Chicago Blackhawks 2024 Draft: 50 Names to Know - CHGO Sports
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It's officially NHL Draft season! With the NHL season ending for the Chicago Blackhawks, the offseason begins with the build-up to the NHL Draft Lottery on May 7 and then the NHL Draft happening in Las Vegas on June 28 and 29. Unlike this time last year, where the Blackhawks were desperate for a player like Connor Bedard in their organization and the "tank" was on for the generational talent, Chicago was built to try a bit harder to win games this season and the idea of "tanking" wasn't as on the table as it previously was. But injuries and dismissals changed the complexion of the roster and the Blackhawks found themselves in the running for being the worst team in the NHL once again. The Blackhawks didn't have the amount of players to move at the NHL trade deadline this past season, so going the fire sale route and trying to compete with the San Jose Sharks for the top odds in the NHL Draft Lottery were just out of reach. Chicago finished 2022-23 with the third-best odds at winning the lottery and they did it. They finished the 2023-24 season with the second-best odds at winning the lottery (13.5%) and have a legitimate shot at becoming the first time to win back-to-back NHL Draft lotteries since the Florida Panthers in 2002 and 2003 and the first team to do it under the new format that doesn't allow a team to win the lottery more than twice in a five-year span. But as you'll know if you've been paying attention to the rebuilding plan under GM Kyle Davidson, the blueprint is more than just the top pick that the Blackhawks have in a given draft. It comes down to what they'll do with the other picks that could make or break the long-term plan. Last year, the Blackhawks walked away from the 2023 NHL Draft with 11 picks overall, seven in the first three rounds. Again this year, the Blackhawks have seven picks in the first three rounds with two coming in the first round, three coming in the second round, and two more coming in the third round, with another fifth round pick and sixth round pick also in the fold. With just over two months until the Blackhawks make their first selection in the 2024 NHL Draft and add their latest crop (WHAT A CROP) of draft picks to an already bustling prospect system, here are 50 draft prospects to know who project to be within Chicago's reach with their first seven draft picks. Prospect projections based on composite rankings and information from: The names being listed are not listed in any particular order. For the second year in-a-row, we will be sweating the NHL Draft Lottery as the Blackhawks finished the season 31st overall and have the second-best odds to land the top pick in the 2024 Draft. After moving up from third to first to select Connor Bedard last year, the anxiety about landing that first pick is a little less, but still it would be an accelerant to the rebuilding process to land another first-overall caliber player and add him to the organization. Already having Bedard makes the result of the lottery a little easier to stomach, no matter where they land. By finishing second-to-last in the league, the Blackhawks are guaranteed to pick no later than fourth overall. With the depth of the talent at the top of the 2024 Draft Class, picking anywhere between first and fourth will land the Blackhawks a player that will make significant, near-immediate impacts on the club. Macklin Celebrini - Center, Boston University (NCAA) Watch Highlights "He's a power-center. He's got good speed. He's got great hands. He's got the heavy great shot. He's physical. He's good defensively and can chase guys back on the back-check and strip them and turn it back in transition the other way. I don't know if he's ever going to be a 'superstar,' like a guy who is going to regularly push 100+ points. But I think he's going to be a sure-fire, No. 1 center that a team can put him there and expect him to play that role within a year or two." - Cam Robinson, Elite Prospects Artyom Levshunov - Defenseman, Michigan State (NCAA) Watch Highlights "Levshunov's profile checks a lot of the boxes that teams are looking for in a high-end defenseman. He's a righty with an extremely imposing and physically mature build already. He's a smooth skater with plus-level four-way mobility. Though he was a little green defensively when he arrived in the USHL, he has made fast progress and has really figured it out over the last two years. His ceiling defensively is sky-high with the right development…He already possessed all of the tools he needed to become a stud, and he just keeps getting better and better. The decision-making is a little raw, but he's very much still learning it, and the raw tools are incredibly appealing. With continued fine-tuning, I believe there's first-pairing upside there. I was very high on him coming into this season, and he still exceeded my expectations. The Spartans have won his 22-23 minutes a game handily most nights. He's a force." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Ivan Demidov - Right Wing, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) Watch Highlights "A tantalizing prospect with skill and creativity in his game, Demidov is currently scoring at a rate of more than two points per game, surpassing Nikita Kucherov and Matvei Michkov by a significant margin at the same age. After being injured earlier this season, he's been on an absolute tear and has been held off the score sheet in just one game so far since coming back. He only seems to be getting better. Demidov is a confident puck carrier who can find multiple ways around defenses and is dangerous shooting from anywhere. Despite not having the biggest frame, he's sturdy and is hard to knock off the puck. There's some power in his game and a willingness to take pucks inside for better scoring opportunities. The offensive instincts and competitiveness on or off the puck make him a tough player to play against." