Hawks Draft Review

Round 1, 23rd Overall, Oliver Kylington, D, 6'0 180

18GP, 2-3-5, Farjestad SWE HL

A phenomenal skater, considered by many the best pure skater in the draft, many will say the Hawks reached for the Swedish defenceman at 23. Defenceman with his pure, fluid skating stride do not come along often however, if he is able to produce offensively at the next level he could evolve into an elite puck moving defenceman.

NHL compareable: Erik Karlsson

Round 2, 48th Overall, Axel Holmstrom, C, 6'0 198

44GP, 10-10-20, Skelleftea SWE HL

Undrafted last year, Holmstrom enjoyed a breakout season playing against men in Sweden, and also starred at the world junior. He is a very heady player with decent size and excellent hands. He has second line center upside in the NHL.

NHL comparable: Paul Stastny

Round 2, 49th Overall, Brendan Guhle, D, 6'2 184

72GP, 5-27-32, Prince Albert WHL

Another slick skating defenceman Guhle is a good puck mover, but more inclined to a stay at home game rather than being an offensive risk taker. That being said he has good puck skills and can be a secondary producer mostly due to his exceptional mobility.

NHL comparable: Brad Stuart

Round 2, 52nd Overall, Colin Miller, D, 6'1 200

70GP, 19-33-52, Manchester AHL

A late bloomer, Miller has a booming shot and excellent puck skills. He has produced at every level and should be a power play quarterback at the next level.

NHL comparable: Mike Green 

Round 2, 53rd Overall, Blake Speers, RW, 5'11 185

57GP, 24-43-67, Sault Ste. Marie OHL

A key contributor on a powerhouse team last season, Speers is a supremely skilled, slick, offensive winger. Adept as both a finisher and playmaker Speers has thet tools to be a very productive pro. 

NHL Conmparable: Claude Giroux

Round 3, 67th Overall, Thomas Schemitsch, D, 6'3 205

68GP, 14-35-49, Owen Sound OHL

Converted to the blueline when he arrived in Owen Sound, Schemitsch has developed into an excellent two way defender. He combines excellent hands with good physicality. If he can improve his skating he has excellent upside.

NHL Comparable: Dustin Byfuglien

Round 3, 82nd Overall, Adin Hill, G, 6'4 198