The Chicago Blackhawks had an eventful Saturday at the NHL Entry Draft, making strategic moves to bolster their lineup with promising young talent. After sitting out the first round, they kicked off their draft day by selecting defenseman Villeneuve and forward Ryan Roobroeck back-to-back early in the second round.
To secure Roobroeck, they traded their fourth-round pick to the New Jersey Devils, moving up to the 35th spot. The Blackhawks rounded out their selections with one pick in the third round and two in the seventh.
Building the Blue Line in the Third Round
In the third round, General Manager Kyle Davidson turned his attention back to defense, picking up Finnish defender Samu Alalauri with the 66th overall pick. Alalauri, standing at an impressive 6’3 and weighing 215 pounds, has been praised for his potential to become a top-four NHL defenseman. He made a name for himself as the standout defenseman in Finland’s U20 circuit and has committed to UMass, where he’ll join forces with 2025 first-round pick Vaclav Nestrasil.
Alalauri’s journey this past season was marked by significant growth. Initially, his attempts to accelerate the game pace led to increased turnovers, but by dialing back, he refined his overall game.
Known primarily as a defensive blueliner, Alalauri has shown glimpses of offensive prowess, frequently participating in power plays. His development will continue at UMass, where he’ll have ample opportunity to hone his skills.
Blackhawks scouting director Mike Doneghey shared his enthusiasm: “We really liked this guy at the Ivan Hlinka tournament. He just kept getting better and better, and he meets our traits.
He’s 6-3, he’s a right shot, so there’s value there. He can skate all day, he can handle a puck.”
Seventh-Round Sleeper Picks
After a long wait of 128 picks, the Blackhawks were back on the clock with two selections in the seventh round. With the 194th overall pick, they chose Alexander Ivanov, a 6’3 left-handed defenseman known for his strong skating abilities. Ivanov is currently under contract in the KHL for two more seasons, giving him time to mature in a competitive environment.
“We had him actually really high. But you never know with the Russians, just because everything’s on video,” Doneghey noted. “The luxury of those guys that we saw with Roman Kantserov, you can leave them over there and hope they develop and they get in the right situations.”
The Blackhawks’ final pick, at 200th overall, was used to draft William Sörbrand, a 6’4 Swedish forward recognized for his physical play. Sörbrand’s ability to deliver heavy hits and his strength along the boards make him a formidable presence on the ice.
“He can skate, he plays heavy,” Doneghey said. “Secondary skill.
Like, he’ll chip pucks in from the net front, but he’s strong along the boards and can really skate. And he has a physical element to him.”
This year’s draft strategy clearly emphasized acquiring players who will benefit from extended development time. By trading away the fourth overall pick for Bowen Byram, Davidson signaled a shift towards immediate impact players while allowing this year’s draft class the luxury of time to develop. With a robust group of young players already in the NHL and another wave heading to the AHL, the Blackhawks are setting the stage for a bright future.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Fans Finally Get A Real Look At The Pipeline
The Blackhawks are about to give fans a much better look at the future. Chicago announced a 19-player roster for its upcoming Development Camp, and this years version will finally return to on-ice work at the Blackhawks Ice Center after the event had shifted to an off-ice format in 2023. The camp runs Tuesday through Thursday, with a mix of top prospects and recent draft picks set to take part as the organization starts putting its pipeline on display again.
There is plenty of intrigue in the group, too, with names such as Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker, Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West among those expected on the ice. Four of the Blackhawks five 2026 NHL Draft selections are also scheduled to attend, giving the team a chance to evaluate a broad slice of its prospect pool in one setting. Media availability is lined up during the week as well, offering a closer look at the players, coaches and management shaping what comes next. [Read more 🡒]