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Anton Silayev - Defenseman, Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL) Watch Highlights "I truly believe Silayev is the best actual defender of the top three, but the other two (Artyom Levshunov and Sam Dickinson) just offer more that gets me - and many scouts - excited. The 6-foot-7 blueliner averaged just under 20 minutes a night while blocking shots, landing hits and showing off great skating for his size. There aren't a whole lot of big defenders that can skate as well as Silayev does and the upside can't be ignored." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Cayden Lindstrom - Center, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) Watch Highlights "He has all the tools you want in a center and a high-end forward. The size, the speed, he can dangle, he can shoot, and he can make passes. He's very inside-driven and physical too…He's figuring-out the creativity part of his game and he's a giant scoring threat near the net or from distance. There's not much missing in his toolkit. His 'hockey sense' maybe is not 'elite,' but it's still high-end anyway, so with that package, the game is going to be easier for him anyway." - David St-Louis, Elite Prospects Zayne Parekh - Defenseman, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) Watch Highlights "Among the top five scorers in the OHL from the back end, Parekh has surpassed 20 goals in each of his two seasons with Saginaw. He is an expert in reading and jumping into plays to make himself a dangerous option in the offensive zone. He can extend plays at the offensive blue-line with good hands and footwork. His instincts with the puck on his stick are at an especially high level. While Parekh's defensive game has a ways to go to be trusted at the next level, his puck game is going to be a weapon. As defensemen continue to evolve in how they play the game, Parekh's ability to score and to make plays is going to help the team that selects him win games. He likely would not command major minutes at the next level, but he projects as a top-four blueliner with elite power play potential." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Berkly Catton - Center, Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Watch Highlights "Catton, like the rest of Spokane, had a quiet playoff exit, losing in four straight games to Prince George. Catton failed to score and had just four assists, but it can't be understated just how good he was down the stretch. Over his last 15 games - regular season and playoffs - Catton had 11 goals and 27 points to help him finish with 116 on the season. No NHL Draft prospect outscored him this year at any level, with his 54 goals trailing just Anthony Romani out of the OHL. Catton is expected to join Canada for a second stab at the U-18 World Championship, where he'll be counted on as a leader just like he was when he went on an absolute tear at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last spring. I'm a huge fan." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Sam Dickinson - Defenseman, London Knights (OHL) Watch Highlights "Dickinson is a very complete, projectable top-four defenceman who has size, high-end skating and a developing offensive game that has really rounded into form this season. Last year, he stepped right onto the Knights blue line at 16 (rare) and played bigger minutes by year's end than some drafted guys (rarer) on a deep blue line, including in key situations in the playoffs. This season, he has played a leading role in all facets of the game on another strong London team…He plays firm and with confidence in who he is and what makes his game so successful. He defends at a very high level for his age both man-to-man, down low and positionally in his own zone. He has skill and poise with the puck and has started to make better and more consistent reads under pressure. He's not the most dynamic player with the puck, but he has all of the physical tools you look for, he can really shoot it, he comfortably moves it, he has a high floor, and he could have a very high ceiling (at both ends) with continued development along the path he's on." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Zeev Buium - Defenseman, University of Denver (NCAA) Watch Highlights "A dynamic, offensive defenseman putting up historic numbers as a draft-eligible freshman at Denver, Buium has been on the rise throughout the season. Buium has high-end hands, good feet and can make a lot of plays in the offensive zone. While he lacks physical strength to keep opposing forwards at bay, he's competitive and has a good stick. Buium is a play-driver from the back end, allowing his teammates to find spaces for him to distribute the puck to. He can extend plays and filters a lot of pucks toward the net front. Defensively, there are still some questions, but Buium has shown a commitment to defend and to compete in his own zone, and he's able to get pucks out of trouble in a hurry with his feet or with a good pass. At times his puck decisions need to be better and he is not immune to the big turnover. That said, he has the puck so much that you live with the mistake because more times he's going to make a positive play." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Cole Eiserman - Left Wing, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "You've heard it all by now. There isn't a prospect with a better shot in the draft, and will go down as one of the best goal-scorers in USA Hockey National Team Development history - a group that has had Cole Caufield, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matt Tkachuk and Patrick Kane among others. Defensively, Eiserman can be invisible, though. Eiserman is a better physical threat and a skater than I think most people give him credit for. Defensively, he needs work, but he's got first-line winger written all over him. Underestimate him at your peril." