Mock drafting the Chicago Blackhawks' first three rounds of this year's NHL Draft

The hope amongst fans of the Chicago Blackhawks is that this upcoming draft will be one where the team truly solidifies their future core and starts making some progress in the NHL standings going forward.

In this draft, the Blackhawks have the third overall selection along with an additional first-round pick, which is expected to be in the mid-to-late twenties. Aside from those, two picks in the second round and one in the third round give the team five selections in the top 96.

The Blackhawks biggest need is high-end skill up front to compliment their smaller forwards of the future. One area that is lacking in the system is size among the forwards, and there is plenty of players available this year who can fill that void.

Here is an ideal three-round mock that would help the Blackhawks address their needs...

First-round picks

3rd overall: Porter Martone, winger, Brampton (OHL)

With the third pick, the Blackhawks select Porter Martone from the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL. The top power-forward in the draft, Martone brings a combination of skill and size that could make him a permanent running-mate for Connor Bedard in the future.

Martone has drawn comparisons to the Tkachuk brothers as a physical forward who plays with an edge, but brings high-caliber scoring ability as well. He tallied 98 points in 57 games for Brampton this season as he was premiere scorer in the OHL.

One area that has been criticized in Martone's game is his skating, which would go against the style of player Kyle Davidson has drafted in recent years.

However, the number of gifted skaters in the Blackhawks' system gives them some flexibility to draft a player like Martone, who checks boxes elsewhere in the needs of the team going forward, with the potential of being a top-line winger.

Other first-round pick: Jack Murtagh, center, US National Development Program

The second pick of the first round for the Blackhawks has yet to be finalized due to the Toronto Maple Leafs still being in the NHL playoffs at the time of this piece being written, but let's assume this pick falls in the mid-twenties.

Murtagh brings a lot of traits that could make him a great complementary player on the Blackhawks in the future, due to his high work ethic and willingness to play in front of the net. He is a strong skater who uses it to his advantage, especially on the forecheck.

The 6-foot-one center is committed to play in the NCAA next season at Boston University after he tallied 53 points in 56 games this season. He brings a nice combination of workhorse mentality with the skill to compliment his play style. His shot is among his best traits and he has a way of getting himself into high-danger scoring areas.

Second-round choices

34th overall: Cole McKinney, forward, US National Development Program

McKinney is a strong two-way forward who brings a relentless play style that has been a reoccurring trait in most of the Blackhawks' prospects. With 61 points in 60 games this season, McKinney proved that he can be a threat at both ends of the ice with his playmaking skills and high motor.

Next season, McKinney is committed to play for Michigan in the NCAA and will likely spend a couple of seasons there before turning pro. His all-around game is one of the best in the draft class as he shows the potential of being a very versatile player at the next level who can complement skill players while having the hockey IQ to produce on his own accord as well.

58th overall: Danill Porkhorov, forward, MHK Dynamo (MHL)

Porkhorov brings that much needed size to the Blackhawks' prospect pool with a 6-foot-6 frame and weighing in at 209 pounds. He scored 20 goals and 27 points in 43 games this year in the MHL and brings great skating ability for someone his size. He brings a lot of traits that can make him a sought after prospect with his combination of intensity and size that leads to him creating scoring chances.

While Porkhorov will likely need to spend a couple of seasons overseas before making his way to North America, he will be able to develop his game at the professional level against men in Russia. Even if the scoring does not skyrocket in the future, his style of play could make him an intriguing option as a potential bottom-six forward of the future on a team lacking a player of his size.

Third-round pick

66th overall: Alex Huang, defenseman, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

Even though the Blackhawks have a plethora of young defenders in the system already, adding another with the attributes of Huang would give them even more depth at the position going forward. Huang is on the smaller side for a defenseman at only 6-feet tall and 161 pounds, but he brings smooth skating and puck-moving abilities with solid gap control and looks like a player who could be a high riser if developed properly.

Huang had 40 points in 64 QMJHL games this season, exhibiting great poise with the puck on his stick and a lot of raw talent. His fundamentals are strong for a defender his age and he could take massive steps forward if he put on more muscle. While he does not fill an immediate need for the Blackhawks', Alex Huang could be a promising depth piece going forward.