NEWSLETTER
After making two selections in the second round, the Blackhawks had four picks in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
The Blackhawks traded the 94th overall selection to the Arizona Coyotes for Dallas’ third-round pick in 2023, adding another future asset. So Chicago made three picks in the third round.
With the 66th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks picked forward Gavin Hayes.
Gavin Hayes
Left Wing
DOB: May 14, 2004
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 176
Shoots: Right
2021-22 Team: Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Ranked #82 by Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
Ranked #97 by Scott Wheeler (The Athletic)
Ranked #83 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #83 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #59 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #51 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #46 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #86 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #94 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #95 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #78 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Background: Hayes was a fine player for Flint playing a secondary role on a good OHL team. He was also a top forward for USA’s Hlinka Gretzky team in the summer. He was the 16th pick in his OHL draft.
Analysis: Hayes is an intriguing prospect because he’s a 6-foot-2 forward with legit skill. He shows great ability to beat defenders with his stickhandling and overall is a very creative offensive player. I’ve often found myself watching him, though. I don’t see much pace or speed in his game and he can be too perimeter as well. His skill and size gives him a chance if he can round out his game.
After going scoreless in his first 11 OHL games, Hayes worked his way onto this list with a strong second half (which included registering 49 points in his 54 games the rest of the way after he finally broke the spell). He’s a versatile player who plays on both special teams in Flint, has east-west and north-south attributes, and can play on or off the puck on his line. With it, he’s capable of taking defenders one-on-one and I’ve seen him make high-skill plays through feet, under sticks and around defenders. Without it, he’ll use his long skating stride to push in straight lines to get open in transition or apply pressure on the forecheck (though I’d like to see him engage physically and look to impose himself more). There is at times a little too much deference to his game offensively and he falls back into a passing reflex when I’d like to see him take charge and attack into his shot, but as Hayes gets more confident at the OHL level I expect that some of that will come and he’ll become a top player in the league. He can also play both wings, which should help him find a role as a complementary winger if all goes well.
With the 81st overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks picked forward Samuel Savoie.
Samuel Savoie
Left Wing
DOB: March 25, 2004
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 190
Shoots: Left
2021-22 Team: Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Ranked #85 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #101 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #133 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #90 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #208 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
With the 90th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks picked forward Aidan Thompson.
Aidan Thompson
Center
DOB: Feb. 18, 2002
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 181
Shoots: Left
2022-22 Team: University of Denver
