Chicago Blackhawks Draft: 2025 Top 10 Mock Draft Mid-Season Edition

#7. Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund (Left Wing, HockeyAllsvenskan)

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Pittsburgh Penguins will select in the top-ten. With their pick, they select skillful winger Victor Eklund.

Brother of San Jose Sharks' forward William Eklund, Victor brings a fast-paced game with high-level playmaking abilities. With 21points in 33 games this season, Eklund is developing his game as an all-around player.

The Penguins add a Swiss-army-knife style player to their prospect pool who can be reliable at both ends of the ice and be a nice compliment to some of their aging forwards.

#8. St. Louis Blues: Jackson Smith (Defense, WHL)

In recent years, the St. Louis Blues have begun building the blue line of the future step by step. This year, they add to that group with Jackson Smith, a mobile defender whose bread-and-butter is his offensive capabilities.

At 6-foot-3 inches and 190 pounds, Smith's combination of size and skating ability have allowed him to play to his strengths in the WHL this season. His 40 points in 52 games is a glimpse at the type of offense he can provide a team at the next level.

While defense and decision making are a work-in-progress, Smith's high-end skating ability is a trait that makes him so intriguing as a prospect. With the tools and offensive ability already there, the Blues take a chance on a defender who could have sky-high potential if he can round out his game.

#9. Montreal Canadiens: Malcom Spence (Left Wing, OHL)

The Montreal Canadiens have taken a step forward this year in their rebuild after three consecutive seasons with top-five picks. As a future complementary piece to their forward group, they select Malcom Spence ninth overall.

Spence is a player who can do it all on the ice and has done so at every level he's played at. His determined two-way game has made him standout at both ends of the ice while also bringing a physical edge.

With 52 points in 48 games for the Erie Otters, Spence has the scoring ability to play in a top-six role as a responsible two-way threat. Adding a player like Spence to the prospect pool will give fans a glimpse of their future forward core as is begins to take shape.

#10. Anaheim Ducks: Logan Hensler (Defense, NCAA)

To finish out the top-ten, the Anaheim Ducks select their future top-four defender in Logan Hensler.

During last year's draft, there were rumors of the Ducks being interested in Artyom Levshunov if he was available at third overall. This time around, they get the right-shot defender they were looking for, even if the ceiling isn't as high.

Hensler is a reliable and smart defenseman who projects to be a very solid player at the professional level. He is a strong skater with NHL size (6-foot-2 inches and 196 pounds) who may not provide a ton of offense with 11 points in 25 games for the University of Wisconsin, but is a steady presence for any team on the back-end.