Blackhawks Breakaway

Ep. 146: TSN’s Craig Button explains final NHL Draft rankings and Blackhawks pick at No. 3

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, TSN's Craig Button joins the show to explain his final NHL Draft rankings, why there was fluctuation in his list and who the Blackhawks should take at No. 3 overall.Pat Boyle, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis then offer their biggest takeaways from the Button interview and how much the latest rankings have changed their view of who the Blackhawks may select.0:35 – Craig Button describes his ranking methodology3:35 – Bowen Byram still a lock to be a No. 1 defenseman5:30 – How adding Byram to Blackhawks prospect group would look8:00 – Is there any debate Byram is the third-ranked prospect?8:50 – Cole Caufield checking all the pre-draft boxes12:05 – Is there an edge to Caufield’s game? 13:30 – Could Caufield fit in the Blackhawks top-6?17:00 – Why Craig is so high on Matthew Boldy19:20 – Does Trevor Zegras have any downside?20:50 – Why Vasili Podkolzin’s stock is dropping22:25 – Concerns about Alex Turcotte’s ceiling23:45 – Concerns about Dylan Cozens’ NHL position25:10 – The Blackhawks will select...27:05 – Why the Blackhawks can’t go wrong with the third pick29:45 – Bowen Byram’s fit with the Blackhawks32:15 – Question marks about some of the top other prospects?

Ep. 145: Jeremy Colliton on draft and how Blackhawks can become playoff contender

Jeremy Colliton joins Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis on the Hawks Talk Podcast for an exclusive interview following Colliton's first year in charge of the Blackhawks. Colliton dives into the process of filling out his coaching staff, how involved he's been in the draft and free agency processes, and how he hopes to improve the Blackhawks next season.0:45 How the Blackhawks finalized the coaching staff3:15 Marc Crawford’s responsibilities4:40 Colliton's relationship with Tomas Mitell6:05 On moving up in lottery6:55 His involvement in draft process8:00 What prospects stand out9:10 What Hawks need to do to return to playoffs10:50 The development of the d-zone coverage12:05 What to improve in training camp13:10 On their aggressive penalty kill 14:55 How to improve the PK with personnel15:35 On Kane/DeBrincat playing on the same line16:50 How Colliton uses analytics18:30 On analytics staffers in the NHL19:55 How the Hawks were missing that "edge"21:05 What he learned from this year's playoffs22:05 Winning with various styles of play22:55 Monitoring players at IIHF World Championship23:35 Kevin Lankinen’s performance24:05 Competition for roster spots/depth25:00 Looking ahead to free agency25:50 On building rosters

Ep. 144: NHL Combine interviews Part 2: Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras

The second of a two-part edition of the Hawks Talk Podcast featuring 1-on-1 interviews with some of the top draft prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss how Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras could potentially fit with the Blackhawks and what stood out from their interviews.0:45 – Just how good was this year’s USNTDP team? 2:40 – Interview with Cole Caufield11:05 – Caufield embracing Alex DeBrincat comparison16:15 – Interview with Alex Turcotte25:10 – Turcotte the perfect combo of “sandpaper and silk” 30:40 – Interview with Trevor Zegras36:35 – Patrick Kane’s influence on Zegras39:00 – How good can this draft class can be?

Ep. 143: NHL Combine interviews Part 1: Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens and Kirby Dach

The first of a two-part edition of the Hawks Talk Podcast featuring 1-on-1 interviews with some of the top draft prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis discuss how Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens and Kirby Dach could potentially fit with the Blackhawks and what stood out from their interviews.0:55 – Recapping a busy week at the draft combine2:45 – How the Blackhawks have made an impact on the top prospects4:25 – Interview with Bowen Byram11:45 – Byram’s incredible playoff run helped his stock15:35 – Interview with Dylan Cozens23:00 – Why Cozens grew up a Toews/Blackhawks fan24:30 – Cozens could offer some versatility to Blackhawks 26:50 – Interview with Kirby Dach34:45 – Dach’s fit in NHL game with his size vs speed36:30 – Grueling interview process at combine for players and teams40:20 – Guys who tested well at the combine

Ep. 142: Analytical breakdown of top NHL Draft prospects with J.D. Burke

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, J.D. Burke of Elite Prospects and co-host of Rink Wide on TSN 1040 joins Pat Boyle, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis to give us an analytical perspective on the 2019 NHL Draft class.What goes into Burke’s rankings? Whose stock is rising and whose is falling? Is Bowen Byram a slam-dunk No. 1 defenseman? Is Alex Turcotte the best center available after Jack Hughes? Burke answers all that and more, including his personal pick on who the Blackhawks should take at No. 3 overall.0:20 – Ranking methodology3:45 – Prospect stock movement7:00 – Vasili Podkolzin’s stock10:30 – Bowen Byram a sure thing?13:10 – Where Byram ranks vs. Rasmus Dahlin15:00 – Is Alex Turcotte the best center after Jack Hughes?16:30 – Where Turcotte would fit on the Blackhawks18:30 – Whose stock is rising?21:45 – Trevor Zegras eye test26:15 – Turcotte comparison

Ep. 141: Eddie Olczyk breaks down Stanley Cup Final and top priorities for Blackhawks offseason

