The Blackhawks have some of the best undrafted players around

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to find talent anywhere in the league. Even when it comes to players that were never drafted.

The NHL draft is important, but it is the rare finds that are helping the Blackhawks even more right now. This team has seven undrafted players on their roster right now, and some are playing pretty big roles.

During the Blackhawks championship days, most of the talent the organization had was through the draft. Stars like Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Shaw, Saad, and Crawford were all drafted through the organization at some point. Now, Stan Bowman continues to be more creative.

I am going to mention all the players Bowman has signed after they failed to sign with their original team as well on this list. Honestly, that list includes a few more players that the organization is really lucky to have right now and definitely has some other teams kicking themselves in the leg right now, having let them go.

The undrafted Chicago Blackhawks:

Ryan Carpenter 

Ryan Carpenter has been in the NHL a lot longer than everyone else on this list, but it is important to note that he did go undrafted when his career began. Carpenter’s career began at the age of 25 with the San Jose Sharks. He played in one game during the 2015-16 season and spent a few seasons with the team before going to Vegas. The Hawks signed him during the 2019 offseason, and he has been a constant in the Blackhawks lineup ever since.

Collin Delia 

There are a couple of Blackhawks goalies on this list. Collin Delia was never drafted in the NHL. At the age of 26 now, the American goalie has been with the team for the longest out of all three netminders this season.

Mike Hardman 

Mike Hardman was a welcomed addition to the lineup late into the season. The Blackhawks definitely will give the 21-year-old another chance next season as he played a very physical game and did help produce on the ice for the team.

Reese Johnson 

Reese Johnson probably won’t become a season-long NHL player with the Blackhawks, but he did get a crack this season with five games under his belt. The 22-year-old signed his entry-level contract last year with the Hawks and spent the majority of the season with the Rockford Ice Hogs putting up 4 goals and 4 assist in 18 games.

A few other notable Blackhawks players:

Wyatt Kalynuk 

Wyatt Kalynuk did not go undrafted, but he did not get drafted by the Blackhawks. The team waited for his rights with the Philadelphia Flyers to expire before signing him last offseason. Kalynuk was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL draft. The fact that he is in the NHL today and proving that he belongs is awesome to see.

Brandon Hagel 

Brandon Hagel became a fan favorite this season. The way he plays the game, the energy he has, and just everything about him is getting fans excited. The fact that the team did not draft him is crazy. The Buffalo Sabres originally drafted Hagel in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL draft, but they did not offer him a contract. The Hawks changed that having signed him In October of 2018.

Dominik Kubalik 

Lastly is Dominik Kubalik the former Los Angeles Kings prospect never signed with the team and the Blackhawks eventually traded for the rights to him. They quickly signed him and played him which led to him being a nominee for the Calder Trophy and him having a terrific season. Kubalik was originally a 2013 seventh-round draft pick. Wow did the scouts miss out on one heck of a player.

The NHL Draft is not going to instantly fix the Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are lucky to have all of these players within the organization. Honestly, all of these players show how sometimes problems can be solved without the draft. Talent is out there all the Blackhawks have to do is find it. Hopefully, we will be adding Arvid Soderblom to this list after he becomes an NHLer in the future!