Carter Yakemchuk Draft Profile: Is he a Future Chicago Blackhawk?

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The Future Blackhawk series rolls on today with a detailed look at the 6'3 194lb right shot defender out of Alberta. Currently playing for the Calgary Hitman in the WHL, Yakemchuk has risen his draft eligible season profile by leaps (pun intended) and bounds over the past few months.

Always a talented offensive defenseman, Carter Yakemchuk currently has quite the large range in terms of his draft projections. With a span from a high end of being drafted inside the top 10 all the way into the mid 20s, it's more likely than not that his ultimate draft position will be towards the high end. There are many reasons for believing this will be the case.

Let's take a look at why that he could possibly be drafted inside the top 10 of the 2024 draft.

1. Carter Yakemchuk plays one of the premiere positions in terms of NHL need (RD).

2. He has a projectable plus-sized frame in terms of NHL size for his position (6-3, 194 at 18 years old)

3. Despite being a defender, he scores a lot of goals for Calgary (45 goals in last 123 games).

Those are just 3 highlighted points that could make Yakemchuk a high pick in the upcoming entry draft (June 28th at the Sphere in Las Vegas). Also, due to his size, he sports excellent range and reach with the ability to discern the play as it unfolds. This type of skill trait from an 18 year old (older for the class as a September 2005 born player) that also has tremendous size is rare.

Calgary Hitmen v Winnipeg Ice / Jonathan Kozub/GettyImages

What are some of the facets to his game as it currently stands?

When you see that many goals from a defenseman in the WHL you typically would imagine he has a great "point" shot on the power play. Yakemchuk definitely has that in his arsenal, however he has also shown the capacity to hit the back of the net in a multitude of ways such as on the rush, net front pressure goal (dirty goal one would say), or even on a cleverly placed wrister from the right side.

A recent player of the week in the WHL, look at the video below as a small indicator of his overall talent and you'll quickly realize that he is likely going inside the top 8-12 picks of this draft. The goal on a spin-o-rama in traffic to a backhand high stick side is hands down one of the best highlights you'll see from ANY draft eligible this year.

In a draft year where most of the talented forwards have legitimate concerns surrounding their overall projection, it will likely be the top 6 rated defenders that will all go inside the top 12 picks. It is easily the strength of the 2024 class.

Would he fit in as a Chicago Blackhawk?

Carter Yakemchuk as a Chicago Blackhawk is an absolute dream scenario. He plays the right side, has prodigious size, produces in a top tier junior league, and is closer to being an NHLer than most in this class. As eluded to on the prior page, being a September birthday, Yakemchuk's development both physically and mentally is ahead of a lot of other right shot defenseman available (Levshunov withstanding).

2024 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game / Dale Preston/GettyImages

His offensive prowess shows a modern NHL skill trait that should translate quickly. He attacks well, closes his gaps effectively, and has a good mobile stride to pair with his excellent hands. While there have been some concerns over his tendencies to not engage in physical play that will likely come with an NHL regimented staff training him all year.

The Blackhawks biggest deterrent to acquire Carter Yakemchuk though is that he is almost assuredly going to be drafted in-between their 2 first rounds selections. Right now that would be a top 3 pick as well pick #21 (via Tampa Bay). Carter Yakemchuk is most likely going between picks 8-12. That would mean either a trade down (which is very rare) or a trade up from 21 (being the more likely option).

Would Kyle Davidson be willing to part with say a 2nd and a 3rd to move up from 21 to pick 11 for Yakemchuk? That likely depends on if they select say Ivan Demidov, Macklin Celebrini, Berkly Catton, or Cayden Lindstrom at the top of the draft and now are looking for that right shot defender.

So while it "could" happen where Carter Yakemchuk ends up a Chicago Blackhawk... Ultimately it's improbable unless the young Chicago GM wants to part with some hard earned draft capital.

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