Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Draft Profiles: Cullen Potter

Published

1 week ago

June 9, 2025

We started our series of Blackhawks Draft Profiles by looking at six options for the third overall pick in this month’s NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks also have the 25th overall pick, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023 trade for Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty. General manager Kyle Davidson has been aggressive on draft night before, so there is no guarantee that this pick will be made. If this pick is made, Cullen Potter is our next potential selection.

Tale of the Tape

Date of Birth: Jan. 10, 2007
Place of Birth: Hortonville, WI
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 172 pounds
2024-25 Team: Arizona State University (NCAA)

Player Profile

Potter played nine games for the U.S. National U18 Team, scoring four goals and eight points. He left the National Team to start his college career at Arizona State University early. As a 17-year-old, he put up an impressive 13 goals and 22 points in 35 games. He became a staple on the Sun Devils’ power-play unit, using the extra space on the ice to his advantage.

The best of Potter’s abilities come naturally; his elusiveness, motor, and awareness are all examples of this. He is constantly in motion, whether it’s getting the puck through the neutral zone, starting a breakout, or finding open areas of the ice. Opposing teams need to be aware of where Potter is on the ice at all times or suffer the consequences.

I know what you’ve been thinking since you got to the fifth line of the Tale of the Tape. Why do the Blackhawks want to draft another 5-foot-9 forward? That’s a very good question. Potter uses his elite skating to make up for his lack of size. His speed, edgework, agility, and puck-handling skills made him a first-round talent. He is constantly on the attack and looking to produce scoring chances.

Potter’s defensive game and decision-making need work, but there are very few 18-year-olds you couldn’t say that about. He’s not a liability, but his speed helps him make up lost ground on mistakes. These are things that can be improved with more experience and coaching. They certainly aren’t red flags at this point.

What Experts are Saying

“The best-skating forward in this age group by a margin, Potter is a small but talented and extremely fast player who uses his electric speed to put defenders on their heels, back them off, create opportunistic chances, get out in transition, and jump onto loose pucks. He’s a fun player to watch with his ability to go inside-out and outside-in on players, his ability to round corners, and his desire to attack off the rush and challenge D by turning on the jets.” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

“His electric skating and puck-handling blend together smoothly, creating a player who is dangerous anywhere on the ice. Potter is instrumental in ASU’s breakout at five-on-five and on the power play, often picking up a drop pass and blazing up ice to gain offensive possession.” – Geysen Goudy, FC Hockey

“Potter is one of the fastest skaters in this draft class, able to put defensemen on their heels with his speed. He’s fearless offensively when the puck is on his stick and can cut in and out to find lanes for scoring chances.” – Adam Kimelman, NHL.com

Blackhawks Fit

If you’re still wondering why the Blackhawks would be interested in another undersized forward, reread those last three quotes. Potter fits the mold of the team Davidson is trying to build. He’s an elite skater who plays and thinks the game fast. That’s the ideal player for Davidson’s vision.