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff For the second year in-a-row, the Blackhawks will have two draft picks in the first round thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Brandon Hagel trade back in the Spring of 2022. Almost exactly like last year's second first-round pick from the Lightning, which ended up being Oliver Moore at 19th overall, the Blackhawks will have the 20th pick in this year's first round thanks to the Florida Panthers eliminating the Lightning in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Similarly to the first pick the Blackhawks make in the first round, they are in a position where they will be best suited to pick the best player they have available on their internal draft board, rather than making any picks based on filling a need. Chicago is just not quite there yet where they don't have any holes in their organizational depth chart. So whether it's a scoring winger, two-way center, dight-shot defenseman, so on and so forth, the Blackhawks are likely looking at taking whoever will help them anywhere within the organization and fits the long-term plans. Liam Greentree - Right Wing, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) Watch Highlights "The skating obviously is a bit of a problem, but he's not going to require having any sort of speed advantage in the NHL. Guys get near him, that's what he wants. You can catch up to him, he's trying to do that. Then he hooks the puck through you, relocates and gets it back and snipes one. This guy has the best highlight reel in the draft. Every play, every point that he gets is insane…He's a 'Matt Boldy' through and through." - Mitchell Brown, Elite Prospects Michael Brandsegg-Nygård - Right Wing, Mora IK (SHL) Watch Highlights "He's a multifaceted shooter who can score from the top of the circles with his wrister but also gets down to one knee and really powers through a good one-touch shot — skills that have helped him excel on both the flank and the bumper on the power play across domestic and international levels. He's not a dynamic individual play creator but he's got pro size, he works extremely hard and engages himself in the play, he plays well off of his linemates, and he's got good all-around skill. He also plays the game with a physical tilt even against pros, constantly engaging in battles and keeping his effort level ramped up. He's got a commitment to staying on pucks and finishing his checks, and uses a long stick to protect pucks well out wide to his body. He's got good straight-line skating. He looks like a projectable middle-six driver to me, and potentially a solid top-sixer as the third guy on a more talented line with the right progress." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Andrew Basha - Left Wing, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) Watch Highlights "Basha had a tremendous year with Medicine Hat, picking up the slack while Cayden Lindstrom was injured. He finished the regular season with 30 goals and 85 points in 63 games, building upon a season that saw him post one of the best goal totals of any Draft-1 players in the CHL last year. He's not going to blow you away in the NHL with his skill, but he brings good energy and is strong defensively. Between his 5-on-5 play, his experience on the power play and the playmaking he brings to the table, Basha could be a solid top-six contributor for an NHL team one day." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Carter Yakemchuk - Defenseman, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) Watch Highlights "One of the highest-scoring and most penalized draft-eligible WHL defensemen in recent WHL history, Yakemchuk broke the 25-goal plateau and sailed past 100 penalty minutes with the Hitmen this year. That's a year after he scored 19 goals on a middle-of-the-pack team and was the only 2024 draft-eligible to make one of the WHL's All-Star teams when he was named a Central Division Second All-Star last season, which was important considering he was only a couple of weeks away from being eligible for the 2023 draft…Led by his instincts, plenty of confidence and legit skill for a D his size, he has generated a lot from the back end for a Hitmen team that has generated little. While his game in the WHL does come with some give and take, he's got pro size, a pro shot and an attack mentality that is complemented by good instincts on when to eagerly jump off the line or into the rush and when to hold it or outlet it. He also protects the puck really well for a defenseman, which allows him to make the most of his decisions to involve himself in the play around the offensive zone, holding pucks past and away from reaching defenders and occasionally dazzling one-on-one." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Michael Hage - Center, Chicago Steel (USHL) Watch Highlights "A powerful skater with a nose for the net, Hage can make plays off the rush and does a nice job of getting to the interior to create offense. His speed allows him to drive to the outside, but he always works to get pucks to the middle and battle to get to the higher-danger areas of the ice. After losing almost all of last season to injury, Hage's development seemingly did not suffer. He's become a stronger player who is difficult to slow down. He has a good stick, doesn't shy away from the physical game and then has the hand skills to finish off what he starts. Hage has a quick release, with the ability to shoot in stride and make plays without breaking speed. Though he likes to play the game at a faster pace, he's able to slow things down and find better options. His hockey sense and pace both look like strong NHL traits." