As we inch closer to the end of the 2025-26 NHL Regular season, we’re going to see more 2026 NHL Mock Drafts popping up. Whenever one of the analysts I value publishes one, it’s worth taking a look and considering the prospects they have joining the Blackhawks.
I cite the terrific work Steven Ellis does at Daily Faceoff often, and he put together a nice new first-round mock draft this weekend. And he has two fascinating selections for the Blackhawks.
Ellis has the Blackhawks’ own pick coming at No. 3. Before we dive into his picks for the Blackhawks and Ellis’ rationale (with my thoughts on the picks as well), here are his top two selections:
Vancouver Canucks — Gavin McKenna, W Calgary Flames — Ivar Stenberg, WSo let’s get into the Blackhawks’ first selection, which raised my eyebrows for sure.
3. Chicago Blackhawks — Carson Carels, LHD
Ellis’ comments:
This is where the draft gets really interesting. The Blackhawks have a handful of young blueliners of note in the system, but that’s going to happen when you continue to rack up draft picks like they have. With Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel expected to play big roles for many years to come, I could see them targeting either a center in Caleb Malhotra or a defenseman in Carels. I went with Carels because he’s one of the most competitive blueliners in this class – he’s always looking to take space away. He plays north of 25 minutes every single night, can generate offense (with an excellent shot, to boot) while being defensively responsible. Carels could be a top-pairing defender in the long run.
My Two Cents: I think the draft gets crazy at the No. 2 slot, whether that’s Calgary, St. Louis, the New York Rangers or anyone other than the Blackhawks. While Stenberg has certainly established himself as a top-two forward prospect in this class (still No. 1 for some), I could easily see both the Flames and Blues considering one of the top defenseman there and taking a forward later in the first round with their other first-round pick(s). If the Blackhawks were to take a defenseman, Carels is a fascinating choice to be the first off the board from Ellis. Right-handed defensemen Keaton Verhoeff and Chase Reid and left-handed defenseman Alberts Šmits could all make a case to be the first defenseman chosen.12. Chicago Blackhawks (from FLA) — Oscar Hemming, LW
Ellis’ comments:
This is a top-10 protected pick, meaning the Blackhawks will receive the pick (as part of the Seth Jones trade) if the Panthers pick 11th or later. Hemming didn’t have a team for the first half of the year, and then came out flying with Boston College. But he has slowed down a bit as Boston College has struggled in recent weeks. At his best, the 6-foot-4 forward is an absolute menace who can beat you with size, speed and skill. Hemming would be a nice swing here after the Hawks took Mason West and Václav Nestrašil (not to mention Anton Frondell) in Round 1 last year.
My Two Cents: For all of the reasons Ellis likes Hemming here, I do as well. Both Hemming and Nestrašil were freshman in Hockey East this year and performed well, but with predictable ups and downs from teenage freshman in a tough conference. For all of the folks begging for the Blackhawks to add more size up front — even with Sacha Boisvert and AJ Spellacy joining the names above — this would be a well received selection.Make sure to check out Ellis’ latest mock draft at Daily Faceoff. You can compare it to his last mock draft for the Blackhawks in late January here.
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