Chicago Blackhawks: 3 players that could be selected at No. 11 overall
No. 2 – C Chaz Lucius – U18 (USNTDP)
Coming in as one of the top options for the Chicago Blackhawks to select at No. 11 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft is American-born center Chaz Lucius. The Hawks have been vying for a legitimate top-six center in recent years now that the team is in the rebuild phase, and Lucius looks to be the guy that can solve their problem between the dots.
Lucius has showcased tremendous skill leading up to this year’s Draft and it’s led to numerous scouts comparing him to Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. He earns this regard due to his unconscious ability to create offensive scoring opportunities. Scouts have Lucius ranked as having one of, if not, the hardest shot in the 2021 Draft class and he uses it to bury the biscuit from all over the ice.
Coming in at 6-foot-0 and 170 pounds, there is some room to develop physically, but that will come naturally through the Blackhawks’ training camp. The USNTDP is notorious for churning out high-end prospects who possess boundless skill and top-notch professionalism, with Lucius just another example of such.
What allows Lucius to fit in so well with Chicago’s current composition of players is that he excels in providing scoring chances for teammates and hustles with determination. He always plays with a chip on his shoulder and he’s going to ensure that if there’s a loose puck to be had, he’s going to get it.
Before missing significant time in the 2020-21 season due to a bone lesion in his left knee that sidelined him for four months, Chaz is moving forward in stride and is getting back into never-before-seen shape and he admits he’s never skated better.
The NHL is growing faster and more skilled each day and for a Chicago Blackhawks team looking to muster an edge on their adversaries, Lucius would be a safe pick to acquire a top-six forward who could make the roster straight out of camp. While he’s not the number one option at No. 11 overall, the Hawks certainly can’t miss picking up such a well-rounded threat like him.