Intrigue, Questions, Hope Surround Blackhawks 2020 NHL Draft Class ...Middle East

As we continue to focus on the Blackhawks’ rebuild, it’s important to recognize that there were some pieces in the cupboard before the organ-I-zation changed general managers. And one of the draft classes that’s stacking up to be one of the more intriguing in the immediate future took place at one of the most awkward times in the history of the NHL.

Because of the COVID pandemic, the 2020 NHL Draft didn’t take place in its usual late-June time slot. It was pushed back to October 6-7, and that class saw immediate impact because of the CHL shutdown and college programs being away from the ice; the development timeline for many players from the 2020 draft hasn’t been as clean as many fans would like.

For the Blackhawks, that class has been truly impressive early in the trajectory of the individual players. Here’s the Blackhawks’ 2020 draft class:

1 – 17. Lukas Reichel2 – 46. Drew Commesso3 – 79. Landon Slaggert3 – 81. Wyatt Kaiser 4 – 110. Michael Krutil5 – 141. Isaak Phillips 6 – 172. Chad Yetman7 – 188. Louis Crevier

The Blackhawks made eight picks in the 2020 NHL Draft and six of them have appeared in an NHL game.

Of those six, five are still in the Blackhawks organization. Phillips was traded to Winnipeg earlier this season for Dmitry Kuzmin, who was brought in partially — importantly — to help with the development of 2024 No. 2 overall pick Artyom Levshunov. Phillips appeared in 56 games over four seasons for the Blackhawks. From the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft class, only defenseman Matt Kessell has appeared in more NHL games than Phillips.

I will also note, for those who need the reminder, that there were a few trades that impacted this draft:

Short, Long Term Blackhawks Outlook

As we look forward into the coming months and years, the Blackhawks players from the 2020 NHL Draft bring up a lot of questions.

What is the outlook for Reichel?

He can fly. There’s skill there. But he’s been relegated to a fourth-line center role this season. To the credit of the player, his wingers and the coaches, when Luke Richardson slotted Reichel between Pat Maroon and Craig Smith it appeared to unlock some of his game. That line has been solid all year (when Smith has been healthy). It’s totally okay if Reichel is a bottom-six guy who sticks in the league in that capacity. But the eye test begs for more. He has one year left on his current contract. If/When Maroon and Smith move on (deadline?) we’ll have to watch to see Reichel’s spot in the lineup.

Where do Kaiser, Crevier ultimately fit on the blue line depth chart?

Kaiser has been good at times in the NHL. He’s also struggled; that happens for young defensemen. I’ve compared him to Trevor van Riemsdyk a few times and see him being able to play a similar role as a decent defensive defenseman who can skate well.

But with the Blackhawks also having Alex Vlasic established on the left side in the NHL and guys like Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and Nolan Allan coming — with Allan spending this year in the NHL and Del Mastro getting a call-up recently — one has to wonder how the organ-I-zation views Kaiser beyond this season. He’s an RFA this coming summer.

Crevier is a wild card. His size is fascinating. And, to his credit, he’s turned himself into a viable NHL player as a seventh-round pick — that’s awesome. The 47 NHL appearances on his resume lead the entire seventh round from the 2020 draft. My question is, with Levshunov and Sam Rinzel coming on the right side of the blue line, what do they view as Crevier’s ceiling? He’s spent a surprising amount of time on the ice with Vlasic this season in a second pair role (talk about height!) but I see him as a bottom-pair guy. If the Blackhawks get a few years from him on the right side behind the two phenoms, that’s a huge win for a seventh-round pick.

But that raises another question: what do they do with Seth Jones?

What is Slaggert?

I think we all love Slaggert right now. He can fly, he’s making plays, he’s physical and he’s been a nice complement to Connor Bedard and Ryan Donato recently. I’ve noted here a few times that I’ve heard multiple people in the organ-I-zation make the Brandon Hagel comp. If you can get over where Hagel is now (in Tampa with elite skill players) and the trade that sent him there, I can easily see how Slaggert and a young Hagel are similar. Which is great.

When the Blackhawks load up with the young forwards who are coming — potentially adding Oliver Moore when his collegiate season ends — the coaches are going to have to figure out what skill packages work well together. His speed plays. Does he remain a top-six guy and continue climbing into the Hagel comp, or does he slide into more of a middle-six role because he’s defensively responsible and can kill penalties as well.

Either way, I think Slaggert’s a guy and his future is bright. The Blackhawks have already signed him to a two-year extension that begins next season.

Is Commesso the next guy in the NHL?

When we started training camp — on paper, mind you — the Blackhawks appeared to be stacking the deck for Commesso to be the next guy in Chicago. The addition of Laurent Brossoit to the NHL roster via free agency gave Chicago two veteran netminders, and the organization anointed Commesso the No. 1 in Rockford.

But then Arvid Söderblom entered the chat with a bang.

Goaltenders take time, and I don’t think the Blackhawks expected Commesso to be in the NHL before next year. But the long-term injury to Brossoit changed the program. And Söderblom’s play this season may have completely altered the plan.

I’m not selling Commesso, but his path to the crease in Chicago is complicated now.

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