Chicago has four second-rounders entering the 2023 NHL draft. These players — Bradly Nadeau, Jakub Dvorak, Kasper Halttunen and Aram Minnetian — would become longer-term "works in progress."
Chicago's Projected Second Round 2023 Picks in THN's Mock Draft
Rounds 2-7 of the 2023 NHL Draft will be held on Thursday, June 29 in Nashville. These are mock draft projections by The Hockey News staff and covered in detail in the 2023 THN Draft Preview. Subscribe or at least get a one-time free copy at https://thehockeynews.com.
Remember, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson could package and deal these picks at any time up until the draft selection is called on the floor of the Bridgestone Arena. Stay tuned...
Pick No. 35. Bradly Nadeau. Left wing/right wing. 5-foot-10, 160 pounds. 2022-23 Team: Penticton, BCHL (Tier II, Junior A): 45 goals, 68 assists in 54 games.
Nadeau came on strong last season and is noted for a powerful shot and shooting mechanics that allow him to rip the puck on the fly. He has committed to play NCAA hockey with the University of Maine next season.
Pick No 44. Jakub Dvorak. Defense. 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. 2022-23 Team: Liberec, CZE: No goals, two assists in 24 games.
Dvorak was injured much last season as he moved up to play with older, stronger men in Czechia's top league. Scouts say Dvorak is an exceptional skater for his size and could fill out to become a solid NHL D-Man. He needs time.
Pick No. 51. Kasper Halttunen. Right wing. 6-foot-3, 207 pounds. 2022-23 Teams: Finland U-18: Six goals, four assists in five games. HIFK (Finland): No goals, one assist in 27 games.
Halttunen doesn't always use his size to full advantage, scouts say. He does have a great shot and starred as a captain of Finland's U-18 junior team last winter.
However, Halttunen made little impact in Finland's top pro league at age 17.
Pick No. 55. Aram Minnetian. Defense. 5-foot-11, 192 pounds. 2022-23 Teams: USA Under-18 Development Team: Seven goals, 24 assists in 62 games. USA World Juniors: One goal, three assists in seven games.
Minnetian, from Woodcliff Lake, N.J., is a fluid-skating defenseman with good instincts on the rush and likes to jump into the attack. He needs to work on defending and physical play as a freshman next season at Boston College.