looking for an answer to that question, because the only answer is “time will tell.” These flaws, though, immediately sent strome and nylander back to juniors. If anything dach is nothing compared to the hype that surrounded Dylan strome. So the nhl, as of now, is not the place for him, and saying they want to see him play simply because he’s 3OA doesn’t mean a thing to me. I’ve seen him, and I’m scared of him playing actual men.

Finally, the spots. Now I’ve mentioned this before and unfortunately we just see this differently. We can both admit that for sure. I don’t care who the 3C is, this didn’t win any of its cups with 4 legit centers, ever. The closest we came was 2013 when we had toews, handzus, bolland, and no clearly defined 4th center. Point I’m making is that you two great offensive centers already and kampf as a serviceable, hardworking next center. You even have carpenter for that 4th line as well! As bowman annoyingly puts it, we now have a “tougher team to play against.” Offense is not and has not been the problem last season or for 10 years. I understand that talent wise, dach may be better, but there’s no room for him with all the players we’ve added. This is the case with boqvist on defense as well, and boqvist is wayyyyy more developed than dach is. Dach doesn’t really make us better right now because he is underdeveloped and our offense is already solid. Boqvist serves a purpose by being a great skater and moving the puck. Boqvist won’t the team permanently, I get it. I just don’t want the team to suggest that Dach has any business doing so then.

To conclude, I do accept the arguments you both made. It’s fair and as fair as anyone is concerned, dach is purely riding the a hype train as 3OA. I think people need to come off it a little, but it definitely won’t happen. People wanna see him, even those who hate him. I don’t want to see him, personally, cuz I don’t anyone that has the flaws he has should be given the tryout. Develop him properly and sending him back to juniors. He can’t learn anything here if every player back checking knows they can just plant a shoulder into his and send him flying. He needs to learn consistency against players his own age and mature into his frame more since he doesn’t really know how to use it efficiently. I’ll say it again, I’m genuinely scared for him to play against NHLers right now. We lucked into 3 OA and we went with the questionable pick and now we have to make sure it works. If it doesn’t, this team is in big trouble, not because “oh dang our future center isn’t who we thought he was,” but rather because we wasted a top 3 pick in general. Byram will thrive, cuz he is on a team that knows exactly how to grow him on a good pace. Turcotte is in an even better spot because college will do him wonders. But dach is being forced into messiah status when he’s basically had the worst summer of each of the top 5 picks. I don’t need to see him on nhl ice, I just need them to send him down so nothing bad happens to him and risks him flopping.

Boqvist is not one of the best defensive players the Hawks have. He is horrendous defensively. He was getting outmatched at the prospect tournament by guys that are career AHL players or prospects. Gilbert had to constantly cover for Boqvist in the defensive zone at that tournament. Offensively he has everything you expect and more, but defensively he is not ready. He needs to fill out for 1, he just turned 19. Against NHL talent, having a boys body on defensive is a liability.

For that reason alone, to compare Dach, who's much bigger and his body is more mature, is futile. Secondly, being a forward you always have a better shot making the NHL at a younger age, it's less physical position albeit center more physical then wing.

Bottom line, Boqvist should not make the team. Gus is a better defensive player then Boqvist today hands down. Defensively, every player on the team is better then Boqvist and yes, that includes Seabs. No way should he make the team. Koekko is better defensively and IMO that's the 7th man. Keep in mind a offensive D player like Gus or Boqvist should be playing in the top 4, ideally you want your 3rd line to be a stay at home defending line.

If Dach is better then Wedin or Kampf, and frankly we don't know that yet, he should indeed make the team as a 3C. My gut tells me he's not, but again, he should be given the opportunity to show whether he is or isn't. He got a concussion on a dirty hit from behind...to blame that on him is silly. Half the stars in the league have had this happen to them, Toews, Hossa, etc. are ones off the top of my head that were out with concussions...it doesn't make them a bad player.

