Michael Misa (GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks dropped to third in the 2025 draft order due to the New York Islanders shocking and moving up 10 spots to select first. This moved the San Jose Sharks down one spot to second, and thus, Chicago to third. It is still a great spot to pick for the Blackhawks as the top of the draft this year has some good talent.
Michael Misa was the player that I have had my eye on this entire season and one that would fit in great on the Blackhawks. This team doesn't need any more top defensive prospects at this time, so the need to draft Matthew Schaefer wasn't necessarily there. As for Misa, it lines up perfectly that they finished second and he ranked second.
The Islanders have a weaker defensive prospect pool, so Schaefer would make sense, but James Hagens, who ranks third on NHL Central Scouting, is from Long Island. That is definitely a storyline to follow as picks have been made with that in mind before. Maybe there's a little more incentive to draft a hometown player that could also be more inclined to stay throughout his career.
While the top of the draft isn't as clear as previous years and there are a few players that have impressed almost an equal amount, it isn't a bad year to drop in the draft order. If the Blackhawks can get out of the draft with Misa as their first pick and then have a shot at drafting future superstar Gavin McKenna next year, that's all Chicago and their fans can hope for in this situation.
