{"id":28476,"date":"2018-05-05T15:10:39","date_gmt":"2018-05-05T19:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=28476"},"modified":"2018-05-07T08:54:17","modified_gmt":"2018-05-07T12:54:17","slug":"blackhawks-future-begins-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/05\/05\/blackhawks-future-begins-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Future Begins Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

The upcoming NHL Draft in June<\/a> will give the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> a chance to draft a player who could potentially make the opening night roster. The Blackhawks have the eighth overall pick in the first round. This is the highest draft pick they’ve had in years. After a dismal 2017-18 NHL season, the Blackhawks future success is riding on their first choice\u00a0being a great one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blackhawks Future\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

Over the next six weeks, the potential draft choices for the Blackhawks future\u00a0will be featured<\/span>\u00a0here at Last Word on Hockey<\/a>. The players\u00a0will be highlighted<\/span>\u00a0based on their potential to help the Blackhawks sooner\u00a0rather than<\/span>\u00a0later. While the Blackhawks have the eighth pick in the draft, they also have a late first-round pick acquired in the Ryan Hartman<\/a><\/strong> trade with the<\/a> Nashville Predators<\/a>. These two picks are key to improving the team after missing the playoffs this season. After the two first round picks, the Blackhawks will have six more picks in rounds 3-7.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blackhawks Draft Targets – Part 1<\/span><\/h2>\n

Based on the team’s needs, the first players discussed will be defencemen. Improving the Blackhawks defense corps is\u00a0imperative\u00a0for a successful 2018-19 season. Each player\u00a0will be highlighted<\/span>\u00a0with a link to the LastWordOnHockeyProspects.com<\/a> site. The player’s link also includes a video compilation from YouTube with their highlights. Be sure to check these out for a great glimpse at a potential Blackhawks future star.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Number 8<\/h3>\n

Looking at the NHL Mock draft<\/a> from Last Word’s own Ben Kerr<\/a>, there are five defencemen in the top eight picks.\u00a0Rasmus<\/span>\u00a0Dahlin<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is a lock\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0taken at number one overall by the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, so he’s off the board. After\u00a0Dahlin<\/span>, the next top defencemen are Adam\u00a0Boqvist<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at #4, Quinn Hughes<\/strong><\/a> #5, Noah Dobson<\/strong><\/a> #6, and Evan<\/strong>\u00a0Bouchard<\/strong><\/a> at #8.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing how general manager Stan Bowman<\/strong> likes\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0aggressive, the Blackhawks may\u00a0try to\u00a0move up in the draft to get their first choice. The pressure is on Bowman to make amends for how poorly his\u00a0previous<\/span>\u00a0off-season moves worked out. Expectations are high for this summer’s rebuild<\/a> beginning with the NHL Draft in June.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure to click the players names for links to their Last Word page<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0video highlights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Projected Defencemen Draft Picks<\/h2>\n

At number four – Adam\u00a0Boqvist<\/span><\/strong>:<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

“It is likely that<\/span>\u00a0Boqvist<\/span>\u00a0needs a bit more development time, as he needs to bulk up. He has struggled as a 17-year-old while playing in the Swedish Men\u2019s leagues, and so making the jump to the NHL immediately seems unlikely. Expect to spend another year overseas, and\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0a big part of the Swedish team at the World Juniors.\u00a0Boqvist<\/span>\u00a0has all the tools and potential\u00a0to be<\/span><\/span>\u00a0a franchise defenseman at the NHL level, he just needs time.”<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At number 5 – Quinn Hughes:<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

“Hughes\u00a0can be<\/span>\u00a0an\u00a0elite<\/span>\u00a0offensive and puck-moving defenceman at the next level. He should quarterback the power play and lead the rush. The defensive game is a question mark, and how much he can improve in the next couple of years will\u00a0determine<\/span>\u00a0if he is a first pairing defenceman at even strength or more of a second pairing player. Hughes will likely head back to college for his sophomore season, as he is probably not going\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0NHL ready this fall.”\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

At number 6 – Noah Dobson<\/strong><\/a>:<\/h4>\n

“Dobson can stand to improve\u00a0<\/span>his upper body strength and be more effective in physical battles and get even more power on his shot. There is time for the 18-year-old to add muscle to a skinny frame. He may need a year or two of development time, but he has the potential\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0a number one defenceman at the NHL level, playing both the power play and the penalty kill, and taking on other team\u2019s top lines.”<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

At number 8 – Evan Bouchard<\/strong><\/a>:<\/h4>\n

“Bouchard could become a top defenceman at the next level, however, it is more likely that with his defensive issues, he is more of a second pair player. He\u00a0can be<\/span>\u00a0a real threat on the power play though, and\u00a0should be<\/span>\u00a0able to put up points if he properly develops. In terms of style, Bouchard\u2019s game is reminiscent of Brent Burns<\/a>. This is a style comparison only, not one based on talent level.”\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Blackhawks Options<\/span><\/h3>\n

These are the top four defencemen in the NHL Draft after\u00a0Rasmus<\/span>\u00a0Dahlin<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>goes at number one. The Blackhawks need a solid defenceman to join their young D lines. The question is whether Bowman moves up to take a higher pick. If they end up staying at number eight, Bouchard would be a solid pick. At 6′ 2″ and 192 pounds, he already has the size and will surely add pounds as he develops. His offensive skills last season for the London Knights were also an eye-catcher. In just 67 games, Bouchard had 25 goals and 87 points.\u00a0 He may take some time in the AHL to develop his game, but he appears to have the potential\u00a0to be<\/span>\u00a0a top four D man for the Blackhawks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Up<\/h3>\n

In the next Blackhawks Draft Targets article we will discuss what the Blackhawks\u00a0may be<\/span>\u00a0able to do with their second first-round draft pick. They\u00a0may be<\/span>\u00a0able to parlay that pick into an NHL-ready player depending on potential offers from other teams during the draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Image Credit:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n