The 2026 NHL Draft weekend was eventful for the Chicago Blackhawks. GM Kyle Davidson traded the No. 4 overall pick (plus the 45th pick and Louis Crevier) to Buffalo for NHL defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway. This move brought immediate help to the blue line while shifting focus to Day 2 for high-ceiling prospects.
The Blackhawks selected five players across Rounds 2–7: three defensemen and two forwards. The class emphasizes toolsy, skilled players with size or dynamic playmaking upside rather than safe, high-floor options. Here’s a breakdown of each pick, including quick background, strengths, weaknesses, and potential organizational fit.
Chicago Blackhawks 2026 NHL Draft Class
| Rd | Pick | Player | Pos | From |
| 2 | 34 | Xavier Villeneuve | D | QMJHL |
| 2 | 35 | Ryan Roobroeck | F | OHL |
| 3 | 66 | Samu Alalauri | D | Finland |
| 7 | 194 | Alexander Ivanov | D | Russia |
| 7 | 200 | William Sorbrand | F | Sweden |
Xavier Villeneuve – 2nd Round, 34th Overall (Left-Shot Defenseman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada – QMJHL)
Background & Stats: The 18-year-old (born Sept. 29, 2007) from Laval, Quebec, posted 38 points (6G, 32A) in 37 regular-season games in 2025-26. He added strong playoff production and has 143 points in 152 career QMJHL games.
Strengths: Dynamic offensive play-driver with elite skating, edge work, puck skills, and creativity. He has high hockey IQ, excels at evading pressure, and can run a power play. His compete level and passion for the game stand out.
Weaknesses: Undersized at 5’11”, 163 lbs; limited physicality and questions about his defensive reliability at the pro level. He can sometimes be too individualistic or risky with the puck.
Potential Fit for the Hawks: Villeneuve adds much-needed offensive dynamism and skill to a defense group that gained size and experience via Byram. He projects as a potential top-pair or power-play quarterback in the mold of Lane Hutson (whom he has drawn comparisons to). He’s heading to Boston University for 2026-27 development — a proven pipeline for skilled, smaller defensemen. Long-term, he could become a cornerstone offensive D-man alongside bigger partners.
Ryan Roobroeck – 2nd Round, 35th Overall (Center, Niagara IceDogs – OHL)
Background & Stats: The big 18-year-old (born Sept. 25, 2007) from London, Ontario, tallied 58 points (30G, 28A) in just 49 games in 2025-26. He also won gold with Canada at the 2025 U18 World Championship. The Blackhawks traded up to grab him.
Strengths: Imposing 6’4″, 216-lb frame with legitimate offensive touch, a high-end shot, and the ability to score from distance or in tight. He brings physicality, energy, and power-forward traits when engaged.
Weaknesses: Effort and compete level can be inconsistent — he doesn’t always play to his size or bring the same intensity shift-to-shift.
Potential Fit for the Hawks: Roobroeck gives Chicago a big, skilled center prospect to develop behind Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. His size and scoring ability project as a potential middle-six (or better) power forward who can play with skill or grind. He’ll likely return to the OHL before pro hockey. If he adds consistency, he becomes a very valuable piece in a forward group that needs size and secondary scoring.
Samu Alalauri – 3rd Round, 66th Overall (Right-Shot Defenseman, Pelicans U20 – Finland)
Background & Stats: The 18-year-old (born May 31, 2008) tallied 25 points (6G, 19A) in 40 U20 SM-sarja games and earned First All-Star Team honors. He also represented Finland at the 2026 U18 Worlds as an alternate captain. He’s committed to UMass Amherst for 2026-27.
Strengths: Solid two-way profile with good size (6’2″, 220 lbs), mobility, puck-handling, a hard point shot, and vision to run a power play. Strong compete level and consistency as a junior.
Weaknesses: Not overly physical; puck skills are more average than elite.
Potential Fit for the Hawks: Alalauri bolsters right-shot depth on the blue line and brings a steady, responsible game. UMass (which already has 2025 Blackhawks pick Václav Nestrasil) offers an excellent development environment under coach Greg Carvel. He has a realistic shot at becoming a reliable middle-pair or bottom-pair NHL defenseman with offensive upside from the point.
Alexander Ivanov – 7th Round, 194th Overall (Defenseman, Russia – KHL/VHL)
Background & Stats: The 18-year-old Moscow native has limited high-level experience, appearing in a handful of KHL games and recording 3 assists in 36 VHL games in 2025-26.
Strengths: Good size (6’2″, 181 lbs) and a low-risk, high-reward developmental lottery ticket.
Weaknesses: Very raw with minimal production and North American exposure.
Potential Fit for the Hawks: Classic late-round project. He can continue developing in Russia’s system (starting with KHL exhibition games) with minimal organizational cost. If he progresses over 3–4 years, he could become organizational depth or a surprise contributor. Low floor, but worth the gamble.
William Sörbrand – 7th Round, 200th Overall (Forward, Timrå IK – Sweden)
Background & Stats: The 6’4″, 209 lb Swede had limited SHL action but posted 18 points (10G, 8A) in 28 U20 Nationell games.
Strengths: Size, skating ability for his frame, physical play along the boards, and a heavy game with the ability to chip in around the net.
Weaknesses: Limited high-level production and experience so far.
Potential Fit for the Hawks: A physical, big-bodied depth forward prospect. He’ll likely stay in Sweden’s junior/pro system for further development. He has the tools to become a bottom-six energy player or checking-line contributor who brings size and net-front presence.
Overall Takeaway
The Blackhawks didn’t land a flashy first-rounder of their own, but they added three defensemen (addressing organizational need) and two forwards with legitimate upside. Villeneuve and Roobroeck represent the highest-ceiling swings and were widely viewed as strong value in the second round. The later picks are classic developmental depth plays.
Combined with the Byram acquisition, Chicago’s prospect pool and NHL roster both got stronger this weekend. The focus remains on building around Connor Bedard while adding size, skill, and defensive stability. Development camp and the upcoming seasons will tell us a lot, but this class gives the organization several interesting long-term pieces.