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Igor Chernyshov - Left Wing, Dynamo Moskva (KHL) Watch Highlights "At 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, Chernyshov has good size and isn't afraid to use it. He played more than half the season in the KHL but was also a stout offensive threat in the MHL thanks to his slick stickhandling. For the most part, I like how he has matured this year. He doesn't make as many poor decisions with and without the puck as he did last year. Chernyshov does a great job of working his tail off without the puck, something that'll excite NHL coaches." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Adam Jiříček - Defenseman, HC Plzeň (Czechia) Watch Highlights "At the beginning of the year, I thought he had a chance to become the best defenseman in this draft. The physicality, the engagement, the motor, the flashes of skill are still there in his game. He didn't show them as much in the early part of the year. I think a team will select him in the first round and there's a lot of upside there." - David St-Louis, Elite Prospects There's going to be some interesting selections between the 20th pick and the 34th pick for the Blackhawks as the first round closes and the second round opens. Depending on how the board shapes itself, there could be a handful of prior first-round projections available to Chicago when Round Two begins. You may see some movement with these range of picks if the Blackhawks feel strongly that they can move back to get their desired players, or if they want to be aggressive and move up into the first round again. But early-second round picks are valuable still. This is the range where players like Alex DeBrincat, Alex Vlasic, and Dave Bolland can be found. E.J. Emery - Defenseman, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "Though Emery has had a tougher season to read based on results, the tools and upside he seems to possess are tantalizing. Emery has a 6-foot-3 frame that he's still growing into, but moves effortlessly and has some power to him. Defensively, he's tough to get around and can make good, physical stops thanks to solid gap control and angling ability. Offensively is where his projection is tougher to make. You can see some elements of hand skills and the ability to move pucks up ice, but his numbers have been poor in terms of production. Committed to the University of North Dakota, Emery is one of those players you take in this range and stay patient. He's growing into his game and the immense athletic tools he has." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Tanner Howe - Center/Left Wing, Regina Pats (WHL) Watch Highlights "I don't know what to think here anymore. Howe can clearly produce, with and without Connor Bedard, his most common linemate over the first two years of his junior career. Howe was a high-end scorer again this year, but his skating and smaller frame don't help. Despite that, Howe battles for pucks and has the energy that can make him more valuable if he isn't cast into a scoring role." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Luke Misa - Center, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) Watch Highlights "He wins races and can create with his feet, regularly beating his man wide and getting a step on defenders for partial breaks. He's not the biggest kid, and the knocks on him in his first two years in the league were that he needed to use his speed to get to the middle third of the ice more and play with a more competitive edge, but he has made noticeable progress on both fronts this year to score more and become more of a play-driver at both ends. He sees the ice well and processes the game quickly even at speed, which can sometimes be a problem for faster skaters. I like the way he jumps into gaps and creates quick looks. He's starting to play into the guts and find his way out more, making better choices about when to go wide and when to drive into teams, push them back and make the kick-out play. And when he's feeling it, he has the puck a lot and passes it well to the weak side of coverage." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Jesse Pulkkinen - Defenseman, JYP (Liiga) Watch Highlights "The top overage player in the draft this year, Pulkkinen played around 18 minutes a night with JYP, which isn't always easy for a 19-year-old. Against U-20 kids, he played more than 25 minutes most nights, including a whopping 31:29 on March 17. Nothing tops his 38:09 in Mestis play back in November, though. Pulkkinen can handle significant pressure well and has the offensive and physical chops to battle older, stronger competition. Don't be surprised if a team reaches for him late in the first." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Marek Vanacker - Left Wing, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) "I really like his combination of open-ice skills, being able to create a lane for his shot or for his passing. He likes to shift the defense and play with defensive gaps a lot. He's not the most physically robust guy, but he's very good at drawing players to him and then cutting back, which creates the route for him to escape and cut to the net. A little bit of a weird skater, but I think it's probably NHL-projectable. The defense is a massive problem, but I don't think it's going to continue to be as bad. I think he's the kind of guy who will leverage his speed and work-rate within the defensive zone within a year or two." - Mitchell Brown, Elite Prospects Cole Hutson - Defenseman, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "A skilled blueliner who competes off the puck and can make a lot of smart plays with it on his stick, Cole Hutson is cut from largely the same cloth as older brother and Montreal prospect Lane. Cole checks in at 5-foot-10, which is bigger than his brother was in his draft year, but Cole has a few other elements that differ. He is about to become the NTDP's all-time leading scorer among defensemen, which is a major feat considering who has come through there. Hutson is an aggressive player with dogged competitiveness. Despite lacking size for a defenseman, he still defends at a good level and can make a ton of plays in all three zones." