2020 NHL Draft: Blackhawks Select Wyatt Kaiser
With the 81st overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected defenseman Wyatt Kaiser.
Wyatt Kaiser
Defenseman
5-11, 170
Shoots: Left
DOB: 07/31/2002
Ranked #51 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #202 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #204 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #37 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #28 by DOBBERPROSPECTS/ROBINSON
Ranked #81 by TSN/McKenzie
Kaiser is headed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
From NHL Central Scouting:
“Dynamic heads up, feet-moving defenseman capable of making an impact in all game situations. Possesses the speed, smarts, competitiveness and composure to influence the play on every shift.”
From Chris Peters (ESPN):
Rank: #87 overall
“Kaiser had a terrific season with Andover, leading the team to the Minnesota state tournament. He controlled games at the high school level from the back end, and he skates extremely well. Kaiser is expected to play in college next season at Minnesota Duluth.”
From EliteProspects.com:
“Kaiser’s speed, edge work, and ability to maneuver in tight spaces offer him a great deal of escapability under pressure. He’s one of the rare defenders in this year’s draft that can make forecheckers look like they’re skating in quicksand. Has a sophisticated understanding of bank passes; he uses angles expertly”
From Corey Pronman (The Athletic):
Overall: #89
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 50
Hockey Sense: 55
Kaiser was one of the top defensemen in high school hockey, as a leading player on a top Andover team. Kaiser’s skating jumps out to you right away. He is a very fluid skater who can lead attacks, spin off pressure and close on checks very well. He closes gaps with quickness and physicality, playing his checks hard, and has an edge to his game. The skating and defending gives him a chance to be an NHL player, but my main concern is his offensive upside. I find his puck game and vision very basic and question if he’ll be able to move pucks at the quicker paces. He’s shown some offense at the high school level but was more inconsistent in the USHL and Hlinka Gretzky.
NHL scout on Kaiser: “He’s very mobile, he’s competitive. He makes a good first pass, has enough offense, but it won’t be his strength. He skates like an NHLer.”
This looks like a solid choice.I think yesterday I was so disappointed on missing out on Holloway,Quinn,and a couple of others that were analyzed that I was unfair to the Hawks selection of Rychel.Probably also spoiled by Dach,s quick emergence last year.We do need a lot of help on the NHL roster before January 1st though.