NHL Draft Strategies Unveiled: Blackhawks and Predators Face Crucial Decisions
The upcoming NHL draft takes center stage as Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators prepare for pivotal selections. Jack Bushman, host of Locked On Blackhawks, joins to dissect Chicago’s third overall pick strategy, highlighting Anton Frondell’s potential fit. Nashville’s draft needs spark debate, with emphasis on prioritizing skill over size at center.
Central Division outlook adds intrigue, as teams like Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche face potential regression. Blackhawks’ rebuild timeline and Predators’ offseason priorities round out the discussion, offering fans insider perspectives on their teams’ futures.
Tune in for expert analysis on how these draft decisions could reshape the NHL landscape for years to come.
0:00 Intro: Nashville’s draft pick depends on Chicago
5:41 Blackhawks’ rebuild timeline and future plans
13:20 Chicago’s potential third overall draft pick
20:43 Analyzing top draft prospects for Chicago
28:25 Blackhawks’ outlook for next season
34:22 Predators’ offseason priorities and challenges
36:47 Central Division predictions for next season
40:37 Outro: Where to find the hosts
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7 Comments
A piece of bad news for ya: Surin signed an extension with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl till 2026/27.
Hagens gets doubts for his size but for what its worth he is 185 lbs at 5'11" which puts him at pretty bulky for his size, so he has put in the effort to address this concern if nothing else which you like to see
Always nice to listen to Jack, a reflected young man. I would actually take Hagens as nr 3, no doubt in my mind. Size can always be compensated for, a truly high end skill ceiling- not so much
If Islanders will give you Dobson for 5th pick. Would you?
I definitely want Hagens, but will be happy with Frondell, Desnoyers, or even Martone.
NY picks Frondell, SJ picks Schaefer and Blackhawks pick Misa…you can then have Hagens…we are all happy…lol
Great pod AK, EL and Jack. Chicago (wow do those Kane, Toews years seem that long ago? I'm old lol). The Blackhawks can go any number of ways and I'd say the draft literally starts with them at #3. Obviously, they need to build around Bedard and upgrade the Top 6. They need offensive depth and a number #1 d-man (got a lot of options but a lot of mistakes between Korchinski, Vlasic, and Levshunov, Renzel–lot of depth there on defense–one of those dudes needs to emerge). Is Knight the guy in the crease? I get the sense Kyle Davidson is being deliberate and trying not to rush this (signing Donato was a good low key move). I'm saying Martone for them at #3—why make this complex? I like Martone but the kid is 6"3 winger and do the Blackhawks have a guy of his skill and size? I've seen Hagens but ehhh seems like between Bedard they need someone to counterbalance him (he's 5'10 himself). I feel like a physical presence is needed…or heck you could go Frondell. Speed and skill I think needs to be offset with heavy skill. As far as how that impacts the Predators and Blackhawks—I mean you have Dallas, Colorado, Utah going to make a splash…the Jets….a lot of teams jockeying for tops in the division. I think in the Top 5 ish in a draft like this which people are not so high on you pick the best player. Chicago is along in this rebuild—going to be an interesting decision. As far as the Preds—just pick whomever is the best player (whom is Utah going with? Are they trading). Just stick in and pick the best player—Hagens, Desnoyers, Martone, Frondell—take any one of those guys and I think you'll get few angry Nashville fans. Nashville is an organization that is starving for any kind of a forward (yes particularly a center) with offensive upside that could settle in the Top 6 eventually and be a facilitator or a playmaker on the roster. You can find wings in a lot of ways—there's a reason why centers hardly ever get to market in free agency. There is a reason why everyone and their brother will throw the farm at a Marco Rossi…..there's a reason why Buffalo trading Eichel to Vegas helped the Golden Knights win a Cup. The 1C or even a 2C that can masquerade as a 1C stabilizes 4 lines and makes a lot of things possible on offense. Just pick whomever falls and then all bets are off—all these teams slotted in these Top 8ish picks have to nail their picks if they want to move the needle forward as far as contention in the next 5 to 10 years. You mess it up and the GMs and coaches currently in their seats probably will be replaced and won't be making the next draft picks and personnel decisions. I just want a guy that can be a Top 6 forward (don't care if it's Martone either–the guy is a playmaker and scores–he can thread a pass from the wing just like he can score). We need a freaking playmaking offensively minded Top 6er—preferably center but if's Martone—JUST do it Barry! lol