Hawks Draft Review

Round 1, 13th Overall (NHL: 1/16, 2019)

Alex Newhook, F, 5’10 192

18/19: 53GP 38-64-102 (Victoria, BCHL)

GM Notes:

We were absolutely thrilled to get Alex at this spot. He is an elite talent offensively with explosive skating ability. He is a premier passer with great touch to get the puck into the right spot for teammates. He is also very strong on the puck down low, and routinely creates turnovers in these areas. We would like to see him defer less and use his excellent release to generate goals. He will need a year or two development time but he will be a top 6 winger with the potential to be a 1st liner.

NHL Arrival: 2022-2023, NHL Comparable: Sebastian Aho

Peyton Krebs, F, 6’0 183

18/19: 64GP 19-49-68 (Kootenay, WHL)

GM Notes:

The draft unfolded a little unexpectedly in front of us and we were surprised to land

Krebs at 15. An excellent skater and two way talent . We believe he also has 

significant offensive upside beyond what he showed this past year. With an improved team around him look for a spike in production in the WHL once he returns from an offseason injury. As for the injury the long term impact of an achilles in hockey is not remotely as significant as it is in a running sport like football or basketball, we do not view it as an issue. He should be a two way top-six center in the NHL.

NHL Arrival: 2022-2023, NHL Comparable: Dylan Larkin

Round 1, 20th Overall (NHL: 2/56/19)

Brett Leason, RW, 6’4 210

18/19: 55GP 36-53-89 (Prince Albert, WHL) 5GP 2-3-5 (CAN, WJC)

GM Notes:

Some consider this a reach, however we identified a player we are extremely high on, and wanted to guarantee his selection. He improved dramatically in every facet of the game this year, especially in the skating department. He has great size, pro hands and  a pro shot. He also uses his reach to disrupt play in the defensive and neutral zones, and is always around the puck. We see him as a top 6 two way force who could potentially play both special teams.

NHL Arrival: 2020-2021, NHL Comparable: Mark Stone

Round 1, 21st Overall (NHL: 1/29/19)

Brayden Tracey, W, 6’0 170

18/19: 66GP 36-45-81 (Moose Jaw, WHL)

GM Notes:

Again we stepped up to take a player earlier than most would. The thing that made us feel so strongly on Tracey is his hands, which honestly rank up there with any player in this draft. He has those unteachable soft hands and elite touch in scoring areas. He could be somewhat a boom or bust player as he does not profile as a bottom 6 piece, however production wise his upside is as good as any player in this draft.

NHL Arrival: 2021-2022, NHL Comparable: David Pastrnak

Round 1, 28th Overall (NHL: 2/44/19)

Jamieson Rees, F, 5’10 182

18/19: 37GP 10-22-32 (Sarnia, OHL)

GM Notes:

Yet again we reached a bit for a player we really liked. It is impossible to watch him play and not like what you see. He is lightning fast, plays fearless and has a mean streak. He also shows puck skills that suggest he has not scratched the surface of his potential production wise. He is undersized which leads to some injury concerns, however if he can reign in his recklessness his touch his speed makes him an ideal middle 6 player in todays game. At worst he should be an excellent 3rd liner and ace penalty killer, but he has the upside to be an excellent complimentary piece in the top-six.

NHL Arrival: 2022-2023, NHL Comparable: Brad Marchand

Round 2, 45th Overall (NHL: 2/49/19)

Matthew Robertson, D, 6’3 201

18/19: 52GP 7-26-33 (Edmonton, WHL)

GM Notes:

Really profiles as the type of defenceman we look for, big, rangy, top tier skater. His

Skating is as good as any player in this draft from the back end, he is silky smooth and

Moves effortlessly around the ice. This is likely what leads some to think his work rate

should be higher. Like many defenceman blessed with his natural ability it is easy to

be left wanting more production wise. We feel like he is a lock to be a solid 3-6

defenceman in the NHL.

NHL Arrival: 2023-2024, NHL Comparable: Jay Bouwmeester

Round 2, 50th Overall (NHL: 3/74/19)

Nathan Legare, W, 6’0 201

18/19: 68GP 45-42-87 (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

GM Notes:

Again going above slot here, we didn’t have another pick we could land Lagare with,

and identified him as a player we really wanted. He is a pure sniper from the wing and

has an NHL ready shot. He plays heavy and is willing to battle into the scoring areas,

but can also score from distance. He also has shown a good work ethic and should be

able to transform to a middle-six role if his production does not scale as a pro. Skating

is a bit of a concern, but his offensive ability and intangibles more than offset this, with

improvement in that department he could be the steal of the draft.

NHL Arrival: 2023-2024, NHL Comparable: Joe Pavelski

Round 3, 84th Overall (NHL: 3/89/17)

Oskari Laaksonen, D, 6’2 165

18/19: 46GP 3-21-24 (Ilves, FIN) 7GP 1-1-2 (Finland, WJC)

GM Notes:

Really caught our eye playing for Finland at the WJC, he was a steadying force on the

back end. Very smooth and efficient, he has very strong skating ability and excellent

puck skills. Further he already has a keen awareness of when to jump and how to protect his own zone. He excelled playing against men last year logging big minutes and is likely not far from NHL ready if he adds some bulk. He should be an excellent addition down the road to our right side.

NHL Arrival: 2021-2022, NHL Comparable: Jaccob Slavin