Blackhawks 2019 Mock Draft Round-Up
The 2019 NHL Draft begins on Friday evening, and the Chicago Blackhawks’ selection at number three overall remains the tipping point for the entire draft. Chicago has needs and depth at the same time, and there are anywhere between 2-7 “right fit” players on the board, depending on who you read/listen to/trust.
We profiled six possibilities for the Blackhawks:
So what are the mock drafts saying the Hawks will do at three? Let’s take a look.
- NHL.com (June 18)
Adam Kimelman – Alex Turcotte, C, USA U-18 (NTDP): Turcotte grew up in the Chicago suburbs where he idolized Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, and now plays a similar style. Injuries early and late in the season made it tough for scouts to get a read on him, but when they watched him they saw a top-end scoring touch and a relentlessness at both ends of the ice that will make him even better as he adds size (5-11, 186) and strength next season at the University of Wisconsin.
Mike G. Morreale – Alex Turcotte, C, USA U-18 (NTDP): He plays a disciplined two-way game, makes plays at top speed, has good hands, grit, and can move the puck effectively.
Guillaume Lepage – Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL): The Blackhawks have great defensemen prospects and now have a chance to add an explosive young forward. The 18-year-old (6-3, 183) was 10th in the Western Hockey League with 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 58 games and is one of the fastest and most threatening forwards in the 2019 draft class.
- Craig Button – TSN (June 19)
Alex Turcotte, C, USA
- Kevin Allen – USA Today (June 19)
Alex Turcotte, Center, USA, 5-11, 185. Possesses the speed, playmaking ability and savvy to be a scoring-line center in the NHL. He’s a noteworthy two-way player.
- Corey Pronman – The Athletic (June 19)
Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver-WHL – I’m pretty sure my mock will come apart at this pick because I have not been able to nail down Chicago’s preference at all. I’ve heard from sources who say it will for sure be Byram, sources who say it will for sure be Alex Turcotte and the same for Kirby Dach.
- Chris Peters – ESPN (June 18)
Alex Turcotte, C, USA – This is where things could get interesting. There’s a very real chance that Chicago takes Bowen Byram here, but Turcotte is just too perfect a fit. A local kid who plays a tremendous two-way game, he could be a long-term No. 2 center and the heir apparent to Jonathan Toews.
- Sam Cosentino – SportsNet (June 19)
Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP: This pick has been rumoured to go a number of ways, and the latest name to gain traction is Zegras. A well above average playmaking centre, Zegras comes to the table with confidence and swagger.
- Joe Haggerty – NBC SportsNet Boston (June 17)
Alex Turcotte (center, USA NTDP) – The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Turcotte had 26 goals and 61 points in 34 games for Team USA and played second fiddle to Jack Hughes this past season as the No. 2 center. What better way to train a player like Turcotte to be the No. 2 guy behind Jonathan Toews as he learns at the feet of one of the best two-way centers in the game? Turcotte is a solid two-way center with offensive upside, and that’s the kind of player that Blackhawks are always on the lookout for, particularly with Toews getting a little older. The clincher is that he grew up in Chicago idolizing Toews and fan-boying on the Blackhawks. So this is going to be a no-brainer for them.
- Steve Kournianos – The Sporting News (June 19)
Bowen Byram, LHD, Vancouver (WHL) – The top defenseman in the draft was a minute-eating warrior and became the first blueliner to lead the WHL playoffs in scoring.
- Ben Pope – Chicago Sun-Times (June 18)
Alex Turcotte, C, USA – It’s probably a 50-50 decision between Bowen Byram and Turcotte at this point. But forwards are more guaranteed to pan out, and Turcotte plays at the most valuable forward position. He also boasts a well-rounded skill set and insatiable tenacity that many liken to Jonathan Toews.
- Ted Kulfan – The Detroit News (June 17)
Alex Turcotte, USNTDP, center. It starts getting really tricky from here on down. A defenseman like Bowen Byram is awfully tempting, but Turcotte has Chicago ties and he’s often compared to Blackhawk star Jonathan Toews. It’s a good fit.
- Bleacher Report (June 19) – Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
Bowen Byram or Alex Turcotte ….then try to get Cole Caufield .( journal de Quebec ) 20 juin ;)
I still think it’s Byram for the Hawks but if they take a C I got a feeling it’ll be Dach not Turcotte – just a feeling FWIW
I suppose if (and only if) two guys are dead even, the local guy thing might come into play. Otherwise, it’s a red herring.
I saw a ranking yesterday of each player across 15 rating services by adding up where they were slotted and dividing by 15. Hughes was first at 1.0 (ie all 15 services had him first). Kakko was second at 2.0 (all services had him second). Byram was next at 3.7 and a Turcotte fourth at 4.7. The range on Byram was 3 to 6 and on Turcotte 3 – 10.
I still think if it’s BPA it’s Byram.
