What position should the Chicago Blackhawks address with the 18th overall pick in the NHL Draft?

Take Demidov at 2 then select a defenseman at 18...

Ivan Demidov could be the piece the Blackhawks are looking for with their second pick. The Russian winger would give them the chance to draft a potential game breaking forward to be the one-two-punch with Connor Bedard for the next decade.

His shiftiness and playmaking ability give him arguably the highest ceiling in the draft, and it's likely the Blackhawks won't get the opportunity to draft a player of his caliber again in the coming seasons.

Away from the puck, Demidov needs some rounding out. But, he shows the willingness to compete at both ends of the ice and always keeps his feet moving. He has the potential to be a lethal offensive weapon with an above average defensive game as well.

With Demidov likely coming to North America at the end of his KHL season, many believe he'll be able to step in right away as a contributor in the NHL. His draft season saw him dominate in the MHL, but his sights are set on being a mainstay in the KHL all of next season.

This will lead the Blackhawks to take a defenseman at 18, and our pick will see a jump of seven spots from Pronnman's mock draft.

With the 18th overall pick, the Chicago Blackhawks select from the U.S. National U18 Team, EJ Emery.

EJ Emery, no relation to the late great Ray Emery, would be the perfect defenseman the Blackhawks are looking for at 18, initially slotted 25th overall on Pronnman's mock draft.

The 6-foot-3 inch defender shows some of the most sound defensive games in the draft, making him another possible high-rise from his initial draft ranking. He skates really well and uses that ability when defending off the rush and in his own zone.

His season at the U.S. National U18 Team saw him tally 16 points in 61 games, though his trademark skills are his skating and defense rather than his offense.

Emery's game could be reminiscent of Alex Vlasic, a big defender with strong skating who is full of raw potential. As a mobile defender with shutdown capabilities, he could be a minute-logging blueliner on Chicago's right side for years to come.

Next season, Emery is committed to play at North Dakota in the NCAA and will likely spend a couple of seasons there. But, if the Blackhawks take a chance on him at 18, he could be an important fixture on their future defense core.