As the 2022 NHL Draft winds down in Montreal, it’s time to slow things down and take a look at the acquisitions the Blackhawks made in their top selection spots.
Check out what some experts around the league had to say about the prospects coming into Chicago’s system.
Video: Korczynski about the chosen number 7
Kevin Korczynski (D) – 1st Rd., 7th Ovr
“Korczynski stands out when you look at him. He always has the puck on his stick as a mobile defenseman with great hands and offensive instincts. When you combine that with a 6-foot-2 frame, the tools are easy to see, and it’s easy to envision a scenario where he becomes a quality top-four defenseman in the NHL, even if he’s never been an all-world defenseman.” – Corey Pronman, Athletic
“Great skating ability that allows him to get back to pucks quickly, initiate the rush and walk the blue line of the offensive zone…Significant asset. It brings size, movement, thought and detail.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet.ca
“The first big man on the draft board…He has a lot of offense, as evidenced by his 65-point season in 67 games. The Blackhawks are in shambles. Korczynski could be an important figure in building backup positions.” – Greg Wyszynski, ESPN
“Most prospects use the middle lane sparingly. Korczynski attacked her at every touch with unwavering confidence. After catching the first forechecker chasing, he skated directly to the next one. Sometimes he fakes them with handling skills and decks around them. Others, he goes under their stick for a long-range breakthrough. If neither is an option, he encourages the forechecker to reach, then retreats from them before moving the play inside. Either way, the bottom line is the same: He’s beaten two players, which means he has an open teammate on the ice.” – EliteProspects.com
Video: Nazar to draft No. 13 overall
Frank Nazar (F) – 1st Rd., 13th Ovr.
“He’s a menacing post player because of his wrist, which he pulls off his stick with power and precision thanks in large part to the balance he shows through his weight shift (he’s not a particularly strong kid). He has quick hands that help him nimbly adapt to traffic to deflect shots under pressure…He flashes creativity throughout his game. He throws pucks into space as well as anyone in the draft, regularly executing through tight ends coverage gaps. And he’s just a hungry, driven player who consistently drives to the mid lane with his biggest asset: his skating. Nazar is one of the fastest players in the draft.” – Scott Wheeler, Athletic
“Nazar is out of the National Team Development Program and is one of the most dynamic, speedy centers in this class. He has a mean offense and is a great transition player.” – Chris Peters, dailyfaceoff.com
“Nazar can develop into an impressive top 6 skater for the Blackhawks as he continues to add strength and refine skills to his repertoire.” He’s similar in ways to the player Chicago traded earlier in the day, Alex DeBrincat.” – Kristen Shilton, ESPN
Video: Rinzel for No. 25 overall pick
Sam Rinzel (D) – 1st Rd., 25th Ovr.
“A projectable upper arm release, combined with synchronized weight transfer and a tremendous amount of pressure, Rinzel has all the mechanics to be a blue line shooting force. Combine that with a changing angle of resistance inside, high layups, and a propensity to eat up available space while forcing open range activations, the dominance that permeated his game created considerable intrigue on the Elite Prospects scouting team.” – EliteProspects. com
“Rinzel is a long-term project, but he’s exciting because he’s just shy of 6-foot-4 and can skate. His offensive prowess shows potential, but he will need to round out his game and get stronger.” – Chris Peters, dailyfaceoff.com
“Rinzel’s appeal is all about potential, because it feels like he’s just scratching the surface. He’s a long right tackle who thrives in transition, is relatively inexperienced… has room to fill out his frame, has already made quick catches – is ahead of his peers on a steep progression and has time (thanks to his birthday at the end of June) to do more than that. He’s a smooth skater with an active stick and an eager approach to the game on offense and defense that keeps him involved in all three zones.” – Scott Wheeler, Athletic
Video: An inside look at the first round in Montreal
Paul Ludwinski (F) – 2nd Rd., 39th Ovr.
“He’s just a ball of energy that doesn’t stop. There are a lot of things about his game that are really appealing. I think the biggest part is his competition and his willingness to just keep working. He just walks. And there are parts of his game that need to be polished, but for his first year coming in, he’s been very impressive. He’s a 17-year-old that we send to the scoreboard whether it’s late in the game, whether we need a goal, whether it’s the power play or whether we need a draw and we need him to be responsible defensively. We are excited to see it grow. And I know there’s a lot of buzz around his name. For me, I think he will be a special player. He just brings a lot of energy.” – Assistant fronts coach Chris Longo, via Scott Wheeler, Athletic
Ryan Green (F) – 2nd Rd., 57th Ovr.
“He has a pro frame, a lean frame to execute, a smooth (though not explosive) skating step and a well-rounded, always-in-the-mix game that has made him an all-situation player in the USHL. The strength of his game offensively is based on his ability to handle the interior and then use the crowd to make soft little plays on his teammates, or to draft to the perimeter and pass pucks into space. He was also a of the USHL’s most experienced players on the power play, with 28 of his 51 points coming on the man advantage. I’d like to see him look to attack his own look a little more (he actually has a very accurate wrist), but that’s going to come with some muscle.” – Scott Wheeler Athletic
Gavin Hayes (F) – 3rd Rd., 66th Ovr.
“He’s a versatile player who plays on both special teams in Flint, has east-west and north-south attributes and can play on or off the puck on his line. With this he is capable of taking on defenders one on one and I have seen him play with high skill with his feet, under the sticks and around defenders…He can play either wing which should help him find a role as a complementary winger , if all goes well.” – Scott Wheeler, Athletic
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