When a team is going through a rebuilding phase, drafting is very important. It's likely that the team will acquire draft picks for players and have more than seven opportunities to draft each year. That's what the Chicago Blackhawks have before them in 2024. With seven selections in the first three rounds of this year's draft and nine overall, Chicago is in a great spot. While it is important to continue drafting well, the team has already stocked the cupboards very nicely in 2020 and 2021. Those drafts didn't look like they were going to be anything special having only eight selections in each with an extra fourth-round pick in 2020 and a second third-round pick in 2021. Out of the 16 total picks, 11 of them fall into the categories of top prospects, young players just breaking into the NHL, and other talented players just missing the cut who have a chance of making the NHL. That successful pick rate is stellar if everything goes according to plan, so let's check them out. BLACKHAWKS TOP PROSPECTS Wyatt Kaiser Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser is the highest-ranked prospect in this group, rated on THN's Future Watch at No. 3. This 2020 third-round pick played 32 games for the Blackhawks this season and 41 overall in his career going back to last season. Kaiser is a great skater and has some offensive skills. While he could fit into the Blackhawks just breaking in group as well, it has to be noted that he is a highly touted prospect in the organization and should be a great piece for the team moving forward. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says team will take best player available on board in 2024 NHL Draft because Chicago has depth among defenseman and forward prospects. Colton Dach Colton Dach has yet to make his NHL debut, but he should do so as soon as next season. The 6-foot-4 power forward probably would've gotten a call-up late in the season had he not been injured. He's the next highest ranked top prospect the Blackhawks have and could turn into a solid middle-six player. Ilya Safonov Ilya Safonov is still putting up points and playing well in the KHL at a young age, which is impressive. The 6-foot-3 center should still have some more time to develop further overseas before coming in and making an impact. As a sixth-round pick in 2021, he looks like a complete steal late in the draft as he's put up 32 goals and 57 points over the last two seasons in 131 games. Nolan Allan WHL product Nolan Allan is the Blackhawks' 2021 first-round pick that went at the final pick in that round. He isn't necessarily in a logjam yet as he could develop some more in the AHL, but the stay-at-home defender with a strong skating ability is nearing an NHL debut for sure. Formerly Kevin Korchinski's junior defense partner in Seattle, Allan was one of the final cuts from training camp and had a solid year in the AHL. His partner at Rockford, Ethan Del Mastro, got a two-game call-up at the end of the season, so Allan may get his shot next season. He's still only 21 years old and there's no rush. Ethan Del Mastro Del Mastro was called up to the Blackhawks in April 2023 as a well-deserved reward for his play as an AHL All-Star. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft and it was only his rookie season in the AHL and first year pro. Del Mastro produced 37 points and his quick rise is noteworthy. He is another shutdown defenseman who can do it all and could stay in Chicago out of training camp next fall. Kyle Davidson speaks on the opportunity Ethan Del Mastro has in front of him ahead of next season and his chances at making the Blackhawks out of training camp. Drew Commesso Drew Commesso is the Blackhawks' next-in-line goalie behind Petr Mrazek and Arvid Söderblom. As Söderblom has struggled the past two seasons, Commesso could soon see some time in the NHL. The former Boston University goalie has yet to make his NHL debut, but the second-round pick is well on his way to earning that privilege. Commesso was the "1A" goalie for the Rockford IceHogs this season and started three games in the playoffs. There's no rush to get him into the NHL either, but he projects to be a solid piece in net. YOUNG BLACKHAWKS JUST BREAKING INTO NHL Lukas Reichel Lukas Reichel has a disappointing season in the NHL in 2023-24 and was expected to hold a higher role in the lineup at center behind Connor Bedard. He was sent down to the AHL for a month in mid-February and again for the playoffs and did well, gaining confidence and getting ice time. Reichel is now skating for Germany in the IIHF World Championship. He scored five goals and 16 points in 65 games to go along with a -29, but Reichel has less than 100 games of NHL experience and just turned 22 years old. He is is quick and skilled, and we should start to see him solidify his spot higher in the lineup starting next season if he comes through with greater focus and consistency. Landon Slaggert Forward Landon Slaggert got an encouraging first taste of the NHL at the end of this season after four years of NCAA play with Notre Dame. It wasn't looking great for the Blackhawks' third round pick of 2020 when he posted 13 points in 35 games with the Irish in 2022-23, but Slaggert bounced back in a huge way with 20 goals and 31 points in 36 games as a senior in 2023-24 and earned a contract and playing time after Notre Dame's season ended. He should continue to fit nicely in the bottom-six for Chicago and will look to add to his one goal and four points in 16 games in the NHL. Isaak Phillips Isaak Phillips is one of the many young defensemen who got an opportunity to play for the Blackhawks this season. He's spent time in both the AHL and NHL the past three seasons, but got into 33 games for Chicago this time around. He's better on the defensive side of the puck, but Phillips is also going to be eligible for waivers next season. The Blackhawks may have to give him even more of a chance or risk losing him next season. Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson speaks on the increased role given to his young players and how they've handled it well. Louis Crevier Louis Crevier, the seventh-round pick in 2020, has very quickly worked his way into a potential full-time NHL role. The 6-foot-8 D-man just turned 23, but played less than two years pro before getting his chance for the Blackhawks and got into 24 games last season. Like Phillips, he's defense-first and will have a challenge making the Blackhawks next season out of camp. But Phillips isn't waiver eligible yet, so Chicago can take a little more time with him. BLACKHAWKS WITH A CHANCE Victor Stjernborg Victor Stjernborg is a prospect playing overseas to keep note of. This Blackhawks' fourth-round pick in 2021 has already played two seasons in the SHL and produced six goals and 18 points in 46 games. For a 20-year-old, that is impressive. He is improving and a controlled player on the ice. He likely won't make the jump right to the NHL when he comes over, but could be a good piece to have at their disposal soon. If the Blackhawks can keep drafting like this, the team should keep improving and have stabilizing depth and options. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Connor Bedard Off Scoresheet For First Time At IIHF World Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/connor-bedard-off-scoresheet-for-first-time-at-iihf-world-championship] Chicago Blackhawks Face New Suit That Alleges Fraud, Breach Of Contract And Sexual Harassment. 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