Which defensive prospect is the best fit for the Blackhawks?

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to select multiple defensemen at this week’s NHL Entry Draft. Their prospect pool used to be deep at the position, but with Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, Sam Rinzel, and Louis Crevier all full-time NHL players now, they need more blueliners in the pipeline. Outside of Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro, there aren’t any potential NHLers in the system.

General manager Kyle Davidson will likely use some of his later-round picks to stock up on defenders, but he could have a chance to bring in a top prospect with the fourth overall pick. There is a good chance that the three top forwards, Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Caleb Malhotra, are all off the board when they are on the clock. Davidson could have his pick of any defenseman he wants, but which of the top four prospects is the best fit for the Blackhawks?

Alberts Šmits

Alberts Šmits is a bit of a long shot to take fourth overall. He has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but taking him at this spot might be a reach, especially considering who you’d be passing up on. The 6’3, Latvian blueliner is very mobile and physical. He is aggressive in joining the rush and plays on the left side, where the Blackhawks have more of a need.

Šmits put up six goals and 13 points in 38 games playing in Finland’s top professional league as a teenager. He impressed with a goal and five points in five tournament games at the World Junior Championship. He is one of the strongest defensemen in the draft class, and has some scouts comparing him to Erik Johnson. Šmits has the potential to be a top-pairing blueliner in the NHL, but there are better options at the pick.

Keaton Verhoeff

Keaton Verhoeff was considered in the running to be the number one overall pick heading into the season. The goaltender-turned-defenseman had a breakout 2024-25 season for the Victoria Royals in the WHL, with 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games. He showed off his offensive instincts, heavy shot, and physicality. However, he dropped in the rankings after a slow start at the University of North Dakota. However, the jump from the CHL to the NCAA is not easy. Even McKenna struggled when he first arrived at Penn State before finding his stride in the second half of the season.

At just under 6’4, the right-handed defender has the size and skill to develop into a top-pair NHL defenseman. The biggest knocks on his game are his skating and puck management, which could be said of most 18-year-olds. Those are both things that can be improved with coaching and experience. While his offensive potential turns heads, Verhoeff is very good in his own zone, as well. He uses his big frame to clear the crease and win puck battles, something that would be welcomed on the Blackhawks’ back end. He provides plenty of aspects that are needed in Chicago, but he isn’t quite the best choice at No. 4.

Carson Carels

For my money, Carson Carels is the best fit for the Blackhawks if they are taking a defenseman at four. He is the best two-defender in this draft class, and possesses a lot of the tools needed to be a number one defenseman in the NHL. Being left-handed doesn’t hurt his cause with the Blackhawks either. He has the offensive skills, but what really makes him the best fit in Chicago is the physical edge he plays with. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot of that in their current group of defenders, so Carels would be a welcome addition.

If watching that highlight package doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what to tell you. Of all the defensive prospects, Carels has the most rounded game. He scored 20 goals and 73 points in 58 WHL games for the Prince George Cougars. He averaged a league-high 27:32 per game, playing big minutes in all three facets of the game. Making Canada’s World Junior team as a 17-year-old shows how good he is. His skating is among the best of this year’s blueliners, and he uses it to excel in the defensive zone. Drafting Carels fourth overall would be a home run for the Blackhawks.

Chase Reid

While I think Carels is the best fit for what the Blackhawks need, Chase Ried is the best prospect in the draft. Nearly every draft expert has Reid as the first defenseman off the board, possibly as early as No. 2 to the San Jose Sharks. He is a dynamic skater with high-end skill when he has the puck. His game without the puck improved over the season with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, which has him ahead of all other blueliners.

While the Blackhawks have a greater need on the left side, that shouldn’t stop them from taking Reid. He is the elite right-handed blueliner that NHL franchises covet and build championship teams around. His game is very similar to Zach Werenski, and who wouldn’t want to add that to their organization? He has elite mobility and hockey sense, and is just as good at shooting the puck as he is at setting up his teammates. While he isn’t as physical as Carels, he doesn’t shy away from it. If Reid is available at No. 4, Davidson may regret not taking him.

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