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Just Try Hard

June 17, 2022, 4:22 PM ET [72 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


Later this summer there will be a blog or two with an in-depth preview of specific prospects for the Blackhawks to consider in the NHL Draft coming up on July 7-8. This blog takes a brief look at what the Hawks are seeking in draftees.

General manager Kyle Davidson has stated recently that he is placing a premium on compete level and speed. Last month Scott Powers from the Athletic wrote an overview of the scouting philosophy that Davidson is stressing.

Here is a snippet from that article:

More recently, Davidson also began laying out what he's looking for in players. He's asked for his amateur and pro scouting staffs to look for specific characteristics.

"So we're looking for up-tempo speed players that play high-motor hockey, high compete, and then as people you want players that are driven, that want to improve, that understand what they need to work on or are willing to work on it," Davidson said in early May. "The opposite would be the red flag. So I don't think there’s one thing a player would do that would be like, oh, we really want to avoid that. We just really want to throw in the traits that we like and what we want to bring into Chicago."

So, the Blackhawks aren't looking for skill anymore? Well, no. As it was explained to me recently, the Blackhawks certainly still want skilled players, but it can't be the only thing they really bring to the table.

Looking back now, a main reason for the Blackhawks' decline was they began prioritizing skill over anything else. There became a belief with Bowman that if they could stockpile enough offensively-talented players they could remain a contender.


Forecasting who the Hawks should select in the 2022 NHL Draft may be more difficult this year since they currently lack a 1st round selection after losing it to the Blue Jackets to complete the infamous Seth Jones-Adam Boqvist trade.

Even last year's 1st round prediction got jumbled after the trade as the Hawks sent their #11 pick -- which was as close to top 10 as possible -- to the Jackets for their #32 pick which they used to take defensive defenseman Nolan Allan.

Had they kept #11, Chicago reportedly would have taken center Cole Sillinger who Columbus ended up picking. As for Allan, he was definitely a prospect worth drafting but virtually all draft boards had him going in the 2nd round or later.

Yet, with the Powers article as a basis for understanding, the thing with traits like compete level and speed -- and most other traits -- are that they can be found in 1st to 4th liners, 1st to 3rd pair rearguards, and reserve players.

So with compete level and speed as key elements to the drafting blueprint, there are some guide posts for who to consider when drawing up the list of favorable draftees who fit the bill according to scouting trips, game tape and analytics.

The common drafting strategy is taking the best player available at any draft slot and in any round. That BPA factor could be harder to identify. Even the best eye tests and analytics can't perfectly project a draftee's NHL ceiling.

For example, a competitive player could give 100% every shift and go through walls to make plays but be an offensive desert. Likewise, a fast player could have no complementary skills to leverage that speed into productive results.

It's critical that the Hawks don't just stockpile 4th liners and 6/7 spot D-men who are ultra competitive and skate like the wind but don't impact the game very much. A team that just tries hard may still not get anywhere in the standings.

The same could be said with any free agents and trade targets who the Hawks may pursue this summer or future offseasons. So in addition to compete level and speed, lineup slotting by virtue of each player's floor and ceiling is just as important.

Otherwise, the prospect pipeline will end up having more of what currently exists which is primarily bottom 6 forwards, 4/5/6 spot D-men, NHL/AHL tweeners, and career minor leaguers. The system needs a surge of top flight talent who compete hard and play with speed.

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IceHogs Updates

Kale Howarth is likely nothing more than minor league depth but he does provide a power forward presence for the IceHogs for 2022-23. He's industrious on the forecheck and along the boards using his size (6'5" 200 pounds) to his advantage.

Howarth goes to the rough areas and drives hard to the net to create havoc for linemates or cash in on his own rebound chances. Although not a prolific scorer, he has enough offensive punch to be a 3rd liner with spot duty on the 2nd.

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Prospect Updates

This is a great opportunity for Colton Dach, Nolan Allan, and Ethan Del Mastro to not only continue making their mark with the Blackhawks but also put other teams on notice that they could be hard to play against if they reach the NHL.

Prospects like them who have size, skate fairly well, and are responsible without the puck are going to gain a leg up on the rest of the pack. Hopefully Dach, Allan, and Del Mastro can impress at prospects camp and Tom Kurvers tourney, too.

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See you on the boards!

Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago

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