Will Kyle Davidson Target Size for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL Draft?

While Connor Bedard, Oliver Moore, and Frank Nazar share alot of similarities, such as skill, speed, and being drafted by the Blackhawks in the 1st round. They also share the moniker of being sub-six foot forwards. While these players are going to be big parts of the Blackhawks top six going into the future, it may be time for the Blackhawks to start adding some players with size.

Here is a look at some of the players that the Chicago Blackhawks could look at targeting in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on June 28th and 29th in Las Vegas.

First and foremost, for this exercise let's just look at players currently listed at 6'2 or greater. Whether that be on one of the forward lines or in a defensive pairing I will list in order as it pertains to the current projection of the Hawks' draft selections.

1st Selection (Will be from 1st to the 4th pick):

1. The Blackhawks will select Macklin Celebrini (6'0) as will any team that wins the first overall pick.

2nd, 3rd, or 4th

A. Artyom Levshunov (6'2 - 209lbs) will be the probable selection. Levshunov has size, a two way game, and a high IQ for his position already.

B. Cayden Lindstrom (6'4 - 216lbs) is going to be a player that is highly debated amongst NHL GMs in June. Lindstrom offers a rare skill set in terms size to speed ratio from a center position.

C. Sam Dickinson (6'3 - 194lbs), a player that it is rumored the Hawks' management likes will be in the conversation for many teams inside the top ten picks of the draft. A two way dependable blue liner with a high floor and almost certain placement into an NHL franchise's top four, Dickinson is unlikely to slip too far from the top five.

D. Anton Silayev (6'7 - 207lbs) - an imposing defender with not only size, but elite skating mechanics. Silayev is a wildcard at this point in the draft process as he projects as a defensive defenseman with rare skating to size ability.

To recap, if the Blackhawks decide to draft a player with true size inside the top four picks these are the players that will be considered. Next a look at some of the players that could be available with the selection acquired in the Brandon Hagel deal from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Currently, the Blackhawks have three second round picks. While that can certainly change, here is a look at a few players they could look at if deciding to go with more of a prospect with above average size.

A. Cole Beaudoin (6'2 - 201lbs) is going to be a center that could go in the early twenties all the way into the early thirties. The Hawks hold the 34th pick and if Beaudoin is still on the board would be an excellent addition.

B. Dominik Badinka (6'3 - 183lbs) is a right shot defender that should have the Blackhawks' attention as a possible great fit moving forward. The Czechia native has excellent defensive prowess and should he be available at #34 would be another prospect that would fit well into the Hawks lineup.

C. Adam Jecho (6'5 - 201lbs) a big right wing in Edmonton (WHL) should be high on alot of teams' lists in the second round. The Czech winger was just under a point per game in his first full season in North America.

D. Jesse Pulkkinen (6'6 - 216lbs) an over-ager from Finland, Pulkkinen has risen up draft boards and is now looked at as a second round selection. Playing in Liiga, Pulkkinen demonstrates good defensive technique and an intimidating presence on the ice.

There are some players that also fit this exercise from a size perspective such as Charlie Elick, Max Curran, EJ Emery, Emil Hemming, and Beckett Sennecke however we wanted to focus in on some of the prospects that may have the Chicago Blackhawks attention at the moment.

While now just two months away (Draft Lottery now set for May 7th), there will be plenty of time to debate who the Hawks should draft once the order is set. This is an early list of prospects that have at least a 6'2 frame that fans should get to know.

Which one of these players have your eye when thinking about the Blackhawks adding some size in the upcoming draft?