We’re now closing in on just two weeks until the 2023 NHL Draft, and the Blackhawks are loaded with picks. While most feel the Blackhawks will focus on forwards — they still need to add high-end skill to the system — I don’t think the Hawks will completely ignore the blue line this summer.
As we consider defensemen the Blackhawks might select, it’s worth noting the depth in the organization. Kevin Korchinski projects as a potential top-pair guy with PP1 QB skills, and Chicago also has a plethora of other defensemen with differing skills coming in the system as well. But most of them share one thing in common: they’re left-handed.
Which means the Blackhawks will likely look to ꧙balance that at some point with a right-handed addition to the pipeline (or two).
Last year, the Blackhawks moved into the late-first round in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs to pick Sam Rinzel. Rinzel is a gifted skater with good size, but he’s a project; he’ll skate at the University of Minnesota this season — and likely a couple more after the coming year.
🉐Every indication to date has been🌼 that, if the Blackhawks trade up in the 2023 NHL Draft, they would do it to get a forward. So three defensemen are worth mentioning, but will likely be out of reach for Chicago in a couple weeks.
David Reinbacher, Axel Sandin Pellikka and Tom Willander are all solid right-handed defensemen. Reinbacher is the top-rated defenseman in this year’s class and is projected to be a top-ten pick, so he’s probably out of reach for the Blackhawks. Sandin Pellikka and Willander have also frequently been mocked to go in the top 15, so they might be a reach for the Blackhawks in the first round.
Here are a dozen names to ꦓconsider for the Blackhawks if they ⛎indeed look to add a right-shot defenseman to their stable of prospects in a couple weeks in Nashville.
12 RHD Options for the Blackhawks
6-2, 180
No. #20 North American skater
I like a lot of things about Bonk as a prospect, but he might need to be selected at No. 19 overall (unless the Blackhawks trade back) to get him. And that might be too rich for my blood considering the Blackhawks’ needs up front and the rich depth of forwards in this year’s class. He’s considered a high floor (but relatively low ceiling) defenseman who likely becomes a second-pair player.
6-1, 190
NA #18
Dragicevic would fit into the offensive-defenseman set if the Blackhawks are looking for a second-pair defenseman to compliment Korchinski as a second PP QB. He had 75 points in 68 ga♌mes in the USHL in his pre-draf꧑t season, including 60 assists. He might be an early second-round option if he lasts that long.
6-2, 205
NA #48
Strbak is committed to play at Michigan State in the Big Ten this fall; I love the idea of a player heading to college because it lengthens the development timeline for both the organization and the prospect. I also like his size on the right side. As a d𒊎efense-first defenseman, his strong two-way game is also something I like with some of the offensive upside the Blackhawks have coming with guys like Korchinski and Kaiser. I would consider him an🍷 early second round option.
6-3, 195
NA #31
If you read my mock draft this past weekend, you know Gibson is the right-shot defenseman I have slotted as a Blackhawks target in the second round. : “He has a smooth, powerful stride and is easily able to both evade pressure and close on checks like a pro. He projects to a strong defender versus men who can kill penalties and play in tough defensive situations due to his feet, size, and strong physical play.”
6-0, 173
NA #33
Akey had 47 points in 66 games for Barrie in the OHL this past season. He’s a good skater and skilled puckhandler who would be another offensive option on the right side if that’s what the Blackhawks look to target. I would put Akey as a third-round option for the Blackhawks.
5-11, 190
NA #41
Brzustewicz is another guy who is likely to project as a second power play unit guy with the Blackhawks already having Korchinski in the fold. He’s a good skater and plays well with the puck, but isn’t necessarily the best defensive prospect yet. Think a poor man’s Nick Leddy, if you will. He might be too similar — albeit physically smaller — than Rinzel to consider before the third round and he’ll likely be gone by then.
6-0, 194
NA #46
Allen is a bit of a polarizing prospect because his stock really slid this past season. A former OHL rookie of the year whose numbers and play dipped this past year, the book on Allen is that he could develop into a nice third pair option or be a complete bust. Becaus🐼e of that, I would lean on a late-third or fourth round pick for Allen if the Blackhawks go this route.
6-2, 185
NA #52
McCarthy is committed to Boston University, so you already know what I think about the college route for the Blackhawks. I also really like his size. He’s a good skater, but not the best puckmover; spending a few years at Boston University might help improve that element of his game, however. He would be a player to keep in mind for the Blackhawks in the third round.
6-2, 185
NA #61
MacKinnon is more of a defensive defenseman, which I like. His size is good, his skating is good and his strength is notable; he played a top-four role on Canada’s U18 team this past year. As a fourth or fifth-round option, he could be a nice depth piece in the organization. His offensive game needs some work, but that might not be a desperate need for Chicago with the other players they have in the pipeline already.
5-11, 192
NA #78
Minnetian is part of a ridiculously loaded incoming freshman class at Boston College that includes three of the top forward prospects in the draft: Ryan Leonard, Will Smith and Gabe Perreault. He’s a good skater and puckmover with adequate offensive skills and instincts. I keep coming back to the size component, however; it looks like the Blackhawks are looking for big bodies on the back end. He might be a third or fourth round play for Chicago.
6-1, 180
NA #70
Mania is another defenseman who you’re drafting because of his offense. Another good skater with strong vision and passing skills that might translate into a third-pair option in the NHL eventually. He would likely be a fourth or fifth-round option for the Blackhawks.
6-2, 187
NA #85
Stanley is committed to play at Cornell University this coming season; another college player, which ♌I like. He has good length and but is more of an offensive player; think another roll of the dice option in the mold of Rinzel, but in the fourth or fifth rounds of the draft.
