2. Lukas Reichel
The most recent draft pick on this list is Lukas Reichel, who the Chicago Blackhawks selected with the 17th overall pick at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old German forward had a very impressive rookie season in the DEL in 2019-20, posting 12 goals and 24 points in 42 games. For comparison sake, Tim Stutzle, who was a unanimous top three pick in this year’s Draft and went No. 3 overall to the Ottawa Senators, had seven goals and 34 points in the same league.
Reichel was able to represent Team Germany at the 2020 World Juniors, something he will have the opportunity to do again a month down the line. In seven games at the tournament last season, he managed three goals and five points. Yet again, that was very similar production to Stutzle, who had five assists in seven games played. While it is still very early, this looks like a tremendous pick by the Blackhawks.
1. Ian Mitchell
The top prospect in the Chicago Blackhawks farm system is a player they nabbed with the 57th pick at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Ian Mitchell. The 21-year-old defenseman was selected soon after finishing up his second season in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints, where he racked up a solid 37 points in 53 games. That turned out to be his last season of junior hockey as he moved on to the University of Denver.
The 2019-20 season, which marked his third and final season with the University of Denver, happened to be his best. In 36 games, Mitchell scored 10 goals and added 22 helpers in 36 games played.
While that was his best statistical season, he put up big numbers in all of his three years he played college hockey, finishing with 89 points in a combined 116 games played. The Albertan defenceman, who signed an entry-level deal with the Blackhawks this past summer, has a chance to make the roster out of training camp this season and boasts a very high ceiling.