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Henry Mews - Defenseman, Ottawa 67's (OHL) "I like him a lot more than (Cole) Hutson. He's a bit of a low-pace guy, but if he can pick that pace up, he can be an incredible creator. He has all the mechanics for defense down, too, it's just a matter of closing earlier and being more aggressive. He's one of those guys who every facet of his game is just a little bit too slow to project to the NHL, but all the tools are there." - Mitchell Brown, Elite Prospects The second of the three picks in the second round of the draft again presents the Blackhawks with an abundance of opportunities to either move up or down, or use the pick to find a more longer-term project player who could pan-out to be low-risk/high-reward. In an ideal world, of course. This is also a range where players who possess something the Blackhawks need up-front and something you can't teach, size, reside. Aron Kiviharju - Defenseman, HIFK (Liiga) Watch Highlights "He's definitely most noticeable breaking the puck out of his own zone, where his little carries and outlets make a big difference. He shows deception across the line though as well, although there are times when I'd like to see him look to attack and take charge himself in the offensive zone a little more. It can look like he's always trying to set up the next heady little play instead of just commanding it. When he does really attack, he usually accomplishes what he's looking to as well because he's hyper aware out there of the way the play develops. Cerebral is the perfect word." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Adam Kleber - Defenseman, Lincoln Stars (USHL) Watch Highlights "A 6-foot-5, right-shot defenseman that's just coming into his own, Kleber has some serious potential. While his numbers are not particularly impressive offensively, he has shown some significant improvement year-over-year in his puck play. His shot has become more effective and he moves pucks much more accurately than he had in the previous season. Big defensemen are at a premium in the NHL, especially ones with solid mobility and a willingness to be physical. Kleber checks a lot of boxes and the offense is starting to come a bit more." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Dean Letourneau - Center, St. Andrew's College (U18 AAA) "I'm a big fan of Letourneau, even if he fell in my rankings. The 6-foot-7 forward moves so well for his size, and he has a net-front presence teams will die for. His numbers have been tremendous, scoring at more than a goal-per-game pace and lifting St. Andrew's up more often than not. Letourneau can dominate puck possession with his frame, and he has quick hands, too. The next Tage Thompson? We'll see." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Kamil Bednarik - Center, U.S. National Team Development Program "Badnarik's an interesting one because he's played with their (USNTDP) top-top guys, and he's played with other guys, he does well with them but he doesn't do great with them. I think he's just not a high-end guy, but he does get the job done. He's just not a big time scorer. He's hard to figure." - Russ Cohen, Elite Prospects Adam Jecho - Right Wing, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) Watch Highlights "A big man with the ability to produce always catches attention and Jecho will be no different. The 6-foot-5 winger is a little over a point per game in the WHL and has enough puck skills to believe there could be some more offense in there. That said, he has a heavier stride and the lack of foot speed could become a problem as it does not seem he processes the game at a pro level, not yet at least." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Ben Danford - Defenseman, Oshawa Generals (OHL) "For a defenseman with Danford's offensive abilities, it's crazy he had just one goal during the regular season with Oshawa. But he's a guy his teammates like to rely on because he's rarely caught making a mistake distributing the puck. I've seen Danford play both sides on the blueline this year but I think he's got something going on the left side - it fits his shot better." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Ryerson Leenders - Goalie, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) Watch Highlights "I still think Leenders is the best goaltender in the draft class, even if things didn't end on the right foot against Sudbury. He proved countless times this year that he was capable of stealing games and had the best save percentage of any draft-eligible OHL goaltender this year at .909. Keep in mind that defensive play can be quite wonky at this age. He rarely got out-goalie'd in tight matchups, something scouts appreciate." