Future Blackhawks Prospects? McKenzie Still Has Celebrini #1 at Midseason

The coveted midseason list from semi-retired TSN Insider Bob McKenzie has been released and there’s no surprise that the draft guru has Mack Celebrini as the top choice, calling him unanimous. The Chicago Blackhawks should have a crack at drafting there. From a scout in the article:

“He’ll be the guy; I can’t see anyone [eclipsing him for top spot].”

As that scout and McKenzie included in the analysis, Celebrini will be a very young 18 when he’s drafted and that should have Blackhawks fans salivating if indeed they’re picking first again. But the Hawks could look in other directions as well, betting that they’ll be okay down the middle with Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore emerging as expected at the college level.

But it might be too good to pass up as a caliber of Celebrini, combined with his young birth date, would give the Blackhawks an unbelievable presence down the middle with two teenagers anchoring it.

Top 5 Prospects from McKenzie Give Blackhawks Lots of Choices

Here’s how McKenzie has the top five rounded out midseason:

1. Mack Celebrini – (NCAA) – Center
2. Anton Silayev – (KHL) – Defenseman
3. Artyom Levshunov (NCAA) – Defenseman
4. Cole Eiserman (USA Hockey) – Center
5. Cayden Lindstrom (WHL) – Center

This is intriguing only in that the Blackhawks are flush with centers, but defensively, should they go that route, Levshunov has turned heads at Michigan State and would be another presence on what is shaping out to be a strong looking future on the blue line.

Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic are looking like anchors. Ethan Del Mastro seems to be emerging as another. Add in a Silayev or Levshunov and suddenly that blue line is stacked. That doesn’t even factor in Seth Jones’ presence, which will finally give him stability and a better shot at producing at what he can offensively. Connor Murphy would round out the six–if it indeed it would fall that way.

Silayev would fit the mold of the towering defensemen Chicago has in its system, coming in at 6’7. One scout did opine to McKenzie this:

“I do think it’s close enough [to at least ponder the question],” the scout said. “If the team that wins the [draft] lottery is already loaded with young talent at forward, and really needs a building block on defence, could I see that team having to make a decision? I think I could.”

Kyle Davidson on line one.

Hawks Stand to Benefit Picking Again in the Top 5

This is best case scenario for Chicago with another losing season–knowing that they’ll have that chance to add even more talent to the prospect pool. The Blackhawks also have Tampa Bay’s pick, which currently sits 16th per Tankathon. Davidson and director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey prioritize speed and high hockey IQ so if they win the draft, reason dictates that Celebrini will be their top pick. It’s too good to pass up between the young ages, the core being even more stocked down the middle, and thinking of a power play unit that could feature the likes of Nazar, Moore, Celebrini, and Bedard in a variety of looks.

Once again, the Blackhawks will be sitting pretty once the lottery commences. Now it’ll just be where they end up, and what direction they inevitably choose to go.