Chicago Blackhawks: Pro comparisons for first-round draft picks

Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks chose to get defensive with both picks in the first round. Both prospects compare interestingly to two NHL veterans.

The Chicago Blackhawks believe they still have an open window to win another Stanley Cup. Friday night, they addressed the one area which most fans and experts saw them addressing in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Chicago held the no. 8 overall pick and no. 27 overall pick in the first round which took place on Friday evening. At the eighth spot, the Blackhawks had a few options — some which fans would have liked more than others. Most notably, Noah Dobson, Evan Bouchard and Oliver Wahlstrom were some prospects fans may have had in mind.

Instead, the Blackhawks went with defenseman Adam Boqvist. Last season, Boqvist played with Brynas in the SuperElit and Swedish Hockey League.

At no. 27 overall, the Blackhawks again went with a defenseman. This time, it was Nicolas Beaudin of the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Heading into Friday night, many speculated whether or not the Blackhawks would keep their second pick in the first round. There was talk of the Blackhawks looking to trade it for an upper echelon defenseman. Instead, they went with a young prospect at that position whom they can develop.

Suddenly, the Blackhawks’ group of blue line prospects looks really good. How good? Well, let’s take a look at each of these two guys and which NHL players they have been compared to.