Blackhawks best draft options with the 4th pick

The 2026 NHL draft lottery did not go the way Blackhawks fans would have wanted, as Chicago dropped to 4th overall in the selection process. The dream of Gavin McKenna playing with Connor Bedard is all but confirmed to be over, assuming he goes number one to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nevertheless, a top four pick is still a valuable asset for this team. In a deep draft class, there are a plethora of options that will be available for Kyle Davidson to choose from. Here's a look at who some of those top players could be.

Ivar Stenberg

Yes, this one is likely a pipe dream. Ivar Stenberg is considered by most scouts to be the second-best player in this draft class. In fact, at one point in the season, he was taking the fight to McKenna for first overall status.

However, there is a possible path that could see Stenberg fall in the Blackhawks' lap at four. Multiple draft analysts have him going to Chicago in mock drafts, including TSN's Craig Button.

The logic is that San Jose would consider taking a defenseman given their weakness in the position. Then Vancouver could scoop up Caleb Malhotra at three, given their need for strength at center.

Given Stenberg is a winger, it is not uncommon for those players to drop further than projected on draft day. For example, look back at 2024 when Ivan Demidov dropped to five for Montreal. Could history repeat itself for Chicago?

Davidson would be sprinting to the podium if Stenberg were there for the taking. He would be that top supporting piece this team needs to complement the centers of Bedard, Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar. Stenberg even has prior experience playing with Frondell, having won gold with him in this year's World Juniors. It is an unlikely scenario, but stranger things have happened in the draft.

Caleb Malhotra

Like Stenberg, there is a good chance Malhotra will not be on the board at four. His draft stock has risen considerably following his playoff run with the Brantford Bulldogs, in which he amassed 13 goals and 13 assists in 15 games.

Brantford Bulldogs, you say? That team should be familiar to Blackhawks fans. Three players within the organization have ties to the junior franchise: Nick Lardis, Marek Vanacker, and Parker Holmes. Davidson has seen plenty of Malhotra tape, given the pipeline he has developed from that group.

Malhotra would be the next-best forward after the top two of McKenna and Stenberg. However, he is a center, so if the Blackhawks were to select him, that would create a conundrum given the team's logjam at the position. In this scenario, Malhotra likely takes over as the 2C of the future while Frondell moves up to Bedard's wing.

It seems improbable Malhotra will be available for Chicago given his status as the top center in this draft class. It is hard to imagine three teams passing on him. But the odds would appear to be higher than Stenberg falling.

Chase Reid

Most likely, the Blackhawks will have to decide who the best defenseman in this draft class is if those top three forwards are off the board. Chase Reid has a strong case for that position.

Reid impressed in the 2026 World Juniors for Team USA. He was one of the squad's best players on an unusually weak American team, recording two goals and two assists in five games.

Reid has that ability to drive play from the backend. He could be the Blackhawks' power-play quarterback of the future with his dynamic skating ability and offensive instincts.

There are other promising defensemen who could make their case as well. Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, Alberts Smits, and Daxon Rudolph are some other names to keep an eye on in this slot.

Trade the Pick

There is the question of whether the Blackhawks would draft a defenseman if the opportunity presents itself, given the youthfulness of their backend. With a U24 d-core that already includes the likes of Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Arty Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, Louis Crevier, Kevin Korchinski, and Ethan Del Mastro, does it make sense for Chicago to add another project dman to the arsenal that will take years to develop?

If Chicago were to take Reid or another defenseman, someone would have to be the odd man out. If it's a right shot, one of Arty or Rinzel likely has to go. And if it's a left shot, Korchinski is surely moved.

The Blackhawks have not truly made the postseason since 2017 (not counting the 2020 COVID bubble run). Chicago has already made 11 first-round picks in the last four years. Is this not the summer for Davidson to ramp up the aggression meter? With the McKenna/Stenberg timeline likely dead, does Kyle consider moving this pick to acquire a star player to support Bedard up front?

Davidson will have plenty of ammo at his disposal this offseason with this top draft pick, an estimated $40 million in cap space, and an overflowing prospect pool. It will be interesting to see how he uses it.

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