3. Chicago Blackhawks – Alex Turcotte (C, USNTDP, USHL)
After the big two in Hughes and Kakko are off the board, it’s honestly a wild card as to who will go where.
In this draft, however, I believe the Hawks will take Alex Turcotte, another small American centre.
Like Hughes, Turcotte absolutely killed it for the USNTDP this season, putting up 62 points in 37 games for the US U18 team.
He also made a statement representing the States at the U18 World Juniors, tallying nine points in seven games.
Turcotte committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next year, but could make a case to start the season in the NHL next season regardless of who drafts him.
It also helps that Turcotte is a Chicago native, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Hawks take him.