Hawks Draft Day Recap

Round 1, 1st Overall, D Rasmus Dahlin, 6'2 181, Frolunda SWE

41GP 7-13-20, 6GP 0-3-3 PO (Frolunda, SWE) 7GP 0-6-6 (SWE WJC) 2GP 0-1-1 (SWE OLY)

After the stunning lottery win walking to the podium to make an announcement was a mere formality. In Dahlin the Hawks have landed the best defence prospect in a generation. He has game changing talent at both ends of the ice fueled by generational skating ability. In addition to unparalelled mobility he has elite hockey sense and creativity, and the puck skills to match. He should be a pillar on the blueline for 20 years.

Round 2, 39th Overall, D Jared McIsaac, 6'1 196, Halifax QMHJL

65GP 9-38-47, 9GP 0-4-4 PO (Halifax QMJHL)

With their first pick in round 2 the Hawks selected another blueliner, following their consistent plan of no drafting for positional need early on. McIsaac was a player the Hawks and long been interested in, and the team was surprised he slid to them at 39. He projects to be a 2 way defenceman with both offensive upside and an edge to his game. Look for him to take a big step production wise this year at the junior level.

Round 2, 40th Overall, W Dylan Sikura, 5'11 160, Northeastern NCAA

35GP 22-32-54 (Northeastern, HE) 5GP 0-3-3 (Chicago, NHL)

At 40 the Hawks went with an older prospect, collegiate star Dylan Sikura. One of the most dynamic players in college hockey last season this is a player that will likely step right into the NHL and produce. He has truly elite hands, and the elusiveness to survive as a smaller player. He has 60 plus point potential right off the bat in the right situation.

Round 3, 76th Overall, W Tim Soderlund, 5'9 163, Skelleftea SWE

43GP 9-5-14 16GP 4-0-4 PO (Skelleftea SWE) 7GP 2-3-5 (SWE WJC)

With their first of 3 3rd round picks the Hawks selected another undersized forward. Soderlund really caught the eye of the team with his performance at the WJC, he has the speed and tenacity that made Hawks management think of another undersized swede Viktor Arvidsson. There are a lot of similiarities between the two stylistically, and in terms of same age production. Look for a huge leap there for Soderlund who finished strong in the SEL.

Round 3, 77th Overall, W Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, 6'0 170, Djurgarden SWE

42GP 7-9-16 11GP 6-2-8 PO (Djurgarden, SWE) 7GP 2-2-4 (SWE WJC)

Back to back swedes for the Hawks at 76 and 77. Coincidentally Soderlunds linemate at the World Junior, Fjallby also caught the eye of Hawks GM Semonick. Slightly undersized but more than willing to go into traffic Fjallby projects to be an excellent complimentary forward. He is responsible defensively and has a real nose for the net. Like Soderlund he really came on the 2nd half of the season and was one of the better players for his club in the playoffs.

Round 3, 84th Overall, W Logan Hutsko, 5'10 172, Boston College NCAA

37GP 12-19-31 (Boston College, HE)

Yet another undersized highly skilled player here for the Hawks, Hutsko had an exceptional rookie college season, especially when you consider he basically didn't play hockey the 2 previous seasons due to serious non chronic injuries. He was one of the youngest players in college hockey, and one of the most productive of his age group winning HE rookie of the year (over Brady Tkachuk). Look for him to make the American world junior team and really open some eyes this year.

Round 4, 100th Overall, C/W Nolan Stevens, 6'3 183, Northeastern NCAA

38GP 24-18-42 (Northeastern, HE)

To start their slew of picks in the latter rounds the Hawks went with 1/3 of the best line in collge hockey, Nolan Stevens. Playing with earlier Hawks pick Dylan Sikura and Adam Gaudette this line terrorized the NCAA en route to a National Championship. Stevens has size and uses it effectively to create space in the offensive zone, as well as to shut down opposing players. He also moves well for a big man. He should be a player with excellent versatility who can move up and down the lineup.

Round 4, 108th Overall, C Jordan Bellerive, 5'10 196, Lethbridge WHL

71GP 46-46-92 16GP 9-16-25 PO (Lethbridge, WHL)

The engine that drove a surprising Lethbridge team this year in the WHL, Bellerive was among the most dominant players in the league this year. A powerful skater and very strong for his size he is very hard to handle in the offensize zone. He also plays a very complete game that should ensure him at very least a bottom 6 role at the next level. If his scoring translates to the pro game the Hawks could have found another late round gem comparable to Brayden Point.

Round 4, 110th Overall, G Alexandar Georgiev, 6'1 176, Hartford AHL

37GP 2.98 .909 2SO (Hartford, AHL) 10GP 3.15 .918 (NY Rangers, NHL)

Rocketing up the depth chart for the Rangers this year, Georgiev had a very strong rookie year in the AHL, and then finished the year performing admirably in the NHL. An athletic goaltender with projectable size, Georgiev fits the mold the goalies traditionally selected by the Hawks. A definite area of need in Chicago as the Hawks have few high end prospects behind Adin Hill in the pipeline.

Round 4, 111th Overall, D Jimmy Schuldt, 6'0 202, St. Cloud State NCAA

40GP 10-28-38 (St. Cloud State, NCHC)

Likely to be the most sought after college free agent of Summer 2019, Schuldt was a two way force along the blueline for one of the best teams in the NCAA. He moves very well and tough to handle physically due to his stocky frame. He also has an excellent point shot and is will likely step right into the NHL once he signs.

Round 5, 126th Overall, D Joe Cecconi, 6'2 210, Michigan NCAA

40GP 5-22-27 (Michigan, Big10)

Cecconi enjoyed a breakout offensive season this year for Michigan, and began to deliver on his promising set of physical tools. He is a very athletic player with good mobility who also has some real snarl to his game. If his puck skills translate he could be a very solid 3-6 defenceman at the NHL level.

Round 5, 130th Overall, D Vladislav Gavrikov, 6'3 205, St. Petersburg KHL

50GP 5-9-14 15GP 1-4-5 PO (St. Petersburg, KHL) 6GP 2-1-3 (RUS OLY) 8GP 0-1-1 (RUS WC)

A bit of a flyer here on one of the best defenceman not in the NHL. There is no questioning the talent level here, Gavrikov could step in tomorrow and be a top 4 defenceman for any team. There is however a question about whether he has any desire to come play in North America. The Hawks believe the upside is worth a 5th round gamble.

Round 5, 134th Overall, D Connor Corcoran, 6'2 185, Windsor OHL

63GP 3-21-24 6GP 1-2-3 PO (Windsor, OHL)

The youngest player available in the draft, Corcoran is raw but has considerable upside. He came on very strong down the stretch playing big minutes once Windsor shipped out a lot of veteran stars. He has size and skating ability, and has shown glimpses of offensive upside. This next season could be a breakout year for him.

Round 5, 140th Overall, G Jeremy Swayman, Maine NCAA

31GP 2.72 .921 1SO (Maine, HE) 1GP 0.00 1.000 (USA WJC)

With their final pick in the draft the Hawks added another goaltender. Swayman had an excellent rookie college season, earning all rookie team honors in the NCAA's strongest conference. A big long limbed goaltender he is athletic and takes up a lot of net. If he can continue to work on his technical game he should become an excellent pro goalie.