I'm personally more upset that Sikura got sent down over Saarella, Quenneville, Perlini, etc. It has a lot to do with Sikura being waiver exempt and I get that, but I thought has was better hands down then those 3. I'm not so sure Sikura is worse then Nylander who is also waiver exempt but Bowman won't let Nylander get sent down that easily given the pressures given Jokiharju is more the likely a top 4 in Buf. It's BS. I saw some good things from Nylander but a lot of bad decision making too (not passing when he should or not shooting when he should or lack of positioning when he doesn't have the puck). I think Sikura is the better player today even though Nylander has more upside. Perlini...why the hell is he on the ice as between the 3, Sikura and Nylander is better.

Back to Dach, I think it comes down to whether he is a better option then Kampf or Wedin. Hard to say. Wedin has been impressive that's for sure.

I’ll ask one more question in response to everyone’s opinions, cuz I love em and I love the lively debate.

What’s more important: dach making the team simply cuz he’s better than Wedin or kampf as of now? Or that he develops into fully mature player that can actually use his size to his advantage? I only ask cuz each one lead you down a different path. Obviously I think he has no business in the nhl, due to his lack of both speed and drive. I’ll put his inability to use his body efficiently in there too.

I guess I just don’t see the benefit of him being in the nhl at all this season and putting him in more danger. The hit laid on him (not a check from behind) also gave a concussion that’s not to toy with. I know he’s skating again, let him stick out camp, tell him what to work on, and get him back with the blades. He doesn’t need to get hurt in a nine game tryout.

@HatterTParty Good thoughts. I think you've seen my tune change a bit once that injury happened...with regards to Dach staying in the NHL or going down. I also agree with you (feel free to go back and check) that he should have protected himself on that hit. With that said, I think we're over analyzing that hit a bit much (in my opinion) and turning that into a long term issue vs maybe he needs more development. I was 110% on the Dach #3C train until the injury. I think Stan and Co have QUALITY depth and could put him between Saad/Shaw which Shaw did with Jesperi last year. I am STILL on the...well if he's here I'd like to see him play a few games. Not all 9 though. I'm (maybe stupidly) holding out hope for a playoff run where he jumps back up after another year with the Blades. That's a whole different point though. The injury changes everything for me. The stars almost need to align. Even for Jack Hughes. Do you think NJ would want to waste a year of ELC if he had any even relatively serious injury? I don't want to risk his long term development for this year. HOWEVER, they're not going to put him on the ice if he's not healthy to play. So, I'm 0% - 1% concerned that a few preseason games or even early NHL games will ruin his career.

Just putting my GM (cap management vs player development) hat on. Sending Dach down allows for the slide and when his contract is up...that aligns with Toews/Kane. I know Stan would figure something out if Dach was healthy right now and crushing it, but it has to be in the back of his mind. Also...are we cup contenders? Do we really think so? There are (3) VERY talented UFAs coming due. If they stumble out the gate and are a boarder line playoff team. I'm a fan of getting assets for those players vs pretending we're 2019 STL. AND if you don't think we're cup contenders then why are we even talking about risking Dach's development? BUT BUT BUT...if he comes out with a hatty Mr. HatterT Then I reserve to change my mind

Ohhhh exo!!!! You brought up an excellent point!!! Lets put aside the injury talk for a second. One last point on that though, I still stand by the idea that if he doesn't skate with the team before preseason ends, and the plan has been to send him back to the Blades, just send when the season starts. Now, as you said exo, it is VERY important to consider whether or not this team is an actual contender or pretender. I take that the stance that the only way we should risk his development is if we're a true Stanley cup contender. However, if we're just a playoff contender, it does seem a little questionable to risk his long term development. Otherwise, sure, recoup assets and continue to build for the future. You hear us STAN!!! Stop calling it a freakin retool all the time!!!! Cash in on Gus if we're struggling.

Mark it down by the way, September 23, 2019, I, HatterT, will bow down to Dach if he actually scores a hat trick in the opening game. Uhhhh, I'm gonna need a Guinness...….

So NBC Sports just released an article outlining what the plan for Dach should be. Their rational was that everyone in camp has had a shot to make the team and Dach should get that chance too. That's a fair assessment, but I don't like the rational. Essentially, he's only getting his "fair chance" because he was the third overall and it's in the best interest of the team that he make it. Are you telling me that at this point Dach deserves his shot more than Aleksi Saarela, who has been very solid and been a stand out in the preseason? How about if Dach was here the whole time, and say Kurashev was injured. Would Kurashev be given nine games? A "fair chance" as NBC puts it? It's like exo brought up, whats the benefit if this team is just a fringe playoff team? Cuz no one can tell me with absolute certainty that the Hawks are a playoff team.

I'm okay with the situation if the Hawks come out and say we are desperate for Dach to make the team so we don't look like idiots for taking him. I'm okay if that's the rational. But this child survived two straight training camp cuts without lifting a finger. Again, if Stan were to say Dach is protected and the golden child of the front office, I gotchu. I don't respect it, but at least you have balls on you to say your manipulating his chances. What's worse, NBC agrees with every Dach fan in saying keeping around for the nine games is the right thing. Gotta say, Dach has all the support in the right place, better not let it go to waste.

I think the major difference with Dach is that this is his only chance to play this year. He hasn't been able to play at all this preseason/camp, so I completely understand that they want to give him his "fair chance", which will likely be nine games before sending him back to Saskatoon. The reason that guys like Boqvist, Kurashev, and Saarela aren't getting the same treatment is because they will be just down the way in Rockford all season and can be called up at any point. With Dach, the only chance he has to prove himself this year is the first 9 games. There is obviously some element of favoritism from the front office given that he is the 3OA pick, but I wouldn't say that that is entirely the reason he's stuck around for so long. His situation is very different than the rest of the young bubble guys, and that's a big reason why they have waited so long for him.

@HatterTParty So a few things. I'm STILL on the...well if he's here, I'd like to see him play a few games as I wrote before. I also don't think any team is going to come out and say they're desperate for anything at any point unless it's an elimination game in the playoffs. It's just trapping yourself in a corner if that particular outcome doesn't come true. We're going to have to read between the lines on this one AND if Dach plays more than 9 games...this probably is the answer.

With that said. I do feel like picks 1 - 10 get more leash than the Aleksi Sareela's of the world. I do think Dach (and Cozens coming back from a thumb injury for BUF to make an analogy) should get extra time to prove themselves. Even if the only single reason is due to their higher ceilings. It's also exactly the reason I jump so hard on Chayka for almost ruining all of his high draft picks...cough cough #3OA D Strome... Extra leash doesn't mean a guaranteed NHL roster spot. It means a longer look because you drafted this person 1 - 10 which means you're banking on them at some point being a major contributor.

Okay, ya know what, I actually really like the way you responded. I do agree with the premise that the team wants him to have a chance. However, where I do differ is that if he wasn’t the 3 OA and he had the same injury, he’d already be back in juniors. Even boqvist had a good camp last year and didn’t get a look. So let’s say he didn’t get injured, played through camp, but just looked awful. I mean couldn’t play up to the nhl speed, still couldn’t win faceoffs, and didn’t show enough defensive prowess. Does he go back before the season starts? Or does he still get nine games cuz he’s the golden child? Keep in my mind I do hate hypotheticals of the past, but I’m entertaining ideas.

Exo, you know what I hate about you, you manage to sit a decent distance away from me on the spectrum, and yet I can’t say to myself “bull****” or “no way” to what you’re saying. Makes sense every time and I always love to argue the other side. Drives me nuts........

That it is all ? god I hate that 1-10s get as much leash as they do though, even though the logic in doing it stands.