The NHL draft began Friday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. — but not for the Chicago Blackhawks, who traded out of the first round with Tuesday’s deal for defenseman Bowen Byram and wing Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Louis Crevier and the Nos. 4 and 45 picks.
The price was worth it, GM Kyle Davidson said.
“This was just a value that we put on a really, really good young player in (Byram) that we felt it was advantageous to move on and acquire for our group,” he said Wednesday.
When all of Davidson’s wheeling and dealing this week was done, the Hawks made five selections Saturday on Day 2 of the draft. Here’s a closer look at all of them.
2026 Blackhawks picks
- Round 2, No. 34: Defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
- Round 2, No. 35: Center Ryan Roobroeck
- Round 3, No. 66: Defenseman Samu Alalauri
- Round 7, No. 194: Defenseman Alexander Ivanov
- Round 7, No. 200: Center/wing William Sörbrand
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No. 34: Defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
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Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 163 pounds
Why the Blackhawks drafted him
The 18-year-old blueliner out of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada provides extra depth for the Hawks’ defensemen room after trading Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres. The Hawks acquired 25-year-old Bowen Byram with the intention of him being the team’s No. 1 defenseman, so Villeneuve will be another youthful blueliner to learn behind him.
He had 38 points (six goals, 32 assists) in 37 games in 2025-26.
In his words
“(I’m a) super dynamic defenseman who competes every shift,” Villeneuve said. “The skill set I have I think is pretty rare, without being cocky. I think my footwork and speed will help me (overcome size).”
From the front office
“He was one of those guys that really popped for me when I met him in person — I just loved the passion he spoke with when he talked about the game,” Davidson said. “I just felt the passion oozing out of him (and) that gives you a good belief that he’s going to do everything possible in his power to become the player he can be.
“From a hockey standpoint, the offense and the skating is one that you need to see from a defenseman of his size.”
Added director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey: “He’s an offensive play driver (and) creator (who’s) got a high IQ skating. We felt that we have a lot of big defensemen that can move, and this was a perfect time to add a piece.”
You should know
- The defenseman has a Sept. 29 birthday, making him one of the younger prospects of the draft class.
- Villeneuve will attend Boston University for the 2026-27 season to “work on being ready for the NHL,” but the goal is to be NHL-ready after.
- He compares his game to the Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson and said he expected the Hawks to draft him.
No. 35: Center Ryan Roobroeck
Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Height, weight: 6-4, 216
Why the Blackhawks drafted him
The Hawks moved up two spots to No. 35 to select the 18-year-old forward, dealing their Nos. 37 and 119 picks to the New Jersey Devils. Roobroeck towers over other forward prospects and uses his size to bring physicality to every play.
Presumably, the forward will be another center to develop in Rockford and be another option behind Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, among others. Roobroeck totaled 58 points (30 goals, 28 assists) in 49 games last season.
In his words
“(My best attribute is) the offensive abilities,” Roobroeck said. “Aside from that, bringing energy is a huge thing for me too. … (I’m a) power forward (that brings) offense…and energy, using my size to contribute anything I can.”
From the front office
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“He’s a guy that can find the back of the net,” Davidson said. “I think there’s just a package there we’re really excited to work on and hone moving forward, and think there’s a lot of big-time potential there.”
Added Doneghey: “Not a lot of guys are 6-3 and can score like he scores. He’s going to play in Guelph (Ontario) next year, who will host the Memorial Cup, so he’ll get good experience at that high level.”
You should know
- He said the Dallas Stars’ Mikko Rantanen and Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl are players “I like to watch a lot.”
- Roobroeck gushed at the possibility of playing alongside Bedard: “He’s amazing.”
Round 3, No. 66: Defenseman Samu Alalauri
Team: Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
Height, weight: 6-2, 220
Why the Blackhawks drafted him
The 18-year-old Lahti, Finland, native is a two-way defenseman who found consistency and poise with the puck in 2025-26. The Hawks have gained an eye for high-scoring defenseman recently, and the selection of Alalauri follows the trend.
He registered 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 40 games last season.
In his words
“I’m super excited and honored to be drafted by one of the NHL’s original teams. I can’t wait to get started,” Alalauri said in a video from Finland.
From the front office
“He just (keeps) getting better and better,” Doneghey said. “He’s a right shot, he can skate all day, can handle the puck.
“(University of Massachusetts coach) Greg Carvel’s had a lot of guys that played in the NHL from UMass, so he has a good development plan in place for those guys.”
You should know
- The defenseman is set to play for the UMass in 2026-27, alongside Hawks prospect Václav Nestrašil, who was the No. 25 pick in the 2025 draft.
Round 7, No. 194: Defenseman Alexander Ivanov
Team: Bars Kazan (VHL)
Height, weight: 6-2, 181
Why the Blackhawks drafted him
The 18-year-old blueliner adds a development piece for the Hawks. Best-case scenario, he becomes a defensive steal whom the Hawks can rotate in their pairs. That’s a long shot, but he’ll have the chance to develop with a full season in the Kontinental Hockey League in 2026-27.
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He had three assists in 36 games in the All-Russian Hockey League in 2025-26.
From the front office
“You can just leave them over there (in Russia) and hope that they develop and then get in the right situations,” Doneghey said. “He’ll start with exhibition games in the KHL, and then it’s on him whether he’s in the KHL or VHL, but we have time with him. It could be three years, four years, depending on what goes on with contracts and stuff like that.”
Round 7, No. 200: Forward William Sörbrand
Team: Timra Jr. (U20 Nationell)
Height, weight: 6-4, 209
Why the Blackhawks drafted him
The 18-year-old Sundsvall, Sweden, native is set to skate for Timrå IK U20 for a second year in U20 Nationell. Sörbrand is seen as a potential depth piece in the future.
He had 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 28 games in 2025-26.
From the front office
“He’s 6-4, he can skate, he plays heavy,” Doneghey said. “He’ll chip pucks in from that front, but he’s strong along the boards and he’s got a physical element to him.”