In the riveting world of hockey, the Chicago Blackhawks have had their fair share of hits and misses in the draft throughout the 2010s. While they built a dynasty in the earlier half of the decade, their drafting record in the latter part has been somewhat lackluster. Many of their top picks that contributed to their dynasty were actually made before the 2010s even began. Let’s delve into some of the worst draft day misses by the Blackhawks organization in the 2010s.
Adam Boqvist, a young talent, found himself in the midst of a tumultuous time with the Blackhawks. Coming off a losing season, Boqvist was thrust into the spotlight. Despite holding his own in his first two seasons in Chicago, Boqvist struggled defensively and was deemed undersized. However, before his potential could truly shine in Chicago, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the Seth Jones trade.
Unfortunately, Boqvist failed to make a significant impact in Columbus and struggled with injuries, leading to the team buying out his contract. The sting of this draft pick was exacerbated by the fact that the Edmonton Oilers selected Evan Bouchard just one pick later, while the New York Islanders nabbed Noah Dobson four picks down the line. The missed opportunity to draft two standout defensemen after Boqvist’s selection surely haunts Blackhawks fans.
The perplexing decision to draft another undersized defenseman in the first round of the 2018 draft left many scratching their heads. With Adam Boqvist already in their roster, why add another player with similar attributes? Nicolas Beaudin, projected to be a late second to early third-round pick, was chosen 27th overall by the Blackhawks. Despite playing a handful of games for the team, Beaudin failed to make a lasting impact and was eventually traded to Montreal.
Kirby Dach, selected third overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has shown promise but the shadow of past draft busts looms large. Mark McNeill, a gritty player with potential, was one such bust for the Blackhawks. Despite dominating in juniors and being deemed one of the top prospects in the 2011 draft, McNeill struggled to secure a spot on the Blackhawks’ roster. After spending seven seasons with the organization, McNeill only managed to play in a single NHL game.
While McNeill found success at the AHL level, his inability to translate his skills to the NHL level was a major disappointment. Traded to the Dallas Stars in 2016-2017 for Johnny Oduya, McNeill’s departure left a void. The Blackhawks did manage to salvage their draft night by selecting Phillip Danault with the 26th pick, though he too failed to blossom into a quality forward after being traded to Montreal.
As the Blackhawks continue their quest for success, the lessons learned from past draft mistakes serve as a reminder of the importance of making informed decisions in player selection. The journey of each player, from draft day to their performance on the ice, is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the ever-present quest for drafting success.
