It’s draft day Chicago Blackhawks fans!
A new start, to a new era, so buckle up.
GM Kyle Davidson is committed to a full rebuild, and that starts with the draft.
As of this morning, the Chicago Blackhawks didn’t even own a first-round pick after trading it to the Colombus Blue Jackets for Seth Jones last year.
Hours before the draft, Davidson ended up making a very shocking trade, by trading 40-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators.
The Blackhawks ended up receiving the 7th overall pick, 39th overall pick, and a 2024 3rd-round pick, which isn’t even close to enough.
The Blackhawks selected 18-year-old Defenseman, Kevin Korchinski with the 7th overall pick.
Kevin Korchinski’s WHL Career
Korchiniski played for the Seattle Thunderbird during the 2021-2022 season.
He played in a total of 67 games, with 4 goals, and 61 assists (65 points).
In the WHL playoffs, played in 25 games, with 6 goals, and 13 assists (19 points)
#Blackhawks select Kevin Korchinski 7th overall. I ranked him 8th overall.
Korchinski is a large, talented defenseman who scored at a very strong rate in the WHL this year. Based on his impressive profile, he deserves to be selected right around where he was. pic.twitter.com/2KzhK4gNZY
— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) July 8, 2022
His elite prospects rankings:
The Chicago Blackhawks System Just Got Better
The Blackhawks’ system isn’t very deep, and they don’t have very many top prospects, besides one.
Lukas Reichel is the only Blackhawks’ top prospect in their system. Reichel did end up playing in 11 games for the Blackhawks in 2022, which means the first year of his entry-level contract was burned.
In 11 games with the Blackhawks, Reichel only ended up recording 1 assist, but he had some good chances, and it was just good to see him get his feet wet in the NHL.
Reichel ended up playing 56 games for the Rockford IceHogs during the 2021-2022 season.
Recording 21 goals and 36 assists (57 points) is insane, and can’t wait for him to continue his development.
With the Korchinski pick, he already becomes their top defensive prospect, over Nolan Allen.
It’s a good start to the rebuild, and the Blackhawks aren’t done yet.
Chicago Blackhawks Remaining Picks
They still have the 13th overall pick, 38th, and 39th overall pick, and 57th overall picks, 81st, and 90th, then they don’t have a pick until the 6th round and 7th round.
