Blackhawks insider reveals 4 players team is considering drafting 3rd overall

It keeps sounding more and more like the Chicago Blackhawks will be keeping the third overall pick in this Friday's draft.

There was speculation that the team was trying to trade for an elite player by dangling both of their first-round picks. It appears that is no longer the case, according to CHSN's Frank Seravalli.

It makes sense to stay at three, given there is a chance to get a very good, bigger forward that the Blackhawks' prospect pool desperately needs. Also, these are not the type of prospects who project to be goons. These are highly skilled draft prospects who just happen to be over six feet tall.

According to the Athletic's Blackhawks beat writer Scott Powers, the front office has narrowed down the list of players they may take to four.

Michael Misa is the choice if he falls to three

He is considered the top forward prospect in the draft by many. The NHL's Central Scouting has him as the top North American forward.

Misa is the ideal pick here, given he has good size at 6-foot-1 and can score with the best of them. He had 134 points for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. However, it was looking like it would be the second straight draft where the San Jose Sharks get in the way of the Hawks drafting the ideal linemate for Connor Bedard.

However, there are whispers that the Sharks are warming up to the idea of drafting Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the No. 2 pick. He is another big forward who is considered to be the best international skater.

Remember, a team's draft board matters more than a draft expert's rankings. If the Sharks surprise, then it is likely Hawks' general manager Kyle Davidson rushes to the phone to call in the pick.

Frondell is likely the choice if the Sharks take Misa

Powers did indicate that if the Sharks go with Misa, then Frondell is probably who the Hawks take. Rumors are swirling that Frondell will be taken within the top three.

Injuries limited him to 29 games for Djurgårdens IF. He did manage to score 11 goals and pass out 14 assists in limited action.

He has top six talent with good size and a promising offensive game.

Caleb Desnoyers and Porter Martone will also be discussed

These are two other bigger forwards with projections to be players who can skate on the team's top two lines. Powers has them mentioned as still being possibilities. The Hawks must add size, which is why it is no surprise to see Boston College's James Hagens no longer tied to the Blackhawks.

Desnoyers might be the safer pick than Frondell if Misa is off the board. Martone has great size, but his skating ability is considered below average. Elite to average skating is something the Hawks prefer in their draft targets.