Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links: ‘Hawks Get 8th Pick In Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks will have the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft

Over the weekend, the Chicago Blackhawks had their fingers crossed that they would be one of the tree teams who won the NHL draft lottery, but they weren’t so lucky this year.

With a 6.5 percent chance of getting the top pick and a 20 percent chance in getting into the top three, the ‘Hawks didn’t get the ping-pong balls to bounce their way.  They will select eighth overall at the draft in Dallas on June 22.

Although they wont get to draft top prospects like Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov or Filip Zadina, this is a very deep draft and the Blackhawks will find an impact player to help continue their rebuild.

There is a possibility the ‘Hawks could take a scoring winger in Oliver Wahlstrom or continue to draft more defensemen with Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard or Noah Dobson.  Either way, the ‘Hawks are in good shape to add some quality at the eightth pick and also their late-round pick acquired from Nashville earlier this year.

On Saturday, Team USA announced its initial roster for the 2018 World Championship in Denmark that included four current Blackhawks players.  Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Connor Murphy and Jordan Oesterle will all play for Team USA.  Former Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling also made the team.

And on Sunday, we celebrated the 30th birthday of captain Jonathan Toews!

IceHogs update

As the IceHogs wait for their second-round playoff opponent in the Manitoba Moose or the Grand Rapids Griffins, they hit the ice Saturday after having the day off Friday.  Head coach Jeremy Colliton said they will get more into game plans when they know their opponent, but he wanted all his players rested after a long triple-overtime series win against the Chicago Wolves.

Regardless of their opponent, the IceHogs will host Games 3 and 4 in Rockford on Wednesday, May 9 and Friday, May 11.

We hope you have a great start to you week, and go ‘Hawks!

-Blackhawk Up

Next: Five Blackhawks Ties Make Second Round

Morning links

• Blackhawks made winning look easy – Daily Herald
• Zebra Sisters discuss black hockey players – Chicago Sun-Times
• USA Hockey announces Men’s National Team roster – USA Hockey
• In 2018, IceHogs providing overtime playoff wins – CLTV
• Records topple, heroes made when IceHogs swept away Chicago – rrstar