Chicago Blackhawks: Top 6 players they should target in 2020 NHL Draft
By Kyle Pereira
Forwards
Of the 48 drafted forwards, 17 are American, 13 are Canadian, six are Swedish, four are Finnish, three are Russian, one is Slovakian, one is Danish, one is Czech, one is Swiss, and one is German. Of those forwards, 36 fell between 5’11” and 6’3” and 25 fell between 175 and 200 pounds.
With the above parameters, the top fit for Chicago at forward is Connor Zary. Zary is a Canadian forward who stands at 6’0” and 181 pounds. Zary has been ranked as early as ninth (McKeen’s hockey) and as late as 24th (Elite Prospects), but for the most part, he is considered a top-15 prospect. I have him as my 11th ranked prospect.
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He put up 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in 57 games this season with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL. His well-balanced two-way game is what earns him the most praise, while his skating needs a bit of refinement before he is able to make the jump to the NHL.
The second-best fit for the Blackhawks in the first round is Dawson Mercer. Mercer is another Canadian forward, standing at 6’0” and 179 pounds. He has been ranked as early as 12th by three expert sites (HockeyProspect.com, Future Considerations, and ISS Hockey) and as late as 15th by McKeen’s Hockey. I have him as my 15th ranked prospect.
Mercer recorded 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points in 42 games this season, split between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. He doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses in his game, as he is a natural goal-scorer who can also be a solid playmaker. Mercer is also responsible in all situations, allowing him to play on both special teams units. He’s also an excellent skater. All that combined, and you have an all-around solid prospect, who has a safe floor and a potentially high ceiling.
Finally, the third-best fit for the Blackhawks is Alexander Holtz. Holtz is a Swedish forward who stands at 6’0” and 183 pounds. Holtz has been ranked as early as fifth by two expert sites (McKeen’s Hockey and Future Considerations) and as late as ninth by two other expert sites (HockeyProspect.com and ISS Hockey). He is my fifth ranked prospect.
Holtz recorded 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points in 35 games with Djurgardens IF in the SHL. Holtz has been praised for his incredible shooting ability and hockey IQ. He has immense skill-level throughout his game, while also possessing the ability to out-smart opponents and stay one play ahead. One of my favorite draft prospects this year, Holtz may not be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock, but if he is, they should snag him up.