Blackhawks 23' Draft Review
Jul 12, 2023 23:43:29 GMT -5
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Post by Chicago Blackhawks on Jul 12, 2023 23:43:29 GMT -5
Chicago Blackhawks VHL Entry Draft Review - 2023 Edition.
It was an eventful few days for the Chicago Blackhawks as they stocked their cupboards with another heavy array of top tier prospects. Only time will tell if it will be enough to thread the needle on this franchise that is in desperate need of talent. The 2023 Entry draft may be the defining moment for the Chicago Blackhawks future in the VHL. Hopefully we can look back on March 24th, 2023 and see it as a shift in direction of the franchise, When the commissioner of the VHL, Scott Davidson revealed the order of the Entry Draft, with the Blackhawks moving up 1 spot, to 2nd overall.
Adam Fantilli (2nd Overall - Center from the University of Michigan of NCAA)
Some doubt may have been created over who the Blackhawks were taking with this pick, however GM Sullivan decided to trust his gut and go with the consensus #2 prospect in the entire draft.
“Adam Fantilli has every tool that an NHL team would dream of having with their top overall selection. He’s got the physical tools of size, strength, speed and lateral mobility. He has amazing puck skill with the ability to do it at full speed and in small area situations. He can protect the puck, put his shoulder down and power through a defender, or put it under a defender’s stick and put them through the spin cycle.” – Austin Garrett, Smaht Scouting
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Matthew Wood (15th Overall - RW from University of Connecticut of NCAA)
It appears Chicago was unsure which way they wanted this pick to go. Rumors suggest they had 2 people on their list higher then Wood. But when pick 15 came around and Wood was still available, they were basically running to the podium.
“Wood is one of the best pure goal-scorers in the draft this year. The tall, rangy winger has an elite shot and a knack for scoring goals at a high rate. His release is extremely quick and he gets lots of power behind every shot. Wood’s ability to find the back of the net also stems from his high-end hands and IQ with the puck. He’s got a long reach and a good active stick, and can find passing and shooting lanes well, but he’s got to improve his speed, mobility and two-way game.” – Nick Richard, Dobber Prospects
Andrew Cristall (24th Overall - LW from Kelowna Rocket of WHL)
Chicago takes a huge swing here on one of the prospects with the highest upsides in the draft. Taken almost 20 spots higher then his NHL position, Clearly Chicago was high on this player.
“He may be undersized, but he is truly one of the most talented playmakers in junior hockey already. There are passing lanes that most players would never see developing, and Cristall has the passing precision to pick them apart. Cristall is cerebral in his approach, looking for lanes to exploit as a skater through the offensive zone to attack the center lane.” – Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News
Lukas Dragicevic - 33rd Overall - D from Tri-City Americans of WHL)
Another bold pick by GM Sullivan. He has selected another high risk/high reward type prospect here at pick #33.
“Aggressive offensive blueliner with great mobility and a heavy shot. Needs to continue to develop defensively but possesses top-four potential at the NHL level.” – Nick Richard, DobberProspects
Cameron Allen - 60th Overall - D from Guelph Storm of OHL)
Another player GM Sullivan has taken a huge swing on. Going into his draft year he was touted to be a top ten draft pick. However he did have a rough 2023 and continued to slide. Maybe his peers caught up to him, or maybe their was something else playing on the young defenseman's game. Only time will tell with this one, but it has the potential to be a steal if he can regain his pedigree.
“Two-way blueliner with inconsistent hockey sense who defends well and drives play from the back end. Possesses good mobility and competes hard, projecting as a potential middle-pairing defenseman at the NHL-level.” –Dobber Prospects
It was an eventful few days for the Chicago Blackhawks as they stocked their cupboards with another heavy array of top tier prospects. Only time will tell if it will be enough to thread the needle on this franchise that is in desperate need of talent. The 2023 Entry draft may be the defining moment for the Chicago Blackhawks future in the VHL. Hopefully we can look back on March 24th, 2023 and see it as a shift in direction of the franchise, When the commissioner of the VHL, Scott Davidson revealed the order of the Entry Draft, with the Blackhawks moving up 1 spot, to 2nd overall.
Adam Fantilli (2nd Overall - Center from the University of Michigan of NCAA)
Some doubt may have been created over who the Blackhawks were taking with this pick, however GM Sullivan decided to trust his gut and go with the consensus #2 prospect in the entire draft.
“Adam Fantilli has every tool that an NHL team would dream of having with their top overall selection. He’s got the physical tools of size, strength, speed and lateral mobility. He has amazing puck skill with the ability to do it at full speed and in small area situations. He can protect the puck, put his shoulder down and power through a defender, or put it under a defender’s stick and put them through the spin cycle.” – Austin Garrett, Smaht Scouting
Matthew Wood (15th Overall - RW from University of Connecticut of NCAA)
It appears Chicago was unsure which way they wanted this pick to go. Rumors suggest they had 2 people on their list higher then Wood. But when pick 15 came around and Wood was still available, they were basically running to the podium.
“Wood is one of the best pure goal-scorers in the draft this year. The tall, rangy winger has an elite shot and a knack for scoring goals at a high rate. His release is extremely quick and he gets lots of power behind every shot. Wood’s ability to find the back of the net also stems from his high-end hands and IQ with the puck. He’s got a long reach and a good active stick, and can find passing and shooting lanes well, but he’s got to improve his speed, mobility and two-way game.” – Nick Richard, Dobber Prospects
Andrew Cristall (24th Overall - LW from Kelowna Rocket of WHL)
Chicago takes a huge swing here on one of the prospects with the highest upsides in the draft. Taken almost 20 spots higher then his NHL position, Clearly Chicago was high on this player.
“He may be undersized, but he is truly one of the most talented playmakers in junior hockey already. There are passing lanes that most players would never see developing, and Cristall has the passing precision to pick them apart. Cristall is cerebral in his approach, looking for lanes to exploit as a skater through the offensive zone to attack the center lane.” – Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News
Lukas Dragicevic - 33rd Overall - D from Tri-City Americans of WHL)
Another bold pick by GM Sullivan. He has selected another high risk/high reward type prospect here at pick #33.
“Aggressive offensive blueliner with great mobility and a heavy shot. Needs to continue to develop defensively but possesses top-four potential at the NHL level.” – Nick Richard, DobberProspects
Cameron Allen - 60th Overall - D from Guelph Storm of OHL)
Another player GM Sullivan has taken a huge swing on. Going into his draft year he was touted to be a top ten draft pick. However he did have a rough 2023 and continued to slide. Maybe his peers caught up to him, or maybe their was something else playing on the young defenseman's game. Only time will tell with this one, but it has the potential to be a steal if he can regain his pedigree.
“Two-way blueliner with inconsistent hockey sense who defends well and drives play from the back end. Possesses good mobility and competes hard, projecting as a potential middle-pairing defenseman at the NHL-level.” –Dobber Prospects
