2018 NHL Draft: Report card grades for every team

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Montreal Canadians pose for a picture of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Adam Boqvist poses for a portrait after being selected eighth overall by the Chicago Blackhawks during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Chicago Blackhawks – A

First Round Pick: Adam Boqvist (D) (8), Nicolas Beaudin (D) (27)

Central Scouting had Adam Boqvist as the second best European player in the draft behind Rasmus Dahlin. Defense was the theme of the first round and it’s possible that the Chicago Blackhawks nabbed their future franchise blueliner with the eighth overall pick. People have compared Boqvist to Erik Karlsson, which is weird because I thought Dahlin was Karlsson. And why must we compare Swedish players with Swedish players? Why can’t Boqvist be Tyson Barrie? Comparison issues aside, Boqvist is addressed a huge need for the Blackhawks. Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith are 33 and 34, respectively. But they’re more like 37 and 38 with the amount of wear and tear on their bodies. Not only did the Blackhawks get Boqvist, but they snagged Nicolas Beaudin, who they had their eye on in the weeks leading up to the draft. A good first-round haul for the Blackhawks.

Other Notable Picks: Jake Wise (C) (69), Niklas Nordgren (RW) (74), Alexis Gravel (G) (162)

After getting two high-quality defenders in the first round, the Blackhawks addressed other needs later in the draft. And they found excellent value along the way. Wise says he models his game after Jonathan Toews and now he’ll get a chance to learn under Toews. Nordgren has been a point producer at every level and was ranked 21st among International skaters by Central Scouting. The Blackhawks got him at No. 74. Gravel was the third ranked goalie and Chicago snagged him in the sixth round.

Just outstanding work by Chicago.

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