With the 8th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish defenseman Adam Boqvist from Brynas.
The Blackhawks were thrilled to get Boqvist, as they likely were very surprised he was still available. The Hawks were expected to select right wing Oliver Wahlstrom, but with Boqvist available, Chicago likely could not pass up the chance to grab the high-end defenseman.
An elite offensive defenseman, Boqvist prides himself on his top-notch skating ability. Boqvist has the ability to break games open with his feet and is an effortless skater. He is very slippery and difficult for defenders to contain.
Boqvist is an excellent passer with great vision. He is a top-notch playmaker and can make high-difficulty passes look easy. Boqvist also possesses a good shot, with great accuracy and a high-end release. Boqvist has an uncanny ability to create shooting lanes for himself with his feet.
Though still a few years away from being ready for the NHL, Boqvist has the potential to be a franchise defenseman, an exciting thought for the future of the Blackhawks’ blueline. Hawks fans should get their first look at Boqvist during the upcoming Blackhawks Prospect Camp, expected to be help in mid-July.
Looking back to our draft prospect profile on Boqvist, he should be a good fit for the Hawks:
Implications for the Blackhawks
With as much elite offensive potential as Boqvist has, he very well may be off the board by the time the Hawks are picking at eighth. But, if he is still available, he could be an excellent choice to be a blueline building block for the future. A one-two punch of Boqvist and Jokiharju on the right side of the defense would be simply amazing. The Blackhawks really do not have a top-pairing right-handed defenseman right now, so they could do worse than drafting Boqvist to develop into that spot, especially considering the rapid decline of Brent Seabrook.
What others are saying
“A dynamic offensive defenceman that can carry plays with the puck on his stick. A highly mobile and nimble skater that moves with fluidity, balance, and confidence. Utilizes an active stick and creates turnovers frequently. Could be more proactive in his own end, but has shown progression in understanding lanes and reading unfolding plays; most of his best defensive work comes through the neutral zone, as there is a lot less time and space to work with, and it is in those moments that Boqvist shines. Offensively, Boqvist is electric; he has the toolbox of a top line forward. Slick puckhandling ability paired with excellent vision and positional awareness makes him a dangerous threat every time he is on the ice. He also takes advantage of the attention and bodies he draws towards himself in creating space for teammates. All-in-all, Adam Boqvist is a complete offensive defenceman that knows how to get the puck from point A to the back of the net, and can make it happen all by himself.”
— Curtis Joe/Elite Prospects
“Boqvist is as good a playmaker as he is a shooter. He is equally dangerous in both offensive aspects. He can score from anywhere on the ice. If he doesn’t have the shooting lane, he can complete almost any pass. It’s usually the right pass and on the tape. He does all of this at a high rate of speed as he is a dynamic skater. Need an example of how offensively gifted he is? When his team needed a shootout goal, he was called upon to deliver and usually did. Of course the question with an offensive defenseman is how good is his two-way game? In Boqvist’s case, it’s decent. There’s certainly work to be done especially in his own end, but it’s improved. He’s actually really effective breaking up plays in the neutral zone. He uses his speed and stick handling to do this. Where he needs to improve is his size and strength in order to become more effective in his own zone. He thrives in open space, but needs to solidify his play in tight spaces.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers