The Chicago Blackhawks could land the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The selection is arguably the most coveted one in a decade, as the presumptive first overall prospect, Gavin McKenna, could be a generational talent.
The last time the Blackhawks picked first overall, they landed Connor Bedard. Bedard was a great pick, but McKenna is considered above Bedard or 2024’s top pick, Macklin Celebrini.
That level of talent could hit the Windy City, according to Tankathon’s 2026 NHL Draft projections. The site’s model shows the Blackhawks landing the first pick, with the San Jose Sharks getting the second-overall selection.
Of course, landing the first-overall pick means that the Blackhawks will need to finish in the bottom three of the standings again this season. That’s hardly encouraging in terms of on-ice performance. But then again, the prize at the end of a tough season makes the hard year bearable.
The expectation is that the Blackhawks will not make the playoffs. But the rebuild should show some signs of progress. A full season from Frank Nazar should stabilize the top six, while Bedard could have a big year.
The defense could take a step forward, and solid goaltending from Spencer Knight could mean a better-than-expected year. But based on early projections, the Blackhawks won’t be making much headway in 2025-26.
Blackhawks Could Build Ridiculously Talented Team with McKenna
Adding Gavin McKenna would give the Blackhawks another first-line center. That situation would leave the Blackhawks with two top-tier centers, much like the Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
So, the Blackhawks could roll Bedard and McKenna as a one-two punch. However, that would leave Frank Nazar as the third-line pivot.
Does it make sense to deploy Nazar as a 3C?
If Nazar is the Blackhawks’ 3C, that would signal an embarrassment of riches. And also, a waste of resources. One of the solutions could be to move Bedard to the wing. That move could allow Chicago to deploy a top line of McKenna and Bedard, with Nazar remaining as the 2C.
The team could then split up Bedard and McKenna based on the needs and circumstances in a given game. For instance, having McKenna, Bedard, and Nazar would mean giving the Blackhawks three solid lines. That’s something that could be crucial during the playoffs.
Chicago Could Have a Better-than-Expected Season
Plenty of analysts are picking the Blackhawks to finish at the bottom of the standings again. But there’s reason to believe that the Blackhawks could finish better than expected.
As outlined earlier, the Hawks’ young players could take a step forward this season. If that’s the case, the club could string together some solid stretches in the season. While that may not be enough for a playoff spot, it could be just enough to escape the cellar.
Plus, new coach Jeff Blashill should give the club a huge boost. It’s an opportunity to push the reset button. So, Chicago could surprise many folks this season. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to see a major jump in the team’s point total by the time the season ends.
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