Starting to like Zegras quite a bit, he looks like he can produce instant offense. With that being said I’m watching highlight reels
Byram has the makings of becoming a player like Bobby Orr. Grab him. Unbelievable hockey sense, skill and speed and tenacity.He will only get better. He will look pretty good with the de Brincat, Toews and Kane.
My concern with the Turcotte and others from USNDT is that they’re an all-star team for their age and that inflates everyone’s stats and maybe their rankings as well – it’s interesting that Kane didn’t see the USNDT through to his draft year instead opting for the OHL’s London Knights
Plus I wonder if the level of competition for the USNDT is the equal of the CHL
If both of these concerns are legit then Byram and Dach (who both played in CHL and were the stars on their non-all-star teams) maybe the best two after Hughes and Kakko
IDK the answers to these questions but hopefully the Hawks do
From what I’ve heard, Byram can be a difference maker on any blue line. I’ve seen him compared to Duncan Kieth, and as many of these mock drafts have stated, an upside to picking Turcotte is that he’ll learn to develop his game under someone who plays a similar game to his in Jonathan Toews. Why is the same logic not being applied to Byram? Elite defensemen are hard to come by in this league and having too many above average defenders-which the Blackhawks may have an issue with in the near future (best case scenario) with all of their high drafted defensemen-is an enviable problem. I look back at Nashville when they acquired Ryan Johansen from Columbus for Seth Jones. The Preds had a plethora of defensive skill and used that surplus to pick up a solid no. 2 center, which is what the Hawks see in Turcotte. All of this considered, Byram can be in play for the opening day roster this season whereas Turcotte is committed to U of W. To me, the choice is clear. Byram going to a Central division foe in Colorado would sting. I’d hate to see it happen.
The CHL is a better league and players like Dach and Byram should be looked at closely. NCAA or USNDT is not great competition. There are very few exceptions, Gaudreau, Eichel and Toews? That’s it. I would go for NHL ready Dach or Byram if they trade away one of the 4 dmen prospects for Willander or Kapanen.
A impressive group if players, all should make their teams happy. Hard not to like any of them, still say Zegras the darkhorse
What about Kirby the Dach-horse?
sorry couldn’t resist
Dach and Cozens are the two type of forwards the HAWKS should focus on and can have an immediate impact. If they draft Byram, they truly need to get a high prospect up front which means trading Beaudin or Mitchell.
1. Draft Bowen Byram
2. Trade Beaudin and/or Mitchell for a good young forward
3. Trade Anisimov
Imagine (2021-2022) D-Man Pairing:
Byram – Boqvist
Keith – Jokiharju
Maatta* – Murphy*
Seabrook
** IF Not traded or selectif by Seattle
The Daily Herald’s John Dietz is reporting via Twitter that Stan Bowman said he ” basically knows”, at this point who the Hawks will pick at #3, the scouts are now shoring up the later rounds and who might be available.
So we can guess all we want, but the decision has been made.
Wrap i still wouldn’t be shocked if it was Dach either, just thnk Zegras from what i hear about him is somebody being overlooked a bit compared to Byram and Turcotte.
When i look at this draft i don’t see Hughes and Kappo being the conversation for 1st and 2nd in a year when Mcdavid and Eichel or Matthews and Laine are there. So i when they say theres not alot of difference in them i think that is true.
Button for all the silver tongue bullshit he spews at times, has a good feel/connections of who the teams want to pick and is normally in the ballpark, though.
Ian – in Button’s latest Mock Draft – today – he has the Hawks going with Turcotte not Byram based on the fact CHI has other D prospects
Either button doesn’t listen to Stan and Kelley saying that they’ll take the BPA or he doesn’t believe them
If the Hawks think Byram projects as a #1 D (and Button does) but they pass on him because they have Joki, Bob etc. already and instead draft for a need at centre that will IMO come back to haunt them
FWs are easier to acquire than #1 D men
I believe them when they say they’ll take the BPA and that still seems to be Byram IMO
If they truly believe it’s someone else, a FW – fine, I’ll trust them – but please don’t pass up the BPA for immediate need
Boq not Bob…
Wrap agree just want to be able to say in a few years they got it right.
Some really good points made today.
Perhaps I put too much into this but I find it very hard to pass on a d-man that led the WHL playoffs in points as a 17 year. Byram just seems like an allstar in the making to me.
It would be interesting to see how points per game in the different leagues translate to projected points per game in the NHL. I found an interesting article on this type of topic if you like a lot of detail.
http://www.behindthenet.ca/projecting_to_nhl.php
Agree that you can never have too many defensemen. Just look at the premium some of these top dmen are fetching on the open market. If Byram is BPA, take him. In worst case scenario, he is who we think he is as are the other d prospects and we have trade chips. There is no downside if he ends up being the 3rd best player in this draft.
