Stanley Cup Playoffs Highlight another Blackhawks Draft Blunder

That year the projected 1st and 2nd Overall picks were locks in Center Jack Hughes (who went 1st to the Devils), and Winger Kaapo Kakko (2nd to the Rangers) but there was SOME (key word some, not A LOT, some) speculation on who the would go 3rd Overall to the Blackhawks. Some believed they might follow their previous draft strategy and reach slightly to draft local in Forward Alex Turcotte, others believed dynamic Forward Trevor Zegras was a possibility (He has also said in interviews since the draft that he thought he was going to Chicago on Draft Night: via the Spittin Chiclets Podcast). Then there was the prospect who the majority of analysts and scouts had ranked as the 3rd best player in the draft in defenseman Bowen Byram. While he was believed to be on the cusp of being ready to play in the NHL that fall, some speculated he would spend another year in juniors to develop. Whether he ended up going 3rd was a basis off team needs but everyone knew he would be the first defenseman off the board (and he was, but at 4th). Which is some believed given their Lottery Luck (And bleak group of defensive prospects outside of the now gone Adam Boqvist) that the Blackhawks would take Byram at 3.

But they did not, instead they shockingly took Center Kirby Dach with the 3rd pick, who almost everyone had ranked outside of the top 10 prospects that year. Perhaps this shock was due to the belief that physically Dach was the most NHL ready of the first round prospects despite not having the same high ceiling of potential as the others, or perhaps former GM Stan Bowman felt the need to make a splash and look like the "smartest man in the room" (Who actually end up being Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman who selected this years Calder Trophy Winner and franchise defenseman Moritz Seider 6th overall). The surprise selection of Seider at 6 may be why many seem to forget that Dach just three picks earlier was almost as shocking.

Regardless, Dach has struggled both offensively and at the center position so far in his career. It can be debated whether he just isn't living up to hype unfairly placed upon him due his draft selection, or if he is another victim of Chicago rushing their prospects as they pretended to contend. While Dach has proven he can be an every day NHLer and might have a long career, many see his potential now as somewhere between a 2nd and 3rd line forward rather then the franchise cornerstone teams hope to land picking that high. This becomes more evident do to his name being one of the many floated around in trade rumors as new GM Kyle Davidson begins his rebuild.

But back to who the Blackhawks should have drafted that night, Bowen Byram. This years playoff run has officially served as the coming out party for Bowen Byram. After missing long stretches of the previous two seasons, struggling with post concussion issues from multiple concussions, Byram sought help from the same doctor who treated Sidney Crosby. Feeling ready to return to play, Byram returned to the Avs for the second half of the season and was thrusted into a large role during this playoff run. After defenseman Samuel Girard was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs in the second round due to a broken sternum, Byram was thrusted into a top 4 role on the leagues top Cup Contender. And he thrived in that role. Averaging a total time on ice of 19:22 for the playoffs (and over 23 minutes ATOI in the Cup Final against Tampa) Byram record 9 points in 20 games as well as leading the entire league with a post season +/- of +15. Byram was also a star off the ice for the Avalanche as videos of their post Cup celebrations continue to circulate. He is also starting to garner the reputation as one of the better chirpers in the league, and become not only a fan favorite but a favorite in the Avs Locker Room as well. Colorado now a second young elite defenseman to pair with their generational talent Cale Makar for the future, and GM Joe Sakic can thank the Blackhawks for that.