Blackhawks getting top prospect Roman Kantserov from KHL

[STL fan in MN]

Cool, maybe they'll make the playoffs

Keep them fingers crossed buddy!

Kantserov is a REAL NHL prospect... His center of gravity is in his ankles and his change of direction is uncanny. And he may only be 5'9", but the kid is thick and extremely difficult to knock off the puck (his neck is almost as wide as his head). Throw in that IQ and vision of his and I believe they got something there.

Not saying he's the next coming or anything, but I would NOT be surprised if the kid makes a huge impact for the Hawks...

Great pick for them.

Is he not still 176lbs as listed?

Honestly, I have no idea... But I would believe as he matured he's added some weight.

An honest story, some of the toughest guys I've ever played against were the short guys with beef. I was 6'1 1/2" at 207lbs after I first exited the USAF and walked-on to play NCAA Club hockey, and the absolute toughest player I EVER played against was a 5'8" guy who came in at 200lbs and was in his late 20's. Now he struggled to keep up on a full-sheet of ice, but when he had the puck, or he had you trapped in a corner IT WAS A WAR. His strength and leverage could not be matched.

His nickname was cannonball, and ever since those days I've always given the little guys a LOT more respect.

That is for sure the case, A guy that is 5'8" at 200lbs is going to usually carry a lot more muscle than a guy that is 6' 200lbs and be strong AF

Just A lot of guys don't have the genetics to maintain that or even get there to begin with a full elite level sports schedule vs a guy that is just that big naturally

Exactly. When someone points out a highly skilled kid who is less than 5'10", I focus on two things more than taller kids.

Skating, can he keep on a full-sheet, as the shorter kids don't have the stride length. So efficiency and power off the edges are the bigger issues.

Body type, as a kid 5'8" at 155lbs vs a 5'8" kid at 170lbs is NOT the same. I knew one scout who would ask what their Senior Class ring size was...

So Pete, I assume you're a fan of Bjorck in this year's draft? Would you try to trade up to select him?

I would, but no too far. I really like Viggo and think he could be a special player.

Saw an impressive stat on him yesterday. He’s the first and only player to make Sweden’s World Championships team in his 17 yr old season. Forsberg, Sundin, Sedins, Naslund, Alfredsson…none of them accomplished that.

[clemonsonroots]

Big news for the Chicago Blackhawks, and honestly their future is starting to look really dangerous. You’re talking about a young core featuring Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Artyom Levshunov, Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar, and now Roman Kantserov and they still have the 4th pick in the draft.

That’s a lot of high end skill, speed, and offensive upside coming together at once. If even most of those players hit their ceiling, Chicago is going to become a brutal team to play against over the next few years. The scary part is they’re building it the modern way too speed, transition, puck movement, and dynamic skill all over the lineup.

That is certainly a good start, but they have to do a lot more than just two skilled scoring lines. Look at the Sharks. They have the best young center since McDavid, but if they don't get a defense, it is a moot point as far as competing. Exciting sure. A good foundation, sure. Competive? They are at least two seasons away from that. I prefer our situation to theirs all day. I am more concerned with Utah moving forward, honestly, and I think the Sharks will draft a dman at two and sign a top defenseman in the ufa class.

[BalotelliMassive]

A possible Calder candidate signs

[BalotelliMassive]

Is he not still 176lbs as listed?

He was listed at that weight when he was drafted in 2023...