Do you always draft the best player available? Or can your decision be swayed by drafting by a positional need?
These are questions that Mark Kelley is asked all the time and ones that he and his staff dissect rigorously all year. Kelley's job is to watch these players and gets to know them on and off the ice. He relies on his scouts who have been strategically placed and sent out to watch specific players to relay thoughtful analysis back to him.
The draft is obviously a hot topic around here thanks to the Hawks "winning" the draft lottery and jumping up to the 3rd overall pick. By the sounds of it on the message boards, it's a blessing and curse in this event deemed a 2-player draft.
Well, in Mark we trust (or have to trust) and there are a lot of really interesting names out there; Cozens and Dach were at the top of my list but I'm warming up to all options that include Byram, Turcotte and Podkolzin.
Kelley has been with the Chicago Blackhawks for 13 years. An impressive run for a really well-respected hockey man across the league. Check out the solid CV below (yes, he lived in Russia at one point in his career):
So what's the plan Stan (and Mark)?
In case you are unfamiliar on the process, the Hawks commission amateur scouts – led by Kelley – to evaluate players all season. In Canada, US and in Europe you would be able to track down a Blackhawks employee in most major rinks. This is the common strategy by NHL teams. Some teams focus more on certain leagues and areas than others and that comes through in their draft results.
The Hawks then determine their pre-draft rankings leading up to the combine. This event will take place May 31st – June 1st in Buffalo with 109 prospects in attendance.
Kelley and Co. will then do a deep dive on the results and meet as a group to discuss how their interviews with specific players went.
What else do they look for?
"When we look at the physical testing done at the NHL Scouting Combine we're not necessarily looking for the person with the highest score, we're looking for the person with the highest potential and you look for the person who competes really hard. And that tells us a lot."
(Courtesy: Chicago Tribune, Chris Kuc)
Hockey skill can be found almost anywhere on the planet now, but it's hard work, determination and the overall character of the player that will separate him from a minor leaguer to an NHL player.
Want to see more behind the scenes? The "On the Clock" series that the Hawks produce is really good and shows you a little more of that.
(Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
"We don't have this chance very often and that's, sort of, by design, and you don't want to be drafting in the top 10, but when you're in that spot you have a chance for something special."
The above was a quote from Stan Bowman last May. Whoops… guess what Stan… you're drafting 3rd this year.
Here's the second part to last year's "On the Clock" which shows how the Hawks got to their selection of Adam Boqvist.
(Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
What is interesting are the curve balls that the Hawks were handed with guys like Kotkaniemi and Hayton going higher than they projected.
There's obviously less of a chance that happens this year, but stranger things have happened and, hey maybe the Rangers fall in love with Podkolzin or Byram and they pass on Kaapo Kakko. I don't see it happening however, it's something that Mark Kelley has to be prepared for on draft day.
What's Kelley's take on drafting by position?
"We go in and we let it play out. Stan and I will have a conversation and it might be leaning one way or another but regardless of that when it comes our time to pick we have to see what's on the board."
(Courtesy: Chicago Tribune, Chris Kuc)
Starting next week, I will have features on individual players and making a case for why the Blackhawks should draft them.
On my list includes Byram, Cozens, Dach, Turcotte, Podkolzin and Caufield (just for you Darth).
Am I missing anyone you would like me to highlight? If so, just PM me and I'll look to include them.
See ya out there,
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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