Chicago Blackhawks’ NHL Draft Focus Should Be Defense, Goaltending

Goaltenders to watch

Jake Oettinger, Boston University

Would the Blackhawks dare use their first-round pick on a netminder? The first goaltender wasn’t drafted until the second round last season, but considering the Blackhawks’ farm system is weak in goal, maybe they’d take a long look at Oettinger.

Oettinger (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) is a three-time World Juniors medalist and took the NCAA by storm in his freshman season with the Terriers. He posted 21 wins in 35 games of his first (and apparently only) college season, carrying a .927 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average with four shutouts. He allowed just 52 goals at even strength across more than 2,000 minutes played.

Oettinger’s stock is as high as that of any goaltender in this draft, slotting him No. 1 on the North American board for NHL.com. While that would make him unobtainable if he were a forward or defenseman, his position could allow him to slip to Chicago in the first round.

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Ian Scott, Prince Albert (WHL)

Among the goaltenders listed on FanRag Sports’ post on goalies who could go in the draft’s first round (Oettinger is also on it), was among the few selected for this year’s Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, which is even more impressive for a goaltender.

It should be considered extra impressive since he was chosen despite being in the midst of a poor statistical season for Prince Albert. Scott posted a 12-31-0 record with a .895/3.69 stat line, but he’s still rated No. 3 on NHL.com’s North American goaltenders board.

Scott is just 18 years old and stands at 6-3. He could be a sneak option for the Blackhawks a little later on if they don’t want to draft a goaltender right out of the gate. And based on the fact he hasn’t tumbled down draft boards despite a rough season, there’s reason to suggest Scott can be molded into a solid goaltender.

Dereck Baribeau, Quebec (QMJHL)

The QMJHL is a pretty tough junior hockey league in Canada, so to see a goaltender post some rough numbers in limited action in that league probably isn’t the end of the world. However, to see a goaltender post rough numbers and climb six spots up NHL.com’s North American goaltenders board … that’s something else.

Baribeau seems to be in the mold of Darling in that he’s a big, athlete goaltender. Baribeau checks in at 6-5, 191, and his athleticism is extremely well rated by Hut Plaza. While his reflexes rate a 61 and his puck control is at 62, but his athletic rate is all the way up at 71 — anchored by strong durability, agility and speed.

These are interesting terms to put alongside a goalie, who is moving most from side to side in his crease. But I’d be interested in watching Baribeau develop if the Blackhawks took a late-round flyer on him. It’s a little easier to teach things like puck control and positioning versus athleticism.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, HPK Jr. (Finland Jr.)

Europe’s goaltender board is just 14 deep, so being No. 1 on it may not be so impressive. But we go back to that FanRag Sports list of goalies who could go in the first round, and Luukkonen is there as well. So he’s doing fairly well for himself.

Luukkonen (6-4, 196) is a sizable netminder, which is generally a positive. He’s also a two-time World Juniors medalist, and he carried a .917 save percentage in 35 games for the HPK U20 squad this season.

Next: Conn Smythe Favorites Entering Second Round

He’ll move on to the Liiga club next season, and could develop even more positively. It may be worth it for the Blackhawks to take a shot on him in the second round, should he be around.