Are the Blackhawks drafting former Ottawa Senators' son?

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Ryan Hall
June 18, 2023 (1:31)

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During his time in the NHL, Ottawa Senators centreman Radek Bonk was one of the best centres in the NHL at the time. Bonk's style of play and solid goal-scoring and point-getting gave teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs fits when they met each other during the regular seasons.

Another player named Bonk will be drafted into the NHL. Radek's son Oliver is NHL draft eligible this year. Many pundits throughout the league feel the Blackhawks should take a look at him as a possible draft candidate in the later draft rounds.

Oliver chose to play a different role in his game happens to be a defenseman. The London Knights defenceman stands at 6 foot one and 180 pounds. Mario Tirabassi of CHGO explains that Bonk's defensive game has great versatility and is certainly trustworthy head coach Luke Richardson would be happy to hear this as he was a defenseman.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic mentions how he is an all-built defenseman ready to go in the NHL.

«Bonk was an important player on a strong London team this year, which isn't always the case for defencemen his age under the Hunter brothers with the Knights, and speaks to the maturity of his game. He's a pro-built defenceman who plays a firm game, possesses the good overall skill, has solid edgework and directional changes, and escapes pressure well. He influences the game through his effectiveness and the consistency of his habits. He just looks like he's going to be a solid two-way pro defenceman, though I would contend he has a high floor and a relatively low ceiling.» � Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Since drafting defensemen will be relatively thin in this NHL draft Blackhawks will need to look at any options possible to help bolster their lineup and deepen their depth. Someone like Bonk could be helpful in stocking the cupboard for prospects.