There are three things in life that you can always count on: death, taxes, and hockey fans setting unrealistic goals for their favorite team’s prospects. When you think about it, it's kind of funny to see a bunch of grown adults arguing online about what a bunch of teenagers should turn out to be throughout their careers. With that being said, that’s exactly what I want to do today. Everyone knows that to be a successful team in this league, you need to have a solid core group of players. Chicago fans know this firsthand from the success we saw over the past six years. Then you look at the past few cup champions, and what do they all have in common? Deep cores that include both forwards and defensemen. Without this, you are not going to win. I mean, look at Edmonton; they have two of the best players in the world, but after that, it’s a tossup for who can really support those guys.
When it comes to the future of the Hawks, there are a few names that I believe will become a huge part of this core to help take this franchise back to the top of the mountain. I am going to give you all my picks for who those guys are and the way too early, totally unrealistic expectation of where their potential can top off.
Connor Bedard: All-Time Franchise Great What else can we say about Bedard that we haven’t already talked about a million times? When you get the chance to add a player who is being compared to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, how can you expect anything less than the all-time best? Now the kid hasn’t played a single second yet in this league, and we have to remember he's just that kid. For as much as can go right for him, the same can be said for what could go wrong. However, I believe he is the real deal, and even if he turns out to be half of the player that he is being projected to be, we as fans can expect great things from 98.
Oliver Moore: Elite Forward Moore should have been a top ten draft pick this year, but despite the league's playing style changing to benefit smaller players, teams kept passing him up for his size. Kyle Davidson was working the phones trying to move up in the draft to get this player, and the level of excitement KD showed when he realized that he was going to get him at 19 should help you realize how much of a steal that is for this team. One of the fastest skaters in this draft class, great hands, and solid finishing skills If handled correctly, he will be a force to be reckoned with as one of the top 6.
Frank Nazar: Top Six Forward Nazar was another draft target that KD really liked and was able to go out and make a deal to land in the 2022 draft. Many scouts have said that he might have the highest ceiling in terms of potential in last year’s draft class. He did hit a bit of a snag when he missed most of his freshman year at Michigan due to injury, but with Fantilli signing in Columbus, he will be relied on heavily, which means he will have plenty of chances to make up for the lost season.
Kevin Korchinski: Elite Defenseman For as young as he is, the amount of confidence Korchinski already shows makes you think this kid is going to be one of the all-time greats if he is allowed to develop correctly. One of the better puck-moving players, he skates with the puck like an old vet. He can absolutely take over the game and dictate the speed at which he wants it to go. It's going to be very interesting to see what the Hawks end up doing with him this season, but if Hawk fans are patient and allow him to adjust to the NHL correctly, things are going to be great for the back end.
There are a few other guys I can see being considered a part of this core; I think you need to look at one more defenseman, whether it's Del Mastro, Vlasic, or Rinzel, to name a few. Hell, the next piece of this core going forward could come to this team during next year's draft. What I think the most important thing to remember here is that the fact that you can list out a decent amount of players and debate whether or not they belong in this conversation is a sign that KD is on the right path, and if he sticks to his game plan, we can expect some great hockey here in the near future.
Let me know who you consider your four- or five-man core of the future and what you think their individual potential is.
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