As a Habs fan, I love the option.

Seems like the Habs management targets are Demidov and Lindstrom.

Lee will put up more than 30 points
Islanders accept easily

I agree, it's worth the price if we are really high on either one

I would do that deal, draft Demidov than trade up to Pens pick for Eiserman or Dickinson

I'm fine w/ the DeMelo signing and the Lee trade. Not that fond of the idea of trading down though. Return is fair in that deal. But much rather have Lindstrom or Demidov than Catton.

Are conditions based on point totals even allowed? If so, I'd be cool with something like that. I'm still not sure how I feel about trading back with our 1st, but if we do, something like that would definitely be interesting. I don't know why DeMelo would sign with CHI, but I would be interested if he is.

Give me Iginla on their own pick and Sennecke with the Jets pick then i'm happy. I wanted Benson last year, badly but called they would take Reinbacher. I think if they dont win the lottery they'll target Lindstrom as well. I would hope that they would grab Dean Letourneau with the Pens 2nd if they are really size obsessed.

Condition just ensures the hawks get a useable NHL player to help mentor the kids, and if not we are compensated for it

Catton is still really really good, so if you can add another 1st I think it's worth the drop. To me Catton, Lindstrom, Levshunov, Parekh are in a tier at 3-6, with Demidov alone at 2 and Celebrini at 1 of course. So if you can get an extra first and stay within that same tier I think it is worth it

For sure. Catton is great and likely has a very successful NHL career ahead of him. But, I don't think the tiers are quite like that. Demidov and Lindstrom are clearly ahead of the rest, after Celebrini. I don't think that package is worth trading back, though. The difference in value between 5th and 2nd OA is much larger than a single 1st, that is likely in 2026, and that will likely be late. I would still be interested in trading back, but it takes a lot more. Also, hypothetically, if Demidov IS the clear #2, why wouldn't we just take him? Top 6 forwards are probably our biggest need, after all, and we need more sure thing top 6 forwards, not more "maybe" top 6 forwards. We REALLY do not need more quantity. We need more quality at this point.

My issue with Lindstrom is that if he wasn't big he wouldn't be getting drafted this high. On a skill level I think Demidov is a lot better than him, and now Lindstrom is having some back/neck injury too? I won't be upset if the hawks take him but he's not my first pick either

Demidov and Lindstrom are completely different players. Lindstrom is better than Demidov at most things, though. Demidov is certainly the more skilled and electrifying offensive forward with superstar potential, but Lindstrom is absolutely the more well rounded, projectable, all situations, 200ft player. If Demidov's offense doesn't translate, which is entirely possible, he will be a bust. Not that I don't love Demidov's game, but it's a risk when drafting high skill offensively geared players.

If you are gonna say "(insert player) is only being considered to be drafted this high because they are big", look no further than Levshunov. That kid is MASSIVELY overrated. Lindstrom is big and it is a clear advantage, but his game is not dependent on his size or physicality. I would even go so far to say that he is better defensively than Levshunov. His motor, compete, confidence, and intelligence are very high. The fact that he already knows how to use his size is a GREAT thing. Most guys get drafted due to size and have no clue how to use it and have to learn on the job and then everyone gets mad when they can't do it.

Again, I don't mind the idea of trading back, but a late 1st two years from now is not enough to get it done.

Also, none of my criticism of Demidov would stop me from drafting him 2nd overall. I would be cool with either player there. And there are a few others that, if CHI did take them at 2nd overall, I would understand and just hope for the best.

Totally agree on Levshunov. If we want to take an OFD take Parekh because he's a lot better. Blows the D-1 numbers of guys like Korchinski or Brandt Clarke out of the water. I don't think we need OFD though. Pick will be one of Lindstrom, Demidov, or Catton if they want forward or one of Dickinson or Silayev if they want D.

Outstanding thread, Gents; thank you for all your input! Building NHL teams from a complete teardown is fascinating to me; it's full of mystery and difficulty. And the NHL is perhaps the most team-oriented game in professional sports.

The NHL draft, itself, is incredibly difficult, too - trying to project who a talented teenager will become an an adult in the NHL is fraught with challenges.

None of us is as smart as all of us. The more I learn from posts and threads like these, the better I understand both those challenges and ideas on how to meet them. And the more interesting and fun evaluating the Hawks become to me right now, as well (as opposed to the current roster).

Cheers, LA

For sure! I think what makes it easier in other sports, like the NFL and NBA, is that draft eligible players are generally older and further along in their development. I kind of wish the NHL draft was more like that, but, at the same time, trying to make predictions and project these young players adds to the excitement.