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, NHL on NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk joins Pat Boyle to break down Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. Edzo explains how the Bruins turned the game around in the second period and how their young defensemen played a major role in their come from behind win.Olczyk has not been surprised with how Joakim Nordstrom has performed since leaving the Blackhawks. Edzo tells us how the Blues have trailed this postseason before and what it will take for them to win the series.Eddie also weighs in on Blackhawks goalie prospect Kevin Lankinen and his breakout performance at the World Championships, and gives us his top priority for the Blackhawks this offseason.0:45 - Eddie Olczyk joins the show1:25 - Edzo on Blues missed opportunity in Game 12:45 - Defense helping offense for Boston4:35 - Bruins top line quiet or rusty?6:45 - Joakim Nordstrom's career after Chicago9:40 - How the Blues can win the series11:40 - Who could Blackhawks jump in the Central Division next season?16:45 - Kevin Lankinen's breakout at IIHF World Championship18:45 - Blackhawks' top priority this offseason

Ep. 140: Connor Murphy interview and narrowing down potential draft candidates at No. 3 for Blackhawks

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Connor Murphy joins the show to break down the Blackhawks' man-on-man defensive zone coverage, how the team stayed together during the long losing skids and do the young players have a strong voice in the locker room?Pat Boyle is then joined by Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis to discuss what the Blackhawks may be thinking with the No. 3 overall pick and narrow the field to three potential candidates. Should the Blackhawks draft for need or best available player?Plus, the guys provide an update on how the Blackhawks are performing at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.0:45 – Connor Murphy joins the podcast2:00 – Murphy’s summer so far2:35 – Murphy’s off-ice training regimen 3:35 – Murphy evaluates his season 5:05 – Murphy on comeback from injury6:30 – Murphy explains the Hawks d-zone coverage10:00 – Murphy’s conversations with father Gord Murphy12:10 – Murphy on making it through tough times last season13:10 – Murphy on unity between vets and youth14:25 – Murphy’s goals for the future17:00 – Hawks draft prospects one month out from NHL Draft19:30 – Byram’s stock up while Podkolzin’s stock down21:00 – Should Blackhawks draft for need and improve now? 26:25 – Future of the Blackhawks blue-line33:15 – Blackhawks replenishing the prospect pipeline35:45 – Our top 3 prospects for the No. 3 pick41:05 – How the Blackhawks are doing at the IIHF World Championship

Ep. 139: NHL Draft expert Adam Kimelman on potential fits for Blackhawks at No. 3

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com and host of the NHL Draft Class podcast joins Pat Boyle, Slavko Bekovic and Charlie Roumeliotis to give us scouting reports on the top half of the 2019 class.Kimelman also weighs in on whether Bowen Byram could be a fit for the Blackhawks at No. 3, tells us whose stock is rising and dropping, who's the top center in the draft after Jack Hughes and his gut feeling — as of right now — on who the Blackhawks could take third overall.0:45 – Could Kakko’s strong Worlds help him leap Hughes?3:05 – Is Vasili Podkolzin’s stock dropping?6:40 – Could Bowen Byram be a fit at No. 3?10:20 – Could someone trade up to No. 3 for Byram?12:00 – Who is the top prospect after Hughes and Kakko?13:50 – Alex Turcotte’s stock rising?16:15 – Who are the top centers after Hughes?17:45 – Why Dylan Cozens is the 3rd best prospect in this class19:00 – Other players with a rising draft stock20:15 – What is Cole Caufield’s ceiling?21:45 – What would it cost the Blackhawks to trade into the top 2?23:30 – Getting to know players at the Draft Combine25:15 – Gut feeling: the Blackhawks will select…

Ep.138: Alex DeBrincat joins the show from IIHF World Championship

On the latest Hawks Talk Podcast, Blackhawks winger Alex DeBrincat joins Pat Boyle from the IIHF World Championship in Slovakia.DeBrincat reflects on his second year in the NHL, how far away the Blackhawks are from being a playoff team and if he’s surprised by the final four in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?DeBrincat also weighs in on playing with Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane at the Worlds, and breaks down the game of the two players expected to be taken at the top of June’s draft: Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.DeBrincat tells us he hasn’t been hanging out with his buddy Dylan Strome and fills us in on who is hanging out with his dog Ralph during the tournament.0:35 -- What's Kosice like?1:25 -- How far away are Blackhawks from contending?3:00 -- What part of your game grew the most?3:30 -- Decision to represent Team USA again4:40 -- Playing on larger ice surface6:48 -- Facing Kaapo Kakko7:30 -- Playing with Jack Hughes9:10 -- Film preparation10:25 -- Still keeping an eye on Stanley Cup Playoffs?11:45 -- Biggest difference with St. Louis12:25 -- Intensity building as IIHF World Championship progresses?13:30 -- Highlight of trip to Slovakia14:15 -- Who's taking care of Ralph?

Ep. 137: Building the Blackhawks draft board with Mark Kelley

On the latest edition of the Hawks Talk Podcast, Blackhawks vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley joins Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis to discuss NHL Draft preparations.Kelley talks about whether there's added pressure in picking third overall, what goes into the scouting meetings at this time of year and how deep the first round is in terms of high-end talent. Kelley also provides brief scouting reports on a handful of top prospects, and whether the Blackhawks are leaning a certain direction at No. 3.0:42 - Is there more pressure coming into the draft picking at No. 3?1:45 - Different feel organizationally picking third this year vs. 2006 (Jonathan Toews)2:45 - Is the expectation that Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko will go 1 and 2?4:05 - The Blackhawks control their destiny at No. 34:40 - Did the lottery throw a curveball into draft process?5:35 - Inside the current scouting meetings6:20 - What the Blackhawks were keying in on at Under-18 World Championship7:15 - Best available player?9:20 - Scouting reports on top draft prospects13:13 - Building roster built for regular season and playoffs?13:50 - Having a pool of players to choose from vs. a clear-cut player at No. 314:40 - What you're looking for at the NHL Draft combine16:15 - Do the scouting meetings ever get intense?18:20 - So, are the Blackhawks leaning a certain way at No. 3 yet?