If we’re realistic, the Chicago Blackhawks are still a rebuilding team. They could very well finish in the bottom five next season, which would keep them in the mix for an elite forward at the top of the draft.
That’s where their focus needs to be. The defense group is already strong with Korchinski, Rinzel, and Levshunov in the system. But up front there’s a clear need for more size and skill on the wings.
Bedard and Frank Nazar are stars in the making, but both are under 6’0”. Adding bigger forwards with top-line potential should be the priority.
Here are five names the Blackhawks should target with their 2026 first-round pick.
1- Gavin McKenna – LW, Penn State (6’0”, 165 lbs, Dec. 20, 2007)
McKenna is the clear favorite to go No. 1 overall, and if the Hawks get lucky in the lottery, he’s the type of prospect who could accelerate the rebuild instantly. Some scouts even argue he’s ahead of Connor Bedard at the same stage.
He’s a gifted winger with world-class skating. McKenna controls the pace of the game, using speed, edges, and puck protection to create offense every shift. He makes plays at top speed, carries pucks through the neutral zone with ease, and constantly forces defenders onto their heels.
On top of that, he reads the game at an elite level — whether it’s making a pass through traffic or disguising his release before a shot. He’s a natural playmaker who also generates plenty of shots himself.
For the Hawks, McKenna would be a franchise-changing addition. A top-line winger who could grow alongside Bedard, giving Chicago one of the most dangerous offensive duos in hockey for years to come.
2- Ryan Roobroeck – C/W, Niagara (6’4”, 190 lbs, Sept. 25, 2007)
At 6’4”, Roobroeck brings the size Chicago desperately needs in their top six. He exploded last year with Niagara, putting up 44 goals and 93 points in 69 games. That production led the team and outpaced several drafted NHL prospects.
Roobroeck’s strength lies in his shot. He finds soft spots in coverage, gets pucks off his stick quickly, and regularly beats goalies from mid-range. He’s also trusted in all situations, playing big minutes on both the power play and penalty kill.
While he doesn’t yet play a punishing physical game, his frame and scoring ability make him a highly attractive option. For the Blackhawks, Roobroeck would add the size, scoring touch, and versatility they lack behind Bedard and Nazar.
3- Ethan Belchetz – LW, Windsor (6’5”, 227 lbs, Mar. 30, 2008)
Belchetz is one of the most physically advanced players in this draft class. At 6’5” and over 220 pounds as a teenager, he already looks like an NHL power forward.
He burst onto the scene in Windsor with a four-goal performance early in his rookie OHL season, and he hasn’t looked back. Belchetz uses his size to protect pucks, battle along the boards, and impose himself in front of the net. He’s got a heavy shot and enough hands to make plays in traffic.
His skating is still developing — his stride can look heavy at times — but once he gets moving, he’s hard to stop. NHL teams will be intrigued by his combination of size, strength, and scoring upside.
For Chicago, Belchetz would give them a true power winger who can change the makeup of a line. Imagine him alongside Bedard, using his frame to create space while also finishing plays himself.
4- Tynan Lawrence – C, Muskegon (6’0”, 168 lbs, Aug. 3, 2008)
Lawrence is the top young player in the USHL and already looks like a complete two-way center. As a 16-year-old rookie, he played nearly 20 minutes a night for Muskegon, produced at almost a point-per-game pace, and then carried them in the playoffs with 18 points in 14 games to win Clark Cup MVP.
He’s a smart player who drives play through the middle of the ice. Lawrence skates well, pushes the pace, and makes quick plays off the rush. He’s responsible defensively, kills penalties, and shows leadership beyond his years (he’ll wear the “C” for Muskegon this year).
Most importantly, Lawrence is one of the youngest players in the entire draft class, making his impact at this age even more impressive.
For the Hawks, Lawrence may not have the same size as Belchetz or Roobroeck, but he brings the kind of all-around game that wins in the playoffs. A future top-six center who could play behind Bedard and give Chicago tremendous depth down the middle.
5- Adam Novotny – LW, Peterborough (6’1”, 198 lbs, Nov. 13, 2007)
Novotny is a Czech winger with pro experience already under his belt, having played in his country’s top league at just 16. He’s now bringing his game to North America with Peterborough, where he’ll be one of the top players in the OHL this year.
He’s strong, skilled, and competitive. Novotny can drive to the net, win battles along the boards, and finish plays with a quick release. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable in all three zones and plays with confidence against older players.
For Chicago, Novotny represents a safe but high-upside pick. He has the size, the work ethic, and the skill to be an effective NHL winger. On a team that already has flash in Bedard and Nazar, a player like Novotny brings balance and stability.
Other Names to Watch
- Ivar Stenberg (Frölunda, 5’11”) – Dynamic Swedish winger with high-end puck skills and creativity. Not the biggest, but one of the most talented players in this draft class.
- Viggo Bjorck (Djurgården, 5’10”) – Undersized but quick and competitive forward out of Sweden.
- Mathis Preston (Spokane, 5’11”) – A skilled Canadian forward with strong offensive instincts.
Final Take
The Blackhawks have plenty of draft capital in 2026, and the focus should be clear: add forwards with size and skill. Bedard, Nazar and Frondell are the foundation, but they need bigger bodies on the wings to complement their talent.
Whether it’s the elite skill of McKenna, the size and scoring touch of Roobroeck and Belchetz, the two-way game of Lawrence, or the pro experience of Novotny, the Hawks will have excellent options.
With nine picks, Davidson has the chance to keep building a deep, balanced team that can contend for years.
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