Sources: The Athletic, Dobber Prospects, Elite Prospects, FC Hockey, Last Word on Sports, Lines, Recruit Scouting, Scouching Report, Smaht Scouting, The Draft Analyst, The Hockey News, The Hockey Writers
At time of print, the Blackhawks remain on the outside looking in without a 1st round pick as the opening round of the 2022 NHL Draft is this evening with Rounds 2-7 taking place on Friday. General manager Kyle Davidson still seeks to get back into the 1st round yet the hours are ticking away to make that happen.
Top 10
In the event that the Hawks snag a 1st rounder, they are likely aiming to acquire one in the top 10. For instance, they could trade with the Devils for 2nd overall, the Flyers for 5th overall, or the Senators for 7th overall. There are, of course, other scenarios including the receipt of a pick in the teens or 20s.
Assuming the Hawks are lucky to pick 2nd, either top centers Shane Wright or Logan Cooley is the preferred selection. Why not Juraj Slafkovsky? For one thing, Davidson and director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey have prioritized centers, defensemen, and goalies over wingers in their draft strategy.
But if the Hawks somehow have the honor to pick 5th or 7th -- and presuming that Slafkovsky is gone by then -- either defenseman David Jiricek or Simon Nemec could be the one to call. Both are projected to have 1st pair potential as both are solid in all zones and can generate offense but may not pile up points.
However, neither Jiricek nor Nemec may be #1 material like Victor Hedman (2nd overall in 2009) or Aaron Ekblad (1st in 2014). Then again, people laughed at the Red Wings when they took this year's Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider at 6th in 2019. Seider may be in Hedman/Ekblad territory. Who's laughing now?
If not Jiricek or Nemec, then one of centers Matthew Savoie or Marco Kasper or wingers Cutter Gauthier or Frank Nazar may be worth a top 10 selection. Savoie is the most offensively gifted and electrifying. Kasper is an impact three-zone pivot pegged for a scoring line. Gauthier and Nazar are high-energy spark plugs.
Rounds 2-7
As it stands currently, the Blackhawks have the following picks:
* 2nd round x2
* 3rd round x3
* 4th round none
* 5th round none
* 6th round x2
* 7th round x1
Here are the skills and traits that the scouting department plans to use in decision making each time Davidson gets to the podium to make Chicago's selections. Again, the Hawks have identified centers, defensemen, and goalies as the prioritized positions.
* Skating speed
* Game-processing speed
* High motor (hustle, relentlessness)
* Compete level
* Character
Based on this checklist, below is a review of draftees to consider. Although some of the draftees listed are likely to be selected in the 1st round, they are still included just in case the Hawks find a way to re-enter the opening round with at least one pick.
Centers
* Liam Arnsby (North Bay, OHL)
* Owen Beck (Mississauga, OHL)
* Logan Cooley (U.S. NTDP)
* Luca Del Bel Belluz (Mississauga, OHL)
* Kocha Delic (Sudbury, OHL)
* David Goyette (Sudbury, OHL)
* Jordan Gustafson (Seattle, WHL)
* Jake Karabela (Guelph, OHL)
* Marco Kasper (Rogle, Sweden)
* Jiri Kulich (Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic)
* Jere Lassila (JYP, Finland)
* Paul Ludwinski (Kingston, OHL)
* Matthew Poitras (Guelph, OHL)
* Matthew Savoie (Winnipeg, WHL)
* Mathew Ward (Swift Current, WHL)
* Shane Wright (Kingston, OHL)
Wingers
* Grayson Badger (Dexter Southfield, USHS)
* Dmitri Buchelnikov (SKA St Petersburg, Russia)
* Cutter Gauthier (U.S. NTDP)
* Josh Filmon (Swift Current, WHL)
* Gavin Hayes (Flint, OHL)
* Isaac Howard (U.S. NTDP)
* Dylan James (Sioux City, USHL)
* Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Djurgarden, Sweden)
* Julian Lutz (Munich, Germany)
* Filip Mesar (Poprad, Slovakia)
* Mikey Milne (Winnipeg, WHL)
* Ivan Miroshnichenko (Omskie Krylia, Russia)
* Frank Nazar (U.S. NTDP)
* Liam Ohgren (Djurgarden, Sweden)
* Vinzenz Rohrer (Ottawa, OHL)
* Juraj Slafkovsky (TPS, Finland)
* Adam Sykora (Nitra, Slovakia)
* Fabian Wagner (Linkoping Jr, Sweden)
Defensemen
* Angus Booth (Shawinigan, QMJHL)
* Frederic Brunet (Rimouski, QMJHL)
* Lane Hutson (U.S. NTDP)
* David Jiricek (Plzen, Czech Republic)
* Kirill Kudryavtsev (Sault Ste Marie, OHL)
* Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw, WHL)
* Ty Nelson (North Bay, OHL)
* Simon Nemec (Nitra, Slovakia)
