Chicago Blackhawks: Analyzing every No. 1 pick since Patrick Kane

Aaron Ekblad has sure panned out as a really good defenseman that was the number one overall pick. Well, the only other blue-liner taken first since Patrick Kane’s draft is Rasmus Dahlin. After years of bad luck in the Draft Lottery, it was finally Buffalo’s time. Dahlin went first to Buffalo in the 2018 Draft in a year where so many great defensemen went. He has joined them and is already their best defenseman.

Dahlin has more offensive flair to his game than Ekblad or most NHL defensemen for that matter. He is also pretty good defensively but he makes his money in the offensive zone. His team generates more shots for than against when he is on the ice as his CorsiFor is at 52.4 percent which is really good for a teenage defenseman. He turns 20 later this week so the idea that he can get better is scary to think about. There is a good chance that 3-4 years from now we see him as a top-five defenseman in the world.

Dahlin has 13 goals and 71 assists for 84 points in 141 games for Buffalo. Those are ridiculous totals for a defenseman that isn’t even 20 yet. Oddly enough, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of two teams in the National Hockey League that have yet to let Dahlin score a single point. The other is the Vegas Golden Knights who are one of the best defensive teams in the league. It is a bit strange that he has yet to record a single point against them but he has plenty of time. It has only been three games against the Hawks.