The Chicago Blackhawks did a great job at the World Junior Championships. Four of their prospects are coming home with a Gold Medal as Colton Dach, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan del Mastro, and Nolan Allan all won one with Team Canada.
Dach left the tournament after four games due to injury but he collected two assists in those games. It was tough to see him leave with injury but that happens sometimes.
The other three are defensemen who did their job on the blue line. In addition to some good defending, Allan also had two assists, del Mastro had three assists, and Korchinski had a goal and two assists for three points. It was a great showing all around.
Of course, it was good to see Chicago’s prospects do well but it was also good to check out some of the prospects that are going to be high draft picks in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot to consider at the 2023 NHL Draft.
A lot was made about Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli who are going to be the first and second overall picks. However, both of those spots are determined by lottery. What if the Hawks come in last place in the NHL but don’t win a lottery spot?
That will give them the third overall pick by default. It wouldn’t be ideal for their rebuild but they would still be getting a very good prospect with that selection. Someone to consider is Leo Carlsson who just finished this tournament with Team Sweden.
Sweden lost to Team Czech in the semi-finals to just miss out on a trip to the Gold Medal Game. Following that, they were defeated in overtime by Team USA in the Bronze Medal Game. A bounce here and there was the difference between no medal and a chance at gold.
Carlsson was magnificent. He scored two clutch goals in the quarterfinals against Finland. Each of them tied the game. The funny part is that the eventual 3-2 game-winner was scored by Blackhawks prospect Victor Stjernborg.
In the aforementioned Bronze game against Team USA, Carlsson had a goal and an assist. That brought his tournament total up to 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points in the seven games played. He still has a lot of developing to do but his game is incredible.
With all of this raw talent that he possesses, he is going to be drafted in the top five and could very well go third. For Blackhawks fans, he is certainly someone to keep an eye on.