Hawks draft defenseman; resign Bolland
On a day when the Blackhawks made their biggest news off the ice by agreeing to terms with free-agent center Dave Bolland, they felt they filled one of their long-term needs Friday night in the first round of the NHL entry draft by selecting defenseman Dylan Olsen.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Olsen played Junior A hockey in Alberta for Camrose last season and had 10 goals, 19 assists and 123 penalty minutes in 53 games.
The 17-year-old Olsen will play in college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth next season. He was able to keep his college eligibility by playing Junior A last season instead of in the Western Hockey League.
"Playing in college is something I've always wanted to do," Olsen said.
"He has composure, a big shot and is a left-handed defenseman, which we like," Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said. "We want to get more mobile."
The Hawks were fishing for a center in the first round with the 28th pick, but defense also was a priority.
"Some of the centers we wanted went in front of us so we went the other route to replenish our defensive roster," Tallon said.
Olsen, whose father Darryl played one NHL game with the Calgary Flames, had what he thought was a great final interview with the Hawks on Friday morning.
"I left with a good vibe," Olsen said. "I'm surprised I went this high.
"I guess you could say I'm a big, physical defenseman with offensive ability who is good on the power play."
The International Scouting Service ranked Olsen he 34th best player available in the draft while The Hockey News had him ranked No. 41.
"He's a complete player who has some bite to his game," one scout told The Hockey news.
Olsen has been called a strong puck mover with good offensive instincts, which fits the Hawks' philosophy on defense under coach Joel Quenneville.
The Hawks did not formally announce Bolland's signing, that could come today, although several Canadian media outlets, including TSN, reported it.
A restricted free agent, Bolland agreed to a five-year contract worth a reported $18 million.
Bolland is the first key free agent to re-sign with the Hawks. He had 19 goals and 47 points last season and was one of the team's most dependable two-way players.
The Hawks could have made a huge draft day splash had they traded for Chris Pronger, but instead the nasty all-star defenseman went from the Anaheim Ducks to the Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal.
The Flyers got Pronger and a prospect in exchange for defenseman Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-rounder.
Tallon said he called Ducks GM Bob Murray to see what it would take to get Pronger.
"We talked and the price was a little too stiff for us to pay," Tallon said. "It would have been some good prospects and some players off our roster. We weren't willing to overpay for him. We like him and he's a great player, but we want to make a commitment to our core players."
The top of the draft went as expected with the New York Islanders taking London Knights center John Taveras first overall.
Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman went second to the Tampa Bay Lightning while Brampton center Matt Duchene was taken by the Colorado Avalanche third overall.