The Chicago Blackhawks enter this 2026 NHL entry draft with another top pick on the horizon as they will be selecting 4th overall. This is the fourth year in a row the Blackhawks will hold a top four position in the draft.
This will give Chicago another opportunity to add a core piece to their pipeline of the future. The Blackhawks have selected Connor Bedard, Artyom Levshunov and Anton Frondell with their previous top four picks.
GM Kyle Davidson has a decision to make with this draft pick. He has options to work with here: Does he go for a forward to complement Bedard? Does he add another young defenseman to their prospect pool? Or does he consider trading the pick to either move up/down in the draft or acquire a star player to help Chicago accelerate the rebuild?
The Blackhawks Have Been Building Through the Draft
The Blackhawks have already made 11 first round selections in the last four drafts since Davidson took over as Chicago general manager in 2022. Building through the draft has clearly been the philosophy for Davidson when it comes retooling this team in the hopes of bringing about sustained long term success down the line.
Davidson will have a strong young talent pool to choose from in this draft if he decides to keep the pick. The best case scenario for the Blackhawks would be Ivar Stenberg falling to them at four. Stenberg could be the complementary winger Bedard needs up front. There is a good chance he is off the board by the time Chicago enters the fray, but there are several mock drafts that have him falling to Chicago. That includes TSN’s Craig Button draft prediction.
A more likely outcome could be Caleb Malhotra going at four. Malhotra is considered by most scouts to be the top center in this draft class. Malhotra as the potential second line center in the rotation could allow the Blackhawks to move Frondell to the first line on Bedard’s wing.
Another possibility is the Blackhawks draft another defenseman to add to the fold. There are a flurry of players to decide from there with Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff and Alberts Smits considered to be the top d-men in this class. However, Chicago already has a young enough defensive core as it is.
Could Kyle Davidson Trade the Pick?
Playoff hockey has not been seen in Chicago for years. The rebuilding process has been long, but their are hopes of brighter days ahead with the development that has taken place with this team.
With that being said, eventually the aggression meter has to be ramped up. There is the question of whether Davidson would contemplate moving this draft asset to acquire a star player that can help the Blackhawks win right now. With Bedard due for an extension this summer, the onus is on management to provide him that support up front that he has lacked thus far.
This is a big summer for Davidson and the Blackhawks. The decisions made will go a long way towards projecting how much longer this rebuild transpires.
Blackhawks Have Big Decision to Make with 4th Overall Draft Pick