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Chicago Blackhawks: Redrafting Last 10 First Picks

By Colin Likas
Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Robby Fabbri (15) skates on defense against the San Jose Sharks in the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2014

Drafted: C Nick Schmaltz (1st round, 20th overall)

Redraft: C Robby Fabbri (1st round, 21st overall, St. Louis Blues)

The Blues’ recently-completed Stanley Cup Playoffs run certainly gave Fabbri’s stock a boost. His first NHL season was a smashing success, seeing him post 37 points in 72 regular-season games and 15 points in 20 postseason games. Schmaltz, while a very promising talent, finished another season at the University of North Dakota this year.

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Fabbri just seems to have a nose for the net and doesn’t let his relative lack of size (5-10, 180) define him. He has a bit of snarl to his game as well, which is probably required to make it in the cesspool that is the Blues locker room.

Fabbri would be a nice consolation prize with this pick, and I say that even with his success in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. Schmaltz just projects as a much higher-end talent who can play on the Blackhawks’ top six for years to come. But if Schmaltz somehow falls short of the NHL level, this will be a big “what if.”

2015

Drafted: LW Graham Knott (2nd round, 54th overall)

Redraft: D Jonas Siegenthaler (2nd round, 57th overall, Washington Capitals)

Like goaltending, defense is a position of little depth within the Blackhawks organization at this point. Going with a blueliner here would’ve made sense, even if the team’s first pick was outside the first round (due to trading it to Arizona for Antoine Vermette).

It’s way too early to say which one of these guys is more likely to be an NHL talent, or which would be a better one, but Siegenthaler would’ve addressed a more pertinent need for Chicago. He also projects as a solid defenseman, playing a more Hjalmarsson-style game, according to Hockey’s Future.

Next: Can Kane And Panarin Dominate Next Season?

Siegenthaler got his first taste of North American hockey this season, playing just six games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears and tallying an assist. He checks in at 6-3, 220, and with his defensive instincts, he sounds like a potential steal on the back end, even if he may need to better develop his strength.

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