With the Chicago Blackhawks finishing at the bottom of the league standings for another season, the highlight of their year is coming up next week. The NHL draft lottery is set for next Monday, May 5 to determine where the Blackhawks will be selecting with their first of two choices in the opening round of the draft in June. The team finished 31st in the league in points for a second consecutive season, meaning they are guaranteed another top-four pick.
Chicago has the second-best odds at landing the top pick behind the San Jose Sharks once again. Fans were hopeful that they would leapfrog the Sharks last year in the lottery to have the chance at pairing Connor Bedard with another young phenom in Macklin Celebrini. Instead, the order did not change pre-lottery, and the Sharks got to select the Boston University star with the top pick.
This year’s draft lottery presents an interesting spot to be in. While winning the lottery in each of the last two seasons was the obvious prize, this year appears to be a bit different for a team in Chicago’s shoes.
Matthew Schaefer would be the top pick for the Chicago Blackhawks
The top prospect in this year’s draft is Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Otters of the OHL. He is a left-shot defenseman, which puts Chicago in an awkward spot if they win the lottery. While they are a bunch of high quality forwards in this draft class, it would be hard to pass on a talent like Schaefer if they win the lottery.
There is no denying that Schaefer would be an excellent addition to Chicago’s loaded blue line of young talent right now. Him, Alex Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel would instantly be one of the strongest top-four of a defensive core in the league down the road. However, there is a pressing need that Chicago should address in this draft with their premier pick.
Chicago really needs another top end talent to pair up front with Bedard. Levshunov made sense in last year’s draft with the second overall pick, but the forward talent in this year’s class could help the incoming third year pro a ton.
There is no saying that that front office won’t take a forward if they win the lottery, but they don’t need to win this one as bad as they have needed to in the previous two years. Plus, if Chicago wins the lottery next week, they can’t do so for another five seasons. Even though they shouldn’t be in the discussion next year, it wouldn’t hurt having somewhat of a chance if they are in the lottery again, which is likely.
The Chicago Blackhawks would likely prefer Michael Misa
The Blackhawks and Michael Misa are truly a match made in heaven. The forward has spent the last two seasons with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL where he has put up gaudy numbers in each year with the team. Misa scored 62 goals and added 72 assists for 134 total points in 65 games.
Chicago needs another guy in their core that is a true game changer and can score at will. Misa brings that to the table and would be a perfect scoring compliment to Bedard in every way. Unlike certain forward prospects in their pool, Misa is a bigger player. He is six-foot-one and has a bit of a physical edge to his game thanks to his size. He is without a doubt the top forward in this draft, and Chicago could look to take him if they win the lottery no matter what.
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