Stick with me, this is gonna be the least insulting of any Dach post I've made.

I have a question based on the recent Sun Times article written about Dach. In it, it was the opinion of the writer that Dach's defensive game is developing much faster than his offensive game is (clearly).

Having said that, here's my question. Having picked him at 3rd overall, are we okay with Dach merely being a defensive specialist center (or winger) for years to come? Maybe he scores 50 points a year, but I'm only asking theoretically, is a third overall pick meant to be that type of player?

Before answers flood in, remember that Toews took off running in his rookie season, and was already shown to be a competent, all around center from the very start. Sure Dach struggles with scoring, but if anyone actually read his scouting reports or watched his games in the WHL, you'd know consistency was never his thing. It's like Debrincat saying a week ago that he understands its frustrating for a kid to score night in and night out in Juniors and not in the NHL. Cat probably didn't know Dach actually went something like 12-15 games last season without getting a point in JUNIORS. So are we okay with Dach at least being a defensive center for years to come even if (theoretically) scoring doesn't?

He’s 18. Relax.

I think everyone has got to stop trying to judge Dach right now. He's right there in points with Kappo and Hughes, 2 guys who everyone agreed are a different level then the rest of the top 10 draft picks last year. All this while being mindful the rest of the top 10 out of those 3 aren't even playing in the NHL.

I'm not exactly worried. I'm just asking a theoretical question.

He’s going to be what he’s going to be. What difference does it make? You can’t unpick him. Or change the draft slot. Or have a do over.

30 other teams will be happy to take him. ??‍♂️

That's fair to say, but if that were the case, many Blackhawks writers wouldn't have much to write about. I always compare Dach to Kotkaniemi. Dach will always be put under the microscope because he was a 3OA many felt was picked too soon, like KK. Would it be that bad if he ended up being a defensive specialist?

Offense will come. He is very clearly more gifted offensively then Strome (who doesn't have much of a defensive game either). He needs to put on some girth as he is pretty lanky right now. He also needs to further adjust to the game. That said, our boy Turcotte isn't playing a point a game in the NCAA (16 points in 19 games, 6 goals), so while I know Turcotte needs to mature for a year or two before playing pro, Dach is clearly the better player right now.

Ya see, I like this response. However, I will still ask, theoretically, if Dach did only become a defensive specialist and still post 50 points a season, would we be happy?

I do agree with you on the Strome analysis, but not for the reasons one may think. I think Strome is more offensive minded, whereas Dach has more offensive tools (passing, hands) although I do think his shot needs work still. However, where I think people really wont agree with me is that neither Strome nor Dach are drivers of play. Caveats not withstanding, I know he's 18, but a lot of the offensive production he has generated this year has come from being around energy players like carpenter and smith. That's not a knock on Dach, cuz you can see how well its worked out for Strome.

As for Turcotte, or any player that isn't in the NHL from this draft, I'll gladly bet good money any of the top 10 forwards will easily outscore Dach in their rookie years. Granted that isn't saying much given Dach's lack of production, but it speaks more to how they're learning. All these kids in college/juniors will go into their rookie years full of confidence and having learned from mistakes in roles with less pressure on them. They were given time to grow not just as players but as adults. Dach wasn't really afforded that, which is unfortunate, but because Hughes and Kakko have struggled, many use that as misguided proof that Dach belongs. It really sucks to hear it too.

lol, love this response. What difference does it make? He will be what he will be. Honestly, sounds exactly like the thought process in Stan Bowman's head.

Your right, cant unpick him, but lets put it this way: what's the going rate for a player like Dach at this moment according to 30 other teams?

It's a good question to ask.

Getzlaf and Bergeron (ironically) both had 39 points their rookie years. Getzlaf seems to be his comp for the most part. OReilly 26 points in each of his 1st (2) years. Barkov 24 points then 36 points. Pierr Luc 48. Everyone starts differently. About half of those guys started in the NHL after they got drafted. The draft really is kinda crap shoot. Not 100%, but if we each had a crystal ball there wouldn't be any Stones, Palats, or Johnny Hockey. There are also plenty of 1-5 picks that do hardly nothing. Pool party, Olli Juolevi, Dal Colle, Nail Yakupov...heck go look at the 2012 draft Yikes! I don't think Dach is this years candidate. If anything currently Bowen Byram is the front runner there. I was wrong on that one. I tend to like Defensive forwards more than the average. I would take Bergeron over Stamkos 7 days a week. I don't think Dach is going to be a pure defensive center, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if during his career he gets some Selke votes. I see him being a 2-way player.

Dach, Hughes, and Kaako all struggling offensively this year.