* Matej Pinkas (Stadion Litomerice, Czech Republic)
* David Spacek (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
* Grayden Siepmann (Calgary, WHL)
* Graham Sward (Spokane, WHL)
Goalies
* Tyler Brennan (Prince George, WHL)
* Hugo Havelid (Linkoping Jr, Sweden)
* Sergei Ivanov (SKA St Petersburg, Russia)
* Croix Kochendorfer (Chippewa, NAHL)
* Niklas Kokko (Karpat, Finland)
* Topias Leinonen (JYP, Finland)
* Simon Wolf (Red Bull Akademie Jr, Czech Republic)
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Trade Rumors
Alex DeBrincat is the best trade chip for Davidson to gain entry into the 1st round scheduled for this evening. It was rumored that the Flyers had made a pitch for DeBrincat but the Blackhawks rejected the offer as the 5th overall pick in today's draft was too rich for Philadelphia general manager Chuck Fletcher.
If DeBrincat gets moved, expect a chain reaction that impacts whether Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews decide to remain loyal to the only team they have ever played for or ask out by waiving their NMCs. Any trades involving either of them wouldn't necessarily take place this summer but possibly at the TDL instead.
Even though Davidson has outwardly stated he isn't looking to send Kane, Toews, or Seth Jones packing, the not-so-secret subterfuge of NHL general managers is starting to become evident as the Hawks GM is reportedly desiring to get rid of the $9.5M AAV albatross contract of Jones so the rebuild has it off the books.
Would the Hawks need to retain salary for 8 years in order to attract suitors? A team at the start of a 5+ year rebuild may be able to afford to do so but as long as the retention rate is not the maximum 50% allowed by the CBA. Even 25% ($2.375M) would be a tad much. Perhaps $1.5M-$2.0M is more palatable.
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Goalie Situation
Davidson stated in a late spring interview that he would explore every avenue to secure goalies for the 2022-23 season. Keeping either Kevin Lankinen or Collin Delia in the fold is one possibility but would only be half of the equation as it's doubtful the Hawks would roll with these two as the starter/backup duo.
According to the latest report, it doesn't seem like the Hawks will wait until the free agency period commences on July 13 to identify at least one tender for the NHL tandem. Semyon Varlamov came up in a recent rumor but there are also other trade targets like Petr Mrazek, Matt Murray, and Alexandar Georgiev.
Trading for a veteran like Varlamov, Mrazek, or Murray who would be coming from a team itching to shed their salary could also bring back futures particularly a high draft pick. Georgiev is an RFA this offseason who has requested a trade from the Rangers. The 26 year old earned $2.425M AAV on his last contract.
The 3rd string goalie would be Arvid Soderblom who will be the starter in Rockford while Jaxson Stauber will make his pro debut as the IceHogs backup. The Hogs also have Mitchell Weeks signed to an AHL deal. Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun have been in the system for the past two seasons but haven't been re-signed.
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Duncan Keith
Despite claiming he would like to play into his 40s and being one of the most in-shape players in the NHL as a total gym rat and fitness freak, Duncan Keith is reportedly mulling over the decision to retire. Remember, if that happens, the Blackhawks would incur a recapture penalty of $7.5M across two years.
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AHL Contracts
The IceHogs have inked their 4th new player to an AHL deal in forward Bobby Lynch who played his last three seasons with the Manitoba Moose (Jets affiliate). In addition to Lynch, the Hogs also have forward Seamus Malone, defenseman Andrew Perrott, and goalie Weeks under contract. Some may end up with the Indy Fuel.
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NHL 2022-23 Schedule
The Blackhawks will open up the 2022-23 season in the barn of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Avalanche on October 12. Expect a longer than normal season opening ceremony as the Avs raise their championship banner. Then October 21 is the home opener at the United Center when the Hawks will host the Red Wings.
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See you on the boards!
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