Hawks Next Year and 1st Round Trade Up for Perfect Fit

Équipe: 2021-22 Blackhawks de Chicago

Date de création initiale: 13 mars 2021

Publié: 13 mars 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Okay, I am done watching a hockey team that continues to think its 2013 by playing Duncan Keith 23 minutes a night, this guy cannot be a top 4 defenseman on a team that fancies itself a future contender. My solution is my new favorite prospect in the 2021 NHL Draft, Carson Lambos. This draft is such a damn crapshoot that I think an elite player like Lambos, who is ranked anywhere from 2-28 is projections can be a sleeper for a team right after the lottery. I've gotten to watch some of his play and I'm sold. His positioning in all 3 zones is elite. He has the ability to keep the puck on his stick like the best of them and he can move the puck well too. His best asset is his defensive instincts and mature physicality beyond his years. He also puts up points in leagues, he's always a team leader in +/- (which I think is the best way to use that stat, relative to team performance and the +/- of his teammates) and he dominated as a 17/18 year old this year when he played 13 games in Finland's U20 league. . The Hawks are currently projected to get the 17th pick as the lowest ranked playoff team (since there are now 16 lottery teams because Seattle) and that is actually exactly where he is ranked in Bob McKenzie's rankings. Do I think the Hawks might have to trade up to get him? Yes, but I think hes worth it because of one thing. He provides something that no other defenseman in this organization has. Speed, skill and smart defensive ability. Play this guy next to Adam Boqvist and I think you have the potential pair to grow into a top 5 defensive pairing in team history. The offensive skill on the right side combined with the reliable defenseman on the left. I think that pairing could be the #1 pairing in the organization for the next 10-15 years like Keith and Seabrook were beforehand. Is he NHL ready? I'm not sure, but I wanted to show how it could look with all of our other players if this selection happened like I hope it does. I am gonna model a trade up scenario into the top 10 involving a team that needs a middle 6 center. Dylan Strome to the Anaheim Ducks in a first round trade up to select Lambos. Strome can fill the same role Danault has in Montreal for the last few years as de facto #1 center while the youngest pieces grow into bigger roles. Does a rebuilding team like trading down? Probably not. But if it includes an extra second and a player who could be a #2 center of the now and future plus only moving down around 12 picks in an even draft, I think they consider it even if extra sweetners are needed.

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