Chicago Blackhawks: Evan Barratt is officially turning pro
The Chicago Blackhawks are starting to ink a few players to deals as the season continues to be paused. Evan Barratt has a chance to make a big impact.
The Chicago Blackhawks have made some moves despite the pause. They extended forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen. They also signed Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan to entry-level deals. These are significant notes for the Chicago Blackhawks but the most notable is that of Evan Barratt. Barratt has been one of Chicago’s top prospects for a few years now and he is officially turning pro now.
The Blackhawks took Barratt in the third round, 90th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. He is a left-handed centerman from Bristol, PA. He has spent the last three seasons playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He is taking this opportunity to forgo his senior season and sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
It is unclear what his role will be next season with Chicago. He could get some time to marinate in the minors with the Rockford Ice Hogs or he could make the team out of camp. He had a phenomenal college career after Chicago took him in the 2017 Draft. His numbers in college were good enough to believe that he will be good in the NHL someday.
His first season went okay as he had 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in 32 games. He was then insanely good during his sophomore season as he had 16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points in 32 games. Then in his junior 2019-20 season, he had 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 34 games. Being a point per game player at the NCAA level is impressive so hopefully, he can translate that offense to the pros.
The Blackhawks have done okay with developing prospects over the years but they need to start hitting on a few again. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith are still great but they need more depth. If Evan Barratt can come in and play well at some point over the next two years, that would be awesome.
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The plan right now is that Kirby Dach will be the number one center who successes Jonathan Toews. Well, you never know how the upcoming drafts work out and there is also Dylan Strome in the fold who is a young centerman as well. That means that Evan Barratt will be protected in the lineup whenever it is that he makes the jump to the National Hockey League.