For the first time in a decade, the Chicago Blackhawks are picking in the NHL Draft Lottery, and they're hoping they got a future star in the first round of the selection process.
With the eighth overall pick, the Blackhawks took Swedish defenseman Adam Boqvist.
The Swedish-product played in 22 senior league games a season ago, with three assists to his credit. At the junior level in Sweden, Boqvist had 14 goals and 10 assists in just 25 games with Brynas, and is considered one of the best offensive defensemen in this year's draft class.
There is some concern about his lack of size, standing at just 5-foot-9, but he's mobile with the puck and will look to bring some serious punch to the team's back line.
Later in the first round, the Blackhawks took defenseman Nicholas Beaudin out of Drummondville in the QMJHL. Beaudin, who stands 5-foot-11, is a point-per-game player with significant offensive upside, scoring 12 goals and dishes out 57 assists.
According to scouting reports, Beaudin will need to bulk up a bit, the lefty defenseman adds to what's becoming a deeper blue line group that the Blackhawks are assembling.
