Turning this team into a winner hasn't been easy. Rebuilds never are. Everyone agrees the Chicago Blackhawks have built one of the deepest farm systems in professional hockey. They have a pillar player in Connor Bedard to build around. The issue is that all the talent they've been assembling hasn't translated to wins. That is why they made a change at head coach, bringing in Jeff Blashill to replace Anders Sorensen. Next on the agenda for GM Kyle Davidson was the NHL draft, where he held two 1st round picks, including #3 overall.
It became clear immediately that the Blackhawks had shifted their philosophy. Normally, they look for excellent skaters with puck-handling ability. This time, they seemed to prioritize size and toughness more. Anton Frondell was one of the best defensive forwards in the class, while Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West brought 6'6 frames with physical mindsets despite their obvious youth. According to Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff, the Blackhawks had the fourth-highest ranked class in the entire draft.
4. Chicago Blackhawks: A
Top Picks: Anton Frondell, Vaclav Nestrasil, Mason West
This is a team that bet high on upside, and I like it. Frondell is a good pick at No. 3 – a true power forward who can absolutely dominate the ice. Nestrasil is a tough cookie to beat, and I think he has some legit top-six upside. West was one of the biggest risers this year, and it helps that he moves as well as he does at 6-foot-6. Nathan Behm is a shooter, while Julius Sumpf is a good value pick after showing a ton of potential as a playmaker.
The Chicago Blackhawks demonstrated clear knowledge of their situation.
Davidson entered this draft knowing he already had a young roster eager to grow and improve. His farm system is in great shape, too. That gave him the freedom to take more calculated risks. He used the #3 pick on Frondell, who should be able to play for the team in the near future. Then he took big swings on Nestrasil and West. Neither is anywhere close to ready for the NHL, but both have immense upside. A few years down the line, with more college and minor league experience, they could blossom into studs. The Chicago Blackhawks only need one of those two to hit for this strategy to work. Frondell has a high floor. He should become a good player. If Blashill proves a superior coach to what they've had in recent years, this team is closer to winning than ever.
