Chicago Blackhawks NHL Draft: Top 6 options at no. 3 overall

1. Vasili Podkolzin

The idea of having the third overall pick for the Chicago Blackhawks looking to make a retool on the fly is something great. You would think they absolutely have to hit on this pick to extend the organization’s chances while Toews and Patrick Kane are there. They need a guy who will almost immediately make an impact.

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Vasili Podkolzin might be that guy based on talent, but he comes with huge risk. He is probably the third best player in the draft behind Hughes and Kakko who are both can’t-miss. Podkolzin has the chance to be a very good player in the NHL. Most big boards have him at three but it might be a bad idea to draft him with the third overall pick.

The reason is that Podkolzin plays for SKA St. Petersberg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia. This league is known to be rather corrupt and this team, in particular, has had rumors surrounding it that say it is rigged for them to win. There is a reason to believe that he could stay with his club team even if he is selected in the NHL Draft.

He might also be a good idea to draft because he is a strong player. If he were to come to the NHL he would probably make a team out of camp and have an impact right away. He could very well come in and play right wing on the second line with Dylan Strome in the middle and Alex DeBrincat on the left. If the Blackhawks were absolutely sure he’d is willing to come to North America then this is the guy that they should take.