{"id":130513,"date":"2022-07-09T11:29:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-09T15:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=130513"},"modified":"2022-07-09T11:29:29","modified_gmt":"2022-07-09T15:29:29","slug":"chicago-blackhawks-2022-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/07\/09\/chicago-blackhawks-2022-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Evaluating the Chicago Blackhawks 2022 Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/b>The future of the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> became much clearer after a flurry of deals during day one of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks entered day one with zero picks in the first round and exited with three first-round selections. New general manager Kyle Davidson made it clear that the Hawks are fully in rebuild mode, and he kept his word. Here is a look at the main acquisitions and what this means for their future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago Blackhawks Draft Evaluation<\/h2>\n

DeBrincat and Dach Set Sail<\/h3>\n

Few Chicago Blackhawks players are safe from the chopping block, and the reality of this set in after Alex DeBrincat<\/a> was traded<\/a> ahead of round one. Davidson shocked the hockey world after finalizing one of the most anticipated trades of the offseason. The rumours of where the 24-year-old star winger would land have circulated for weeks, and the full package came as a surprise to most. The Ottowa Senators acquired DeBrincat in exchange for their 2022 7th overall, 39th overall, and 2024 third-round pick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the third overall selection, Commissioner Gary Bettman announced a three-way trade<\/a> between the New York Islanders, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Chicago Blackhawks.\u00a0 New York sent their 13th overall this year to Montreal in exchange for Alexander Romanov<\/a> and pick 98. Then, Montreal swapped that 13th and pick 66 to Chicago in exchange for Kirby Dach<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Guys in Town<\/h3>\n

Kevin Korchinski<\/h4>\n

Chicago used the 7th overall to select Kevin Korchinski<\/a> from the Seattle Thunderbirds\u2014yet another prospect to add to the Hawks defensive depth pool. Despite playing defence, the 18-year-old describes<\/a> his offensive knack: \u201cI\u2019m an offensive-defenceman. Love to join the rush. Love to create offensively. And I do that by using my feet, using my puck skills, my passing ability. I love to be around the puck.\u201d Korchinski recorded 65 points (4g, 61a)\u00a0 in 67 games for the Thunderbirds last season, placing him 4th overall in points among WHL defencemen. He also led all defencemen in the postseason with 19 points (6g, 13a) in 25 games. Korchinski compares his game most closely to another two-way defenceman: Shea Theodore<\/a>. The Thunderbirds head coach Matt O\u2019Dette coached both Theodore and now Korchinksi. <\/span><\/p>\n

In spite of the Hawks large repertoire of defensive prospects, Korchinski seems to be their guy. Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey believes Korchinski will be “different than a lot of the defencemen we’ve drafted in the last few years. He’s really puck-friendly. He’ll be a first-unit powerplay guy. Projects to be a first pairing defenceman.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kevin Korchinski wearing Luke Richardson's No. 22. pic.twitter.com\/KBNBM5J3Or<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) July 8, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n