CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Blackhawks are mighty used to making late first round picks or none-at-all. In 2018, the 27th pick will be their second in the opening round. The fifth to last pick of the first round was acquired when they sent Ryan Hartman to Nashville at the NHL trade deadline.
With the Hawks going for a defenseman early in the first round in PHN’s Mock Draft, their focus will shift to future scoring depth. The Pro Hockey News mock draft has given Chicago a gift with the talented Akil Thomas still sitting on the board.
The 18-year-old has spent the last two seasons playing in the OHL with Niagara, as well as playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. His juniors’ career flourished this past season where he led the IceDogs in scoring with 81 points (22G, 59A) in 68 games, a jump of 33 points from the previous season.
NHL Central Scouting ranks the right-handed center as the 15th best North American skater. The consensus amongst scouts is that Thomas’s greatest asset is his play making ability. Defensively he has room to improve but at such a young age, that can be taught.
Chicago is at a crossroads in terms of their top six forwards. Their core of Johnathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov are entering their late 20s, while the next wave of Brandon Saad, Vinnie Hinostroza and Nick Schmaltz are attempting to take the next steps to be top tier NHL forwards.
Thomas is not NHL ready but after a few more years of development he could fit in nicely with forming a new core next to Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Sikura. His ability to play center or wing will give Chicago roster flexibility for years to come.
“With the 27th pick in the 2018 NHL Amateur Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select Akil Thomas from the Niagara IceDogs.”
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