Chicago Blackhawks: A look at the top 5 prospects headed into 2019-20

4. Nicolas Beaudin

Nicolas Beaudin was the 27th overall pick of the first round by the Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft. He is a high-end talented defenseman that played his junior hockey for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior League. He has signed his entry-level deal with the Blackhawks and should make his turn to pro this season.

It is unlikely that the 19-year-old left-shot defenseman will make his NHL debut this season, but he will play for the Rockford Ice Hogs of the AHL most likely. Usually, it takes defenseman a long time to fully develop and the Blackhawks are going to take their time with Beaudin. They spent a first-round pick on him so they might as well do their best to make sure he pans out.

The Blackhawks selected Beaudin with the pick that formally belonged to the Nashville Predators before they gave it to Chicago for Ryan Hartman. Beaudin uses his size and mobility to his advantage. He can use his speed to open up passing and shooting lanes for both himself and his teammates and can use his defense to create offense. He is an offensive defenseman that the Blackhawks believe will be there one day to help them break out passes and perhaps contribute big numbers at both even strength and the power play.