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Late into the second round, the Blackhawks again have flexibility with what they can do. There's still a good amount of talent within this range and the Blackhawks are still in a position to be patient with a lot of their prospects. Late-second round players are where you can find important depth across the board and part of the long-term plans from GM Kyle Davidson include being able to re-open that window of Stanley Cup contention and then keep it open with a continuous stream of young talent cycling through the organization. This range usually lends itself to players who are still three or four years away from professional hockey at the highest levels. Lukas Fischer - Defenseman, Sarina Sting (OHL) "He has that hard defensive game. He can engage. He can punish opponents and he has these occasional puck-moving flashes like using the net to create separation from the forecheck or his stretch-passing ability. The tools are interesting. He has the size, the skating, the physicality, and he's one of the youngest players in the draft. There are some questions about hockey sense but there are enough flashes that he could create some plays at the NHL level and really become this No. 5 insulator/shut-down defenseman who can somewhat move the puck still." - David St-Louis, Elite Prospects Matvei Gridin - Right Wing, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) "Gridin, a Russian import to the USHL who is committed to play at Michigan next fall, got off to one of the hottest starts in North American junior hockey and has continued to produce, to the point he's going to lead the USHL in scoring. That's pretty uncommon for a draft-aged player and is usually reserved for first-round locks. I don't quite have him there but he's in the conversation for me and may be a late first-rounder." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Tomas Lavoie - Defenseman, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) Watch Highlights "Lavoie is in his second season in the QMJHL with Cape Breton and was the 1st overall selection in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. A big 6'4 right-handed defenseman who skates well and plays a strong two-way game. Plays a fairly conservative style but is effective in offensive situations. Lavoie has good structure defensively with good feet and mobility making him tough to play against. His puck game continues to mature and he plays with confidence and poise. He makes the good first-pass and activates smartly when offensive opportunities arise. Lavoie plays a smart game at the offensive blue line and gets shots through to the net. He processes the game effectively and displays elements that will transfer well to the NHL. - Matt Tidcombe, CHL Hockey Will Zellers - Forward, Shattuck St. Mary's Prep (U.S. High School) "A North Dakota commit who is expected to jump right from Shattuck into the NCAA, Zellers does a wonderful job playing pucks into space and skating into them. He has legit touch and skill on the puck, and has scored some beautiful goals this season. I like his approach to offense and the way he uses the puck to create advantages for himself or his linemates. He can make the quick play or the long one, and makes good decisions about when to pace up or slow it down and hold it. He's got great hands and a quick, adjustable release. There's some clear talent there; the question is whether it'll translate." - Scott Wheeler, The Athletic Sam O'Reilly - Forward, London Knights (OHL) "O'Reilly has been one of the biggest movers in the draft rankings due to his play as a smart, two-way center. O'Reilly was playing Jr. B with the London Nationals last year, but it didn't take him long to get acquainted to the speed and tenacity of the OHL. He put up better numbers than Easton Cowan did last year and just below Denver Barkey, so that's a good sign. O'Reilly is toolsy, which is important for a player his age." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Justin Poirier - Right Wing, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) Watch Highlights "His shot is one of the best in the draft. He scores in a bunch of ways. Around the net, he's very physical and mean for his size. His play-making is slightly improving, like he's very focused on shooting and that's probably because he wanted to reach the 50-goal plateau, but I expect his game will be more well-rounded in the next years and he's one of the youngest players in the draft." - David St-Louis, Elite Prospects Will Skahan - Defenseman, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "He was better earlier in the season, there's no question about that. But the thing you should take into account is that his Dad is a strength coach, he does have good coaching. Pretty good speed for his size, he definitely punishes guys, he likes doing that. He's just had an up-an-down year…He can move the puck in transition, too, he's got a pro-level pass. He's got the size, the strength. The skating is projectable. I think he's going to be one of these guys who will go much sooner than the 60's and ends up being a nice No. 5 on a team." - Russ Cohen and Cam Robinson, Elite Prospects Much like the turnaround of the first to second round, the quick turnaround from the second to third rounds gives the Blackhawks the ability to move up to be aggressive for "their guy" or down and continue to stockpile draft capital if they feel they can still get the kind of player they want and add to their future draft plans. Carter George - Goalie, Owen Sound Attack (OHL) Watch Highlights "George's game is built around just keeping things steady and relaxed in the crease. At 6-foot-1, George is also on the smaller side, but he's as confident as they come in this year's class. Let in a bad goal? He's going to rob you on your next chance. Nothing seems to bother him, and he also sees through traffic well for a smaller keeper. From a skill perspective, he's clean, but can scouts look past the smaller frame?" - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Carson Wetsch - Forward, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) "Wetsch plays the game the same way every