NEWSLETTER
On Sunday, the NHL Draft Combine begins in Buffalo. The event runs for a full week, with many prospects doing workouts in front of the eyes of the hockey world. This isn’t quite to the extreme of the NFL’s combine, but it’s still a chance for players to make a significant impact on front offices a few weeks before they hope to hear their name called in Nashville.
The Chicago Blackhawks won the draft lottery and get the honor of selecting Connor Bedard first overall. But after that, things might get crazy. Will the Anaheim Ducks go the route many believe they will and take Michigan center Adam Fantilli? Or will they take Sweden’s Leo Carlsson, who has been equally impressive in international tournaments? And after that… who knows? Where Matvei Michkov goes will be the wild card that changes a lot in the early stages of this draft.
As we get ready for the Blackhawks having eight picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, there are a lot of names to consider and mock draft scenarios to read, digest and think about in the coming weeks. I love this stuff, so I’m going to be a nerd for y’all between now and the start of the draft on June 28.
EliteProspects has a great resource available when you’re looking at names you might not have heard, listing the top 32 players ranked by a number of outlets including their own, TSN analysts Bob McKenzie and Craig Button, McKeen’s and The Hockey News.
Things can — and will — change between now and the draft. And we’ll pour over mock drafts in the coming weeks and consider trade scenarios (realistic ones only, please). I’ll do my best to keep us on track between now and Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson stepping to the podium to begin the process in less than four weeks.
Here are two substantial prospect ranking lists that I have bookmarked for the next week.
Corey Pronman (The Athletic) Top 142 Prospect Rankings
Pronman released his rankings of the top 142 prospects at The Athletic in the coming draft on May 30. I really like the setup and interface on Pronman’s list because each player has a drop-down with a comparable NHL player, skill evaluation and brief scouting report. There’s a ton of depth here to consider and it’s an important one to bookmark as you wander around mock drafts.
The players he ranks between Nos. 15-21 (of interest for Blackhawks fans because Chicago owns pick No. 19 — for now) are RHD Tom Willander, followed by forwards Brayden Yager, Zach Benson, David Edstrom, Oliver Moore, Colby Barlow and Quentin Musty.
Daily Faceoff Top 100 Prospect Rankings
Steven Ellis published his Top 100 prospect rankings at The Daily Faceoff on May 29. The players he ranks between Nos. 15-21 are forwards Matthew Wood, Samuel Honzek, Gabe Perreault, Nate Danielson, Eduard Sale, Andrew Cristall and Brayden Yager.
Players I’m Watching
When I wander around mock drafts and prospect rankings, there are a few players I think would be good fits for the Blackhawks. And some might be available when they pick at 19; others might go off the board earlier, and Chicago might like them enough to move up. Keep in mind there are going to be players in the 20s and 30s that the Blackhawks might like as well. There’s a lot to consider, which is what makes draft season so much fun.
Here are the players I like for the Blackhawks and will be watching at the combine:
