Chicago Blackhawks: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

7. Jake Wise, C [18 years old]

Stats:

USNTDP Juniors (USHL) – 18 gp, 9 g, 19 a, 28 p. 2 PPG (6 A), 1 SHG, 3 GWG, 39 SOG, 1.56 pts/g.

US National U18 Team (USDP) – 38 gp, 11 g, 32 a, 43 p. 2 PPG, 1 SHG, 3 GWG, 63 SOG, 1.13 pts/g.

Jake Wise looked like a first-round pick. He was in elite company this season, up with the likes of Oliver Wahlstrom, Jack Hughes, and Joel Farabee in both the USHL and USDP. Wise was third in points per game in the USHL (behind just Wahlstrom and Hughes) and was fourth in points per game in the USDP (under 18 division, more than two games played).

Wise is hands down the best center in the Blackhawks’ pipeline in terms of ceiling and has the potential to be a top-six center in a few years.

Wise was seventh in scoring in the USDP U18 division and was better than a point-per-game. So why was he drafted so low?

His skating is an issue, and he didn’t score as many goals as teams would like to see (to be fair, he was playing with Wahlstrom, who did most of the shooting). Wise also missed part of the season due to an injury, which in part dropped his stock from a once very highly hyped position.

Still, he is hands down the best center in the Blackhawks’ pipeline in terms of ceiling and has the potential to be a top-six center in a few years. While Schmaltz and Toews will have something to say about that, having a center like Wise able to step into the lineup eventually is not a bad thing.

He’s a few years away from NHL readiness and he’ll need to work on some things in the NCAA (he’s headed to Boston University), including using his shot more and fixing his skating. If he addresses those areas, he’ll be excellent.