night. Pressures opponents up ice as F1 on the forecheck and finishes his checks. Battles in the trenches. Goes to the net hunting tips and rebounds. Secondary offense at the NHL level on projection. Potential middle of the lineup match-up forward who can grind down opponents. Skating and skill are sound. As is his hockey sense." - CapFriendly Gabriel Frasca - Center, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Watch Highlights "Gabriel is a heady player. He excelled as an OHL rookie because of his intelligence level and vision. He's also probably the best skater of the brothers and as such, is likely to be the best NHL prospect. I know he has his fans in the NHL scouting community. But, I want to see the progression this year before I slot him above others." - Brock Otton, OHL Prospects Ondrej Kos - Left Wing, Ilves U20/KOOVEE (U20 SM-sarja/Mestis) "Kos is a tall, lean forward who plays with consistent compete and energy. In time he will add more weight and strength to his frame, which should lead to more impact in all three zones - especially in the offensive zone around the net. Solid pace. Reliable hockey sense. Potential depth NHL player in time. The kind of prospect who isn't likely to produce a ton of offense but can check and kill penalties. - CapFriendly Alexander Zetterberg - Center, Örebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell) Watch Highlights "Zetterberg has stood out as one of the Swedish U18's best players for the last three seasons and as a top performer on his Örebro club. He showcases sharp two-way play, above-average puck skills, and excellent hockey sense. Despite lacking the size and speed to win puck battles, his intelligent play and dangerous one-timer compensate effectively. His playoff performance highlighted his engagement away from the puck and massive playmaking potential. The challenge for Zetterberg remains: Can he improve his physical strength to elevate his game to the next level?" - Seth Ditchfield, Dobber Prospects Harrison Brunicke - Defenseman, Kamloops Blazers (WHL) "Brunicke could become the second South African-born player drafted in the first round. While I have him farther down, I do know there's been some interest from teams looking for a big, right-handed defenseman who can play a bunch of different roles. He's quite smart with the puck, and I feel like his offensive abilities are better than his numbers suggest. With a 6-foot-3 frame, projectable traits and some budding offensive potential, there's a lot to like here. - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Much like in the past two third rounds under GM Kyle Davidson, the Blackhawks could find those important depth players or players who fit the organization stylistically for what Davidson and head coach Luke Richardson want to accomplish. Think of Samuel Savoie and Gavin Hayes. Brodie Ziemer - Forward, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "A highly-skilled playmaker who can make defenders miss and find his best options, Ziemer has a lot of interesting tools that should only be enhanced as he gets stronger. A point-per-game player at the NTDP this season, he is overshadowed a bit by bigger names, but every game you watch him, he makes something happen." - Chris Peters, Flo Hockey Colton Roberts - Defenseman, Vancouver Giants (WHL) "Big, smooth-skating defenseman that likes to try to create from behind his own net on breakouts. Improved his rush defense this season significantly, although there it still is a lot of work to do. His tools are projectable (in the NHL)." - Mitchell Brown, Elite Prospects Simon Zether - Center, Rögle BK (SHL) "Zether caught my eye as a late 2005-born player last year, especially internationally. He's got significant SHL experience, and he didn't lack confidence against the tougher competition. Zether stands at 6-foot-2 and seems to play bigger than his size. He's a good play-reader, moves the puck well and is great in small-area situations. A few scouts think he's better than his numbers suggest and that he could become a great pickup." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Lucas Van Vliet - Left Wing, U.S. National Team Development Program Watch Highlights "Primarily used in a depth role for Team USA. Capable of moving up in the lineup and being deployed in a variety of roles. Moves well. Sneaky offense. Competes. Middle-six NHL upside, likely leaning third-line. Recognizes his responsibility in all three zones. Has to be watched closely to be fully appreciated." - CapFriendly Clarke Caswell - Forward, Swift Current Broncos (WHL) "Caswell had a quiet first half but finished the year by registering a point in all but one game after mid-February. He really started to come alive in the postseason, showing a level of energy and tenacity that you love to see from someone trying to prove themselves. It's hard to get a good read on what his future's like - he's not big, needs to improve his skating and could up his defensive game, but with the puck, there's a lot to like." - Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff Tarin Smith - Defenseman, Everett Silvertips (WHL) "Smith is an offensive-defenseman who is dynamic with the puck and creates off the rush using his feet and creative puck-handling to slip through defenders in highlight-reel fashion. He's an intelligent passer but loves to take a volume of shots from the point. His defensive game is solid, though he's prone to gaffes. Smith can work his way into an NHL lineup as long as he remains committed to defense, works on his lateral movement, and continues find offense as a weak-side activator." - Luke Sweeney, Dobber Prospects Become a smarter Chicago sports fan with the latest game recaps, analysis and exclusive content from CHGO's writers and podcasters! Just drop your email below!
