Blackhawks try to replenish by building through the draft
An already hectic off-season for the Blackhawks was kicked up a notch on the second day of the NHL entry draft, and at the center of it all was Hawks general manager Stan Bowman, who dominated action in the second round as he looked to do a little replenishing.
"We have to build through the draft," Bowman said. "We had to move some guys out of here that we didn't really necessarily want to, but that's what happens with the (salary) cap. You have to have young guys come up to replace them.
"We're looking to replenish our supply."
Bowman started his busy second round by selecting Swedish left wing Ludvig Rensfeldt with the 35th pick.
The 6-foot-3, 192-pounder was named one of the top three players on Team Sweden after tying for the team lead in goals (6) and helping his team win a silver medal at the 2010 Under-18 World Championships.
"It's amazing," Rensfeldt said of getting drafted by the Hawks. "They're the Cup champions and that means it's a good organization to be in, fits great."
That pick was followed by:
• Bowman trading the 43rd pick to Toronto for forward Jimmy Hayes (6-5, 210). If that name sounds familiar, it should because he is the older brother of Kevin Hayes, whom the Hawks selected with the 24th pick Friday night. Jimmy Hayes, 20, tallied 35 points in 42 games during the 2009-10 season while helping the Boston College Eagles win the 2010 NCAA championship.
"He's a little further along than the rest of these kids," Bowman said. "He's already going into his junior year. He's closer to playing."
• With the 54th pick, Bowman selected defenseman Justin Holl (6-2, 170), who in his senior season at Minnetonka High School was one of four captains who helped lead the team to a Minnesota Section 6AA championship and the final game of the state tournament. Holl posted 20 goals and 37 points and was one of 10 finalists for the Mr. Hockey Award, given to the outstanding high school player in the state.
• Pick No. 58 was goalie Kent Simpson (6-3, 182), from the Everett Silvertips (WHL), who recorded his first WHL shutout in his first career start, stopping 28 shots and being named the first star of the game. Simpson was a member of Team Canada at the 2010 Under-18 World Championships.
• With the final pick of the round, the Hawks selected defenseman Stephen Johns (6-3, 215) from the United States National Team Development Program.
Deep breath. Round over.
"We didn't draft guys hoping they'd make the team (next year)," Bowman said. "Some of these kids are at an age where they need a year or two - whether it's in college or junior or back in Europe to mature a little."
In the third round, the Hawks selected Joakim Nordstrom (6-2, 190) out of Sweden.
That was followed by center Rob Flick (6-2, 190) from Mississauga St. Michaels (OHL) in the fourth round and center Mirko Hoefflin from Mannheim Jr. (Germany) and defenseman Nick Mattson (6-1, 189) from the Indiana Ice (USHL) in the sixth.
In the seventh round, the Hawks grabbed goaltender Mac Carruth (6-2, 169) from the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) with the No. 191 pick.
The Hawks' final pick of the draft, No. 210, was traded to Boston for a 7th round pick next year.