2003 was the best draft class the Chicago Blackhawks ever put together

The Chicago Blackhawks' 2003 draft produced two core players for one of the greatest championship runs in team history. The team also found a player in the eighth round who helped snap a 49-year championship drought.

The Hawks selected defenseman Brent Seabrook in the first round. The team then took goalie Corey Crawford in the second round. With pick No. 245, the Blackhawks chose a defenseman named Dustin
Byfuglien.

Seabrook teamed up with Duncan Keith (2002 second-round choice) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (2005 fourth-round choice) to form the core of a defensive unit that won three Stanley Cups last decade. Crawford was the starting goalie on the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup winners. Byfuglien scored 11 goals during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup.

If the Hawks can get three players who can make that type of impact out of each of their draft classes from 2022 through this year, then better days are ahead.

The 2022 draft class has the potential to beat out the 2003 draft haul. The Hawks took defensemen Kevin Korchinski and Sam Rinzel, along with forward Frank Nazar, in the first round. All three have superstar potential. Plus, the team drafted potential stellar supporting players in forwards Ryan Greene, Samuel Savoie, and Aidan Thompson.

The 2023 draft class could also outshine 2003 with phenom Connor Bedard having the potential to have the same impact on the franchise as Patrick Kane did. Both were No. 1 overall picks, although hopefully Bedard's class produces more than Kane's. Bill Sweatt and Akim Aliu were the only other picks from the 2007 class to skate in an NHL game, with 10 games combined.

Oliver Moore, Roman Kantserov, and Nick Lardis have the talent to join Bedard as 2023 picks who can skate significant minutes.

The 2024 and 2025 classes also have a lot of promise. Producing at a high level and winning Stanley Cups are the only way any of these drafts can match what Seabrook, Crawford, and Byfuglien did.

Getting three impact players out of a draft is huge.

A team is lucky to get one impact player and maybe a few supporting players out of a draft. Jonathan Toews was the only player from the Hawks' 2006 draft to make it to the NHL. The 2015 draft only had Dennis Gilbert and Ryan Shea play in the NHL. They only combined to skate in 180 games.

Some players a team drafts never even sign an entry-level contract. Also, these are teenagers being drafted. All a team can do is make a projection and hope time is kind to its decision.

For the Blackhawks, it took a lot of time for Crawford to develop into a great goalie. He did not become the No. 1 goalie until 2011. He only got the job because the team's salary cap situation was so tight that the Hawks let young netminder Antti Niemi depart in free agency. This was after he won the Stanley Cup in 2010.

Once Crawford grabbed a hold of the starting job, he won two Walter Jennings trophies and was named to two All-Star teams. Crawford was dominant in the 2013 run to the Stanley Cup with a .932 save percentage and 1.84 goals against average.

Seabrook was always outshone by Keith, but the Hawks do not win three titles without "Seabs."

He had 361 assists over 15 seasons in Chicago. That puts him 13th all-time in franchise history.

Byfuglien parked his big frame in front of the net during the Hawks' magical 2010 title run. His ability to screen goalies allowed the offense to pour in goals. "Big Buff" was also there to bury in rebounds. He also went on to make three All-Star teams after he was traded to Atlanta due to the Hawks' cap problems.

Two classes that could make a case as best of all time...

The 2004 class could make a case to rival 2003 with Dave Bolland, Bryan Bickell, and Troy Brouwer. Bickell took over Byfuglien's role on the 2013 team. Bolland scored some huge goals during that title run. Those two were never true core players.

The 1980 class produced franchise icons Dennis Savard and Steve Larmer, along with Troy Murray. Savard is in the Hall of Fame. Larmer should be in. Those three never led the Hawks to a championship.

Titles and impact are why the 2003 class should always be remembered as the best draft class ever. However, the recent classes could take that designation if everything works out.