All 3 are going to be fine.

Toews got a year in college before coming over to the NHL. Dach will be fine.

Again, HE’S 18! He’s played half a season and the sky is falling. Lol. “Oh my god he’s not an All-star already” ?. Fans are so impatient and enamored with small sample sizes. It’s crazy. Habs fans last year - Kotkoniemi is untouchable. This year - he’s a bust trade him. Fans are only happy when they are winning or complaining. Lol.

We’ll take him in a heartbeat.

Again, for what? Lol

This actually brings up an interesting thought I proposed a few weeks ago. What’s the chances that this draft turns out like 2012? Or even the 2017 draft, where hirscher and Patrick go 1-2 followed by heiskanen makar Pettersson.

Which begs the question: did Dach really have to go to the nhl this year?

he only 18 and listed at 6'4 198 lbs. Just wait 3 years when he grows into that body a bit more. Kid has the chance to be special. No he wont ever score at a patrick kane level, but he easily could become a 70 ppy guy.

Even more so...we don't have a Crystal ball. Especially if it's a 2nd 2012 draft. Those aren't questions I worry about. I actually think Stan and Co. have a good track record with their draft picks. They just have traded them away in exchange for playoff runs. That's an entirely different point however.

Why would you do it? Crazy.

Hawks been looking for young D. How about a package centered around Urho V and another secondary piece or 2 for Dach and secondary piece.

I probably would have sent him back for a lot of reasons. Contract status for the long term probably being #1, but as far as performance...Dach's doing just as good IMO as Hughes Kakko. So I'm not disappointed, but I...typically...prefer when kids dominate their level before jumping. Lets use Jack Hughes as an example. He can go to the OHL (where ever really) and dominate. OR come to the NHL and play like he has. Definitely has speed, vision, and playmaking ability. BUT he's never going to get compared to Dach. When people talk about Jack Hughes, they're going to compare him to McDavid, Matthews, and Dahlin. Other #1 OAs, but not #3 OA picks. To me that's terribly unfair, but also how the world works. Point being. You better be sure! Let's take another Example. Our Guy Dylan Strome. Chayka was messing up his development for sure. He stunk in AZ and was traded away WITH another 1st round pick. Move to today...there aren't toooo many players younger than him that are 100% better than him. Sure, there are players out there younger than 22 that are better than him, but not THAT many.

No, but he is here.

Listen, I understand your complaints about taking Dach over Byram or Turcotte, and yeah I was kind of pulling for them to pick Turcotte as well. The fact of the matter was, it wasn't an off the board pick at all. In central scouting ratings, Dach was the highest rated NA forward behind Hughes. It wasn't as if nobody saw this coming. And maybe Turcotte and Zegras will turn into offensive dynamos with their respective teams, and yeah that can hurt a little bit, but that doesn't change the fact that Dach plays the more complete game than either of them and he shouldnt get **** for that. Everyone loves to talk about how certain players play no defense and completely destroy them for that, but when a young player plays good defense they don't get nearly as much respect as they deserve for it. The offense will come. He loves to be flashy and make plays so I don't doubt that at some point something is going to click for him and he's going to realize how to play offensively, it just might take an extra year or two, which is okay. But that also is why we will really benefit from a high pick this year. We don't have a young guy who is an absolute burner. We have offense but not speed. A guy like Perfetti, Rossi, or Stutzle will mean the absolute world to our future. Not that Dach isn't a good skater, it actually looks like his skating is a lot smoother and better than advertised, its just nobody really has that speed. But back to Dach, he will be what he will be and he will be a good top 6 forward for a long time

Honestly, I’m not so sure we can give that kind of credit to Stan and company. Danault, Hartman, Olsen, jokiharju, all players either picked and busted/traded from the first round. I get they were for playoff runs, but I can’t say bowman is a success. He didn’t pick any of our core outside debrincat, and we don’t know what Dach, boqvist, or beaudin are yet.

Yeaaaa, ain’t that a ****.

Okay, so here’s my problem with the performance aspect of your thoughts. Number one, you are right, he is keeping up with Hughes and kakko. However, let’s not pretend that is impressive or saying something, cuz all three are showing that they should be in juniors.

That being said, I get that performance wise you think he belongs, but are people that desperate for success that they rush an 18 child into the nhl when he isn’t fully ready? Never mind fully ready, another year in juniors where he could learn to actually be consistent (which he has never been) and he would have probably had a decent year next and not have a wasted 1st year of his contract.

To your point on Hughes, I don’t actually think he should be compared to those other number 1s either. When I compare players, I look at player comparables, not draft position.