The 2018–19 season for the Chicago Blackhawks was dramatic to say the least. It began with a disappointing start followed by the departure of long-time head coach Joel Quenneville. The Hawks struggled to build chemistry on the fly, but Quenneville’s replacement, Jeremy Colliton, continued to push effort and system design with the team. Toward the end of the season, the Blackhawks came together strong and saw a lot of progress and development from veterans and young players. Chicago dug their way out of the basement of the NHL and were slotted to select 12th overall in the NHL Draft until the drama continued. The Hawks won the lottery and moved up to the third overall selection in the draft. Although they likely will not be able to draft coveted prospects Jack Hughes or Kappo Kakko (unless they trade up), they have the opportunity to draft a true difference-maker at No. 3.
Here are a few reasons why the Blackhawks should move the pick.
Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants skates during a game this season. (Photograph courtesy of CHL)
The Hawks hold the keys to future No. 1 defenseman Bowen Byram
Although Jack Hughes and Kappo Kakko are the most talked about players in the 2019 Draft, Vancouver Giants defenseman Bowen Byram’s stock continues to rise as the best player available at his position. The 6-foot, 200-pound defenseman has all the tools to become an elite defender in the NHL and he projects to be an immediate contributor to the team who drafts him.
So what is the problem? Why do the Blackhawks not just take him at three?
The problem here is Chicago has used their last few first round picks on defenseman, but sadly none like Byram. Byram is a big two-way defenseman who could be the next Brent Seabrook, but the Hawks already have so many young defenseman in the system. To name a few, Henri Jokiharju, Ian Mitchell, Chad Krys, Blake Hillman, Dennis Gilbert, Nicholas Beaudin and Adam Boqvist will all be fighting for roster spots in the next couple years. Adding a player like Byram would continue to add competition to the prospect pool, but the Hawks would be banking on their ability to develop young players in hopes to trade them for other assets. The Nashville Predators are able to move on from players like Ryan Suter and Seth Jones because they had an eye for talent and a system to build their stock. The Blackhawks do not have the history of developing defenseman in that way.
If the Hawks chose to let it be known that the pick is available, publicly or privately, there have to be a few teams looking to trade up looking to obtain the rights to Byram. Whether the compensation includes prospects, draft picks or NHL-ready players, the Blackhawks have an opportunity to sell high on a gift that fell in their lap. Although he will not say it, general manager Stan Bowman is rebuilding the Blackhawks brick by brick. It would be difficult knowing you traded out of third if Byram became a successful player, but what is best for the team right now is depth and there are a lot of holes to fill.
Brent Seabrook awaits a face off this season. (Photograph courtesy of NBC Sports)
Can a bad contract be shed?
How many Blackhawks fans are weeping everytime they see young Teuvo Teravainen make a good play for the Carolina Hurricanes this playoffs? The Hawks have had to make some difficult trades of the years, moving on from draft picks and prospects in order to get cap relief. Being general manager of the Blackhawks the last 10 years has not been an easy job, but credit Bowman for doing the best he can with the resources he has.
We can talk all day about some of the bad contracts on the Hawks, but the payroll is what it is. The third overall pick in the draft however could be the ticket out of a bad contract or two depending on the trade partner. It may not be a favorable route to veterans like Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews to trade a player like Brent Seabrook, but it may be what is best for the team. With Seabrook signed for the next five years, it will be hard to sign these young players after their entry-level deals have expired. If Adam Boqvist lives up to the hype and becomes the next Erik Karlsson, will the Hawks have the $7–8 million to pay him in 2023? It is another tough decision that Bowman has to make, as right now the Hawks are handcuffed to too many bad contracts to “rebuild on the fly.”
Chicago Blackhawks President John McDonagh looks on during a press conference. (Photograph courtesy of the Chicago Tribune)
Identity crisis
Blackhawks fans have been asking about the status of the team and most importantly the overall direction of the franchise. Are they rebuilding? Are they trying to make the playoffs? It seems like Team President John McDonough does not want to say that the party is over, but to many it is. The Hawks can still play competitive hockey with any team in the league, but they have built themselves as a one-dimensional team offensively. And as the core continues to get into their early to mid-30s, there are a lot of questions that are being asked.
What is the plan for life after Corey Crawford?
Which top prospect can become an everyday starter on defense?
Can the Blackhawks afford Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome?
Is Colliton the right head coach for the job?
When will Kane and Toews begin to decline?
This analysis is not meant to be negative; it is meant to bring to light a unique opportunity for the Hawks to identify themselves for who they are an capitalize on it. They have their pick of the litter of a handful of top centermen as well who could help in the next couple years. But, if a team came to the Hawks on draft night with a legitimate package, you’d have to give it some serious thought.