Wednesday’s episode begins with an update from Scott Powers of The Athletic on the Chicago Blackhawks’ struggles to trade up from the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Then, host Jack Bushman breaks down The Athletic’s two-round 2023 NHL Mock Draft and the five selections the Blackhawks made after Connor Bedard at No. 1. The episode concludes with forward Ryan Leondard’s 2023 NHL Draft Profile. All that and more on Locked On Blackhawks. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Blackhawks NHL Draft Updates (1:25)
Deal W/ Vancouver? (7:10)
The Athletic’s Mock Draft (13:45)
Leonard’s Draft Profile (25:30)
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8 Comments
QUESTION OF THE DAY — Which Prospect Do YOU Like Better? Ryan Leonard Or Colby Barlow?
Leonard. And its not close. But hawks can't get Leonard
I'd give 19, 35 + 55 for him
Look, of course if Davidson was looking to move up he wouldn't tell the media that is his agenda at the moment.. But it makes total sense for the Hawks to move up, they have the assets and the cap space to take a bad contractor two (cough..Vancouver.. cough) – so if there is a player they had their eye on that slips outside of the top 5, I'm fairly confident Davidson will at least TRY to move up… Keep in mind, Bedard was obviously the gem of this draft but you better believe the Hawks scouted the top half of the 1st round hard and you can bet there are several prospects the Hawks would indeed trade up for if the deal is right… I mean Michkov is one of them for sure and it makes a TON of sense to move up to grab him – perhaps even overpay for him. Obviously Michkov committed to play in the KHL for the next 2-3 seasons – but that's not a problem – as a matter of fact it's perfect for several reasons. Michkov can develop in the KHL over those 3-seasons and by the time he's ready to cross the pond the Hawks should be emerging from their rebuild. Not only that but when he does come over he will be totally developed AND on his ELC, so think a "Panarin situation" where Michkov comes to the NHL as a PPG++ player immediately. Obviously at that point (3-years down the road) Bedard will have that NHL experience and will entering his prime – as will other prospects – and THAT'S WHEN you start targeting big name free agents (Auston Matthews for example) to round-out the roster and build a team that contend for the long-run..
Look, Michkov is arguably a generational talent too, however he's not going to pay dividends for any team immediately – but the Hawks don't need Michkov now, so they can wait, keep him "on ice" (no pun intended) and let him develop and play-out his KHL contract – THEN you bring him over…. I mean the situation with Michkov is PERFECT..
Of course at the same time, this is a really-really deep draft that is loaded with talent and the Hawks can get a prospect that would have gone Top 10 in "average drafts" with that 19th overall pick, and the prospects they get in the 2nd round would be first round picks in any other draft.. So if the Hawks chose to keep their 19th overall and their (4) 2nd round picks they could get some really talented players that can play significant roles in the near future.. I mean outside of Bedard the Hawks have 5 more picks in the first 2 rounds and you can bet AT LEAST 3 of those picks should payoff and ALL 5 of them will have every opportunity to prove themselves as NHL players…
So yea, if I were Davidson I would certainly be open to moving that #19 pick, one of the 2nd round picks to in exchange to move up and take a bad contract — especially if Michkov slips… And look, Vancouver would be an ideal trading partner because they are currently over the salary cap and they do have a handful of really bad contracts, and they hold the 7th overall pick (I believe), and obviously the Hawks have plenty off cap-room for terrible contracts for opportunities like this…
Either way, the Hawks will walk away from this draft GOLDEN.. They have 6 picks in the first 2 rounds of one of the deepest drafts in decades, so they're automatic winners of this draft at the moment…. We'll see tho.
Colby Barlow does not meet the Blackhawks requirement for elite speed and skating ability.
If Hawks are gonna get pick #7 from Philly (or #8 Wash) they'll need #11 from Vancouver first. Flyers aren't gonna drop from 7 to 19.
Locked On Blackhawks:
All of this is very interesting in a hypothetical sense but sometimes the best trade is the one you DON'T make. Consider this:
1. The Blackhawks need to draft a big, physical center or forward with pick No. 19.
2. The dropoff point amongst talent appears to be at No. 9 or possibly No. 10.
3. Between picks No.10 to No.20, the following players are worthy of a pick at No. 19, with very little separating them regarding talent: Matthew Wood, Brayden Yager, Eduard Salé, Colby Barlow, Nate Danielson, Riley Heidt, Samuel Honzak, Charlie Stramel, and Calum Ritchie. One of these players will be available for the Blackhawks.
4. Unless the Blackhawks can trade into the Top 10 to take Dalibor Dvorsky, Ryan Leonard or Oliver Moore, a trade makes ZERO sense. Why would you give up a pick at No, 35 in a very strong draft when the players I have grouped in above in No. 3 are interchangeable??
One final point: I think a player that will prove to be a standout with exceptional skill, hands, and a high compete level is Gabe Perreaux. He is a bit undersized at 5' 10" but not smurf undersized. However, he could be taken anywhere between picks No. 10 to No. 20. Do you sit tight and hope he drops to you? Do you trade up a few slots using the No.19 and No. 44 picks if he is available at No. 14 or below?
I commented this on BR as well but I’ll post it here to. Hawks trading for #11 makes a lot of sense for both teams. Hawks trade #19 one of our 2nd’s(one of the later 3 of our 4 picks) and maybe Phillips someone who doesn’t have a really high ceiling but will probably be a good 3rd pairing Dman. In return hawks get #11 and one of Boeser/Garland/Beauvillier. Hawks get a vet to help fill out the roaster and someone who can help lead the team a bit and a better pick in a great draft. Vancouver gets some cap space, a 1st, a later 2nd plus a decent prospect. Us losing Phillips isn’t a huge lose though he is a solid Dman so far but with Del Mastro, Allen, and Kaiser all being LHD all most likely joining the AHL team next year the left side is loaded and we will need to clear out a spot or 2 unless someone makings the jump to the nhl on night 1.
Side note a prospect that I haven’t seen in a lot of 1st round mocks is Kasper Halttunen. I’m hoping we can get with a later 1st or our early 2nd I think he’s very underrated and looks like a great young player.