Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 NHL Draft First Round Draft Review

The 2010 NHL Draft is under way and the Blackhawks have made Kevin Haynes, a right winger out of Massachusetts, their first round selection. 

Chicago won’t have much of a chance to use him early on, as Hayes has committed to play hockey for Boston College. But if anything, they have made a good move for their future.

The Hawks held two first round picks going into the draft, Atlanta’s pick at number 24 and their own at number 30. They gained the 24th spot in the Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, and Ben Eager trade. 

The Blackhawks traded away the 30th pick in the draft to the New York Islanders in exchange for New York’s number 35 and 58 pick. With the 35th pick, the Blackhawks took Lugvig Rensfeldt, a winger from Sweden, to continue building a decent stash of players at the right and left wing position. 

Chicago then traded the 43rd pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jimmy Hayes, Kevin's brother.

With the 54th overall pick, the Hawks grabbed defensemen Justin Holl. Holl is still in high school. Just four picks later, the Hawks took a goaltender at number 58, Kent Simpson from the Western Hockey League (Everett). 

Two picks later, Chicago took Stephen Johns, a defensemen who played on the US National Team Developmental Program.

Joakim Nordstrom, a center from Aik Junior in Sweden, went 90th overall while with the 120th pick, the Blackhawks took forward Robert Flick from Mississauga St. Michaels in the OHL.

They selected center Mirko Hoefflin from Mannheim Junior in Germany at pick 151. With the 180th pick, Chicago selected Nick Mattson, a defensemen from the Indiana Ice in the United States Hockey league.

Chicago took Portland Winterhawks goalie Mac Carruth with the 191st pick. This was their last selection. 

The Blackhawks traded what was supposed to be their last slot in the draft (number 210) to Boston for the Bruins seventh round pick next year.

We can count on a majority of these picks developing in the minor leagues, or in college for awhile, before they develop enough to help out the Hawks on a regular basis. 

Expect more information on the players the Hawks drafted, along with some free agency information, early this week.