Will Evan Barratt Make an Impact in 2020 for the Blackhawks?

The Chicago Blackhawks need to be focused on the future and Penn State junior, Evan Barratt, could be a name to watch in 2020.

The Chicago Blackhawks season is currently on life support so it is time to start focusing on what they have in the pipeline and who they could even target in the 2020 NHL Draft. However, for this piece, we are going to focus on a player from the 2017 NHL Draft, Evan Barratt.

Barratt was selected 90th overall by the Blackhawks back in the 2017 Draft, which was held at the United Center and one where Barratt got a real taste of the city of Chicago. After he was drafted he set off to Penn State University where he had a solid freshman campaign, depositing 11 goals and 7 assists and has continued to build that in his Sophomore and Junior seasons where he has racked up 77 points in total over a 66 game stretch.

Barratt has been a solid playmaker, as he was advertised in his draft year and has shown a bit of edge to his game while playing for the Nittany Lions. His combination of size, playmaking, and grit he appears to be on track to be a good middle-six forward at the NHL level.

But when will Barratt be ready to make that leap to the NHL?

With how the Blackhawks are currently constructed it is interesting to see how the off-season plays out. They are going to be a bit strapped for cash and without some money moves they will be looking for inexpensive pieces to fill out their lineup and Barratt could be a player that could develop into a key piece for the 2020-2021 season.

Barratt could return to Penn State for his senior season with a solid group that could make an NCAA push but next season could be a key one for young players to make the NHL jump. He will have competition, if he does decide to go pro, with players like Philipp Kurashev, Brandon Hagel and Dylan Sikura looking to lock down full-time NHL duty.

However, Barratt’s edge and playmaking could set him apart from the group mentioned above and if he does decide to go pro he will be in the mix to make the NHL next season. While Barratt is no guarantee to be a top contributor for the Blackhawk in 2020 he has put together a college career that has to make Blackhawk fans optimistic about his future with the organization.