How have the Blackhawks fared drafting 25th overall in franchise history?

The Chicago Blackhawks will make their first selection of the 2025 NHL Draft relatively early on draft day.

The New York Islanders will make the first pick, followed by the San Jose Sharks at second overall. Then, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will take to the stage for the Blackhawks to make their first of two projected picks in the first round.

The Blackhawks have fared relatively well with the third overall pick, landing a guy like Jonathan Toews for example, but the Blackhawks history with the 25th overall pick is a little less illustrious.

The players selected 25th overall by the Blackhawks in franchise history.

The Blackhawks have drafted 25th overall just three times in franchise history, however this is already Kyle Davidson's second time making a pick in that spot with the team.

Chicago landed the 25th overall pick from a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In February 2023, the Blackhawks sent Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Joey Anderson, Pavel Gogolev and a 2025 1st and 2026 2nd round pick. Chicago also sent a 2024 5th and a 2025 5th round pick to Toronto.

With the Maple Leafs second round exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers, the Blackhawks will now draft 25th overall courtesy of Toronto's pick.

The Blackhawks first pick at 25th overall came in 1975 when the Hawks drafted winger Daniel Arndt. Arndt never made his way to the NHL playing primarily in the WHA and AHL.

Chicago would get another opportunity to draft 25th overall just a few years later when the team drafted Kevin Griffin 25th overall in 1981. Like Arndt, Griffin never made his way to the NHL.

The Blackhawks most recent 25th overall pick does give fans some hope entering the NHL Draft. Chicago landed Sam Rinzel 25th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Rinzel, who turned pro late last season, registered five assists in nine games this past season.

The Blackhawks defenseman has the size and skill to be an elite defenseman in the NHL and should be a fun player to watch for years to come. If Davidson can find another gem late in the draft like he did with Rinzel the Hawks will be better off for it.