Chicago Blackhawks: Tracking Stan Bowman’s 1st Round Picks

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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 13: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Chicago Blackhawks chases the puck against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on October 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-3. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2014 – Nick Schmaltz

Nick Schmaltz was drafted 20th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014. He was a very talented prospect for the Blackhawks, who became notorious for passing the puck when he should shoot.

Like the previous 4 Blackhawks’ first-round picks, Nick Schmaltz was traded last season to the Arizona Coyotes. Schmaltz was another talented forward lost via trade for the Blackhawks, but it did add two young, talented prospects to the roster, in Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini.

Schmaltz played in162 games with the Blackhawks and only scored 29 goals during that time.

Not much for a first-round pick. The return of Strome, and even Perlini, has been unbelievable. It looks like Stan Bowman made the right decision by drafting, and trading, Nick Schmaltz.