Blackhawks steal two prospects in round two, future cornerstones?

The Chicago Blackhawks did not have the most picks in the 2026 NHL draft this past weekend. However, they made their picks count and maybe had the most impactful draft with their first two picks. They made two significant picks in the second round, which may have made their draft this year.

Who did the Blackhawks pick in round two?

After the Blackhawks traded their first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres in a massive deal, they had their first pick at the draft in the second round at number 34. They chose defenseman Xavier Villeneuve from the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Over three seasons, he posted 26 goals and 117 assists for 143 points in 152 games. Villeneuve finished 18th in the final Central Scouring rankings. He is an elite skater and a puck-moving defenseman who can quarterback a power play. He has excellent edgework and can be a top-pairing defenseman early in his career. He is compared to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. Villeneuve has committed to Boston University for the 2026-2027 season.

Before the draft began, Chicago made a deal acquiring the 35th pick in the draft from the New York Rangers, and they chose left-winger Ryan Roobroeck, who finished 28th in the final Central Scouting list. Roobroeck spent the last three seasons with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and posted 99 goals and 97 assists for 196 points in 176 games. An above-average skater, he has a big body at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, playing a power forward position. He has a nice scoring touch, combining a quick release and a heavy shot. He can get a shot off in tight spaces and could be on a line with Blackhawks star Connor Bedard when he reaches the NHL. He has improved his puck-handling skills; however, some feel he may have slipped to the second round because of his lack of defensive play. He will play with the Guelph Storm of the OHL in 2026-2027.

What do these picks mean for the future?

Having two players like Villeneuve and Roobroeck means the Blackhawks have two pieces for the future that can be game breakers. Villeneuve is the only defenseman in Chicago's system who has the kind of offensive skill set he does. He will be the centerpiece of the back end when he arrives in Chicago. His overall play should elevate the team to more points and more playoff appearances in the near future. Roobroeck has 30-goal potential in the NHL if he can play in the top six. With Bedard's quick passing, he would be the ideal linemate for the young center. Sliding into the second round helped, but the Blackhawks made up for no first-round pick by drafting these two gems. Help is on the way, and these two should make quite the impact upon arrival. This could go down as one of the better overall drafts for Chicago, regardless of the number of picks they had.

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