61 pts in 34 games as a 2nd line (behind Jack Hughes) 2 way responsible “relentless” Center who grew up idolizing Chicago. How could you pass on Toews 2.0? Taking Turcotte is not filling an immediate need, it is drafting your next Captain and 1st line Center once Toews hangs them up. In the meantime he can learn on 2nd line or 3rd line center or even on Toews and Kane’s wing maybe for awhile on the top line. Byram is tempting but I’ve heard concerns about his d-side play not being fully up to par. I don’t want another Erik Karlsson type #1 Dman that struggles in their own end and prefers to skate past the forwards and lead the rush himself at the expense of regularly getting caught up the ice leading to odd man rushes against. No thanks. Take Turcotte. If Boqvist doesnt learn to play on the D side after 2-3 full years, trade him for a 1/2 D-man that can play D and has less inflated offensive numbers maybe.
If we get really lucky Mitchell or Beaudin turns into a 1/2 dman. It’s possible. I can dream.
That’s right Steven D.!
Since late April I have been in the Byram camp. A lower risk, higher reward pick than the highly-ranked centers being considered. Agree with Wrap that it is more difficult to draft #1 D men.
Just listened to a THN podcast. Ken Campbell says the Hawks will pick Cozens. This is the same guy who said, after the Hawks traded Sharp to Dallas in 2015, that Bowman fleeced Dallas. Have read many other dumb things he has written. We’ll soon find out.
Predictions are guesses. Pure and simple. Stan & Mark know as do a few of their other scouts but so far Zawaski has the best “leak”, that the Hawks are leaning Center.
Powers says he talked to a Hawk scout who said the decision would be easier if they were picking between 6 and 10. Interesting in the sense that it seems to indicate Stan would like to move down. But Stan himself said no GMs are making offers for #3. So maybe the demand for Byram is not there. Colorado supposedly wants a Center. Los Angeles supposedly wants a Center.
If Detroit wants Byram just wait until Chicago is on the clock and call. See if Stan bites.
I hate the Turcotte local kid narrative. Who cares ? We need a stud, building block regardless of zip code.
One other thing : Hawks are actively looking to move Anisimov. Think Marcus Kruger from 2 years ago when everybody knew he was gone after the Vegas expansion draft. Anisimov is in the same boat. Whether it’s this weekend or leading up to 7/1 or slightly after.
Interesting comments from Bowman on trading 3rd pick. He said waiting for a team to make an offer, it hasn’t happened yet, if an appealing offer were made they would have to considerate as a team, no magic formula it would take to happen for a team to move up. Then finished saying its rare but can happen but unlikely.
Sounds like he telling teams to bring it on, then downplaying the chances of it happening.
I think only type of pick swap i’d do would be if Avs wanted the 3rd, do a 3rd and maybe Mitchell(plays in Denver in Ncaa) for the 4th and 16th picks.
Has to be Byram. Turcotte’s are easier to come by than Byram’s. You don’t often get the 3rd round pick. #3 BPA confirmed by so many sources. But somehow because its the right move, I have a bad feeling Stan will be doing something else…
3rd overall pick*
its gonna be Byram, as most hockey people are saying and have said the hardest type of player to acquire is a top pairing defenseman. You just cant pass these up when they are available and no one is trading you one unless like the Karlsson they are forced to and it will cost uber money and assets.
ill say this that Bowman never makes the popular or expected pick so I expect a swerve and maybe a trade down a few spots if he thinks he can get Byram at 4 or 5.
If Bowman is truly considering trading the pick if the right offer came along – then it seems to me he is not sold on Byram as the BPA and he is amenable to taking one of the centers farther down in the top-10.
EB actually if most accounts are accurate Avs want a center. If Bowman was picking Byram and sure the Avs wanted move to get the center they want, which if Bowman taking Byram they would anyways, why not. Still get who you want at 4th and get a bonus pick too.
I place no stock in the rumors. It seems clear to me that Byram and Turcotte are 3 and 4 with the edge as a player to the former (and a further edge to him based on the difficulty of finding a true #1 defenseman). If that’s the case, and we’re going for BPA, then it’s Byram. I personally will be disappointed with anything else.
Craig, that’s what I was thinking last night. Bowman and crew know who were picking by now.
I have a list of pronnans top 30 players from last 5 drafts, it it won’t post here.
Tab, I didn’t know that was a racist word, honestly. Can you clear my name so I can post again. I try not to post anything with race. Thank you.
Otherwise I will post again, when it works/I can.
Mo is Morrison, for now.
We could very well pick Turcotte, he is a top notch center at DEF and OFF. Bryan is good too, so unless he’s not top notch at DEF, then these players are both elite.
I want to be happy which ever one we pick.
Tab, thanks.
the truth is no one knows what the hawks will do..they do not follow the so called experts and their board is their own and it wouldnt even surprise me if they took someone off those ..again so called experts list like Krebs who I believe will be one of the top players from this draft.
im expecting anything still think Byram is the pick though