The Chicago Blackhawks history drafting 3rd overall at the NHL Draft

In the history of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise, third overall has been a familiar spot for the organization to draft.

The 2025 NHL Draft will mark the seventh time in franchise history that the Blackhawks draft third overall, assuming the team doesn't make any crazy trades ahead of the event.

Chicago most recently drafted third overall in 2019 when the team drafted Kirby Dach, brother of Blackhawks forward Colton Dach—who needs to make an impact in the Calder Cup Playoffs. For the Blackhawks, third overall has been good to the organization, as the pick has added forwards like Jonathan Toews, Eddie Olczyk and Denis Savard. So, let's look back at the Blackhawks history with the pick.

The Chicago Blackhawks history drafting 3rd overall

The Blackhawks first time drafting third overall was admittedly not their most impressive pick. In 1966 Chicago drafted forward Terry Caffery behind Barry Gibbs (Boston 1st Overall) and Hall of Famer Brad Parks (New York Rangers 2nd Overall).

Caffery would only play six games with the then Chicago Black Hawks before spending time in the minor leagues. After his time in Chicago ended he played eight more games in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars.

It would take 14 years before Chicago would next get an opportunity to draft third overall, but this next pick was a special one as the team added Denis Savard in 1980.

The Black Hawks drafted Savard after the Montreal Canadiens took Doug Wickenheiser first overall and the Winnipeg Jets took Dave Babyrch second. Of the top three, Savard is the only player to get selected into the Hockey Hall of Fame and he is one of the Blackhawks all time greats.

Just a few years later, the Blackhawks were once again drafting third overall in 1984. After the Pittsburgh Penguins took Mario Lemieux first overall and the New Jersey Devils took Kirk Muller second overall the Hawks added local star Eddie Olcyzk third overall.

Olcyzk played for the Blackhawks for three seasons before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After stints with a number of franchises, Olcyzk ended his career back in Chicago retiring after the 1999-2000 season.

The Blackhawks next selection third overall came in 2004 when the team added defenseman Cam Barker after the Washington Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh took Evgeni Malkin.

Barker was the first defenseman the Blackhawks took with the third overall pick and over the course of five seasons played in 200 games with the Hawks before being traded to the Minnesota Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.

Chicago's next selection third overall would alter their franchise forever.

In 2006, the Blackhawks took Jonathan Toews third overall behind Erik Johnson (St. Louis) and Jordan Staal (Pittsburgh). Toews is someone who needs no introduction to Blackhawks fans. Over the course of 1,067 NHL games, Toews registered 372 goals and 883 points, winning three Stanley Cups a Selke Trophy, the Conn Smythe and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Toews and former Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane formed one of the best duos of the NHL salary cap era, and now Chicago has the opportunity to add Connor Bedard's partner this summer.

As previously mentioned, the Blackhawks next time drafting third overall would come in 2019 when Chicago drafted Kirby Dach after Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko were selected by the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers respectively.

Dach spent three seasons with the Blackhawks never really finding his footing. His bext season came in 2021-22 when he registered nine goals and 26 points in 70 games. At the 2022 NHL Draft, the Hawks traded Dach to the Montreal Canadiens for the 13th overall pick and a third rounder, which Chicago would use to draft Frank Nazar and Gavin Hayes.

The Blackhawks have had some success drafting third overall in the past, and now it is up to Kyle Davidson and the rest of the team's management to find the best player who can help the team win in the long run.