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Blackhawks Discussion on who to take for picks 1 through 5

Team: 2023-24 Chicago Blackhawks
Initial Creation Date: Apr. 14, 2023
Published: Apr. 14, 2023
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Description
The Hawks are in the 30th position, but can drop 2 spots in the draft lottery. Since this is the case I will be giving my thoughts on who I would take and why.

#1 Connor Bedard: Really no debate here he's a generational talent, but I think him being 5 foot 10 will hold him back in his rookie season from being a point per game. He will be very good but I think it's impossible for him to live up to the hype that he has. I'm super excited to watch his career.

#2 Adam Fantilli: I believe that Fantilli is an incredible consolation prize to Bedard and would fit exactly what the Blackhawks need. He has big size and great IQ. I see him as Jonathan Toew + more offense to his game. He's that good. For sure a great pick and someone that I would be very excited for.

#3 Leo Carlsson: I'm torn here since Leo Carlsson has been fantastic playing against grown men in the SHL, but I have concerns about his skating. The hawks want their team of the future to be all about speed and grinding. From what I've heard, this isn't Carlsson's play style, so I have hesitation about him being our franchise guy. I could be wrong though but I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

#4 Matvei Michkov: I'm leaning towards Michkov at pick 3 over Carlsson because of his generational skill, but there are discussions about Michkov and Russia that go far beyond hockey. Michkov is the 2nd best player in the draft, but could drop to 4 since he is signed in the KHL for a few years. This isn't a problem for the hawks though since we don't plan to compete for a little, but it's unknown if he will ever come to the NHL and unknown if the Russian government will let him come over. Obviously things with Ukraine and Russia are happening right now and the unknown makes this pick very risky, but if there is any confirmation that he plans to come to the NHL, then take him at 4 or 3.

#5 Will Smith: Will Smith has been great in the USHL and in a fantastic skater. I'd like the hawks to focus on player skating in the draft and if they were to drop to 5, then Will Smith fits their play style that the hawks are looking for. He is a great play maker and can score goal playing center. He wouldn't play in the NHL for a few years and would take a bit to develop and Boston College.

Overall this is a good scenario for the hawks. We can't really go wrong with any of our picks. I do believe that the TRUE tank will be next year where we can be even worse that the pre trade deadline team. I'm very excited for the future of the Blackhawks.
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DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2023
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2024
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2025
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ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
14$83,500,000$42,571,790$0$425,000$40,928,210
Left WingCentreRight Wing
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$800,000$800,000
LW, C
RFA - 1
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$2,650,000$2,650,000
C, LW
UFA - 1
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$5,000,000$5,000,000
RW, C, LW
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UFA - 1
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$758,333$758,333
LW
RFA - 1
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$1,200,000$1,200,000
C, RW
UFA - 1
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$800,000$800,000
RW, C
RFA - 1
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$950,000$950,000
C
RFA - 1
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$758,333$758,333
RW
RFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
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$916,667$916,667 (Performance Bonus$425,000$425K)
LD
RFA - 2
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$9,500,000$9,500,000
RD
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UFA - 7
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$3,800,000$3,800,000
G
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UFA - 1
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$1,250,000$1,250,000
LD
UFA - 1
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$4,500,000$4,500,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 1
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$4,400,000$4,400,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 3

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Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:15 a.m.
#1
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I think Carlsson is a very good young player, but, IMO, he is overrated, with a pretty wide margin for me being wrong and him becoming a superstar. Michkov is absolutely the 2nd best player in the draft, with a pretty good shot at being THE best player in the draft in hindsight. I know all the hype about Bedard is real, but I think all the downplay of Michkov, for numerous and mostly valid reasons, is just as real. And I truly believe he has a shot at having a better career overall than Bedard.

That being said, I think the questions around Michkov have less to do with his own intentions of coming to the NHL and more to do with how the geopolitical climate could develop between now and the 26-27 season. If things keep going as they have with Russia, sanctions, by Russia themselves or the UN/USA, could prevent or make it VERY difficult for him to come to North America. But I wouldn't mind taking a shot at him at 3rd overall, because I think, if all goes our way, he will be WELL worth the wait.
Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:17 a.m.
#2
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Also, I think I might like Oliver Moore more than Will Smith, in the bigger, longer term, picture. But, either would be great and Moore could probably be drafted at a later draft position, if we can find a way to trade back and gain some additional draft capital.
Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:19 a.m.
#3
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TheRealKyleDavidson
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Quoting: Garak
I think Carlsson is a very good young player, but, IMO, he is overrated, with a pretty wide margin for me being wrong and him becoming a superstar. Michkov is absolutely the 2nd best player in the draft, with a pretty good shot at being THE best player in the draft in hindsight. I know all the hype about Bedard is real, but I think all the downplay of Michkov, for numerous and mostly valid reasons, is just as real. And I truly believe he has a shot at having a better career overall than Bedard.

That being said, I think the questions around Michkov have less to do with his own intentions of coming to the NHL and more to do with how the geopolitical climate could develop between now and the 26-27 season. If things keep going as they have with Russia, sanctions, by Russia themselves or the UN/USA, could prevent or make it VERY difficult for him to come to North America. But I wouldn't mind taking a shot at him at 3rd overall, because I think, if all goes our way, he will be WELL worth the wait.


Here's a question I have for you. Do you think there is more risk in drafting Carlsson and him not being a superstar or drafting Michkov and him not being able to come over?
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Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:25 a.m.
#4
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Quoting: TheRealKyleDavidson
Here's a question I have for you. Do you think there is more risk in drafting Carlsson and him not being a superstar or drafting Michkov and him not being able to come over?


Idk. It is really hard to say definitively. But, when I watch Carlsson, I have been underwhelmed. Especially in comparison to some other players. But that might have more to do with the level at which he is playing, being so young in pro playing against men. But even in the WJC I was left wanting with him.
Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:38 a.m.
#5
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Quoting: TheRealKyleDavidson
Here's a question I have for you. Do you think there is more risk in drafting Carlsson and him not being a superstar or drafting Michkov and him not being able to come over?


It's also hard to compare him to guys like Will Smith and Oliver Moore because of the difference in the leagues they play in. But I have a feeling that, in a few years when we will look back at the 2023 draft, there will be at least 2 or 3 players that pass him in the rankings.
Apr. 14, 2023 at 11:48 a.m.
#6
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Everyone is worried about Michkov "not being able to come over". But Russia wants nothing more than to have a superstar hockey player playing on the biggest stage in the world. Anything short of full blown WWIII and I think he's in the NHL as soon as his KHL deal is over, and the KHL is the second best league in the world, not a bad place to develop. I take him at #2 if I'm making the call.
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Apr. 14, 2023 at 6:17 p.m.
#7
Backn 2da leff-JFK
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Quoting: BrianCampbell
Everyone is worried about Michkov "not being able to come over". But Russia wants nothing more than to have a superstar hockey player playing on the biggest stage in the world. Anything short of full blown WWIII and I think he's in the NHL as soon as his KHL deal is over, and the KHL is the second best league in the world, not a bad place to develop. I take him at #2 if I'm making the call.


Michkov: Ovechkin/Kucherov hype
Carlsson: Maybe he’s the next Niklas Backstrom??

You take the best player available. Michkov over Carlsson that’s it.
 
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