The NHL draft is finally here.
The Blackhawks moved up nine spots in the NHL draft lottery in April to hold the No. 3 overall pick for the first time since 2006 when they selected Jonathan Toews.
Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said earlier this week the team has decided who they’ll select. Here are the five players they’ll chose from.
- Bowen Byram, LHD, Vancouver (WHL)
- Dylan Cozens, C/RW, Lethbridge (WHL)
- Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
- Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP (USHL)
- Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP (USHL)/
Here’s who draft prospect experts say the Blackhawks will take at No. 3.
Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet) — Trevor Zegras
This pick has been rumoured to go a number of ways, and the latest name to gain traction is Zegras. A well above average playmaking centre, Zegras comes to the table with confidence and swagger.
Adam Kimelman (NHL.com) — Alex Turcotte
Turcotte grew up in the Chicago suburbs where he idolized Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, and now plays a similar style. Injuries early and late in the season made it tough for scouts to get a read on him, but when they watched him they saw a top-end scoring touch and a relentlessness at both ends of the ice that will make him even better as he adds size (5-11, 186) and strength next season at the University of Wisconsin.
Steve Kournianos (The Sporting News) — Bowen Byram
The top defenseman in the draft was a minute-eating warrior and became the first blueliner to lead the WHL playoffs in scoring.
Guillaume Lepage (NHL.com) — Dylan Cozens
The Blackhawks have great defensemen prospects and now have a chance to add an explosive young forward. The 18-year-old (6-3, 183) was 10th in the Western Hockey League with 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 58 games and is one of the fastest and most threatening forwards in the 2019 draft class.
Mike Morreale (NHL.com) — Alex Turcotte
He plays a disciplined two-way game, makes plays at top speed, has good hands, grit, and can move the puck effectively.
Chris Peters (ESPN) — Alex Turcotte
This is where things could get interesting. There’s a very real chance that Chicago takes Bowen Byram here, but Turcotte is just too perfect a fit. A local kid who plays a tremendous two-way game, he could be a long-term No. 2 center and the heir apparent to Jonathan Toews.
Corey Pronman (The Athletic) — Bowen Byram
I’m pretty sure my mock will come apart at this pick because I have not been able to nail down Chicago’s preference at all. I’ve heard from sources who say it will for sure be Byram, sources who say it will for sure be Alex Turcotte and the same for Kirby Dach.
Hannah Stuart (TheScore) — Alex Turcotte
Turcotte missed a good chunk of time this season, but he played enough to put his innate skill on display. His vision is elite, and he uses it to be an excellent playmaker – something that should translate to the NHL level. His relentlessness on the ice is the kind of energy the Blackhawks need. He’s headed to college at the University of Wisconsin in the fall, but don’t be surprised if he only stays a year or two.
Who do you want the Blackhawks to select with the No. 3 overall pick?
| Bowen Byram | 441 |
| Dylan Cozens | 53 |
| Kirby Dach | 22 |
| Alex Turcotte | 277 |
| Trevor Zegras | 35 |