April 10, 2019: 3’s Company

I didn’t even know the NHL draft selection show was on.  As I sat there mindlessly looking at my Twitter feed, the news came across:  the Blackhawks had miraculously moved up to a top 3 pick in the upcoming NHL draft.  Whoa…  I flipped to NHL Network, but when it wasn’t on, didn’t think to flip it to NBCS.  The miracle stopped just short; the Hawks would be picking at number 3.  Pretty good considering the odds.

I guess the Hawks were supposed to be picking at 12.  Yeah, the Hawks didn’t believe in no stinking tanking this year, and played their asses off to make it interesting down the stretch.  It was a joy to watch them play again, as they made their push.  Yeah, the push stopped just short too, leaving them right in the worst spot come draft day; just missing the playoffs.  Some folks may have been mad; I wasn’t.  To see the Hawks play good again was my treat.  The fact that the Hawks STILL got lucky and got a top 3 pick… it’s almost kind of like the opposite of cheater’s proof.  The Hawks played hard and got rewarded with some luck.  Not everybody saw it that way.  Saw a lot of folks yelling FIX that the Hawks jumped up almost 10 spots.  I guess I could see why they would feel that way… all those Blackhawks haters… with all the success we’ve had this past decade.  Well, the next decade just got a boost.

And oh yeah, we still got a couple guys, 88 & 19, playing at an elite level.  So what’s the play here?  Seemingly 1 and 2 are set, that leaves 3 a toss up… at least from what I read.  Do we hit jackpot on that 3 pick?  Can we get somebody to contribute on the ice next year?  Don’t want to grab some guy we have to wait to see if he’ll return from overseas to play with us.  Need a contributor now… This is why I lean to trading the pick.  And no, I don’t want any old established veteran.  I want a young, rising star.  I want a guy that has proven his worth on the big stage.  I want to grab this guy from the team that he is rotting on.  I want this guy to help put the Hawks back in the playoff picture next year.  No, I don’t have a specific name… but somebody just like that. 

Although picking at 3 has been good at times for us…  Savard, Eddie O, Jonathan Toews.  Yes, there was the whole Cam Barker pick, but 3 out of 4 ain’t too bad.  And of course residents of this town remember another 3 pick from the other team playing in the UC, or back then, the Chicago Stadium.  Yeah, a certain guard from North Carolina was that pick.  If the Hawks feel strongly enough about the guy that can grab, if this guy can contribute immediately, if we trust Bowman… go for it.  I would say Stan’s job depends on it…  not only this pick, but next season.  Q paid the piper; he’s next in line if the Hawks don’t make another run with this core.  No wonder he flashed a rare smile when the Hawks hit it big with the turn of that card. 

So what’ll it be?  Take the pick, and hope that he’s joins the 3’s company that is made up of the names we all know or trade it and get more of a sure thing?  As long as it isn’t drafting the next Cam Barker, I guess I’ll be OK.  Congrats and Go Hawks!