Blackhawks' 7th round pick Sorbrand is a player to watch

The NHL Draft is hard to predict. Trades and surprises are bound to happen, and we should expect the unexpected. Some players picked late do surprise, and that is what seventh-round pick and Chicago Blackhawks prospect William Sorbrand is setting out to do.

Why is Sorbrand one to watch?

Drafted by Chicago with pick #200 in the 2026 NHL Draft, Sorbrand was overlooked by many teams more than once. He is not an elite scorer and does not stand out as a player who will change the outlook of a franchise, but he does have the skill to be an impact player once he hits the NHL. Sorbrand immediately fills three holes for the Blackhawks. he fills a void at the center depth position. He is 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, so he fills a size void in the middle. He is also the heaviest hitter on open ice at the draft, thereby filling a gap in the depth chart for physical players.

As a big-time hitter and a relentless forechecker, he does come with speed for a player of his size. He is a player who almost averages a point per game. Combining size, offensive production, and someone who can play a physical role fits right into the Blackhawks' system. Despite his size, he is a powerful skater who uses long strides to get in on the forecheck sooner and disrupt passing lanes with his long reach. His two-way game is excellent, but he will need to perfect his decision-making with the puck under pressure. Once he gets to Chicago and gets settled on NHL ice, he is projected to be a second- or third-line center, but he does have the potential to play some top-line minutes. He can be useful on the power play due to his size in front of the net. Last season, he played for Timra IK Jr. of the Swedish J20 SuperElite league, scoring 10 goals, 18 points, and 42 penalty minutes in 28 games.

What does the future hold for Sorbrand?

Sorbrand is expected to play another season or two in Sweden before making his pro debut. The Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) wait for his arrival, which is approximately two to three years away. This is if everything goes well. He is not a project pick that Chicago or Blackhawks fans should worry about. He has an NHL body, he has offensive potential, and his 200-foot game is AHL-ready. This is a matter of how well he plays in Sweden and if he can adjust to the pro game with Rockford sooner rather than later. The Blackhawks should be patient with his development as he is a late draft pick, but he does have skills that could help them down the road. If all he turns out to be is an AHL body, then Rockford will have a player that can be a force down the middle and could be a future all-star also. Time is on his side, and developing him is something that should not be rushed. He could be an impact player regardless of where he spends most of his career.

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