I am going to the Draft Lottery show with fingers crossed for my Blackhawks, but I am confident that Kyle’s re-up means that Boss Danny Wirtz won’t fire him if he takes a draft page out of Patty Verbeek’s 2024 selection of Beckett Sennecke, and, after they get dropped down a notch or two in the final Draft order, simply drafts the kid who fits the room upfront, if he sees him.
Pass on a defenseman in the 2026 class that seems loaded with options? Yes.
My profiles can be relied upon for unbiased thoughts on these young defenseman.
There isn’t a plug n play rearguard there.
Sure, maybe they figure out which young defender IS the real deal and this will take the sting away if both Korchinski and Arty never figure out how to have only positive impact.
But there is nothing wrong with filling in the current pool of forwards with a guy who can eventually fatten the skill level and add some grit and size.
Caleb Malhorta would arrive after more time with Boston University, but he would be ready to take that next step after and effortlessly fit.
After watching every minute of the Under-18’s, I am of the opinion even a larger leap of faith could be made by calling Sweden’s Alexander Command’s name.
He is a big centre who is Toews-like in his details. He is the connector on his line’s shifts, defending and creating through his physicality and urgency to make sure his linemates are in a terrific position to succeed.
Since the Blackhawks no longer have that Florida first round option, why not, with a lottery loss and subsequent drop back, just draft a forward you need more of? I actually have NEVER been so opinionated this late, so close to the lottery to jump a name from mid-first into the conversation for a mucj earlier spot, but his and skill value shouldn’t be ignored in team building.
(I see lts of fans have gotten comfortable with a Stenberg selection, as one that makes Anton Frondell comfortable;I don’t think he would mind Command either.)
I am knee deep in adding to my draft profiles, and you know I type two fingered.