Blackhawks Will Face Tough Decision at 2025 NHL Draft

While the Chicago Blackhawks have advertised themselves as an improving team, they're last in points with (26) and with a .371 percentage, it could be a lotto year.

GM Kyle Davidson advertised the team as being massively improved, and with a new head coach in Anders Sorensen, there has been some improvement on the ice.

But the hole they've dug themselves into could yield a high-draft pick, and obviously, the playoffs remain something that could happen in the future.

The 2025 NHL Draft is going to be stacked with talented players that the Blackhawks could add to the prospect pool.

While a 1st overall pick isn't guaranteed, finishing in the bottom could end up meaning the team picks between the first and fourth overall picks in 2025.

James Hagens

Four players stick out for this 2025 NHL Draft, and one of them is James Hagens who has made his presence known during the first day of the 2025 WJC.

Hagens plays on Team USA's top line and has tallied two goals and four points in their first win over Germany. He projects as a 1st overall pick, and in the NCAA has scored 20 points (5G, 15A) in 16 games.

Other players of note: Michael Misa, Matthew Schaefer and Porter Martone, who you should look into as high-draft picks.

Matthew Schaefer

Schaefer is younger than Hagens and has made the 2025 WJC Team Canada roster. Unlike Hagens, Schaefer is a defenseman, and while the Blackhawks are deep defensively with their prospect pool, they could always stock up on the best players available and deal with the wealth later.

Porter Martone

Martone made Team Canada for the 2025 WJC, and hasn't tallied a point yet but is lighting up the OHL. In 26 games, he's scored 54 points (21G, 33A) and could slip to the 3rd or 4th pick in the draft, which the Hawks could luck into.

Michael Misa

While Misa didn't make Team Canada this year, he's scored 61 points (30G, 31A) in 30 games in the OHL this season.

Misa would be another solid selection for the Hawks, if they don't end up picking 1st overall again.

While the true draft order will remain a mystery until June, an honest projection of the results won't occur until after the World Juniors, and the Junior hockey season has passed.

The Blackhawks will have good options to choose from in 2025.