Who should the Chicago Blackhawks select 2nd overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft?

[Kevin Musto]

Need more love for this kid in the thread

-Already has the chem with Korchinski, Allan, and Dach from their Seattle days

-Plays with Andrew Cristall so he already knows how to play with a superstar (perfect Bedard partner)

-Exceptional growth rate

-Got that dawg in him

-Complete package

 

[TLEH]

I won't be thrilled with Levshunov because he's not even the best defenseman in the draft playing in the NCAA.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I f***ing love Iginla but at two it just doesn't feel good.

 

[Taze em]

It’s like saying Kane was a 1W so in 2020 we say Laf has a ceiling like Kane. It doesn't make sense. They couldn't be further from each other. Laf and Kane, Dahlin and Levshunov.

They’re the same height and weight tho. You can’t deny the similarities. Staggering.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I f***ing love Iginla but at two it just doesn't feel good.

I really don't see why not.

What are other players offering at 2 that Iginla doesn't?

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I really don't see why not.

What are other players offering at 2 that Iginla doesn't?

I feel like he shot up boards because he had a great end of the season. I'd definitely rather him than Levshunov.

 

[TLEH]

I really don't see why not.

What are other players offering at 2 that Iginla doesn't?

Dynamic offensive upside. Iginla is in that Catton tier for me. Does all the little things, really understand the game, just doesn't have any glaring elite skills/tools.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I also love Catton but at two taking a guy I think is a really good second liner just kinda sucks.

 

[Taze em]

I would accept a Buium pick if they traded Korchinski for a pick 8-14

 

[belfour30]

I feel like he shot up boards because he had a great end of the season. I'd definitely rather him than Levshunov.

Who do you think is the best D in this draft also in the NCAA?

I would accept a Buium pick if they traded Korchinski for a pick 8-14

Nobody would make that trade

 

[WarriorofTime]

Buium has come a long way, I remember at the WJC thinking maybe he'd be a good guy to get with Lightning pick. Then Lightning Pick got worse as Lightning got better and Buium's reputation increased as his teams won championships. I think he'll be a good guy but he doesn't fit my big D that skates really well so I'm not overly enthralled. If he's not a PP1 QB then he's what, a better Wyatt Kaiser? Kinda wish I could see him on an average team.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Who do you think is the best D in this draft also in the NCAA?


Nobody would make that trade

Buium. That guy f***s.

 

[Taze em]

Nobody would make that trade

Levshunov it is then.

 

[TLEH]

Tarin Smith is a guy I really like this year for people that haven't been talked about a lot.

Buium has come a long way, I remember at the WJC thinking maybe he'd be a good guy to get with Lightning pick. Then Lightning Pick got worse as Lightning got better and Buium's reputation increased as his teams won championships. I think he'll be a good guy but he doesn't fit my big D that skates really well so I'm not overly enthralled. If he's not a PP1 QB then he's what, a better Wyatt Kaiser?

Weird pick because Kaiser skates really well. Better than Buium. I think Buium's stick and compete and IQ will play regardless and he will PK and atleast play PP2.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I feel like he shot up boards because he had a great end of the season. I'd definitely rather him than Levshunov.

That's a big part of his appeal.

The rapid progression.

If he can make those huge strides over the course of the season, what's he going to look like next year? Or 5 years from now?

August birthday.

The way I see it, we're only at the very tip of the iceberg with his development.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Tarin Smith is a guy I really like this year for people that haven't been talked about a lot.

Won't find too many guys with his skillset outside the 1st round.

Should be on the Hawks radar for sure.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Levshunov is Ekblad at his ceiling, Bogosian at his floor. No thanks.

It has to be Demidov or Buium, only guys with high enough ceilings I think.

 

[TLEH]

Levshunov is Ekblad at his ceiling, Bogosian at his floor. No thanks.

It has to be Demidov or Buium, only guys with high enough ceilings I think.

Off topic: Did you ever think Bouchard would develop into this type of player?

 

[hawksrule]

Levshunov is Ekblad at his ceiling, Bogosian at his floor. No thanks.

It has to be Demidov or Buium, only guys with high enough ceilings I think.

This is where I’m at. I love Buium like crazy, but I’d be OK with Demidov because we need another elite forward who can drive his own line. But it has to be one of these two.

 

[TLEH]

My only thing with Buium is the size and lack of elite skating.

He plays bigger than he is and his edges are great but all the guys around his size who became truly elite were elite skaters.

I love Buium and I think his IQ will make up for his lack of elite skating in terms of contributing but I just wonder how far he can get without it.


I have him as my favorite D, and I think he’s likely a good 2D, but I’d rather chase the 100 point upside of Demidov.

 

[hawksrule]

My only thing with Buium is the size and lack of elite skating.

He plays bigger than he is and his edges are great but all the guys around his size who became truly elite were elite skaters.

I love Buium and I think his IQ will make up for his lack of elite skating in terms of contributing but I just wonder how far he can get without it.


I have him as my favorite D, and I think he’s likely a good 2D, but I’d rather chase the 100 point upside of Demidov.

He’s very strong on his skates. He’s between 6&6-1, and sturdy. Size is fine.

 

[TLEH]

He’s very strong on his skates. He’s between 6&6-1, and sturdy. Size is fine.

Said as much, he plays bigger than he is. But if you’re not going to be an elite skater or 6’3 I just wonder how far you can get, that’s all.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Buium reminds me of a bigger Brian Rafalski. Not a sexy pick but that dude can play.

 

[TLEH]

Buium reminds me of a bigger Brian Rafalski. Not a sexy pick but that dude can play.

Winner for sure. Just a guy that can play and will do whatever it takes.

But also has a lot of talent. Don’t want to just paint him as that meme winner type that gets overrated.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Winner for sure. Just a guy that can play and will do whatever it takes.

But also has a lot of talent. Don’t want to just paint him as that meme winner type that gets overrated.

Yep. Crazy high hockey IQ.