Blackhawks surge up the board, will draft 3rd

Two weeks ago, Stan Bowman had a dream.

And on Tuesday, that dream became reality — glorious reality to Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, coach Jeremy Colliton and Blackhawks fans everywhere.

“I just had a feeling that we were going to pick third,” Bowman, the team's general manager, said after the Hawks skyrocketed from No. 12 to No. 3 when the NHL Draft Lottery results were revealed on NBCSN. “Looking back to the last time the draft was in Vancouver (in) 2006, we were picking third (and) drafted a pretty good player named Jonathan Toews.

“I had a dream that it happened again … and sure enough it came true.”

New Jersey, which moved from No. 3 to No. 1, was another big winner because the Devils will likely select a generational talent in Jack Hughes. The New York Rangers went from No. 6 to No. 2.

Colorado (fourth), Los Angeles (fifth) and Detroit (sixth) all dropped.

Many believe Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin should go No. 3, but he might be two years away from playing in the NHL. Still, thedraftanalyst.com's scouting report said Podkolzin is “a rugged three-zone winger with an incredible compete level that compliments his superior puck skills.”

No matter whom the Hawks select, Bowman believes this development will be a “game changer” for the franchise.

“You don't get a chance to pick this high very often,” Bowman said. “You get a real opportunity to get a special player. Just very, very excited for the entire organization and for the city to know that we're going to have a top player coming to town.”

Notable No. 3 picks since 2000 include Marian Gaborik (2000), Jay Boumeester (2002), Toews (2006), Matt Duchene (2009), Leon Draisaitl (2014) and Dylan Strome (2015).

There have also been plenty of busts, however, including Cam Barker, whom the Hawks took in 2004.

The draft will be held June 21 (first round) and 22 (Rounds 2-7).