5 players the Chicago Blackhawks could take with their other first-round pick

The Chicago Blackhawks will take phenom Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft.

What they do with their other first-round draft pick is unknown.

We do know that General Manager Kyle Davidson and Director of Scouting Mike Doneghey value four traits in a prospect–speed, competitiveness, hockey IQ, and character.

The Hawks’ farm system could use some more centers and wings, so it would not be out of the realm of possibility for Davidson to go in that direction with the No. 19 pick.

Davidson could package the pick to acquire a veteran. He could also try to trade down and acquire more draft capital.

With a boatload of second-round choices Davidson has, he could try to move up from No. 19. Needless to say, the Chicago Blackhawks’ table in Nashville will be crowded with other teams’ general managers.

Say they stay at No. 19, here are a few options NHL experts think the Blackhawks might explore.

Matthew Wood has good size for a wing.

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman thinks the 6’3″ wing would be a good choice for Chicago. He led UConn in scoring his freshman season where he was also the youngest player in college hockey.

He fits a lot of the traits the Hawks are looking for especially when it comes to competitiveness.

He led Canada’s U18 team in goals with seven in the World Juniors U-18 Championship.

Pronman’s colleague, Scott Wheeler, has Wood as his 10th-best prospect.

It would be nice if he falls to 19 and the Chicago Blackhawks can pair him up with Bedard and Lukas Reichel to form a high-scoring line someday.