3 prospects the Chicago Blackhawks should target in the 2nd round of the NHL draft

When discussing the Chicago Blackhawks, a lot of the attention is targeted toward what the team will do this offseason to make improvements and get closer to a more competitive product. Many have debated which player will be called to the stage by general manager Kyle Davidson when the Hawks choose third overall in the first round.

The Blackhawks currently have two picks in the first round, though there has been speculation of whether or not their second selection, coming at 25th overall, could be packaged in a trade to either move up in the round or to acquire a top six scorer who can help the team right now.

Aside from the first round, the Blackhawks do have two second-round picks that open similar possibilities as the 25th selection does. Despite this draft not being the strongest in recent memory, some players look as though they may be available in round two, which should be on the Blackhawks' radar if they do not move those selections.

Vaclav Nestrasil

Nestrasil has been making headway over the past few months for his combination of size and skill, as well as his strong showing in the USHL playoffs. The Czechia-native seems to have put himself on the map for many NHL teams and could end up being a high second-round pick.

Nestrasil wrapped up his first full USHL season with 42 points in 61 games and adding 13 points in 14 playoff games. His size will undoubtedly fill a need within Chicago's organization with the young forward coming in at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds.

For a player with that size and being only 18 years old, Nestrasil moves around much better than most would have expected and brings flair both on offense and in the physical department. He is a smooth skater who has equally smooth puck handling but is not afraid to throw his body around and utilize his size as a difference-maker.

Committed to the University of Massachusetts next season, Nestrasil will likely need 2-3 seasons in the NCAA to develop his game before turning pro. However, having a player with this potential in the system is an idea the Blackhawks should surely be excited about.

William Horcoff

Every year, there is word of the son of a longtime NHL player coming up through the draft, and the Blackhawks will have the chance to draft one in Horcoff, son of former Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff.

Horcoff is a player who may not have elite offensive upside, but his game shows signs of being a playoff-style center who can increase the intensity when he's on the ice. He is a 6-foot-4, 181-pound center who is responsible for his end and plays with a physical edge.

As a freshman this season for the University of Michigan, Horcoff had 10 points in 18 games and showed promise as a net-front presence whose goal offensively is to create havoc for the opposing goaltender. He is a smart player who uses his size well and is developing nicely in the NCAA for Michigan as a defensively-minded, physical centerman.

While a player like Horcoff may not be a "swing for the fences" type of pick for the Blackhawks, someone of his pedigree would give them an intriguing player who can potentially be an important part of their future bottom-six.

Ryker Lee

If there is one player whose draft projection should be higher after an impressive draft year, it's Ryker Lee. The Wilmette, Illinois, native was electrifying in the USHL this season and could be a potential steal for the Blackhawks with the 34th pick.

Lee was dynamic this season for the Madison Capitols with 68 points in 58 games during his first full season in the USHL. He is a very smart player who works hard to get to every puck and showcases high-level playmaking abilities. His ability to produce offense at every level is beyond promising and shows his hockey IQ and adaptability as he has seamlessly translated to higher-level leagues.

Next season, Lee is committed to play at Michigan State University, where he will enter one of the top programs in the nation. There, he will work to round out his defensive game and likely put on more weight, though his 6-foot, 180-pound frame does not make him overly undersized. A player who understands the game and sees the ice like Lee will be a welcome addition to any organization that drafts him, and he shows the potential of being a prospect, where people wonder how he was not drafted sooner.

If Lee does end up being available at one of the Blackhawks' selections in the second round, he should without a doubt be on their radar.