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NHL mock draft: Final projections for every first-round pick

By Derek Grochowski

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 5: Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden in play against Canada during the Gold medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center on January 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. Canada beat Sweden 3-1. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 5: Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden in play against Canada during the Gold medal game of the IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center on January 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. Canada beat Sweden 3-1. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Adam Boqvist #3 of the Sweden Nationals skates up ice against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Adam Boqvist #3 of the Sweden Nationals skates up ice against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

8. Chicago Blackhawks – D Adam Boqvist

Like Detroit, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves at the awkward beginning phase of a rebuild. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were both pillars on the defense that carried the team for so many seasons. Last season, they both played closer to anchors that dragged the team down. As the Blackhawks begin their rebuild, they need a spark on their defense — someone who can provide an offensive spark and help distribute the puck to the forwards. That is exactly what Adam Boqvist will bring to an NHL team. The addition of Boqvist will help the Blackhawks even if it is not right away. Boqvist may not be a day one, starter but looking at the prospect pipeline there is not a lot of high end talent.

The second best Swedish defenseman in the draft, Boqvist had a busy season. Boqvist played for a Swedish junior league team, pro league team as well as the national team on three different levels. Boqvist performed well on every tier. He stood out amongst his teammates and picked up a lot of points along the way. He is an offensive generator, he has great puck skills and is an even better passer.

Like Quinn Hughes, he is a little undersized, but that did not stop him performing well against bigger competition. He is not a great defensive player, but his talent level makes up for it. He is such a skilled skater that any mistakes he does make he can cover up for. He does not make those mistakes often which makes him an exciting prospect. He has room to improve definitely but the raw talent is there for Boqvist to be great. Ideally he will get another season in Europe playing at the top level. This will help his development greatly. Chicago could bring him in immediately and he would learn slowly, but paired with the right veteran, he could make a major impact.

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