Chicago Blackhawks: Is Adam Boqvist turning pro in 2019-20?

The Chicago Blackhawks have their 2018 first-round pick in camp and preseason, and he will be given the opportunity to turn pro.

The Chicago Blackhawks selected Adam Boqvist at the 2018 NHL Draft with the 8th overall pick. He is a puck-moving defenseman out of Sweden. He is known for his abilities to move the puck from the back end. He is 19 years old and brings an always needed right-handed shot from the point. The question that faces Boqvist and the Blackhawks is whether or not he will turn pro.

There is a slight possibility that he goes back to his junior squad, the London Knights, for another year of development but a few different Swedish media outlets seem to believe that it will be one of Rockford or Chicago for Boqvist. If he starts with the Rockford Ice Hogs, you would think that he will get top quality time at both even strength. If he by chance makes the Chicago roster, his ice time might be a little bit more shielded. It would also mean that he had a very good training camp and preseason so there is really no con to either pro level for him.

In 54 games for the London Knights in 2018-19, he had 20 goals and 40 assists. That is excellent production from the blue line at any level. There is no doubt that he has offensive gifts that not many possess, but the key to him being successful in the NHL is his play in his own zone. If he can prove he can play a solid game in all three zones, there is no reason he can’t turn pro this season.

The Blackhawks are going to do their due diligence when it comes to their decision with Boqvist. He is part of the future core of this team and they are going to be trying to develop these young guys. They are trying to bring them along the right way while at the same time supplementing them into the big league team while Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are still in their prime. That could continue this season with Boqvist eventually making his NHL debut.

The smartest option would be to start him in the American League and see what he can do with the Ice Hogs. If the Blackhawks are a really good team, it may be wise to keep him there for the year. If they are struggling at the midway point of the season, it also may be a good idea to trade away one of their expendable roster defensemen and call Boqvist up to make his NHL debut. Either way, there are some expectations on Boqvist to make somewhat of an impact on this team long term and it could all start this year.