Top ten players the Blackhawks could select in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft

6. Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough Petes

Mason McTavish is one of those guys that commands an imposing presence on the ice. At 6’1 and nearly 210 pounds, he is not someone that other players like to mess with, especially at the major junior level.

McTavish isn’t someone that is just out there to throw his weight around, though. A decent offensive talent, he scored 11 points in only 13 games while on loan in Switzerland. He is not a guarantee to be a juggernaut on the scoresheet every night, however, when he does score, he does it with finesse, and is a fun player to watch.

He has also been tapped to play for Team Canada at the upcoming World Championship tournament, so clearly the national team has taken notice of him as well. This is exactly the kind of player that could find a niche within the Blackhawks locker room.

The ‘Hawks were notoriously a ‘speed and skill’ over size team for the majority of their Stanley Cup dynasty. While there were a number of standout big guys, very few players on the team could also find the back of the twine. This could end up being exactly what Chicago needs.

5. Corson Ceulemans, D, University of Wisconsin

While I would like to see the Blackhawks select a player that could make a quick jump to the NHL, that might not necessarily end up happening. If that’s the case, the team should really take a look at defenseman Corson Ceulemans.

He is still very young, having only turned 18 this month. However, what he lacks in age he makes up for with puck prowess and a great hockey IQ in the defensive zone. Again, he is certainly not the biggest defenseman available in this year’s draft. Despite that, he has proven that he has a ton of potential.

Besides some great looks in his own zone, Ceulemans has also contributed offensively, scoring 11 points this year for the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. In addition, he has also been tapped to play for Team Canada.

Moving forward, Ceulemans has committed to the University of Wisconsin. This will allow him to get some great NCAA experience under a very strong Badgers team. If anything, this should give him more of a jumpstart once he is drafted.