NHL Central Scouting
Elite Prospects
Future Considerations
The Athletic - Scott Wheeler and Max Bultman
Dobber Prospects
TSN
Sportsnet
Daily Faceoff
FloHockeyFirst Round
(6'0, 190lb / Shot: L / 38 GP - 32G, 32A, 64Pts)
(6'2, 210lb / Shot: R / 38 GP - 9G, 26A, 35Pts)
(5'11, 180lb / Shot: L / 30 GP - 23G, 37A, 60Pts)
(6'7″, 215lb / Shot: L / 63 GP - 3G, 8A, 11 Pts)
(6'3″, 210lb / Shot: L / 32 GP - 27G, 19A, 46Pts)
(6'0″, 180lb / Shot: R / 66 GP - 33G, 63A, 96Pts)
(5'11", 170lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 64G, 52A, 116Pts)
(6'3″, 205lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 18G, 52A, 70Pts)
(6'0″, 180lb / Shot: L / 42 GP - 11G, 39A, 50Pts)
(6'0″, 200lb / Shot: L / 77 GP - 80G, 39A, 119Pts)
(6'3″, 210lb / Shot: L / 64 GP - 36G, 54A, 90Pts)
(6'1″, 200lb / Shot: R / 41 GP - 8G, 10A, 18Pts)
(5'11", 185lb / Shot: L / 63 GP - 30G, 55A, 85Pts)
(6'3″, 190lb / Shot: R / 66 GP - 30G, 41A, 71Pts)
(6'1″, 190lb / Shot: R / 54 GP - 33G, 42A, 75Pts)
(6'2″, 195lb / Shot: R / KHL: 34 GP - 3G, 1A, 4Pts MHL: 22 GP - 13G, 15A, 28Pts)
(6'3″, 180lb / Shot: R / 19 GP - 0G, 1A, 1Pts)
Second Round
(6'3″, 185lb / Shot: R / 84 GP - 19A, 19Pts)
(5'11", 180lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 28G, 49A, 77Pts)
(5'10", 165lb / Shot: L / 66 GP - 26G, 55A, 81Pts)
(6'6″, 215lb / Shot: L / 29 GP - 2G, 6A, 8Pts | JYP U20 18 GP - 11G, 17A, 28Pts)
(6'0″, 160lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 36G, 46A, 82Pts)
(5'10", 160lb / Shot: L / 66 GP - 16G, 39A, 55Pts)
(6'0″, 185lb / Shot: R / 65 GP - 15G, 46A, 61Pts)
(5'10", 165lb / Shot: L / 7 GP - 1G, 1A, 2Pts)
(6'5″, 205lb / Shot: R / 56 GP - 5G, 21A, 26Pts)
(6'7″, 210lb / Shot: R / 73 GP - 78G, 82A, 158Pts)
(6'0″, 185lb / Shot: L / 84 GP - 36G, 57A, 93Pts)
(6'5″, 200lb / Shot: R / 53 GP - 23G, 24A, 57Pts)
(6'0″, 175lb / Shot: R / 64 GP - 1G, 32A, 33Pts)
(6'1″, 180lb / Catches: L / 46GP - 24-17-4, .909 Save%, 3.12 GAA)
(6'3″, 180lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 6G, 28A, 34Pts)
(6'1″, 185lb / Shot: L / 60 GP - 38G, 45A, 83Pts)
(6'4″, 200lb / Shot: R / 65 GP - 3G, 21A, 24Pts)
(5'11", 170lb / Shot: L / 48 GP - 48G, 47A, 95Pts)
(6'1″, 175lb / Shot: R / 68 GP - 20G, 36A, 56Pts)
(5'8″, 180lb / Shot: R / 68 GP - 51G, 31A, 82Pts)
(6'4″, 215lb / Shot: L / 80 GP - 8G, 10A, 18Pts)
Third Round
(6'0″, 160lb / Catches: L / 56 GP - 23-21-6, .907 Save%, 3.30 GAA)
(6'2′, 185lb / Shot: R / 67 GP - 25G, 25A, 50Pts)
(6'0″, 170lb / Shot: L / 44 GP - 15G, 17A, 32 Pts)
(6'1″, 150lb / Shot: L / 14 GP - 3G, 2A, 5Pts)
(5'8″, 160lb / Shot: R / 45 GP - 21G, 37A, 58Pts)
(6'3″, 185lb / Shot: R / 49 GP - 10G, 11A, 21Pts)
(5'11", 195lb / Shot: R / 84 GP - 32G, 52A, 84Pts)
(6'4″, 195lb / Shot: R / 62 GP - 7G, 20A, 27Pts)
(6'3″, 185lb / Shot: R / 42 GP - 0G, 4A, 4Pts)
(6'1″, 180lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 17G, 13A, 30Pts)
(5'11", 175lb / Shot: L / 68 GP - 26G, 51A, 77Pts)
(6'1″, 175lb / Shot: L / 67 GP - 8G, 36A, 44Pts)