6 first-round picks in two years should keep Blackhawks fans believing

For the Chicago Blackhawks, making six first-round picks over the last two drafts is about more than lottery tickets — it’s about building a foundation that should make them competitive for the next decade.

Few teams in the NHL get as many swings at the top of the draft in such a short time. The Blackhawks have essentially built a new core in two years – something most rebuilds take at least half a decade to accomplish.

The Blackhawks have added depth at every position, and with varied player types. These prospects complement young stars like Connor Bedard Kevin Korchinski, and Frank Nazar, forming a complete, sustainable core – dare we say, a new dynasty?

6 first-round picks in two years should keep Blackhawks fans believing

Let's start with the Blackhawks' 2024 draft class. At No. 2 overall, they selected a franchise defenseman in the making in Artyom Levshunov. He's big, mobile and physical, with legitimate top-pair potential – think Seth Jones, but with more offense.

At No. 18 overall, the Blackhawks selected Sacha Boisvert, a skilled two-way center with a powerful shot and an NHL frame. With a strong 200-foot game, Boisvert projects to be an anchor in the Blackhawks' middle six – a Ryan O'Reilly lite, if you will.

Finally, the Blackhawks picked Marek Vanacker at No. 27 overall in 2024. An explosive scorer for the Brantford Bulldogs, Vanacker lit up the OHL with his scoring touch. He plays with pace and energy, and he's a pure finisher to complement Bedard in the Blackhawks' top six.

With the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, the Blackhawks selected two-way Swedish center Anton Frondell. Known for his responsible play and vision, Frondell has experience playing professionally in Europe. If his offense develops, he could grow into an Elias Lindholm-type middle-six center to shore up Chicago's depth down the middle behind Bedard and Boisvert.

The Blackhawks drafted Czech winger Vaclav Nestrasil at No. 25. With a big body and high-level goal-scoring instincts, Nestrasil is a true power forward in the making. He needs to work on his skating, but his strong puck protection and net-front presence should make him a reliable top-nine winger for the Blackhawks in the future.

Finally, at No. 29, the Blackhawks selected Mason West. A dynamic winger with a lethal shot, West plays a modern, north-south game – making him a great fit alongside skilled centers like Bedard or Boisvert. He's still raw, but his tools (especially his shot) are NHL-caliber and can help him develop into a sniper like Brock Boeser or Victor Olofsson.

The Blackhawks haven't just spent the last two drafts collecting talent; they've assembled a modern, well-balanced team with speed, skill, size and smarts. If these six continue progressing, fans can expect a competitive and dangerous Blackhawks team by 2026–2027, and potentially a Stanley Cup contender not long after.