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Chat Reel: Mike Smith
Chicago GM feels the need for speed
Posted: Tuesday June 20, 2000 06:34 PM
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Alexei Zhamnov will remain the Blackhawks' top center according to Chicago's manager of hockey operations, Mike Smith. Donald Miralle/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NHL Draft chat with Chicago Blackhawks Manager of Hockey Operations Mike Smith. Hi Mike. Thanks for joining us.
Mike Smith: Sure thing.
From John Fairbrother in Edmonton, Alb.: If we were to assume that no first round draft day trades or deals were made by Chicago, how would you rate the caliber of talent available to you at the 10 and 11 spots? What position is likely to provide the best talent available to you? How strongly do the Blawkhawks rate Brent Krann for example if he were still available?
Mike Smith: If we keep our No. 10 and No. 11 pick, we're confident we can get two top prospects. We rate the goalie, Brent Krann, in the second group of players, which means he can go anywhere from five to 15. I don't think the first round distinguishes between positions, you think in terms of ability. But for two goalies to go in the top 10 is unusual.
From Guest: As a 20-year season ticket holder and the marvelous job you did with the Leafs, how long do you think it will take to rebuild this franchise?
Mike Smith: Two to four years. We'd like to be competitive from year one, but by the end of year 4 we think we'll should be in the top third of the league if we aren't already.
From George Sefczyk in Minneapolis: Do you plan to address the Hawks' need for a No. 1 center this offseason.
Mike Smith: George, we're quite comfortable Alexei Zhamnov will be our No. 1 center next year.
From Ferg Chapman in Toronto: Mike, In my opinion you have had more success picking European players in the draft than any other NHL executive. What has been your secret?
Mike Smith: I don't think there's really a secret. I always look at players in terms of their ability and not geographic location. Going back 15 years, that may have put me ahead the other GMs on the league. I think it's fair to say that it's good to be open-minded. Everyone else is catching up to me, including the Chicago Blackhawks.
From Bill: Are you going to try and renegotiate Tony Amonte's contract this summer?
Mike Smith: Tony has two more years to go and he's in the process of hiring a new agent. I suspect that new agent will call us and I will certainly be open to sitting down and talking about extending his contract.
From Rich Gard in Munster, Ind.: Mr. Smith, last season we seemed to be at our best when people like Nylander, Sullivan, McAmmond and Amonte were on the ice. Do you plan to build the team around speed people like those mentioned?
Mike Smith: Yes, I think when all things are equal, speed wins. We're certainly going to try to make our team a team of speed.
From a guest in Toronto: Are you planning on having a more defensive-oriented team or an offensive-oriented team? How many changes do you foresee making to match that style of play?
Mike Smith: I think all good teams try to have a balance between offense and defense. I'd like to characterize our play next year as up-tempo. I don't think we'll make that many changes over the summer, three or four maybe, go to training camp and get a sense of our team and make changes as we see fit after the start of the season.
From Guest: Are there any prospects in the Hawks minor leagues that you think be part of the team next year?
Mike Smith: Our two top prospects are guys who played in juniors last year: Mark Bell and Steve McCarthy. And a couple of goalies: Jeff Maund and Mike Laroque. Kyle Cauler, who played in Cleveland last year and was in some games with us, is a top prospect too. Those with the best chance to make the team would be Caulder, Bell or McCarthy.
From TJ Nargang in Europe with the U.S. Army: Are the 'Hawks currently considering bringing Phoenix's Dallas Drake to the squad? Build, build, build, Mike! We desperately need to raise the Cup!
*** Guest67275 is now known as Mike
Mike Smith: On July 1 we're going to take a look at the free agent market, we don't anticipate getting in the market or a mega-buck deal. I can't comment on Dallas Drake, he's under contract, but we're going to consider some of the free agents.
From Bill: Is there a good chance that you might trade one of your two first round picks to get an established defenseman?
Mike Smith: We would like to trade one of our first round picks - either swap one of our first picks for a first round and another pick, like a first round and a second or trade one of our first round picks for a draft pick and a player.
From Joe Bitterman in Williamsville, N.Y.: I think Minnesota center Jeff Taffe will make a lot of NHL GM's look stupid if he falls too far in the draft. What are your impressions of Taffe? Also, why the heck did you trade Jean-Pierre Dumont?
Mike Smith: We traded JP as part of the Doug Gilmore trade to make the trade with Buffalo - Buffalo wanted JP Dumont to make the trade. I think Taffe is rated by most teams in the second or third round, but likely go between the second and fourth rounds. He's the type that can only make look GMs look silly when he's playing in the NHL, if he's playing in the NHL.
From Jeff in Naperville, Ill.: Who'll be the No. 1 goalie for the Blackhawks?
Mike Smith: As of this time it's Jocelyn Thibault. The No. 1 goalie in the draft would be DiPietro.
From Bill: If you owned the first choice in this years draft who would you select, DiPietro?
Mike Smith: I think he'll go in the top five for sure, could go No. 1
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us Mike. Good luck in the draft.
Mike Smith: Thank you.
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