Lets Take a Look at the 2018 Draft
The Blackhawks season is over. With their playoff chances dropping every day, and the trade deadline passing, the only standings fans should be paying attention to is how low the Hawks can drop before the regular season ends. As of right now, they sit with the 7th worst record in the league, tied with the Detriot Red Wings and New York Rangers. If the playoffs started today they would sit with the 9th pick in the draft. Unless they somehow collapse even more than they have, or do well in draft lottery, the Hawks will likely pick in the 7–9 range in the draft.
With this in mind, the Hawks have a chance to add a very skilled young prospect, one who could potentially help the team next season. The Blackhawks pipeline’s two biggest needs are at center and in the net. With goaltending not being a real option this early in the first round, adding a young skilled center seems like a good option. However, with so many unkown options on the blue line, and the growing need for young defenseman, the Hawks can choose to go that route.
We decided to take a look at the top 10 prospects in this draft, many of which the Hawks could potentially add in June. And there are a lot of good options.
- Rasmus Dahlin, D
Dahlin is almost unanimously looked at as the top prospect in this draft. The 6'2 Swedish defenseman pretty much does everything right. At only 17, he plays a great two-way game. He skates well and moves the puck effectively, and is not afraid to skate the puck into the zone himself. He is a great passer and has a very accurate shot, though not one that will blow you away. He still needs to learn to not make things overly complicated, and should try to opt for simpler plays. Dahlin posses elite potential and looks like he is on his way to becoming one of the top NHL defenseman. Obviously he would be a no doubt pick for the Blackhawks, but the chance for them to pick him may be less than their chance to make the playoffs.
2. Andrei Svenchnikov. RW
The Russian Winger has elite skill to go with his big 6'2 frame. He can beat you with his amazing puck handling skills, or just power through the defense with his great physicality. There is not much he does wrong. He is by far the best forward in this draft and some have even said he is the best Russian forward we have seen since Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin. He has the potential to be one of the most elite wingers in the game. While the Hawks likely won’t have the chance to pick him, and he would’t necessarily fit their needs, the chance at this elite player would be too good to pass up.
3. Brady Tkachuk, C/LW
Following in the footsteps of his dad and older brother, Brady Tkachuk is going to be a top pick in the draft. Brady is an interesting player to be picked this high in the draft. These prospects tend to be skill guys and snipers, and while he has both those qualities, he is known as an agitator who will just bother teams game in and game out. He plays a power forward game, and uses his 6’3 size to punish opponents. To add to that, he has very good puck skills for a player with his game, and despite his big frame he’s very mobile and shifty. He is the complete package, with top six center potential coming with him. While he likely goes within the top 3, Tkachuk would be a huge add for the Hawks if he falls.
4. Filip Zadina, RW
Zadina plays a complete two way game, and has the release and puck moving skill of the elite forwards in the league. He plays hard in a 3 zones and looks to create problems for his opponents no matter where he is on the ice. Zadina looks like he can become one of the elite two way forwards in the game, and likely a well above average scorer. If any team misses out on the top 3, Zadina is one of the best compensations you can get. Unless the hawks do well in the lottery or continue to fall, Zadina is another unlikely addition but one that would fit the hawks game incredibly well.
5. Adam Boqvist, D
Adam Boqvist looks like he can become one of the leagues elite offensive defenseman. Standing 5’11, Boqvist is an excellent skater that can carry the puck up the ice with ease. Offensively he posses some of the skills you would see out of a top line forward. His vision and awareness on the ice make him an elite passer, and his shiftiness allows him to find open shots and put the puck in the net. His work in his own zone still needs some work, but he plays an excellent game in the neutral zone in less space. Forward needy teams could cause Boqvist to fall into the 5–7 range, and could be a sneaky option for the Blackhawks.
6. Noah Dobson
The 6’3 defenseman is a rock on the back end, he uses his size to disrupt plays in the defensive zone and limits space for his opponents. He has a soft touch on his passes and a rocket for a shot that will allow him to succeed offensively. He’s not a flashy player, but Dobson will produce offensively and be consistent in his own zone. He’s a guy who could be a realistic option for the Hawks this year, and could become an anchor on their blue line for years to come.
7. Oliver Whalstrom, C
Whalstrom looks like he will become one of the leagues elite snipers very soon. He has elite puck skills that help him get open and move the puck efficiently, while adding a powerful and accurate shot to devistate goaltenders. While also one of Team USA’s top wingers, Whalstrom is a key player on the penalty kill. With his exceptional skating ability Whatlstrom is able to keep up with some of the best and shut down opposing skaters while creating opportunities for his teammates. Another great option here for the Hawks, especially if they want to go at forward with this pick.
8. Quinn Hughes, D
Hughes is praised for his skating ability and puck handling skills, and can take over a game all by himself. He has great awarness on the ice, and can lead any player he is out there with to a great scoring chance. Hughes creates space for himself and teammates in the offensive zone, leading to a high number of scoring chances while he is on the ice. His size is a concern for some teams, stading only at 5'11, and he needs to improve on his play along the boards, but Hughes would give any team who adds him a legit offensive threat on their blue line. While his lack of a defensive game would likely be a red flag to the Hawks and Joel Quinnville, the lack of offensive ability and a power play QB on the team could force the Hawks into adding this potential weapon.
9. Ty Smith, D
When looking at draft rankings, Smith will be all over. A two way defenseman, Smith has excellet hockey sense and the mobility to jump into a rush and create plays by himself. He has a strong shot and is the definition of a power play QB. Everything about his game screams that he will be a long time NHL contributor, with the potential to become a cornerstone for his team. Like Hughes, Smith could give the Blackhawks the power play blueliner they need, but comes with the defensive ability to make you feel comfortable with the risks he takes offensivly.
10. Grigori Denisenko, RW
Denisenko is another elite winger in this draft. With elite puck skills, he creates his own opportunities and set himself and teammates up with an excellent shot. His ability to hold onto the puck for large periods of time without losing control can carry an offense and wear out a defense, making him a perfect fit for any teams powerplay. Like Svenchnikov, his fit with the Blackhawks is questionable, but adding a potential dominate scoring threat to their top six (think Panarin), might be to hard to pass up.
While all ten of these players come with elite potential, not all would be able to produce for the team next season. Dahlin, Svenchnikov, Tkachuk, and Zadina all look like guys who will be playing in the NHL next season. The rest are likely a year or two away.
For the Blackhawks, obviously adding a player who will contribute next season would be ideal, but adding any of these top guys within the next two sesaons would be a major boost for their lineup.
After nabbing guys like Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman, Tuevo Teravainen, and Phillip Danualt later in the first round, and Alex Debrincat in the second round of his drafts, Stan Bowman has shown he can find top tier talent in the first two rounds, even if he has mistakenly traded some of them away. Giving him a top 10 pick to add another core member to this team is exciting.
Its been a rough season for the Blackhawks, but our suffering right now could lead to an exciting bright future for the team.
Check back next week when we break down some of the prospects the Blackhawks could be looking at with their second 1st round pick!
Which prospect do you want to see the Blackhawks pick? Someone who is not on this list? Let us know in the comments!
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