The Chicago Blackhawks’ historic success at the NHL Entry Draft hinges on a delicate balance of scouting, due diligence, and luck, according to franchise archives and historical analysis. While selecting multiple contributors in a single draft year remains notoriously difficult, past general managers have managed to lay the foundation for multiple Stanley Cup eras through elite prospect evaluations.
Evaluating the Three Best Draft Classes in Blackhawks History
According to historical franchise data, the 1980 NHL Amateur Draft stands as the undisputed pinnacle of Chicago’s drafting history under general manager Bob Pulford. Pulford secured a decade of organizational success by selecting Denis Savard with the third overall pick, an offensive powerhouse who netted five 100-point seasons during his initial stint with the team. Savard produced 377 goals and 1,096 points across 881 games for Chicago, before a 1990 trade brought Chris Chelios to the organization. Later in that same 1980 draft, the Blackhawks found third-round standout Troy Murray—who played 688 games, scored 488 points, and won the Selke Trophy in 1986—alongside sixth-round selection Steve Larmer, who established a franchise record by playing 884 straight games without missing a single contest.
Moving forward to the modern era, general manager Mike Smith engineered the foundational talent for the 2010s Stanley Cup championships during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Smith selected defenseman Brent Seabrook 14th overall, a cornerstone who skated in 1,114 games and leading three Stanley Cup championship teams. The class also yielded goaltender Corey Crawford in the second round—who developed into one of the best in team history for the 2013 and 2015 titles—and eighth-round find Dustin Byfuglien, whose physical dominance fueled the 2010 playoff run against the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, and Philadelphia Flyers, according to team records.
General manager Stan Bowman secured the third spot on the historical list with his 2011 draft class, despite missing with the 18th overall pick on Mark McNeill. Bowman successfully targeted Phillip Danault at No. 26 overall, who later developed into a very good two-way center who is still playing at a high level. More importantly, Bowman drafted Brandon Saad and Andrew Saad in subsequent rounds, adding two key contributors to Stanley Cup wins in 2013 and 2015 to the roster for the 2013 and 2015 championship runs, as documented by team transactional history.
The Paradox of Top-Heavy Drafts: 2006 and 2007
Franchise-altering talent does not always guarantee overall draft depth, a reality demonstrated by the 2006 and 2007 draft classes. Securing Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in back-to-back years put the franchise into a whole new stratosphere and yielded multiple championships. However, historical performance data shows that the other 12 players selected across those two specific years combined for 11 NHL games. Drafting two Hall of Famers at the top of those classes compensated for the subsequent misses, allowing the franchise to build a dynasty despite shallow draft classes.
Future Outlook: Evaluating the 2023 Draft Class
Looking toward contemporary asset management, current general manager Kyle Davidson’s 2023 draft class carries the potential to join the franchise’s all-time elite groups. The 2023 class brought Connor Bedard, Oliver Moore, Adam Gajan, Roman Kantserov, and Nick Lardis into the organizational pipeline. Projections indicate that if things go right, that group could go down as one of the most successful draft classes in team history.
Did you know? Steve Larmer never missed a game in his Blackhawks career, playing in a franchise-record 884 straight games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best players drafted in Chicago Blackhawks history?
What was the best draft class in Blackhawks history?
The 1980 NHL Amateur Draft is widely considered the best in franchise history, producing elite talents Denis Savard, Troy Murray, and Steve Larmer, all of whom were members of the first induction class of the Blackhawks Hall of Fame.
Did the 2006 and 2007 drafts feature good depth?
No. While drafting Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in back-to-back years completely transformed the franchise, the remaining 12 players selected across those two drafts combined for just 11 NHL games.
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