The 17th general pick out within the NHL Draft, which starts Tuesday, will the Blackhawks’ 10th first-round variety right through Stan Bowman’s basic supervisor tenure.
Bowman has decided on seven North Americans and handiest two Europeans thus far, but that’s no longer extremely out of line with league averages. Only 9 of ultimate yr’s 31 first-round alternatives had been European, and a equivalent imbalance is predicted this yr.
But that no doubt doesn’t get rid of the potential of a European variety through the Hawks in 2020, like after they selected Adam Boqvist 8th in 2018.
In reality, one of the vital maximum intriguing potentialities probably in play at No. 17 are European. Below are the 5 perhaps ones, with ideas from Hawks scouting director Mark Kelley.
Click right here for the day gone by’s tale on North American potentialities the Hawks would possibly imagine.
Yaroslav Askarov — Goaltender, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (Russia)
Easily essentially the most mentioned prospect within the draft, Askarov is the most efficient goaltending prospect in years. He’s ruled each level he’s been on.
Goaltenders take a very long time to expand and hard to judge, making Askarov a dangerous use of a first-round pick out. But if he’s there for the Hawks at 17th, he’d be arduous to show down.
“We’ve been watching Askarov for a few years now,” Kelley mentioned. “What stands out on Askarov is the success he’s had, whether it be World Championships with the Russian team, or just in his Russian league. He’s a big-time goaltender and he’s thrived on the big games.”
Rodion Amirov — Left Wing, Ufa (Russia)
Amirov’s junior profession in Russia is tricky to evaluate because of inconsistency, each with the selection of groups he’s performed on and in addition inside his personal sport.
While he has some holes in his personal sport and must bulk up his these days 168-pound frame, he’s additionally a dynamic puck-carrying and puck-moving winger who excels in 1-on-1 scenarios.
“He’s a 6-foot-1 [forward] with really good puck skills, can skate, fun to watch,” Kelley mentioned, noting the Hawks have watched him intently over the last two years.
Lukas Reichel — Left Wing, Berlin (Germany)
Coincidentally, the Hawks performed in opposition to Reichel of their exhibition ultimate September in opposition to Berlin.
Reichel went directly to have a perfect rookie yr in opposition to a lot older festival within the German league. His hockey intelligence and offensive imaginative and prescient are his most powerful attributes, however he’s no longer as naturally athletic as different potentialities on this dialog.
“Reichel had a really good year, played regularly for Eisbaren in the DEL, and then he was on that German World Juniors team that opened a lot of eyes,” Kelley mentioned. “When you watch him, you see a lot of potential.”
Anton Lundell — Center, HIFK (Finland)
Projections are in every single place the board on Lundell, a well-rounded however no longer in particular thrilling ahead. The NHL’s Central Scouting Service ranks him because the No. 3 European skater, upper than everybody else in this listing, however different prognosticators position him within the 15th-25th vary of all potentialities.
Regardless, Lundell had a remarkably productive season within the Finnish skilled league ultimate season.
“What stands out..is he has a pro game as a kid already,” Kelley mentioned. “Over 200 feet, he’s very good offensively, plays off his wings very well, very responsible defensively.”
Noel Gunler — Right Wing, Lulea (Sweden)
Gunler is outstanding with the puck: his pictures and passes are each tough and correct, and he’s inventive and elusive ahead of attending to that time.
His paintings ethic and play clear of the puck had been wondered, alternatively, drawing comparisons — for higher or worse — to fellow countryman Alex Nylander.
“We’ve been watching him again for a couple years,” Kelley mentioned. “He’s a big winger that can skate, has a great skill set. He’s one of those prototypical Swedish wingers.”